Hi, I have an '89 Formula L03, 700R4. Car is all original. I bought the car and raced it shortly after I bought it in March, the car ran 3 consistant 16.2's. I could floor it and the car would spin-em...I was a happy guy. In about May the car started having problems were I would start it, after driving it then shutting it of for 30-60min, and it would idle for 3 seconds, then idel irratically, then stall. I would try keepin it alive, but it would't help. I took it to a carb/f.i. shoppe and after 4 days of lookin' it over they could not figure out what was wrong, they suspected it might be the fuel pump, I changed the fuel pump......
A few weeks later I went to the Track
17.3, 17.2, 17.0....... I was very pissed. What happened to my car??? I went over the fuel pump 3 times, went through a Granatelli pump, the stock replacement AC Delco.... still no improvement.
What could be wrong with my car?? Fuel pressure is at 11.5 and there are no codes. The car wont even spin the tire anymore when I punch it. Before I go out and get new injectors or torque converter etc.., I want to see why you all might think the problem is.
Thanks
Ben

 

The problems your having could be a number of things. First i would check your timing, sometimes they will act that way if your timing is off a few notches and you'll never figure it out. it wont idle right and sometimes even stall. Check all your vacuum and make sure its all complete, and maybe even check your throttle body gaskets to make sure your not sucking in air, just a few things you can check your self.
Good Luck!!

 

Thanks buddy. Is it possible that my timing chain may have streached out? When I took the car to Zim's Carburator Shoppe, he checked the timing, for vaccume leaks, etc..... He said he could't find anything and hes been in the game for over 30 years!
My auto shop teacher said (for some odd reason) the torque converter coulg be going....did't really understand this.
And my buddy who has had 4 third-gens says (for another odd reason) it could be my prom or computer.
I just want my old car back.

I was thinkin' I may have perminatly fouled out the plugs when I had to keep it alive by floorin' it during start up... I guess that would be a good thing to look into. Thanks

 

have you checked the fuel filter? when my fuel filter went bad, my car ran like CRAP. also check all the basic tune up stuff.

 

Yea, I just put a new WIX fuel filter in her. I was thinkin' another possibility might be the knock sensor. Just because the timing looks good on the gun, dosent mean that my sensor could be broken and the ecm could be retarding the timing big tyme right?
Also could my injectors be clogged or leaking? Is there anywere I can go to get them flow tested?? Thanks guys

 

I would recommend investing in the WINALDL setup and see what the computer sees and that should narrow the problem down for you since it could be and endless number of problems and those little sensors add up quick.

 

I gained 5 mph in the quarter by changing my plugs and oil. If you've driven through mountains or gone through any altitude changes you may have fouled some plugs. Check it out, it's worth a shot, it worked wonders for my car

 

hey, well if someone checked your timing already, then i guess you dont have to worry about that anymore. but i was thinking of some other things, try you oxygen sensor, different cars react different when this goes bad, sometimes your computer wont pick it up for some odd reasons, also check and see what temp. your cars runs at normal operating, you could have a bad coolant temperature sensor, not likely the problem but maybe worth a try, but i wouldnt go and replace your torque convertor yet until you cover the basics first. you could also have dirty fuel injectors, for that you could just try some kind of treatment if you havent already. see what you can do with that, let me know how you do.

 

Thanks guys
I did go to myrtle beach this summer (went through alot of moutains). I havent thought to change the plugs, cause the (non-car) Guy I bought the car off of said he had the dealership do it. I'll Check that out. Another thing is, since myrtle beach, my car seems the run hotter, maybe it is the temp sensor.
Thanks