Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
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(I also have a 1989 Formula 350. 75,000 miles no engine.)
I bought the car, not running. I was told it needed a fuel pump. I put in the entire gas tank assembly from my other car. After which the Trans Am cranked and kind of started but would not stay on at all. I was told it needed a new fuel pressure regulator. Put in an old fuel rail with an adjustable fuel pressure regulator (unkown brand), Along with a set of Accel 30lbs injectors attached. Car turned on first try. Of course those injectors where too much for the car as it was producing some black smoke. As I took the stock injectors off the other fuel rail I noticed that there was a lot of crud inside the rail. (Car sat unused for a long period of time) I put the stock injectors on with the adjustable fuel pressure regulator and nothing, nada car just cranked and cranked, No Fire! So I am under the idea that maybe the injectors were bad all along. The car now has the 30lbs. back on.
Car runs kind of crappy. None the less runs! I would like to have the car running as it should be. I have no Power! Feels like it is being drowned by the injectors. Bogs here and there, and will not take off or light them up.
I Believe I have a set Arizona Speed and Marine Runners, there the one's with that little nitrous port on each runner. Along with an Arizona Speed and Marine 52mm or 54mm Throttle Body. With a Ported ugh, The top piece of the TPI, Top Manifold? Is that the name? It's ported for the Throttle Body and the Runners. I have not put them on just yet. The Runners where polished as was that top piece, so I was waiting for them to come back from sandblasting. I also need to go buy a set of gaskets and cut them to size.
Is it possible that after putting everything together, the 30lbs. injectors will maybe be in sync? Will the Air/Fuel ratio maybe even out a little? Or do I need to swich injectors altogether?
Sounds like one (or more) of your original injectors is possibly shorted. Easy way to find out is measure the resistance with a meter. Without a PROM, the 30# injectors are going to be way rich, provided that your fuel pressure is up to snuff. As for the runners, plenum and throttle body, the car should run with the stock chip, but it won't be ideal. These things all affect the VE (volumetric efficiency) of the engine, but then so does just about everything else you might think of changing, including normal wear and tear. You could try lowering the fuel pressure to about 32PSI or so and go from there.
__________________ In the land of the blind, he who has one eye is king.
So you think that if I lower the Fuel Pressure to 32PSi, I'll be in a better boat??? Runs real rich at the moment, like stumbles and idles off. With no power. Any input from you guys is helpful. At the moment I'd like to really like to light them up, so I'm kind of sad that the car can't even spin them up and smoke them. Thanks... Any more thoughts???
Well I just figured out that my Trans Am is a 5.0 not a 5.7 like my formula. Ugh!!! Any ways... Is my block at least a four bolt??? Can I stroke this motor to a 383 or do I need an original 350 Block for that??? Thanks.
As far as I'm aware there are no 4 bolt main 305s, but I have heard some say there were. Either way it's unlikely you have 4 bolt mains. No, you can't stroke a 305 to 383. To make a 383 you'd need a block with a 4 inch bore. I believe you can stroke a 305 into a 337, but there's very little point because you can drop in a 350 and make more power with less hassle. As for your injector problem, instead of playing with the fuel pressure, can't you buy stock replacement injectors or go to the junkyard and scavenge some so as to make your car run properly while you consider changing engines?
84Z28406... Thanks for the reply. Well let me vent for a second. The Original plan was to drop all the parts I mentioned on my Formula 350. I ended up selling that motor, and some other parts (Ported Aluminum Corvette heads/Two sets of roller rockers/Ported Base Plate/Ect.) Motor was knocking, recieved $1000 for the complete Motor, Minus the parts I kept. I used that money to buy this Trans Am. Now I feel like this motor is junk!!! No one seems to have any input as to whether I should waste my time putting this together. Well, I shall look for a 350 block and take it from there. Thanks
Can someone move this over to the TPI section. I am trying to figure out if I should put my upper TPI section on my 5.0??? Just looking to save some time, Looking for an honest answer. Thanks
Search mortec. I don't have the link but that should searching that will prolly bring the site up. Or someone will post the link,either way. Gives you the engine codes for the motors,let you know what it is. As many people on the board,welcome to the disappointment known as the 305(atleast it is to alot of people). My camaro turned out to have a 305 instead of a 350. Oh well,live,learn,and check vins codes,lol.
This seems to be asked constantly, What type of numbers does the LTR, Big mouth base put out??? With this setup am I better off with a 350 or a 383???
What about going bigger than a 383 with the TPI Setup???
Well this Thread turned into a fireball of crap. My apologies. I finally got around to replacing the injectors in my 5.0 with a set of 19lbs from accel. I sure am pleased with the results. I saved the 30lbs accels as well. I'm glad I finally got around to fixing it after all this time. The car started turning off on occasion. I really am happy with the car, makes me look forward to all those parts I have. Hopefully on a 350 or a 383. Hopefully soon. Thanks
glad you got it running right 
Well done and congrats. 
