Poor hill climbing

Why change the engine for a transmission issue I wonder. .....

If it is a high mileage engine, it will likely never climb hills again. Greater torque and horsepower are required for hill climbing, and the more worn an engine becomes, the less torque and horsepower will be available.

you need new air filter old filter clogged.

what mileage and year.

sounds like your Crankshaft position Sensor

check catalitic converter,could be partially plugged

replace the thermostat and check coolant levels. your saying the inside heater blows hot air right?

shift your gear to the left one tap to go into drive 1 when climbing steep hills and it keeps you from hesitating .it works for me i have a 2009 caliber automatic and i climb alot of kentucky hills ,mine only hesitates on the really steep hills after i slow down and take off again but when i shift to d1 its fine