Need help with the EST
EST Bypass helppppp
Hey I have been chasing down this problem down for a long time my camaro is a 92 z28 L98 the problem is that when it gets to 3500rpm it backfires and I have put everything new on it it’s got all new sensors vacuum lines and fuel pump fuel filters msd wires msd coil pack new distributor new pick up coil new ignition module map sensor distributor cap button and ECM timed it to 6BTDC my dad has the same car so I took his out and put it in my no change so I put mine back in and I recently found out that when I unplug the EST that it don’t backfire so It has to do something with that I was going to check the wires going to the ECM as soon as I can I can only work on it on the weekends
Need help with the EST
Hey I have been chasing down this problem down for a long time my camaro is a 92 z28 L98 the problem is that when it gets to 3500rpm it backfires and I have put everything new on it it’s got all new sensors vacuum lines and fuel pump fuel filters msd wires msd coil pack new distributor new pick up coil new ignition module map sensor distributor cap button and ECM timed it to 6BTDC my dad has the same car so I took his ECM out and put it in my no change so I put mine back in and I recently found out that when I unplug the EST that it don’t backfire so It has to do something with that I checked the wires going to it they are good I don’t know what to do with it I love this car to death but it is killing me
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 4
From: DFW
Car: 1992 Z28
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: G80 3.23
Re: EST Bypass helppppp
lol good god man u are the guys that make autozone rich and the employees retarded.
Do you have a scan tool? Or ALDL cable that you can plug into a laptop. Im pretty sure it logs what it's setting the timing to when you plug the EST back in. It could be that the computer is not doing that properly.
Do you have a scan tool? Or ALDL cable that you can plug into a laptop. Im pretty sure it logs what it's setting the timing to when you plug the EST back in. It could be that the computer is not doing that properly.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16,775
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From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: Need help with the EST
Sounds like you have done all the ignition but how is fuel pressure. It could be a injector issue too.
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Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 48
From: Tracy, CA
Car: '87 IROC
Engine: LB9
Transmission: TH700R4
Re: EST Bypass helppppp
Hey I have been chasing down this problem down for a long time my camaro is a 92 z28 L98 the problem is that when it gets to 3500rpm it backfires and I have put everything new on it it’s got all new sensors vacuum lines and fuel pump fuel filters msd wires msd coil pack new distributor new pick up coil new ignition module map sensor distributor cap button and ECM timed it to 6BTDC my dad has the same car so I took his out and put it in my no change so I put mine back in and I recently found out that when I unplug the EST that it don’t backfire so It has to do something with that I was going to check the wires going to the ECM as soon as I can I can only work on it on the weekends
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16,775
Likes: 1,002
From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: EST Bypass helppppp
90-92 l98 automatic would be broadcast code anjf or aujp.
Supreme Member

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 4
From: DFW
Car: 1992 Z28
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: G80 3.23
Re: Need help with the EST
You need to hook up a scanner to it and see what the computer is reading.
3500 when cold? Or warmed up. 3500 when car is moving or while in park 0mph?
3500 when cold? Or warmed up. 3500 when car is moving or while in park 0mph?
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16,775
Likes: 1,002
From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: EST Bypass helppppp
Hey I have been chasing down this problem down for a long time my camaro is a 92 z28 L98 the problem is that when it gets to 3500rpm it backfires and I have put everything new on it it’s got all new sensors vacuum lines and fuel pump fuel filters msd wires msd coil pack new distributor new pick up coil new ignition module map sensor distributor cap button and ECM timed it to 6BTDC my dad has the same car so I took his out and put it in my no change so I put mine back in and I recently found out that when I unplug the EST that it don’t backfire so It has to do something with that I was going to check the wires going to the ECM as soon as I can I can only work on it on the weekends
I’m wondering if your knock sensor might be faulty pulling timing due to false knock.
Re: Need help with the EST
It will backfire at 3500 rpms warm cold in park drive all the time I have switched the ECM out with another one that works and it came out of a running camaro just like my same engine same numbers on the ECM so I know it’s not the ECM
Re: EST Bypass helppppp
I tested the knock sensor and it was good that was last summer and what are you talking about est module? Are you talking about the ignition module it’s got a new ignition module pickup coil everything is new on the distributor
Re: Need help with the EST
Has anything been done to the timing chain? I've had carbed V-8s with mechanical advance distributors exhibit the same symptoms when the valve timing was way off after someone switched to one of those "wonderful" double-row roller chain sets using RC35-2 chain barely suitable for a bicycle.
This one started popping in the intake at about 3,800 RPM:
This one started popping in the intake at about 3,800 RPM:
Re: Need help with the EST
If you have a dial indicator, piston stop, and timing wheel the valve timing can be checked without disassembling the front end of the engine.
A quick/dirty way to check the timing chain slack would be to remove the distributor cap, precisely mark the position of the rotor, then move the crank backward and forward until there is motion. Note the number of degrees of crank rotation needed to move the distributor rotor, then multiply that by two to determine the timing chain lag. 30° of valve timing lag is a LOT.
Incidentally, shall we close/merge your thread in the TPI section to reduce the confusion?
A quick/dirty way to check the timing chain slack would be to remove the distributor cap, precisely mark the position of the rotor, then move the crank backward and forward until there is motion. Note the number of degrees of crank rotation needed to move the distributor rotor, then multiply that by two to determine the timing chain lag. 30° of valve timing lag is a LOT.
Incidentally, shall we close/merge your thread in the TPI section to reduce the confusion?
Joined: Sep 2005
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Re: Need help with the EST
This one started popping in the intake at about 3,800 RPM:
And of course, the crappy "roller" chain with all the slop, that isn't roller at all, just tops off the whole "improvement" session...
OP, you need to see what the FP is WHILE IT'S IN THE ACT OF SCREWING UP. Not, sitting in the driveway idling; not even, holding the throttle up to whatever RPM. Needs to be checked by your assistant while you are driving it down the road with the FP gauge taped to the windshield. (or vice-versa)
Re: Need help with the EST
Yup. 35½°. Idled just great with an Imperial long-ton of vacuum, too. It either jumped on shut-down (not a first) or someone installed it that way. I had to believe the former, since it ran just fine for several years with that chain before falling int my lap. Not a fan of bicycle chains...
Occam nearly decapitated himself on that one. I had to stitch him back up.
Occam nearly decapitated himself on that one. I had to stitch him back up.
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,356
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From: northern VA
Car: 88 Sport Coupe Camaro
Engine: V6 2.8
Transmission: Borg-Warner T-5
Axle/Gears: RPO/GU6: 3.42
Re: EST Bypass helppppp
When you disconnect the EST, you disable the ability of the ECU to adjust timing.
You are running on straight (usually 8-10-degree advance) mechanical timing with the EST disconnected.
Something is happening at 3500 RPM that is sending bad information to the ECU.
The bad information sent to the ECU is causing it to incorrectly adjust the injector pulse.
Until you get a clear read on the fuel trims at the time this happens, you can parts-cannon until you are blue in the face.
You are running on straight (usually 8-10-degree advance) mechanical timing with the EST disconnected.
Something is happening at 3500 RPM that is sending bad information to the ECU.
The bad information sent to the ECU is causing it to incorrectly adjust the injector pulse.
Until you get a clear read on the fuel trims at the time this happens, you can parts-cannon until you are blue in the face.
Supreme Member

Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 15
From: northern VA
Car: 88 Sport Coupe Camaro
Engine: V6 2.8
Transmission: Borg-Warner T-5
Axle/Gears: RPO/GU6: 3.42
Re: EST Bypass helppppp
If it is a sensor sending bad information, you can disconnect one sensor at a time while running a scan-tool that provides live fuel-trim data to see whether the absence of a particular sensor makes the problem go away.
If disconnecting a sensor sends the problem into remission, you can then diagnose whether its the sensor failing, or failed wiring between the sensor and the ECU, that is at fault.
If disconnecting a sensor sends the problem into remission, you can then diagnose whether its the sensor failing, or failed wiring between the sensor and the ECU, that is at fault.
Supreme Member

Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 15
From: northern VA
Car: 88 Sport Coupe Camaro
Engine: V6 2.8
Transmission: Borg-Warner T-5
Axle/Gears: RPO/GU6: 3.42
Re: EST Bypass helppppp
If the problem cannot be traced to a sensor reporting faulty infomation to the ECU, then you have to go through all corners of the intake system to eliminate vacuum leaks as a possible cause. If not vacuum leaks, then test all wiring and devices that deliver spark. If still nothing, then look for mechanical fuel-delivery issues. If nothing there, assess compression.
And really none of these in any particular order except what your experience may lead you to suspect one possible culprit over the other.
As always, an internal combustion motor will only run normally if provided correct air (temperature, volume and density), and correct fuel (quantity and grade), and correct spark (intensity and timing), and compression.
And really none of these in any particular order except what your experience may lead you to suspect one possible culprit over the other.
As always, an internal combustion motor will only run normally if provided correct air (temperature, volume and density), and correct fuel (quantity and grade), and correct spark (intensity and timing), and compression.
Joined: Sep 2005
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Re: Need help with the EST
No actually, I was asking Vader about his lovely photo up there; I was wondering things like if it was still running at the time, how long it had been experiencing whatever trouble it had (obviously the parts had been running long enough to get sludged up pretty good), and such as that.In your case though, what's the history of your problem? Bought the car that way? Just appeared out of the blue? Started after some kind of work had been done or something else happened? Started out barely noticeable or only occasionally, and has been steadily getting worse?
And, what's the fuel pressure WHILE IT'S IN THE ACT OF SCREWING UP, driving down the road, with the FP gauge taped to the windshield?
Re: Need help with the EST
I knew the owner pretty well. I had done a couple TPI conversions for him previously and he had exhausted other resources. The engine in the car had been "built" about 2-3 years previous and had been run extensively every summer for several thousand miles, including one Power Tour. It started getting "wonky" right out of the blue one fine summer day. Everyone before me checked everything they could think of, and at some point someone MUST have corrected the ignition timing before it landed in my place. I'd checked all the usual suspects first, including lift on every lobe (at the rockers) before throwing the spacer (deep socket) and timing wheel on the crank. That led me to the inevitable.
Since it was apparently O.K. for two or more years I suspected a jump of timing at shutdown, not completely unexpected given the compression and the bicycle chain. It had a ton of slack, too.
Since it was apparently O.K. for two or more years I suspected a jump of timing at shutdown, not completely unexpected given the compression and the bicycle chain. It had a ton of slack, too.
Joined: Sep 2005
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Re: Need help with the EST
Yeah Vader, Occam would not have expected a cam to jump to a more advanced setting, I'm sure. But who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of "bushing roller" aka "truck" chains. Those things are SUCH CRAP... the fact that they sell for less ¢¢ than an already cheeeeep stock one, ought to send a clear enough message; but apparently some folks just don't get it.
Re: Need help with the EST
I bought the car last summer off of a old man and it would ran and die every time we tried to drive it so I got it home and worked on it all summer and it was injectors so I put all new injectors in it and a lot of sensors and new fuel pump filters it’s got a brand new gas tank and ever since I had the car it’s always done this and every vacuum line I saw I replaced because the car has been sitting for a very long time and to answer your question I have never checked the fuel pressure when it does this but I have checked all the wiring going to the distributor it’s all good nothing getting grounded out so idk what to do I am going to unhook the knock sensor and see if that’s it hopefully that’s what it is I did read that it can advance the car 20 degrease in timing so irk if that’s it or not hopefully it is
Joined: Sep 2005
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Re: Need help with the EST
Nope, not the knock sensor. Don't mess with that.
Not the "timing". Don't mess with that either.
The more stuff you mess with that's NOT the problem, the more work you will have to do to put things back where they belong whenever you DO find whatever IS the problem.
Moral of the story: LEAVE STUFF ALONE if it's not broke. Concentrate on finding what's broke, NOT on just MESSING WITH everything else.
Get a fuel pressure reading while driving down the road WITH IT IN THE ACT OF SCREWING UP. Gotta have that before going any further.
If you don't have the right fuel pressure, you can change EVERY SINGLE sensor under your hood EVERY SINGLE DAY, and even TWICE on Sundays just because you've got nothing else to do, and it will STILL screw up THE EXACT SAME WAY.
Leave the sensors alone and CHECK THE FUEL PRESSURE while it's in the act of screwing up.
Not the "timing". Don't mess with that either.
The more stuff you mess with that's NOT the problem, the more work you will have to do to put things back where they belong whenever you DO find whatever IS the problem.
Moral of the story: LEAVE STUFF ALONE if it's not broke. Concentrate on finding what's broke, NOT on just MESSING WITH everything else.
Get a fuel pressure reading while driving down the road WITH IT IN THE ACT OF SCREWING UP. Gotta have that before going any further.
If you don't have the right fuel pressure, you can change EVERY SINGLE sensor under your hood EVERY SINGLE DAY, and even TWICE on Sundays just because you've got nothing else to do, and it will STILL screw up THE EXACT SAME WAY.
Leave the sensors alone and CHECK THE FUEL PRESSURE while it's in the act of screwing up.
Supreme Member

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 4
From: DFW
Car: 1992 Z28
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: G80 3.23
Re: Need help with the EST
Sofa tells the truth even tho he loves capslock lol.
Tsmith, move the map sensor out of the way but dont disconnect it. Then run the pressure guage and just lay it on the windshield, then put down the hood down to about where it catches the latch but doesnt close all the way. It helps if you have a 90 degree connector so that hose isnt point straight up at the hood all of the time.
And please get a scanner. Even if its a cheap one that runs bluetooth on your phone/tablet:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Pin-ALDL...0AAOSw9mFWHvks
So you can see what the computer is thinking instead of just guessing.
When u get done driving, do this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_f5...youtu.be&t=173
Tsmith, move the map sensor out of the way but dont disconnect it. Then run the pressure guage and just lay it on the windshield, then put down the hood down to about where it catches the latch but doesnt close all the way. It helps if you have a 90 degree connector so that hose isnt point straight up at the hood all of the time.
And please get a scanner. Even if its a cheap one that runs bluetooth on your phone/tablet:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Pin-ALDL...0AAOSw9mFWHvks
So you can see what the computer is thinking instead of just guessing.
When u get done driving, do this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_f5...youtu.be&t=173
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