z28romance

hi everyone. this is my first post on thirdgen.org. hoping to find some ideas. as the title says i have an 87 z28 TPI 305. im having an issue with high choppy idle and engine stalling when placed under load (turning the wheels and shifting in reverse/drive). after several restarts my cel comes on. when the cel comes on the idle drops to where it should be and there's no stalling issue. im guessing a bad component and the ecm defaults when it doesn't get proper input. any help would be greatly appreciated.

update:

today i set the timing @ 8 deg. btdc. i jumped out the diagnostic port and pulled the dtc's. i got a code for the esc circut? also a code for mass air flow sensor and maf burn off circuit. since i had already repaced the maf burn off relay i went ahead and replaced the MAF sensor. the old unit was left in someones trunk for 6 mos by the P.O. of the car.

still stalling out. not idling so high though. when i disconnect the esc wire the car doesn't stall out. could this be a bad distributor component? im a little stumped. i have experience in the aftermarket parts industry but i need help with diagnosis. im getting sick of seeing all these summer nights go by and no cruising. any ideas? anyone?