I have a 1984 Camaro Z28 that has had an engine upgrade to a new crate engine which was installed by a reputable engine place. I then had the carb changed to a Holley EFI Sniper kit.

I had seemed to run ok, but the transmission was shifting very hard from 1st to 2nd gear and the A/C went out so I had it serviced at a transmission shop that also does A/C. They fixed the transmission problem and I had them convert my A/C to a new system.

That’s where the problems have really went sideways. When I picked it up the first time, I got 5 miles from the shop and it completely overheated and I had to park it and they had to tow it back to their shop. The A/C was not fixed, still blowing hot air.

‘They had it for 3 weeks and kept telling me there we having electrical problems and they replaced the alternator and battery. Then they said after that there was “strange wiring” running from my engine to different places and was causing the battery to drain every day they had it and wouldn’t kick my cooling and A/C fans on and also wouldn’t run some of my lights inside. After 3 weeks when they said they had fixed everything, I picked it up and it seemed be ok for about a week. It is now back to having electrical problems.

I drove it yesterday and when I turned on the A/C and fan on it sounded like something was clicking inside the engine. I had stopped at Sonic to get some food and shut it off. It almost didn’t start up again. I just drove it 15 minutes back and forth to the store and it would not restart in my drive way.

I really need some advice on how to get my car back. All I really want is it to be fixed and dependable. If anyone can give me advice on what to do or where to go it would be much appreciated.

I’m not a highly educated person when it comes to working on cars, I just want to find someone who can fix it correctly. I live near Southern Indiana, so if you know anyone that’s close to there that can fix this sort of problem please let me know. I don’t mind even if I need to send it an hour or two away to someone who can fix it.

‘’Thanks.

 

Welcome to TGO.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I had the Holley HP installed on my 89, as well as 20 years of custom mods, fixes, work arounds, etc. etc. -Everything worked properly, but man it would've been tough for someone to come in blind and be able to trouble shoot. Someone DID buy it, and hopefully it's not giving them any trouble.

If I were going to do it myself, I'd forget about the AC until everything was working. THEN....turn it on and see if everything continues to work. Also, I'd probably start by gettting a wiring schematic for the Sniper system and check ALL the wiring. It's certainly possible it's some random, old wiring from 1984 gone bad, but with custom work being done, my money is on something new being done wrong, and NOT some old wiring. Still, anything is possible.

If you go to a mechanic, I'd probably look for a shop that would/does install Holley systems. They'll have better knowledge of where to start and what to look for.

Good luck!

 

Sounds like you still have a battery drain and possibly a weak alternator from trying to recharge a dead battery all the time. That will kill them. Also the junk that's out for the CS130 alts is.... well... Junk unfortunately. There are ZERO good options for the CS130 due to no suppliers making quality components for them. Best bet for a quality alternator is DC Power Engineering or Mechman.

GD

 

Thank a lot for the comments.

One thing I forgot to list in the original post was the shop that worked on it said they put in electrical relays so that the cooling fan would come on when needed separate from a relay that turns on the A/C fan. Also, they told me they couldn’t find the exact replacement for my alternator and put in a better heavy duty one, whatever that means.

I really wish i could take it or send it somewhere they can take the electrical system apart along with the Holley wiring and put in new correct components to solve it all.

There are some Holley speed shops within an hour of my house, I just hope they would be able to fix the electrical issues if they’re separate from the Holley Sniper.

I’ve had this car since my parents bought it for me in high school, so I’d really like to get it back to working order. It just had been a long and painful road with one thing after another.

Again really appreciate the information you all give.