87 Firebird with 3.1L V6, T5 from 85 Firebird V6, for those who have forgotten.
The car came out of storage a couple of weeks ago and I have noticed a couple of things about it.
1. Seriously lacks power. Now, I KNOW the car won't have the get-up-and-go of my Daytona (better gearing), but this just sucks compared to what it used to have. I have chirped the tires ONCE in the past two weeks, and I KNOW I should be doing better than that.
2. Backfires occasionally. Believed to be a vacuum leak but all lines are secure. However, I dearly NEED to replace my upper plenum, as one of the TB mounts is probably coming apart again (see below).
3. Serious standing start problem. If I try to get going gently (bad clutch and have to baby it a little) I have to wait until my engine speed is above 2000 RPM before the car will actually go anywhere quickly. Same if I punch it, but I get a backfire in return.
4. Leaking exhaust. Should I use Loctite on the flange studs and nuts to hold them, or can I get Locking nuts? If someone could give me a stock thread size I'd appreciate it, since I don't feel like taking it apart AGAIN. And second, if anyone out there who is parting their stock V6 would be willing to sell me their Y-pipe, I'd appreciate that, too, as long as it's not bent like mine currently is.

And, on another note... If someone reading this in CT knows a guy by the name of Baron Fontaine, tell him I either want my $70 back or the plenum assembly he promised me...

 

how long was it in storage, it just seem slike it needs a nice tune up and some fresh fluids, see what that does.

 

I bought parts of him also. It took me forever to get them, but I did get them. When I dealt with him hes was going to school (or something) a good ways from his house.

 

Well, it's been almost a YEAR now, and I haven't even heard from the guy.

Update: Passes injector resistance test (4.5 ohms per bank, within specs). Found loose dizzy cap, tightened same. Tuneup was performed just before storage, with all new fluids put in, and it's not time for an oil change yet.

Will check plugs and that jazz when I get some dry weather to work in.

Still looking for that y-pipe. And an upper plenum, if anyone has one.

:edit: Have not done a vacuum test yet, waiting for that drier weather I mentioned, and to see if I can find my gauge.

 

Found vac gauge, havent done test yet due to not having exhaust system bolted in (realignment from front to back). Haven't pulled plugs either. Will do tomorrow.

Realigned exhaust completely. Nothing hits the body except the heat shields by the pass side rear wheel, need to put in a new screw or two. Don't know about any leaks yet, sealer is setting and I haven't started it yet.

Don't need the y-pipe any more. STILL NEED UPPER PLENUM.

No longer backfires that I've noticed, but still seriously lacks power below 2k. Where does the torque band begin on the 3.1?

 

MAV...if ya need a plenum, I got an extra one if ya want it. I put another one on awhile back and still got this one. You're more than happy to have it if you're intrested. Its for a 3.1.

Ken

 

I guess I should say exactly why I need the upper plenum. (This part isn't about the plenum but it runs along the same line) Back a while ago, not long after I bought the car, I was removing the alternator to get the timing cover off. First off, the long bolt froze in the housing, and second, about a third of the front housing came right apart from the rest. I kept the alt that way until I had to replace it (couldn't drive or even start the car anyways because the engine had crapped out, the original 2.8).
Fast forward three years. I go through and replace the leaking head gaskets (didnt leak coolant, thankfully, only compression), and get a nice vacuum leak from around the TB area when I put the top end back together. I check all of the lines, and even tighten the TB bolts some more to make sure the gaskets are sealing. The leak gets WORSE. One day, the leak is so bad I can't hardly start the engine, and I look to see the driver's side TB mounting ear broken off completely from the plenum. I had it repaired at a local welding shop, but I don't think it's held all that well, and it now takes 2 gaskets to seal the TB due to the mounting not being completely flat, like I told the welder it had to be.
So, now you see why I NEED a new upper plenum. Can you sell it relatively cheap? I'm on my way back to tech school, need the car, and I've already paid for a plenum ***'y I haven't gotten.

 

Dude...I'll send it to ya for free. You aint gotta pay nothing. The only thing you need to put on it is a IAC and TPS. I'll even leave on the throttlebody if it'll help ya. I think I got a throttlebody gasket as part of a set when I was replacing the upper plenum on my car. I'll send it if I got it. PM me your address so I can send it.

Ken

 

I'll take the TB too. I have the connectors to swap over to the newer style TPS and IAC, but I haven't been able to use them, as I was expecting to have a newer TB to put on. Could we maybe move this to either PM or you can send me an email @ maverickh1_l@yahoo.com

 

Got the 3.1 plenum put in and working. Now, it gets weirder. I think I put the IAC wires in correctly (the blue got faded to green somehow) and it works, but when I take my foot off of the gas, the RPM's shoot up and then come back down again after a few seconds. I've already cleaned the TB and now the throttle plate doesn't stick closed like it did when I first put it all together. Does anyone have a clue as to where I can get that elbow-like thing that connects the PCV valve to the nylon pipe running to the nipple on the intake manifold? I thought I knew where mine was (I replaced the nylon pipe with a PVC/heater hose setup to use my old IAC system properly) but I've lost it and need a replacement. I can't go to a j/y because the one where I get most of my parts doesn't have any valve covers on the RWD V6 that's still in that Berly, and the FWD sixes are too much of a PITA to get to the PCV valve on. I know I have to readjust my minimum air rate, as it's too low, and probably get an o-ring for the "new" IAC (can't I just get away with using RTV silicone on the mounting flange? ) The car is driveable, but I'm smoking the clutch whenever I have to stop and go again.

:edit: How exactly am I supposed to keep the exhaust leak-free? Even if I use an impact wrench on my flange donuts, they only come loose in a couple of days anyways, and my damn muffler leaks even if I put sealer on the joint before I reassemble it, and pack it in good when I put it back together, the damn thing still leaks. I need to know the thread size so I can get locking nuts for the flanges, I guess, and maybe someone could get me a link to Jegs' pre-formed band clamps for the muffler?