It no longer starts on the first crank, and its now stalled 2wice since i put in a k&n air filter, is this just coincidence or do i need to adjust things after installing it?

 

sorry its an 88 ta with 305 tpi

 

When I put K&Ns on my 86 IROC (305 TPI) I didn't notice any differences. I can't really see changing air filters causing your problem. The engine uses a certain amount of air at idle speed, putting in K&Ns won't make it use more, they just allow more air to flow in easier at higher rpms. I've only had stalling problems once. I started running Mobil gas (93 octane) and after 4 or 5 tanks the dang thing would die at stop signs/lights. I got 3 cans of injector cleaner and used one at each of the next 3 fill ups of my old brand of gas (WAWA 93 octane). The stalling went away.

 

being as my car is fuel injected is it bad that i give it gas after staring it to keep it from stalling?

 

You may have damaged or failed to reconnect something (such as the MAF sensor plug, very common after removing the filter housing).

It's not "bad" to have to give it gas, but it means something is definitely wrong. FI cars aren't like carbed cars in that you have to open the throttle or pump the pedal to help it start. The computer can give/add enough air and fuel by itself to start the car under most circumstances. If it's at the point that the computer can't add enough, you need to find out why.

Since you said the first start won't crank, I'll assume the second does. That means it's getting fuel, just not enough quick enough. I'd check the cold-start switch first. That's the little bugger that adds fuel on your first crank to help it start. After 8 seconds it shuts off (unless the car starts sooner than that or has already been running and is warm).