I have an 88 Formula Firebird 305tpi 5speed. Ok well I went to local engine shop and had an engine installed after the old one started knocking. They put in a higher performance cam and some new heads. They said that it would pass AZ emissions test no problem and that they put these in all the time.

As of right now that car can't pass the emissions test. It fails one of the test by 2x the limit(and is just barely over the other 2), i forget but it is the unburned gas that makes it fail. It appears to be the cam is not producing enough engine vaccuum at idle and the computer goes crazy and just dumps fuel. Next week i am gettin a new cat put on to bring it down some more. The one it has now is not doing much.

Guess the question i have now is would a custom chip cure the fuel dumping and allow it to pass the emissions test or should i start saving up for a cam swap? The shop that the car is at now is one of the best in AZ and he thinks the cam will eventually have to go but he is tryin to get it to pass the test for me.

Sorry i dont have the cam specs, I am gonna call tom and try to get them. Besides the cat every other thing has been done to try and reduce emissions besides a new chip.

Thank you

 

it would be a heck of alot more helpful to know what test(s) its failing on...

 

Sorry I can't think of it off the top of my head. I can call the shop tom. and find out. But it is failing from alot of unburned gas at idle from the computer dumping fuel becuase of low engine vaccum at idle. When it gets up to speed the emissions drop significantly. Just wondering how much a custom chip would help to remedy the problem or if the cam has gotta go.

 

Well having a proper tune will definately help you out in emissions and horsepower but it may or may not be enough to get you a pass.