hey guys just seeing if theres another thing i can check.

car has 110,000 miles on it

everything is almost brand new.

rebuilt maf from tpiparts.net
new IAC and connector
new tps and connector
new throttle body (already tried the idle screw)
mustang 19lb injectors
new temp sensor for the ecm
new 9th injector temp sensor
new 3 wire heated o2 sensor
k&n cold air intake setup
new air filter for coal fuel filter tank
new fuel filter
cleaned and scrubbed the plenum and runners/new gaskets
fixed any cracked or old rubber/emmision hoses
new egr valve with new temp sensor
new egr solenoid
new maf relays and connectors
new pcm valve and hose
fresh valve cover gaskets
coolant bypass kit
air foil
fresh radiator and jug

and when i say new i mean 2-3 yrs old and the car is only driven in the summer so maybe 7,000 miles on these parts or less.

ive basically replaced everything. yes i did the throwing parts at it routine cuz it needed everything anyway.

i bought my 1986 trans am 305 v8 tpi automatic for 750 as my project

and it was a heap. it ran and thats the only good thing i could say about it.

but once i replaced the maf and fresh injectors it was pretty awesome running after that.

but no matter what i did i could never get the idle under 900 parked warmed up

i tried adjusting it according to the manuals and i turn the idle screw and the engine dies.

i know some say dont touch it but too late deal with it. plus i had to transfer it when i replaced the throttle body.

ive done what i can to adjust the idle. its not jumping which makes me think its not air leak but could be.

so besides taking it to a shop possibly. is there anything besides the ecm or air leak that might be affecting my idle?

assuming everything u see listed above is running properly.

now 900 is the best i could get once its warmed up. before it ran like crap until i replaced everything.

but it starts up strong and drives like a new car. jsut the idle seems high according to the 650 it should be in the book.

 

This problem has also haunted me the entire time I've owned the car....

But I can only get mine to idle at a grand smoothly, I haven't tried to go lower because I don't want it to die like you described.....

 

well it dies when i do the steps in adjusting the idle but whatever it runs and drives strong, but if i can make it better and more efficient im all for it.

i intend to keep this car forever so anything to keep it running well

 

check your timing, and adjust to factory specs, unless you have other parameters you're following... also what temp thermostat are you running?

 

timing i think could be nudged me and dad tried to set it.

thermostate is 170 i believe or 160. what does that have to do with the idle?

 

did you find a solution to your problem?

 

not yet, i dont really consider it a problem. its just me being picky.

car isnt too bad on gas and runs n sounds great.


right now the interior is in pieces. once i get it back on the road ill see how much my mechanic wants for to check the timing.

im not paying labor prices to check for a air leak.

ill let u guys know but it might be a while

 

Is your prom clued in to the lower temp thermostat? If not, the computer may think the engine isn't warming up, so, maintains the higher idle speed.

 

i dont know anything about prom stuff im not a programmer.

it could be the factory thermostate it was years ago and i bought different ones as options

ill give u guys more info when i can.

but it was doing this before i did anything to it.

 

I still think it might be your timing, especially since you already threw the crate of parts at it.... ... also if your timing is set, make sure that the chain doesn't have play...

 

if u saw what i had to work with ud throw parts at it too

everything was bad or going bad soon. so thats why i just went clean slate so i dont have to keep fixing stuff.

anyways.... ill have my mechanic check my timing. its still in pieces in my garage im trying to finish my interior and get it to its last emission test.

i'll talk to my mechanic and let u guys know.


im not an expert and i dont wana mess with it. liek i said besides the slightly high idle the car runs beautifully, and drives great. i dont have the kind of money to replace the engine if i mess it up so i got it to the poitn where a professional needs to take over.

 

I feel your pain... if the idle is set too high, you will fail emissions... I'd crinch at the site of a DMV notice, cuz I knew I had smog coming up...

 

ya know what, my car has passed emissions easily. same parts everytime. even with my k&n filter.

the car is just good to go, i dont ask y im just glad to have it hehe

 

well, just wait .... ... I hear many states are adopting California's ridiculous smog laws.... maybe someone will share the pain I've gone through..

 

well i just need to pass this one last time. then im free!!!!

 

for the next 2 years?

 

in connecticut if your car is over 25 yrs old you no longer have to take emissions.

this will be yr 24 and because its every 2 yrs. the next time will be 26 yrs and i will be over the age limit and free to do whatever i want .

im not going to do anything to my emissions stuff. im not that crafty. maybe one day but i got so many other projects as long as the engine is clean and running smoothly its enoguh for now

 

haha... hold your breath buddy.... here in Cali, we had a 30 year or newer law that required your vehicle to get smogged, anything older was exempt unless you were marking your trail with a cloud of unburned fuel... well my dad has a 76 Trans Am, and wouldn't you know it the year before it was his turn for the last smog test... BAM... 30 year law repealed and into existence went the post-75 law... I laughed...