I have had my '87 Firebird 2.8 for three weeks now, and it is a very reliable badass car! However, I am having some problems and hope someone can help me...!?!

The car has 82k original miles and is a 1987 model. New spark plugs and wires, new alternator, new MAF, EGR, o2 and exhaust, new oil change, new radiator, coolant good to -45*.

The problems that I am having with the car is the service engine light pops on the dash about once every 30 miles and stays on anywhere from 10 seconds to 2 minutes. I have driven other 2.8's and they seem to have a lot more power than mine.

When I come to a stop, the RPM's drop low and then jump back up to normal. The fuel pump kicks on every time, and battery is new with good terminals, and everything on the car is in correct order.

Anyone have any ideas what the problems might be? This is a really nice clean car and I want it in top shape for winter.

Thanks, Firebirdjoe

 

Pull the code, and see what it is.

Also, change your cap/rotor (I use Conrad from Autozone - heard it was MSD - it looks like it), rebuild the distributor, and do the timing chain.

 

Sounds like it might be a lazy IAC. Pull the codes to find out what the computer is whining about, then report back to us...someone will be able to interpret the code for you.

Just so you know, the IAC is your Idle Air Control motor. it's a little silver thing that sticks out of the top of the Throttle body and has a 4-wire harness to it. if the thing is old, it might not be responding like it used to. it also might just be filthy dirty and need a good ol' cleaning. You should really do this anyway, just because.