james32219

Ok so I have the 86 firebird and the 2.8L in it is not running right. It will start up and rev really good and sound nice and strong but as soon as you put a load on it or put it in gear and try to drive I have no power at all and it sounds like the engine is struggling. Pep boys (who are pretty much worthless and I have discovered the people there know less about cars than I do..THEY ARE IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM MECHANICS...they just know how to read a machine and thats it) but anyways they said that it could be the mass air flow sensor and the O2 sensor or the timing. Well I had them try to time it (they couldn't) and it didnt work. So I took it back home and I replaced both the sensors myself and unfortunately the starter went out so I went ahead and replaced that. Now it is running a little better but still is having the same issues. So I dont know what else it could be? I guess I need to take it and have it re-timed somewhere because I also tried to time it with my dad and everything seemed like it was right but now its still doing the same thing. So any suggestions on what it could be? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks everyone.

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GTA50

Did they give you any codes to go buy? In other words, if you plug in a code reader (or jumper the ALDL) does the computer give you any codes to help diagnose?

Also, when was last tune-up done (Search for TomP's Tune-up thread).

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james32219

The only code that they said was showing up was the mass air flow sensor and like I said I already replaced that. And the motor has almost been completely rebuilt, new water pump, alternator, oil pan, starter, rotor cap, wires, battery, spark plugs and wires, new vacuum intake hoses..just about everything really and I just changed the oil and added more antifreeze...I'm thinking the cat may be collapsed which would explain the loss of power so I guess I might try and get the cat cut out and straight pipe it to the muffler..and if that doesnt work since pepboys cant do anything for me I guess I'll have to take it to Chevrolet and see if they can figure it out. I really cant think of anything else it could be so I just dont know what to do.

mtwlkn122

Sounds like your cat is clogged. If you dont mind having a loud car for a lil bit. Try removing the cat and then go drive it...or just replace it with a high flow one like magnaflow, im sure the cat on there is pretty old if not original anyway.

__________________
91 Firebird-75,XXX-3.1L

Mods so far:
Custom air intake, K&N Filter, high-flow Magnaflow cat, 2.5 cat-back Super Turbo Dynomax dual out the rear, alpine head unit, custom box and amp rack, two 12in DB3 subs and two profile AP1000M amps, Kentik HC800 power cell, memphis front and back speakers, Compustar alarm system, Gtech PRO SS meter, Autometer A-Pillar guages, 16in GTA style rims w/ 245-50r16 tires, Directional treads in front, straights out back.

Upcoming Mods:
Poly Bushings, LCA's, Panhard bar, SFC's, Wonderbar, Eibach Pro Kit, Koni Yellows, Front end rebuild kit, LS1 swap w/ 6 speed man. tranny, Aluminum Driveshaft, Limited Slip rear end, Shift kit, Window Tint, Grant Wheel, Autometer in dash gauges, Upgrade subs and do all componet speakers, New Paint will be the last thing to do.

Stats:
0-60 time: 8.04
1/4 mile time: 16.00 @ 87.1mph
Decibels: 137.4

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/al...p?albumid=1245

"DODGE the father, RAM the daughter!"

james32219

Yeah thats what I am thinking too. I just had my dad go outside and rev it up and I put my hand behind the exhaust pipe and sure enough it was shooting out little shards so I'm going to go get the cat cut out tomorrow and see what happens...And no I don't mind the noise, I used to have a 98 Firebird with the 3.8L V6 in it with a flowmaster crossflow exhaust and I had the cat go out in it so I had it cut off and it sounded fine to me.

james32219

Well I had the cat cut off and that didnt fix it so I had the muffler replaced and its still doing the same thing...I tested the distributor by taking the spark plug wires and spark plugs out of each cylinder and they all had spark but the third cylinder spark plug was black and was slightly wet. I guess it could be a fuel injector? Im not sure but I'm tired of guessing and checking so I took it to chevrolet and dropped it off and they assured me that they would pin point what is wrong with the car and it wouldn't be a waste of my money. So they said it will be ready tomorrow or Monday so I'll let you know what it ended up being when I find out. Thanks again for the input though.

Maverick H1L

A wet black plug is a sign of an oil control problem, be it rings, valves, or even a valve cover gasket. When you go to replace the plug, step up to an R43TS or whatever the next heat range up from your current plug is (if you're not running AC Delco plugs). The new plug should help burn off the oil a little better and last a little longer before fouling.

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Dan V.

Project is on hold...
The H1L-2 Raven:
1987 Pontiac Firebird, T-top
Bone Stock Except for the Following:
1991 VIN T engine, harness and ECM. Yes, I have VATS! ('730 harness is out for inspections due to problems, running on stock '302 system for now )
1984 Base Taillights
Overhead console from an 86 Berlinetta
90-92 Z/28 rear deck spoiler with HMSL delete
Eclipse CD-5435 MP3/WMA Headunit, 50Wx4 with iPC-106 iPod controller
Sony 4x6" 120W Front Speakers
Clarion 220W 3-way 6x9 Rear Speakers
Distinct (Crossfire) DVC 12" subs with Distinct 700W amp in prefab 82-92 F-body hatch box, 130+ dB (when working right)
Factory 700R4 replaced with 85 T-5 5-Speed manual trans, .76:1 OD.
Engine: 3.1L LH0 with off-the shelf air intake and a Cherry Bomb 2.25" Muffler.