Hello All,

Tom 400 CFI has been helping via messaging as I work through my engine swap. I have a stock 1985 Z28 that had a 305 TPI. I posted in February before the motor swap. The 305 was shot, people never changed oil and this thing was gunked and was belching out of every orifice. I removed the TPI set up and put on a GM Goodwrench 5.7L Long Block that I refreshed per stock. Stock cam. On my run stand with QJet, it has 18+" of vacuum.

I have been debugging the swap last few weeks and have this issue:

The car has a rough idle but smoked the plenum and no vacuum leaks. Also checked with brake cleaner and MAP torch gas. New fuel pump and adjustable FPR. Pressure bumped to 45 and disconnected/capped the vacuum connection on plenum to the FPR.

Car starts right up and settles into a rough 700 RPM curb Idle. In reverse or drive, settles to 550 rough RPM. New IAC, New EGR and set the TPS per the FSM.

Car has never thrown a CEL except when I disconnected the timing connector. Timing at 6 BTDC per FSM.

All injectors were cleaned in ultrasonic tank and all ohm between 16.2 and 16.7.

Thermal gun temps on driver side after few minutes of run time were over are 450 on ends deg up to 550 deg F in middle and dropped to 400 approaching O2 sensor area. Passenger side different story, front is 90 deg F. Middle of log by 4/6 exhaust is about 130 and back of log near 8 was 160 deg F.

All the plugs look OK, not fouled or white.

I ordered an Amazon Noid light and will check later today.

Any ideas what else I can check/do?

 

Number 1 Plug

Number 2 Plug

 

What injectors and what chip calibration code is being used?

 

Using the stock 1985 Bosch Injectors (metal casing). All were checked for Ohms with a DVM and clicking/pattern with an Amazon Injector Tester and can of brake clean. All were ultrasonic cleaned in Berryman before testing. Some we stuck before cleaning.

For the Camaro these are 19 lb and I expect these are original. Using stock ECM for the 1985 that has the burn off module. I did not change the PROM. Should all be 1985 Stock 5.0 L TPI. I went over the harness to the injectors to make sure I have good connections. No damaged pins and used electronics cleaner and dielectric grease.

 

so you don’t know the spray pattern or if they are very matched in flow ? Since this is a 350 HLH 3200 calibration and Accel 24#hr injectors would be a good choice. Or good quality 22s and afpr.

 

After private messaging with Tom 400 CFI, he encouraged me to change the injectors.

Since I had another set of 19# BOSCH injectors, Last night, I had the time so I moved the driver side injectors (because I knew they were good) to the passenger side and installed four different injectors on the driver side.

That did the trick. Both driver and passenger side now fuel properly. Both manifolds come quickly up to temp between 350 and 400. Idle is smooth. The card did set the EGR #32 Code. It was late so went back to it today.

I had already put a new EGR valve last week when I thought the old EGR was fouled/stuck open causing poor idle before I determined the fueling problem.

In any case, went back tonight and the CEL was not on and never came on. The code 32 set last night for some reason on restart. The battery was disconnected for the hour it took me to swap injectors so I am pretty sure prior history was clear before restart.

The light did not come on tonight so I will assume it is not current.

The idle is much smoother so I had to reset the curb idle, the IAC and the TPS. Redid all that and reset the 700R4 TV cable. Test drove and car is perfect. Very good throttle response, plenty of low end torque good acceleration. Smooth curb idle.

I the violent 1 to 2 shift went away. I think that has to do with having the correct TPS for the load. I am sure the underfueling was causing me to use more throttle.

I think I am good with the TPI setup as is (19# injectors etc.).

I may adjust the base timing this weekend. Current set at 6 BTDC per the FSM.

In summary, it is about 2.5 months after I started the 305 to 350 swap in February. As stated by Tom 400 CFI, the 305 TPI injection system is adequate for the GM Goodwrench 350. When I was having the fueling issue, I contacted two reputable TPI tuners, ironically both named Brian. One in Colorado and one in West Virginia. Brian in West Virginia informed me that the 19# injectors are suitable for up to 300 HP. I know the GM Goodwrench 350 is no where near that.

Many people had said many things on the forum, I am a newbie to this forum stuff. If someone wants to make a sticky, I can confirm as follows:

Complete stock 1985 305 TPI FI system was installed on a stock 350 Goodwrench
Using the stock 305 electronics (Knock Sensor, Timing Advance, Ignition)
Using 19# injectors
Stock computer #1226870 with Mass Burn Relay
I have the 9th S/U injector and all the coolant sensor installed
Still have the EGR setup
Removed the AIR.

Car starts with a kick of the key. No pedal, no long crank.

The mod to the stock system I made as recommended by Tom 400 CFI was to install a Southbay Adjustable FPR. I deleted the vacuum port impulse tube and bumped the pressure from 42 to 45 psi.

Car runs well with a smooth curb idle, good low torque and throttle response.
Car starts with a kick of the key. No pedal, no long crank.
No CEL.

I will run for several days and read plugs. I have an AEM W/B O2 gauge. I may rejigger to install as a temporary meter for road tests. I will add an O2 bung after the wye pipe to get a gross AFR. Thinking I could use that to tune the Adjustable Fuel Pressure regulator.

Thanks to Tom 400 CFI and everyone else who share their experience to help me out.

PCOPP - New Jersey










Next task, swap in a T-5 five speed. Already have the pedals and master cylinder installed in the firewall.



Thanks for your advice.



PCC

 

Glad to hear that it's up and running....looking forward updates about the trans swap, and more! Good job sticking with it and posting back w/an update!