Last year I put some edelbrock hi flow intake runners and an intake manifold on my 1988 305 TPI trans am. Ever since, it has ran terribly, absolutely everything else has been checked, computer, timing, compression, changed throttle body, head gaskets, new egr valve, spark plugs, wires, distributor. Also, the two mechanics both suppose one of the gaskets on the manifold are bad because all the antifreeze is disappearing and, until recently, white smoke was coming from the exhaust. However, when there is no antifreeze in the engine at all, it still runs like garbage. The car idles fine, but once it is in gear it won't run. It doesn't die, it just sounds like the firing order is wrong (which it's not) and can barely be driven 10 feet. The transmission and engine are both brand new also. I am about to change the edelbrock parts back to stock parts, do you guys think all the extra air is a problem or could it just be intake manifold gaskets? I am about to move across country and need the car in proper working condition to sell it for more than parts. Thoughts and questions are welcome.

 

extra air is a non-issue. It aint that much difference.

could the antifreeze/water mess up the O2 sensor? Maybe this along with a vac leak from the intake?

Did you change anything when you changed the intake?

If it was me, I would take the intake off and put new gaskets. Make sure there was no chance of leaks of any kind on the intake and runners. If this doesn't do it I would suspect O2 or TPS or MAF in that order. O2 because of the water.

Most likely isn't much since the engine is new - unless the timing chain was put on wrong. Did this engine (block and heads) ever run good?

 

Vacuum leak is likely. Get the car idling and spray some starting fluid around the gaskets and see if the engine responds. Should be easy to find a leak. You can also pressurize the cooling system and see if you've got a leak there, as that sounds probable as well.

I'll second the intake/runners not being a problem.

Not sure what you mean by no antifreeze in the engine, you really shouldn't run like that if you're saying what I think you are.

Is it firing on all cylinders?

 

The engine ran fine whenever I first had it installed, since the new parts though it's ran like trash. I am going to be tearing it down to the motor next weekend so I'll be able to check the gaskets and I will check with spray in a few days so I'll hopefully resolve the problem. Thanks guys