I have owned my 85 trans am for two years now, and I have always wondered if I was the only one who had this problem. If there is 1/4 of a tank or less the car will "stall" (doesnt die, but no power) out going around a corner too fast(is there such a thing?). Anyway, I figure this is because the gas is simply sloshing around in the tank away from the pickup. Is this worse because I have tpi? (high pres.) and can it be fixed without dropping the tank. It is easy enough to just go fill up, but i know there are a few gallons left.
later

 

This is normal as I have heard a lot of people with the same problem. Solution...never let your car go under 1/4 tank. Don't worry about it.

 

supposedly the later model 3rd gens (90~92) got a gas tank with a very slightly modified baffling system that eliminated this problem. Of coarse this is just heresay. But I recall some member of this board replacing his tank w/ said gas tank from a V6 RS and this eliminated his problem. The modified baffling was very slight but it worked.


James

 

Here's an Idea, trying replacing the fuel pump. I don't know just an idea...

 

Replacing the pump will do no good, unless you have this stalling problem alot, of which it will kill your pump eventuly.

------------------
Rob
'86 TA 305 TPI
Gutted MAF, Ported Plenum
TB Bypass, Home made Cold Air Intake,
Edelbrock T.E.S.
48psi regulator, (Nickel method)

 

Common, normal.

Keep fuel in the tank, no more problems.

 

I have this problem in my 89 as well.

My question is: will this hurt the fuel pump at all?

------------------
***The driver formerly known as 89IROCZ***

1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
350c.i. TPI, rebuilt 700R4 auto w/shift kit, Dual catalyst Monza PaceSetter Cat-Back (currently no muffler, sounds on webpage), SLP 1 5/8 Coated Headers on order, 3.23 Posi rear, Hypertech chip with 160stat, Under-Drive pulleys, AFPR, K&N's, !Air Box w/ Ram Air, moddified MAF, throttle body coolant bypass, Spohn SFC's on order, Alarm, Keyless entry, remote starter, 92 Z28 AeroWing, Brand New Paint (6/21/01)

Future: ZZ4 TPI w/EGR, T56, 3.42 or 3.73, Spohn strut tower brace and LCA's

1989 Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport
2.8 MPFI, no mods
225,000 miles and still ticking!

More info, pictures and sounds (of the IROC) available on my webpage: http://go.to/iroc-z

AOL IMer: GPA 0point0

 

I noticed this, my gauge is always full, then when there is 1/4 left it drops to 1/4 stupid piece of crap tank and gauge!

 

Yea, it sure can hurt the pump.

 

My 89 did that too, it let me know when I needed to get gas, but my 92 has the baffled tank and it never cuts out around corners, it will pick up the last drop and then die with no warning.

------------------
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
UltraFlo cat-back exhaust

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

2000 Dodge 1500 Ram Sport

 

I have the baffled tank and I experienced this for the first time yesterday during an autocross. After 2 runs during the same part of the course I would floor it and nothing. The RPMs went straight down. The gauge was in the yellow zone so I just filled it up to 1/2 and it was fine.

I have a question though. After a really fast run I smelled gas and I found it leaking out the gas cap area. I know I tightened the cap. Sometimes when I open the cap it hisses and vapours come out so shouldn't it be sealed properly?

------------------
'90 Red Formula Firebird
305 TPI 5-speed UBC Sports Car Club

 

I have the same problem with my 91, it dies when I brake hard when I have less than 1/8 of a tank. I used to have a 92 RS, same options as my current 91, and it never did this, the gas gauge didn't jump around either.

I have a theory, maybe only the 92 and up F-bodies had the baffled tank.
I dunno guys just a theory.
Can anyone else back up what I suspect?

------------------
89 RS 350 TBI auto Hooker SC/LT headers Open element 3in K&N CVT protorque mini-starter

Daily driver 91 RS auto LO3 63k

New project- 89 Formula 350 WS6
383 or 400 to come!

 

i have a 92 bird and no problems with it dieing around corners

 

I have a '91 RS Camaro, and with less than a 1/8th of a tank or so, it will stall around a tight corner. So, I agree that the baffled tank must have started in '92.

 

I get down to 1/2 gallon before I start stalling on hard turns with my baffled tank.

------------------
1989 IROC-Z 5.7L
NOS 5151 150HP kit
ProBuilt 700R4, PI Vigilante 2800 stall lockup
Baer Brakes 12" Sport System

 

I see a 92 fuel tank in my future, I'm tired of dying in traffic and that jumping gauge!

------------------
89 RS 350 TBI auto Hooker SC/LT headers Open element 3in K&N CVT protorque mini-starter

Daily driver 91 RS auto LO3 63k

New project- 89 Formula 350 WS6
383 or 400 to come!

 

Yeah guys, don't let your fuel pump run dry! Plus, the pump gets hot unless it's submerged in fluid, and that heat can wear it out too. Trust me; you don't want to do a pump job. (I've done it twice.)


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

The only tanks I know that came with the baffel were the 1LE cars. Maybe iroc too?
Pretty sure the 1LE's came with them though..

Brendan

------------------
1987 IROC-Z L98,SR,EB 6085's,LPE 219/219 SR Cam, Crane 1.6RR, EB TPI Base, 58mm TB, Stock T5, 30lb SVO, AFPR, K&N, EB TES, Catco Cat, 3" Borla Cat-Back, Accel cap,rotor,distro/other crap, Aluminum DS, 94 Disk Rear, Adjustable Prop Valve, Precision 3.73 Gears, Weld in Sub-Frame Connectors, Hotchkis LCA's, KYB Shocks/Struts, Poly Bushings all over the place, Moog Upper/Lower Ball joints and Tie Rods ends/Idler Arm, Big stereo, 730SD Conversion.

To see the ROC, Check out the webpage Here

 

Normal happened to me, but it's funny when you hit a corner hard and no power, then wheel spin and fish tail and off you go ...... can't be good for the pump though ..... oh well.

------------------
1989 GTA 350 TPI
Stock:
- T-tops
- Dual cats
- 9-Bolt 7.75" Rearend
- 3.27 gears
Mods:
- Dynomax Super Turbo Muffler

1992 RS 305 TBI - Sold

 

I've owned a 92 firebird and now an 87 t/a gta, so maybe I can shed a little light. The 92, taking the same tight corner in the parking lot, with LOW gas would NOT drop rpms or power. The GTA, with less than 1/4 tank, dropped to no rpms, and had no power.

Will tight corners hurt my fuel pump if I lose rpms? Yes. Anytime you run the pump dry you damage it. When I'm low, I just take it easy on the throttle and make it to the gas station.

Will changing the pump help? NO. Especially if you're going to take it to a shop. (I just had mine replaced for a cool 400 bucks.)

------------------
~3.1EyeCandy~
"The Car that started my craze"

'92 Firebird 3.1 (A car sold)

My new baby: '87 flame red GTA 350 w'auto
Carmine interior with pioneer all around
Hooker Catback, Airfoil, K&N
http://3.1EyeCandy.tripod.com

 

if tis carbed get used to it


------------------
89 firebird formula


360 10:1compression (350 .060 over)/fully balnced and blueprinted
comp cams xe262 cam
performer rpm intake/port matched to heads
#1405edlebrock 600
sportsman 2 heads 64cc 2.02/1.60 valves 200cc intake runner/cnc pocket ported
msd 6al/msd8.5 super condutor wires
h.e.i. proform 50,000 volt vac. advance ditributor
700r-4 with 3.08 first gear and 3.23 posi 7 5/8 rear end.
b trans shift kit(will kill shifts...suck dong!!)
shorty heddman hedders with custom 3" pipe y-pipe back(no damn cat!) with 40 series flowmaster!
griffin daul1" core rad.cutom fabrication to fit(but no cutting )


future mods: 406 roller REALLY REALLY REALLY RADICAL!!!!!.with lots of NOS