Tech / General Engine Is 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!

Camaro with TPI swap has SIGNIFICANT issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-14-2011, 07:59 PM
  #1  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
legend71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Washington
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 97 SLP SS, 91 RS, 91 GTA, 92 JY FF
Engine: LT1, VRE 383 LT1, L98, LB9
Transmission: 4L60E, Astro T-5, A4, A4
Axle/Gears: 3.42, 3.70 9Bolt, 3.23, 2.73
Camaro with TPI swap has SIGNIFICANT issues

My 91 Camaro RS has a standard 350 (previously swapped), I installed a TPI system from a 89z28 including the intake, TB, sensors and the relays. The ECM, Prom, and MAF are from an 87 Trans Am. I have it all wired and use an inline fuel pump to push 40psi at the rail in idle. The car has headers and the O2 sensor that was in the car when i bought it. It had been shaking and running rough and after i replaced plugs and wires, it ran very smoothly for a short time. I then had MAF related codes and after i repaired the analog ground the car ran even better. Now here are my symptoms.

With the MAF installed:
the car will crank, start then immediately die. after several attempts it will start, go to closed loop mode and drive with an SES indication. It initially idles around 1500rpm then once warm it drops to btw 500-750 and will surge until it dies. If i drive it, i do to work each day, it will drive ok, but shakes during acceleration under load. If the gas is pushed to the floor it will pop and then the rpms go straight to 2000 and any further attempts to accelerate will kill the engine until i pop the clutch and kill it that way and restart.
The other case is if i give it gas during cranking, just a slight cracked throttle causes popping and backfiring like bad timing. So i rigged the throttle just slightly open, started it with no SES light and suddenly it stopped popping and the car rev'd to 7000 i jumped in and turned it off. I did this several times so i quit screwing with it.
the scan codes for this way are 21TPS too high, 23 MAT too low, and 34 MAF too low. I replaced the TPS with no changes.

Without the MAF installed:
the car starts on the first try, will idle higher and still surge but not die. I drives but with very bad fuel economy and still shakes violently. with out the MAF the codes are 33 and 36.

I am about to install a new fuel filter and possible the cold start pieces to see if any of that will help. I have the EGR disconnected as well as the air divert crap. Im about fed up with it, the car has a straight body and near perfect interior which is why i bought it. I swapped the tpi cause i was bored. If anyone has suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. I just need this car to run for my daily driver until i can start and LS swap in it (in approx 1 year) I get to write these gripes for the jets we break when we fly them, i hate having to do it for **** i have to pay for.
Old 12-15-2011, 07:44 AM
  #2  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
305sbc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Fairview Heights Illinois
Posts: 2,426
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1986 Irocz
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.25:1
Re: Camaro with TPI swap has SIGNIFICANT issues

I think it's time to install the laptop with scanning/datalogging software.
Old 12-16-2011, 01:32 PM
  #3  
Member

 
ZimGTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: twin cities
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 88 GTA
Engine: 383
Transmission: 700 r
Re: Camaro with TPI swap has SIGNIFICANT issues

Vacuum leaks?
Old 03-24-2012, 07:21 PM
  #4  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
legend71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Washington
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 97 SLP SS, 91 RS, 91 GTA, 92 JY FF
Engine: LT1, VRE 383 LT1, L98, LB9
Transmission: 4L60E, Astro T-5, A4, A4
Axle/Gears: 3.42, 3.70 9Bolt, 3.23, 2.73
Re: Camaro with TPI swap has SIGNIFICANT issues

Found out that i am loosing compression on several cylinders and the valve guides are leaking oil into the combustion chambers. The oil rings are going bad as well. Basically the engine is now garbage so rather than repairing or replacing this old 350, im just going to have a 6.0 LS truck engine installed. Or if any one has suggestions on the engine because the 5.3l seems like it would be a unique option also.
Old 05-02-2012, 06:15 PM
  #5  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
legend71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Washington
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 97 SLP SS, 91 RS, 91 GTA, 92 JY FF
Engine: LT1, VRE 383 LT1, L98, LB9
Transmission: 4L60E, Astro T-5, A4, A4
Axle/Gears: 3.42, 3.70 9Bolt, 3.23, 2.73
Re: Camaro with TPI swap has SIGNIFICANT issues

Engine is pulled and LT1 from a formula with 70K is going in. Im paying someone to do it right.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Frozer!!!
Camaros for Sale
35
01-19-2024 04:55 PM
NBrehm
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
1
08-25-2015 11:49 PM
st.evel07
Engine Swap
5
08-13-2015 06:15 PM
mizz0313
Transmissions and Drivetrain
3
08-12-2015 06:45 AM
86Base
TPI
14
08-08-2015 01:34 PM



Quick Reply: Camaro with TPI swap has SIGNIFICANT issues



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:38 PM.