ok i hope i explain this good enough but this is the problem.

lets use a scenario. just say im on the highway doing 55mph and i suddenly want to speed. when i slam on the pedel the rpm needle increases in rpm but the engine doesnt accelerate.

So basically the rpm needle rises and the engine responsed like 3 seconds later. is that slight delay normal

 

Sounds like your clutch is slipping and you need a new one soon.

 

its a automatic. can the clutch go bad in a auto

 

not really, but the trans/torque converter can.

 

According to some people, the clutch is ALWAYS bad in an automatic.

Probably what you're seeing is the lag that happens when the transmission downshifts to a lower gear for better acceleration at full throttle. Three seconds is a bit excessive, though. Can you post a video showing the tachometer and speedometer with a sound track so we can hear what's happening? Something similar to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUtcW...eature=related

hopefully without all the camera motion and background music.

Actually, there are several clutches in an automatic. They're submerged in transmission fluid, and hydraulically actuated by the shift body and computer. It takes a lot to kill them, but it can be done with a combination of abuse and poor maintenance.