93 Z28 now sluggish, rough, and sporadic backfire?

My 93 Z28 use to be in pristine condition. it only has 75k miles and all maintenance work was kept up. Just recently, I noticed it starting to get ever so somewhat sluggish, I thought it was my imagination. About two days ago it really started to get sluggish, and I have to give a bit more gas than I typically do to speed up and simultaneously the motor is running a bit more rough. I thought maybe it has been congested or it was just working something out so I gave it 75% throttle and it backfired a couple times? I noticed now when I give it lots of gas like that it'll sometimes backfire. I checked the oil and coolant, they haven't mixed so it is not a blown headgasket. I also noticed a strange smell coming from the car today, some sort of burning smell. My 1st guess about all of this is some sort of fuel issue, maybe it is running to rich or too lean? O2 sensor maybe? I am not a Camaro expert or familiar with domestics, so I am hoping someone here can help?

Just noticed something else, I smell a pretty strong burning smell after hard acceleration. does not smell like fuel, but I may be wrong.

I know it is coming from the exhaust too, not the engine bay, since the rear of the car had the smell but not the bay.

Check Engine Light isn't on.

When was the last time you checked the spark plug wires, if they're in bad form or corroded it can because ruff idling, after fire, poor performance. This is where I'd start for now then check the timing with a timing light if that is good then you may have carbon build up on your valves causing this. Good Luck.

Sounds like you the classical optispark isssue/problem with the backfiring durin acceleration.

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I agree with the optispark most likely being your problem,common on the LT1.If you have a service engine soon light on you may want to have your computer scanned at autozone or your mechanic to see why its on.This may supply some more information on the situation.

spark plugs, plug wires, distributor worn out could be the 1st places to look. then check fuel filter and carb. next could be the timing gear or maybe a flat lobe on the camshaft. if the 75k were hard miles lots of things may be worn out or beaten to death. the car IS 15 years old now.

first check for catalytic converter meltdown,then check timing..timing chain,s wear out at around that mileage..then check ignition system...are you showing any engine code,s?..have your on board computer checked...may have sensor issue,s..then check for any vacuum leak,s,or e.g.r.problem,s.

Start by checking the air flow all through the car. that means the air filter, the screen on the MAF typically not an issue, but I am being thorough, and the exhaust system. It really sounds like the catalytic converter is clogged, or to get clogged. you may be able to attempt unbolting it yourself and checking it out, or you may be able to take it to an exhaust shop and have it checked by them. Either way, that's what it sounds like to me. Beyond that, it may be a clogged muffler.

My advice get the exhaust system checked out.

We had this problem on my daughters' '94. Changed the spark plugs and wires.

The the distributor, distributor cap and rotors. Problem went away at that point for five days. It came back, and can be in the module in the distributor.

Good luck.

1994 Chevy Camaro Z28 LT one six spd.