I have a 1996 Cavalier convertible, 4cyl, 2.2 it ran fine when i store it last year but now it won't accelerate. You floor the gas pedal and it takes the car 5 minutes to get to 35mph. At this point the rpms are in the red. Why won't the car accelerate?

Change the catalyst converter

often times the engine needs to warm up to normal operating temperature. this varies from makes and models. if you cant wait that long, having it idle for approximately 5 - 10 minutes should at least lessen the acceleration problem, but the longer you wait the better it will be on the engine.

try to put it together.

is the check engine light on.

A variance of 20 PSI indicates a problem.

If the engine RPM's increase when the gas pedal is floored, you have a transmission problem or a problem with your shift cables.

If the engine RPM's don't change when the gas pedal is floored, you have a throttle pedal cable problem or throttle body problem.

You will need an experienced mechanic to diagnose this problem as it is very dangerous to operate the vehicle under these conditions.

I’m happy to help further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_69f3cc28d95bf514

catalyic convertor or timing

Could be the catalytic converter. It would explain the check engine light and poor performance.

try a few things ? throtale cable? cleaning throtale plates ? check for a leack in rear main seal?

You have may have one of the following issues, low fuel press due to a pump or plugged filter, a plugged exhaust system, mainly the cat converter, a defective MAF sensor. Do you have any trouble codes