when cold it runs great but when it gets warmed up it lugs down between shifts and you have to floor the gas pedal to get anywhere... it seems to be idling too high causing the motor to almost die out before it finally downshifts.
Right, this is why the E23 code shows up. In computer controlled vehicles you have two separate "modes" in which the engine runs. In open loop the engine runs with most of the sensors shut off and dumps a lot of fuel through the engine to get it to warm up (dumbed down explanation). Once it reaches operating temps, it goes into closed loop operation where it pools information from the various sensors to get the engine to run its best.
The problem you seem to be having is in closed loop operation. One of the sensors that the engine is calling on is faulty, whether it's a lose connection or a bad sensor or what not, and is not letting the engine run optimally.
The computer is indicating an Electronic Spark Timing fault (E23). This variable is configured by compiling info from a variety of sources such as the pick up coil, the ICM, ignition coil, etc, and relaying that back to the ECM. If any of the information received falls outside of the parameters encoded into the ECM, the ECM throws a "fault" code.
So, with the fault code in mind, you try to deduce all the possible sensors/parts that are controlled by or feed information to the computer that have to do with motor timing and spark. You already replaced the basics such as cap, rotor, plugs, and wires; so in cases where the problem is not fully evident I usually like to start from least expensive to most expensive, like pulling the ICM and having it tested (free to do).
You can probably rule out the ignition coil because the car runs good in open loop. I say this because if the coil was bad, the possibility remains that the car would run crappy from the start.
The ICM moderates the current from the coil, like points did back in the day, and is the next logical step in progression. It just so happens to be the cheapest also.
Pickup coils work with a vehicle's ignition system to regulate spark and communicate to fuel injectors. When one fails, it can have adverse effects on multiple vehicle systems including the engine and fuel system regulators. A pickup coil that has failed, or is about to, may also cause engine stalling and an inability to accelerate smoothly because the fuel injectors are not firing properly or on time with rest of the engine. Unfortunately, this one is a little tricky to tell without just replacing it and is the most expensive/time consuming item on the list for a novice mechanic.
I know it's long winded, but that is the nutshell of my thought process concerning your symptoms in your vehicle and why I'm telling you where to look :yup:
Good luck and report back...