I've installed LT1 cam, ported/polished #416 heads, 1.94 intake valve, 1.5 exhaust valve, 1.6:1 roller-tip rockers, Weiand #8000 carb intake, Hedman Headers, Gutless Cat.

Engine surges all the time, at any speed and at idle, and it wants to die at stop sign.

I can't find any vacuum leaks. I increased fuel pressure at regulator, no effect. I set timing all over the place, no effect. Fuel pump seems to be fine. Haven't tested fuel pressure yet - awaiting guage to ship. New MAP sensor, no effect.

Nothing I do seems to make any effect, good or bad!

Does this mean I need chip tuning?

 

yes, with any mods you should get chipped customed burned, your computer still thinks everything is the same and is trying to fix it sort of

 

yes i am sure you need a chip.

just out of curisity how far did you set the timing up? i would guess with that setup your engine is going to want alot of timing at idle. and you are porbbaly going to be running VERY lean up top. sort of a catch 22, you ad more fuel everywhere , it idles like crap, you add timing everywhere, it runs like crap up high.

thats why your going ot need a chip.

 

my timing is set at highest vacuum from the manifold - it's off the scale in the high range, like 16 or something - i'm wondering if my mark (outer ring on balancer) slipped - highest vacuum was only way i could have something to set it by

 

with it timed to high vacume, you should hae noticed a better idle, but it would have run bad everywhere else, because you would have had way too much timing up top.