Since I got my new Camaro.. 92 RS, LO3, T5.. it's "performance" has been almost constantly degrading. Fuel efficiency is down, and idle quality is as well. The previous owner hadn't driven the car in over a month when I bought it.. it had 72k miles on it then.. now it's close to 74k(I bought it 2 weeks ago). At any rate, it hasn't been doing anything horribly wrong, no oil leaks, no oil consumption. I'll give a more specific run down of it's "problems", i'm really just posting to see if anyone has any thoughts I haven't already come up with.. I was out of the 3rd gen loop for a while when the 87 died.

problem #1: first tank of gas was damn near 20mpg, last tank was 16.3.

problem #2: last week the idle was very smooth, and the exhaust note was even. now it's gotten slightly rough, and there is a chop to the exhaust note(amplified no doubt by the flowmasters.)

I guess those are the only two problems I can think of right now.

I think it needs a full tune up. I haven't had time to check the O2 sensor manually, but I have run a scantool through the ALDL, and it is indeed reading. Problems 1 and 2 are likely related right? I mean this is all universal automotive maintanence. The wires appear to be factory, and the plugs are Delco's(I think they have been changed before.) In any case, I think it's developed a miss, and probably just needs a full tune up(cap, rotor, wires, plugs, fuel filter and an 02 if necessary.) I was going to check timing today, but I don't think it's ever been moved before, the bolt was on tighter than all hell. If anyone has a hunch that there might be another problem, let me know.. my last 3rd gen was a LG4 converted to a 350.. Thanks in advance.

Anthony

 

first thing i'd do is make sure it has a good tune up then go looking for other problems if it doesn't run good.

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ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM

 

im thinking a cylinder or so isnt firing. change of plugs and tune up, like you said, is in order.. which would explain for the loss in mileage also. usually, i htnk a variation in mileage by that much would almost be justifyable(sp), but since you say its running rough otherwise, i'd think it would love a tune up

 

that's what I was thinkin.. already said that, but I was just making sure.. interestingly enough this is the FIRST weekend when I've had my tools at home.. and the weekend off....


Anthony

 

did the tune-up today. Delco plugs and wires, borg-warner cap and rotor.. I was right, the cap, rotor, and wires were original, and heavily worn. The contact for #5 was not conducting, hence #5 wasn't firing. After I finished, it ran like a top.. all 8 are going now.

another "problem" came up though.. I checked the timing, I can't adjust the timing, the distributor hold down bolt is in there tighter than anything. any suggestions on how I can get the damn thing to loosen up?

as a side point.. tune-ups with headers, are in my opinion a MILLION times easier than with the factory manirolds and all their damn heat-sheilds and other sharp objects. I know a lot of people will disagree with that.. but man.. it was SO much easier to tune up the 87 than it was to do the 92 this morning.


Anthony