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

1991 Pontiac Trans Am - horrible acceleration

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-19-2018, 09:21 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
whostorm05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 Trans Am
1991 Pontiac Trans Am - horrible acceleration

Hi Everyone,

I purchased an Actron 9690 scanner to try and help determine why the more throttle I give the car the less it seems to want to respond. Checked and dialed back timing a bit, replaced plugs and plug wires and the throttle position sensor. Hooked a fuel pressure gauge up and it didn't seem to jump around much when at WOT, but I had it taped too low on the windshield to see the actual #'s - I think it was somewhere north of 30 though. I need to try it again but have someone with me to watch the gauge.

I noticed when the car was at idle the "Knock Sensor" value was all over the place when watching live data on the 9690. I'm having trouble determining if that's normal or not? I forget the average number but it would jump all over the place from around 50 to several hundred. Does anyone know what I should be looking for in regards to a "normal" number for "Knock Sensor" when at idle?

1991 Pontiac Trans Am, 5.0 TPI
Old 07-19-2018, 10:36 PM
  #2  
Senior Member

 
tealman92's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 998
Received 19 Likes on 16 Posts
Car: 1992 Z28
Engine: 383
Transmission: 700R4
Re: 1991 Pontiac Trans Am - horrible acceleration

Check your fuel pressure at idle and then stab the throttle in park and see what they read. Should be 41.5
Old 07-19-2018, 10:57 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

 
W.E.G.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: northern VA
Posts: 1,356
Received 15 Likes on 13 Posts
Car: 88 Sport Coupe Camaro
Engine: V6 2.8
Transmission: Borg-Warner T-5
Axle/Gears: RPO/GU6: 3.42
Re: 1991 Pontiac Trans Am - horrible acceleration

You seem to think the problem with your acceleration has something to do with the information the knock sensor is providing to the ECM.

Have you tried disconnecting the knock sensor, and testing to to see if the absence of knock-sensor data to the ECM produces any change in the symptom?
Old 07-20-2018, 11:38 AM
  #4  
Moderator

iTrader: (1)
 
RBob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Chasing Electrons
Posts: 18,400
Likes: 0
Received 215 Likes on 201 Posts
Car: check
Engine: check
Transmission: check
Re: 1991 Pontiac Trans Am - horrible acceleration

Originally Posted by whostorm05
Hi Everyone,

I noticed when the car was at idle the "Knock Sensor" value was all over the place when watching live data on the 9690. I'm having trouble determining if that's normal or not? I forget the average number but it would jump all over the place from around 50 to several hundred. Does anyone know what I should be looking for in regards to a "normal" number for "Knock Sensor" when at idle?

1991 Pontiac Trans Am, 5.0 TPI
If that is the knock counts it should be zero. The ECM won't retard the spark timing at idle, but if there are counts while moving that will absolutely kill power.

Also, if the injectors haven't ever been replaced they are likely bad. The coils short out preventing the ECM from firing them. But this usually manifests as an engine that is cutting out (on/off/on).

RBob.
Old 07-20-2018, 11:43 AM
  #5  
Sponsor

iTrader: (92)
 
Tuned Performance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Mile High Country !!!
Posts: 15,393
Received 644 Likes on 569 Posts
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: 1991 Pontiac Trans Am - horrible acceleration

If you get a new knock sensor ohm it before you install it. RockAuto and other parts stores have sold a member I was helping the wrong sensor. I don’t know the correct part number. From the center pin to the housing it should be 3.9k ohms.
Old 07-23-2018, 08:57 AM
  #6  
Junior Member

 
Midlife Cruiser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minnestota
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 69 Camaro and 69 Chevelle SS
Engine: Camaro is FB385, Chevelle is 396
Transmission: Camaro is 200-4R, Chevelle is 4 spd
Axle/Gears: Cam 9 inch 3.70, Chev 12 bolt 3:23
Re: 1991 Pontiac Trans Am - horrible acceleration

I used a Standard KS3T knock sensor. I used it for a 91 TPI setup on a 5.0 Liter. Be sure to measure it at the store, sometimes you get the wrong one in the box. It should read 3.9 Ohms. The TBI uses the KS2T and that will read 100 Ohms but the TPI needs the KS3T. "Tuned Performance" helped with my project. It was a local parts store that sold me the wrong sensor, not Rock Auto.

Last edited by Midlife Cruiser; 07-23-2018 at 01:01 PM.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
OmgItzCheerilee
Tech / General Engine
3
10-14-2014 09:40 AM
SassyCamaro
Tech / General Engine
11
10-23-2008 01:08 AM
cas0484
TBI
33
05-06-2004 02:46 PM
aaron7
TPI
5
10-31-2003 08:35 AM
quicklil87lt
Carburetors
8
03-04-2003 07:14 PM



Quick Reply: 1991 Pontiac Trans Am - horrible acceleration



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:40 AM.