I'm going to be buying an RS at the end of the month to use as a daily driver and would like to know what kind of problems are common to TBI motors. From what I have heard they are a really reliable setup but gremlins pop up even in the most foolproof of situations. Are there certain things I should look for when checking out cars other than the usual procedure. Thanks for the help.
bsa

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"If they do not run, Then they will die." - Stonewall Jackson
#3
'87 IROC, 355 TPI, Converted to SD, 700R4, B&M Megashifter, 3.42, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge Heads, Edelbrock Intake, Accel Runners, Comp Cam, Crane Gold rockers, Lucas 24# injectors, Edelbrock headers, Flowmaster 3'' exhaust, Mallory Ignition, Transgo Performance Shift Kit, Corvette Servo, 2,000 Stall Torque Converter

 

lack of money to replace all these crappy parts

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-Tas
'89 Formula WS-6

305, TBI, auto, 14x3 chrome flat based open element with K&N, Milodon 160* thermo, functional Formula hood, cross-flow Flowmaster, '99z28 rear pipes and tips....

Soon to be installed:
Hooker 1-5/8" 50 state legal headers, Dynomax 3" I pipe (PN 44063 and 43248), Catco 3" cat, and injector spacer.

Super GRK_Taz World
F-Body Dual Exaust
EFI & Intake Options
AOL IM: superGRtaz

 

I have had no problems with the TBI. Worse case scenario is you buy a new TBI unit and that is only a few hundred. Its really inexpensive compared to your TPI

 

Alright, anybody else. I'm going to have to force myself to refrain from doing any mods on this car. Hold me back man, hold me back......

 

Buy it, I have had no problems with mine in 140,000 miles except the normal things that wear out, I have had to rebuild the starter, alternator and replace the water pump and radiator, it has never failed to start, if all cars were this reliable we would have almost no need for mechanics!!!

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92 Camaro RS 5.0 5-Speed (Quasar Blue)
T-Tops
14" Open Air Cleaner
3.08 Posi-trac
Edelbrock TBI Intake
Crane cam
Ported & polished stock heads 3 angle valve job
HyperTech Chip
SLP Headers (Ceramic Coated)
UltraFlo cat-back exhaust

74 Dodge Dart Sport 360 (11.2 1/4 mile)

2000 Dodge 1500 Ram Sport

 

The only TBI specific problem I've had with my car in the 7 years I've had it is the crap people give me about it being TBI. At the 180,000 mile mark one of the injectors started leaking causing rough running, but that was only $120 and a half hour job to replace both injectors with flow-matched Turbo City ones. Other than that I've had your typical string of alternators being eaten, replaced the clutch twice (one only lasted a few thousand miles before I broke the springs out of the disc) the water pump once, the cap and rotor a few times, etc...

 

If anybody ever gives me crap about the TBI I'll just say......."Hold on for a second and let me go get my OTHER CAR." What did all of y'all pay for your car, if you don't mind me asking.
bsa

 

Hey dartbyu, i have about the same amount of miles.. I see that you have a new cam and new heads.. Anything go wrong when you put them on or have you had them on a long time? I want to do a cam/head/intake swap but i don't have money for a rebuild if I need one AFTER i put all the money into perf. parts..

BTW: I've had no problems other than a blown valve cover gaskets at 140,000 , and I would say the car gets treated good but gets driven rather hard.

 

there aren't really any TBI specific problems.. aside from a lack of horsepower.. Most of the "problems" you'll encounter are common to ALL thirdgens.. and based on your signature, I'd bet you've already encountered one or two before.. The only things I've had to do to my RS.. tune-up(everything and set the timing to 6* adv.. runs SO much better now.), alternator, thermostat(180*), upper hose.. and the bushings in my clutch pedal....oh yeah.. a tail light.. that's it.. and let me check.. yeah.. did all that to the 87 too.

Anthony

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previous ride: 87 Camaro LT
350, A4.Comp Cams 268H, Edelbrock Preformer intake, Hedman Headers and y-pipe, gutted cat, No AIR/smog pump. 14x3" Open element K&N, Q-jet w/ D hanger and DA rods, adjusted AV spring tension and quick can.

Current ride: 1992 Camaro RS, K&N, Flowmaster, 305, T5, Black, T-tops, 76k miles.

 

Yeah, I've experienced many of the thirdgen gliches. Not a lot of fun. One of the main reasons that I'm gonna store the IROC to use a weekend cruiser.
bsa

 

after 10 years and 131,000 miles, ive just had my first prob with my bird, the throttle position sensor went out after i put in my cam, other than the starter, and alternator, but that happens to all cars
-Brian

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"If its in my way-It gets run over"

--'91 firebird
305 TBI
Hypertech chip-thermomaster
Edelbrock performer intake
Crane compucam 2010
B&M shift kit
straight pipe exhaust-with resonator tips
160 thermostat
open element

 

I put most of my parts on when the car had about 95,000 miles on it, there was nothing wrong with my car I just wanted more power, when I took the heads off I was surprised to see that there was no bore wear at all, I could still see some crosshatch pattern, I owe that to Mobil 1 oil I think.

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92 Camaro RS 5.0 5-Speed (Quasar Blue)
T-Tops
14" Open Air Cleaner
3.08 Posi-trac
Edelbrock TBI Intake
Crane cam
Ported & polished stock heads 3 angle valve job
HyperTech Chip
SLP Headers (Ceramic Coated)
UltraFlo cat-back exhaust

74 Dodge Dart Sport 360 (11.2 1/4 mile)

2000 Dodge 1500 Ram Sport

 

I have a '89 Pontiac Firebird with 305 TBI. I got it last september. The most problems I have was the Air Control valve. If that sensor went bad the car would run horrible. Smoke will come out of the exhaust,idle bad,sometimes it will not even start,the RPM will be ubnormal. Then the MAP sensor will have be replaced once in a while. If you replace those sensors with good ones...your car will run like new. Believe me TBI has far less parts to break than TPI. also don't forget the engine coolent sensor.That is it.

 

only problem i have had is running hot but that is a problem caused by the previous owner not caring for the radiator and water pump right (old lady) she thought you can run straight water. fixed that and my fuel pump went out once. everything else was caused by me.. i only paid 3000 dollars for mine right out of highschool. plan on spending another 3000 on it for engine.
Shawn