Can a leaking valvecover gasket,a bad fuel filter, or a ac compressor with a bad clutch that starts to make a burning smell after the car is driven hard, have a huge decrease in performance. Those are the only things I know for sure thats wrong with my car. I have a 95 eagle talon esi with intake and exhaust. Somethings gotta be wrong I got beat by a Stock Kia Sephai. Please Help?

Clogged fuel filter could be restricting the flow of fuel to the engine. And a slipping clutch, especially if you smell it burning, can be keeping the power from getting to the wheels.

leaking valve cover, you're loosing oil and it's running down your block. Bad fuel filter, you'r not getting the needed fuel for your car. Bad clutch, I bet you're slipping all over the place. You need to take care of that DSM man. No wonder you getting beat by a Kia, it's cuz you're not showing your car enough TLC.

Ok its not the tranny clutch cause its an a/t. I am speaking of the clutch on the ac compressor. The car had those things wrong with it when I got it. I haven't had it very long. It's getting a new fuel filter and I am takeing the ac compressor of and just running power steering. The weirdest thing about the kia was it was killing my friends 2.4l stratus also, but then agian at the time the stratus was killing me too. My wife was pissed she said do whatever you need to do but next time you three race you better kill them by at least 4 car lengths. Any one know were to get a fuel filter for under 15 bucks in Oklahoma City????