speeddevil

i just changed out my distributor cap & rotor because it felt like the engine was missing and idling like crap. i put on a conrad cap and rotor and set the timing to 10* and it seems to run great but if i turn it off and back on then the car runs like **** so i disconnected the computer wire to the distributor and it runs great, what's going on? where do i look to trouleshoot this?

JDMZ28

iTrader: (1)

Do you have the computer controlled distributor. If so, the computer resets the timing back to 0 once you shut the car off. I did it to mine, set the timing to 8 degrees, had a bunch of throttle response, shut the car off the car idled really low, went and checked the timing and it was back at 0.

I just yanked it yesterday for a regular HEI, works awsome, doesn't die after 5000rpm and it idles and revs a lot smoother, I did also put on a new cap and rotor though.

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1986 CAMARO Z28 ->
151,000 original miles, 43,000 on 89' vette 350 block, Holley 650 DP, Weiand intake, 1.6 rockers, 1 5/8" headers, no cat, 2 1/2" Flowmaster catback, Mallory coil, March pulleys, B&M Ripper shifter, T5 with 3.35 1st gear and 0 miles, 90% Centerforce clutch, 3.73 posi, Eibach 1" drop springs, Spohn LCA's, Spohn adjustable panhard rod, Subframe connectors, all bushings are urethane, 2 12" Sound Streams, 2 Infinity 6X9's, 2 Pioneer 6X9's, 800 watt Lanzar Vibe amp. ET 13.22@ 106.4MPH 3300lbs less driver and speakers Next mods-> Extreme Energy 268 cam, Holley street dom intake.

1987 TRANS AM ->
73,000 miles, 305TPI, auto, gutted air box.

speeddevil

yes i have the computer controlled distributor with a conrad brass fitted cap & rotor, accel super coil and accel 8mm wires and rapid fire plugs. i unplugged the computer (brown wire) and set the base timing to 10* and it runs great, plug the computer back up (brown wire) and it runs like ****, can't even drive down the road for it back firing and not hitting right...so for now i have the computer unplugged but i know that i need the computer advance as rpms pick up. what to check???

speeddevil

anyone got any ideas on how to troubleshoot this? could it be my control module is fried or what?

IROCketZ28

Speed,
Have you re-checked the timing since you turned it off? As mentioned above, the 'puter may be screwing with your 10*BTDC. Also, I have heard stories of this happening due to a faulty ESC module. This should be on the driver's side firewall, right next to your master cylinder. I'm not certain if this piece going dead would result in the problems your having, though. Anybody have any input on this???

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'87 IROC Z28
TPI 305
5-speed w/ Centerforce clutch
3 1/2" exhaust w/ Flowmaster
Clarion, Kenwood, Eclipse, Polk, MTX, Autotek 800 watt stereo system
Grant wheel
Otherwise stock, & good for a 14.68 at DeSoto Dragstrip
More to come soon...
Shooting for high 13's with bolt-on's

lodavis

Have the same problem here, after changing the cap and button. Haven't set the timing yet. What's the proper method for setting the base timing? After disconnecting the tan/black wire, what are the steps to set base timing? Thanks

speeddevil

10* has been perfect the past 2 days and it's definately more responsive than before so i know this is related to a sensor or computer but i'm not sure what to check...i'm putting in a new accel control module in the morn i'll let you know if it helped any.

speeddevil

ok, something else is up, i put in the new spark control module and it seems to have help give me a more solid running engine if it wasn't bucking and backfiring half the time. i unplugged the computer wire on the distrib & set it back to 8* and tightend it down then plugged in the computer wire and doesn't want to run right, i double checked for the correct plug wire sequence and checked each wire (new) it's just when i plug the computer wire, what's to be checked inbetween distrib and computer?

speeddevil

well can anyone tell me how long the computer should be unplugged from the battery before it will clear?