Well, it turns out that my problem is most likely a combination of 2 things: I'm in need of a new ignition module and a distributor rebuild. I had it checked out by my electrician uncle, and he said the same thing that a few of you already told me.

I don't know if I'm going to have the time to do it all myself; I might take it to a shop and let them do it. The distributor looks like its going to be a pain in the *** to get off. How hard is it going to be to get it off? Also, how hard is it to replace the module?

As soon as I get these things taken care of, the headers are going on!!! no exhaust system, just open headers. I mean I can't drive it anyway since there's no insurance on it anymore, so later on in the spring when the local 1/8 mi strip opens back up, I'll put it on my friends trailer and take it for a couple runs. That'll be funny, a loud *** 2.8 Camaro on a trailer coming in like one of the real race cars. haha ha.

 

BTW, has anyone put their CHC headers on yet? I'm hoping to have mine on by January 31. Hopefully.

Do you guys think running open headers would have a good affect on track times?

 

No , because our V6's like the backpressure .

 

For the distributor, it would probably be in your best interest to get a remanufactured one form AutoZone or PepBoys for $150. They come with the module and are a simple R&R deal.

 

Isn't it kinda hard to yank the old one? It looks pretty cramped back there. Do I need a special tool?

 

You just need to remove the distributor hold down bolt. With your engine OFF and COOL , lean over the fender, and feel below the back of the distributor cap. Keep feeling along the underside of the cap, you'll find the distributor's main shaft. About an inch below that is the intake manifold; and you'll feel the 15mm bolt and bracket that's holding the distributor in. Remove the 15mm bolt and the distributor lifts right out.

You need to make marks on the distributor with white-out before removing the hold-down bolt, though. Distributor removal is covered in the 82-92 Haynes Firebird (or Camaro) manual.

Since you have an '89, and like me, you have a cold start injector, the injector connector might "lock" the distributor down into the motor. If you're pulling up and pulling up and nothing's happening, remove the cold start injector's harness plug. It's black, rectangular, and has a silver wire clip. Push the silver wire clip "in", and pull back on the connector (not the wires) at the same time. The clip will come undone, and now the distributor should pop free.

Rebuilding a distributor isn't hard, but if you're worried about taking it apart and putting it back together, buying a rebuilt one isn't a bad idea. Make sure the rebuilt one comes with a new distributor o-ring seal. It's a 1-inch-inside-diameter o-ring, in case you need to buy one.

 

I was under the impression that no one sold distributors for us? Or is it just that no one sells PERFORMANCE distributors for us..

 

Yeah, nobody sells performance units. You can get a stock rebuild for probably just about any car out there, just like you can get a rebuilt water pump. The deal is though that you can rebuild your current distributor with an aftermarket module for cheaper than you'd buy a complete stock rebuild.