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Im having a bit of trouble... any ideas?

Old Dec 22, 2010 | 11:03 AM
  #1  
Burden's Avatar
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From: Corydon In.
Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 3.1 V6
Im having a bit of trouble... any ideas?

I have a 91' Firebird... 3.1 V6... i have had it for 3 years. I replaced all spark plugs and wires. The tps and everything. It will start, rev real high, the bog down. It sounds like is is about to die but doesn't. When i hit the gas it sputters real bad, then dies. I have no idea whats wrong.... I NEED HELP!
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Old Dec 22, 2010 | 12:50 PM
  #2  
camaronewbie's Avatar
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Im having a bit of trouble... any ideas?

Recheck firing order, and test all plug wires with an ohm meter to make sure they are good - new wires doesn't mean good wires - they should ohm out to almost zero (100% continuity).
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Old Dec 22, 2010 | 01:30 PM
  #3  
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From: NYC
Car: 82,83,99 T/As
Engine: 350,350,383
Transmission: ST-10,700r4,4l60e
Axle/Gears: P-3.23,P-3.42?,P-4.10
Re: Im having a bit of trouble... any ideas?

^ Following that, try the old wires?
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Old Dec 23, 2010 | 12:02 AM
  #4  
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From: Houston, Texas
Car: 88' IROCZ
Engine: 388 TPI Motown 350 Race block
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.77
Re: Im having a bit of trouble... any ideas?

OEM does not use zero ohm wires.
Best to use 500-800 ohms per foot (for radio frequency and electromagnetic interference.)
Yes, visual check is important, better to check for arcing when motor is running at night, or in a dark garage.
Also have ignition module, and coil tested at parts store.

Last edited by rgarcia63; Dec 23, 2010 at 12:33 AM.
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Old Dec 23, 2010 | 11:58 AM
  #5  
camaronewbie's Avatar
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Im having a bit of trouble... any ideas?

Originally Posted by rgarcia63
OEM does not use zero ohm wires.
Best to use 500-800 ohms per foot (for radio frequency and electromagnetic interference)....
I was just generalizing that should be almost zero - in other words no breaks internally - I've bought alot of plug wires new that had breaks since the manufacturer's don't test the wires after they are cut, they test the roll before it's cut.
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Old Dec 23, 2010 | 03:37 PM
  #6  
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From: Aurora, OR
Car: 87 IROC Z28
Engine: 355 cid TPI
Transmission: Custom Built 700R4 w/3,500 stall
Axle/Gears: QP fab 9" 3.70 Truetrac
Re: Im having a bit of trouble... any ideas?

Are you sure you installed the TPS correctly? Recheck your work.
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Old Dec 23, 2010 | 09:03 PM
  #7  
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From: Houston, Texas
Car: 88' IROCZ
Engine: 388 TPI Motown 350 Race block
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.77
Re: Im having a bit of trouble... any ideas?

Originally Posted by camaronewbie
I was just generalizing that should be almost zero - in other words no breaks internally - I've bought alot of plug wires new that had breaks since the manufacturer's don't test the wires after they are cut, they test the roll before it's cut.
I assumed that was what you were saying, and I'm not trying to contradict you, but someone without knowing it would have gone an thrashed a good set of wires because 500 ohms is a long way from almost zero.
Today's wires are internally fragile after installation the resistance can jump a couple of hundred ohms due their carbon particle construction - wire in this case is a misnomer because there is no wire. They are a maintenance item that I replace on a yearly basis sooner if I mess with them to diagnose, or to get at other things.
Spark plugs may last 100,000 miles, but wires definitely will not. Wire wound ignition wire is more expensive, and is plagued with its own problems, but are better and do last longer.
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Old Jan 4, 2011 | 01:22 PM
  #8  
ASE doc's Avatar
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From: Aurora, OR
Car: 87 IROC Z28
Engine: 355 cid TPI
Transmission: Custom Built 700R4 w/3,500 stall
Axle/Gears: QP fab 9" 3.70 Truetrac
Re: Im having a bit of trouble... any ideas?

Just a note on this thread. A quality set of ignition wires should last 60K miles if properly installed to prevent chafing or other damage. Beyond 60K, wires will fail and can be hard to pinpoint since they may pass a resistance test and still not transfer KV adequately.

HEI secondary wire resistance, high limit, is 30K ohms per wire. I generally figure 6,000 ohms per foot when testing to be on the safe side.
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