So on saturday I got my first Camaro 88 RS 2.8 it didn't have a exhaust manifold gasket on the passenger side so I put one in yesterday thinking it would fix my problem when ever come to a dead stop floor it, it starts to stutter a bit then takes off like a champ and then the exhaust starts to smell like gas I think one of my cylinders is misfiring I think it could be my distributor cap and rotor I need some help on this one I mostly play around with imports.

 

Heck for Vacuum leaks first, they cause some of the strangest problems. Then I would check Fuel Pressure, TPS signal voltage and MAF signal. To check the MAF, get a DMM that reads frequency. If you have one, I can get you the Specs on what it should read at idle.

 

You might be missing on one for sure. You might not even notice it if you've never driven the 2.8L on all 6. Mine was that way for nearly a month LOL.

Check plugs to identify the dead or intermittent cylinder. Replace them while there out, who knows when they were last changed. Gap em yourself.

Gas smell could quite likely be a vacuum leak in the lines along the passenger side leading to the canister. Shouldn't cause a stumble though.

Our cars are just like any others. Fuel/Air in the proper mix, compression, and spark are all you need.

Easier method to see if MAF is causing the stumble.... Unplug it and try again. The ECM will default to predetermined values which err on the slightly rich side. Honestly I don't think thats it, since at WOT (according to the Throttle Position Sensor), the ECM ignores the MAF and turns the injectors full on. TPS could be off calibration or bad on that part of the wiper too. TPS adjustment/check has been discussed countless times, search is your friend.

I would think its bogging rich. Could be the injectors are perhaps too big. 2.8L got 15# (mine are that way), or I've heard 13# too. If someone stuck huge injectors the ECM wouldn't be able to compensate. Same as if your fuel pump has been replaced with a much higher pressure/flow unit. No way to tell without a fuel pressure gauge.

Are the air filters new? Clogged air filters could cause a rich condition.

While your plugs are out check for spark on all 6 in turn. Get a helper and ground them one by one. Have your helper crank the motor and watch for a bright blue/white spark. Reddish or yellowish isn't good and indicates a weak coil or bad wires. Heck, just replace the wires and rotor and cap, its about $40 and unless you've done it yourself who knows how old they are.

Pull your engine codes just for kicks. Look under the dash near the radio for a 2 row connector. Use a paperclip to short the two closest to the radio on the top row. Turn the key to ON, but DON'T start the car. Watch the check engine light. It'll blink in groups that represent numbers. 3 blinks, pause, 5 blinks is a 35. Code 12 is normal, it means the ECM is working and if thats all you get than you have NO codes.

Typically a misfiring cylinder is ALWAYS misfiring (but not totally 100%). Seems more like a mixture thing. Are you leaking air on the intake anywhere? If EGR is broken you would get a weak stumble at slight throttle, but it acts totally weird if the EGR is leaking.

Good luck...