TPI Tuned Port Injection discussion and questions. LB9 and L98 tech, porting, tuning, and bolt-on aftermarket products.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

how steady is your idle?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-14-2017, 02:05 PM
  #1  
Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
GTA1990's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London, UK
Posts: 402
Received 19 Likes on 14 Posts
Car: 1991 Trans Am
Engine: L31, LT4 hot cam
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:43 LSD
how steady is your idle?

Chasing out the gremlins in my LB9 T5 Trans Am; she's getting there but man is she fighting me.







I've noticed my idle is never rock solid; the tack needle dances ever so slightly. I have a scan tool and the RPM's on the tool also move up and down. As for example, full warm, the ECU is commanding 550rpm. The idle will go slightly higher to 575 and lower to 525. Car has about 115k on it.


Keen to hear about what's considered a normal idle condition with these cars. Do they hover about the commanded idle speed or are they, like newer cars, rock solid


thanks
Old 10-14-2017, 02:21 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
GeneralDisorder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,255
Received 422 Likes on 323 Posts
Car: 86 Imponte Ruiner 450GT, 91 Formula
Engine: 350 Vortec, FIRST TPI, 325 RWHP
Transmission: 700R4 3000 stall.
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Torsen 3.70
Re: how steady is your idle?

That's normal. The fuel mixture control is bouncing between rich and lean. This action energizes the catalytic converter as some of its function require more oxygen, and some requires more fuel. This has the effect of slightly increasing and decreasing the idle speed.

You really shouldn't feel this though. If the engine is running smoothly it's barely perceptible.

GD
Old 10-14-2017, 03:05 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

 
ULTM8Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,035
Received 193 Likes on 167 Posts
Re: how steady is your idle?

Originally Posted by GTA1990
Chasing out the gremlins in my LB9 T5 Trans Am; she's getting there but man is she fighting me.







I've noticed my idle is never rock solid; the tack needle dances ever so slightly. I have a scan tool and the RPM's on the tool also move up and down. As for example, full warm, the ECU is commanding 550rpm. The idle will go slightly higher to 575 and lower to 525. Car has about 115k on it.


Keen to hear about what's considered a normal idle condition with these cars. Do they hover about the commanded idle speed or are they, like newer cars, rock solid


thanks
What you can do is increase the throttle blades opening a little and reduce the IAC counts. Engine Will depend less om the ECM to maintain the idle speed. You'd need a scanner to do this though.
Old 10-14-2017, 04:55 PM
  #4  
Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
GTA1990's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London, UK
Posts: 402
Received 19 Likes on 14 Posts
Car: 1991 Trans Am
Engine: L31, LT4 hot cam
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:43 LSD
Re: how steady is your idle?

thanks guys
Glad to hear its not way out of the norm. IAC counts are low 20s/ high teens on warm idle. What would you recommend adjusting it down to?
Old 10-15-2017, 12:09 AM
  #5  
Supreme Member

 
ULTM8Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,035
Received 193 Likes on 167 Posts
Re: how steady is your idle?

I run as close to 0 in park as possible. In drive I get about 10 to 15 at 675 rpm.




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:25 PM.