91 TBI, 9C1 Caprice LO5 crate motor swap almost 10 years ago, near 100k miles on this swap. EBL controlled. Stock LO5 heads, cam, ignition system. 65lb injectors with stock LO3 intake manifold and TBI unit.

Was out driving, car was running just perfect. Was going up a hill, and instantly I lost all power and RPM dropped low enough to not register on the tach. In fact, I thought the engine had stalled. It wasn't until I pulled over that I realized that it was still barely running, probably like 100 rpm, just barely like "putt putt" slow enough for me to count the times I hear it fire.

3 days later I got it home from Sacramento (70 mile tow), and in the driveway. Cranks over fine, fires a grand total of 3 or 4 times moving slow enough for me to count the revolutions it makes then stalls out. I can keep it chugging along by throttling it, but it's certainly not even remotely close to being drivable and it is spitting gray smoke out the tail pipe.

I've replaced the ignition module, cap, and rotor. I ohmed the coil as per the Helm Service manual and it checks out OK (Have not tried another coil). Put a timing light on it and seems to be sparking fine.

Computer is not setting any codes. I tried a different computer to no avail. Tried removing the PROM to force limp mode, no help.

Fuel pressure is fine as is injector spay during crank. Can hear the fuel pump prime. I tried a shot of starting fluid down the TBI and there is no change.

Any suggestions?

 

I know you said you checked to see if it was firing but did you check your timing?

 

I haven't actually checked the timing. I will try to, but I don't see how that could have happened...

 

So you haven't done anything to the car right? You have to unhook the est wire to check your timing. I am not sure which color wire it is on an f body, but it is tan on my truck. I think you are on track with an ignition problem otherwise the ether would have simulated more fuel and it would have run better. In my experience (just mine) If you have a fuel problem, the ecm doesn't show a ses light. since you checked your fuel pressure and said its ok, It may not be the problem. What pressure were you showing?

 

the wire is grey with a black stripe. it is right by the ac/heater box

 

That should be tan with black stripe.