help with TBI!?! - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

86HAWK · 11-06-2009, 08:17 PM

Hey guys and gals, i just got my firebird last night, turns out its a 86 Trans Am not a base firebird, its in pretty shotty shape to be totally honest tho

I'm 200% confused here, i dont know if i have a carburetor or a TBI system all i really know is i dont have TPI

Now, low down on the ride.
Runs good, for being a pile that is
119K miles on the 305, it just smokes from over carburation.
im not concearned if its valves rings or whatever, i know its carburation my father and mechanic of 25years clarified lol
he wont touch it, its my car and im supposed to learn how to fix her up on my own
Now i dont know how to adjust this stupid doo-hicky

If i can get up some photos I would love for someone on here to clarify if its TBI or carbed.
and fi this has been covered somewhere just letting me know where with a link would be awsome!
i really gotta get her running safely so i can get to school monday, its pretty crappy to walk 3miles up hill in 20degree weather in your JR year at high school

Thanks guys and gals i really hope i can get some help, i just want to get my baby runnin right.

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irishhockey34 · 11-06-2009, 08:25 PM

Pull off the air cleaner. If you see injectors, its a TBI car. If you see a carburetor, well....then its carbureated.

86HAWK · 11-06-2009, 08:28 PM

ive done that already, and to me it does look like a traditional carb, but theres this little blue plug in on it that apears to me to be a injector clip, now im not sure if thats what it is or not.
Does the TBI mount above the carburetor in any way or is it internally plced into it like im seeing on this?
any dead give away would be great so i can get it up and running so i can drive it to school. plus dad doesnt like me takin the chevelle to work

irishhockey34 · 11-06-2009, 08:30 PM

Pic is from Fast355, a knowledgeable guy here when it comes to TBI on these boards.

That is a TBI

86HAWK · 11-06-2009, 08:46 PM

Ok, thank you very much for that picture.
That clarified that mine is not TBI.
If you cant tell im totally new to this, i came to american V8's from Japanese 4 bangers so carb and tbi is something ive never played with.

Thanks to both of you for quick and helpful responses, its much apreciated

osirus · 11-06-2009, 09:33 PM

It should still have a qjet if it's an 86'.

oh yeah and I think that blue 'plug' you were talking about is the mixture control solenoid.

86HAWK · 11-06-2009, 09:37 PM

yes its an 86, atleast the title and vin indicate so lol
what is a QJet? the brand of carb or something?
i was serious when i said carb is totally new to me, never touched one before lol

osirus · 11-06-2009, 09:41 PM

The rochester quadrajet is the carb that was primarily used on GM cars pretty much until the TBI took its place. You can find a lot more information in the carb section of the forums.

86HAWK · 11-06-2009, 10:57 PM

ha, yup thats my pain in the A carb for sure.
thanks for the name, now i can get some help