Grinders 18 rolling TGP Learning thread...

[GangstGP]

Grinders , I'm considered a newbie but actually I've own my car for 4 years and my car has always had this problem and have been in and out of transmission shop, and only one, has given me the best information yet. He said we have a sticking valve in our valve body which cost me $ 2500 to get unstuck the last time, now its doing it again  :icon_evil:. I bought a VCR tape from a company that has step by step proceedure on how to repair our transmissions, and during the part about the valve body, it says #1 rule don't try to attempt removal of vavles. So whats this guy do , he takes a rubber mallet and looses the valve. :icon_neutral: But soon I won't have this to worry about , I have my 5-speed on stand. Hope you do

hahahaha. sounds like you up shit creek.

[Invasion1]

now now we all start somewhere and i thought i was up shit creek  few times when i did my 5-speed swap....

no need for discouraging comments

[GangstGP]

my bad. :icon_neutral:

[grinders_18]

Ok, the thread is back, but good news, of sorts. The good news is there are no new problems, nor am I here to rant LOL...just wanted to keep you guys up-to-date...I've taken pontiac6ksteawd and countless others' advice, and I bought new fuel injectors. They will be here Thursday at the latest. More info and the verdict when they arrive!

[grinders_18]

Well, it didn't work...just like all the other repairs, it helped out, but not with the problem at hand. I don't know what to do. Running out of ideas...anyone?

[TGP Nick]

Sorry to hear that, man.  :icon_frown:

[grinders_18]

Thanks man...it'll be ok...the guys at the shop are stumped too. They actually gave me the name and number of an "electrical Rain Man" lol...they figure maybe he can figure it out. Another thought was maybe it's the computer gone to hell? Any input on that?

[Larry M]

I'd check spark plug wires very carefully.  I had one short through the insulation to a bolt or stud on an inboard alternator bracket.  The wire rested directly on that and the hole was only in the bottom.  Rough idle resulted and under a load, it was like having a 1958 WV. But, a lot of people might think it was running fine.

Also, the spark coils are critiical and you need all three for smooth operation.  Failed coil(s) causes engine to act somewhat like having a bad EGR, if you've ever had one of those. My bad EGR had actually burned through some part.  Don't recall exactly what burned through.  Little pipe or fitting, I think. And coils can get weaker before they burn out.

Low octane can cause problems if chip is set for 100 octane, although normal cruising seemed unaffected.  I went from Chicago to Florida and wanted to get 100 octane at each fill-up.  That lasted for one fill-up, in Indianapolis.  Then Atlanta, out near the speedway, had some 100-octane.  BTW, everybody driving between Atlanta and Macon were driving on freshly mud-jacked and perfectly smooth highways that day and all were doing 80-90 mph, bumper-to-bumper.  Almost every car had some NASCAR driver's number pasted on their vehicle. It was a blast and something I'd not experienced before.

Two stations in Chicagoland (that I know of) have unleaded 100-octane racing fuel.  When unleaded 93-octane cost $2.29, 100-octane cost about $3.29.  When 93-octane cost $3.29, 100-octane cost $3.49.  It is better than the lower octane fuels in all respects except cost, and the fact that your car won't smell stock at the next stoplight.  : )

[TGP Nick]

Race gas smells GOOD!  Especially VP race fuel.  /End Hijack  :laugh:

[TGPilot]

Low octane can cause problems if chip is set for 100 octane, although normal cruising seemed unaffected. 

Why?

[Larry M]

Well, knock sensors don't actuallly predict anything.  I believe they only act on detonation occurring already.  Correct me if I am wrong.  I am also of impression that  unleaded 87 octane is:

? more likely to detonate prematurely

and

? when it does, it's effects will be more rapid, and more violent and more destructive

? especially with cars without EGR's (I don't believe aftermarket chips usually dial in loss of cooling effect from EGR. Do they?)

I'd be happy to learn more from the experts here.  I was a mechanic LONG AGO but am not well-qualified on modern computer technological cars.  : )

100-octane unleaded racing fuel is my best answer to the problems. Also, I don't like additives like Octane Boost, which once softened some paint and left track below gas cap door.

[grinders_18]

Here's a question, not to interupt Larry, but what are symptoms of a failing/failed ECM (the car's computer), and does it need to be out of a TGP specific vehicle for a new one?

[sleeperred90tgp]

A zillion cars used our computer. the memcal is the only difference.

Symptoms, runing shitty speedo of by a mile or even at aero to name a couple. Swap with a friend before you buy one.

Jud

[Invasion1]

1227727
16197128
16198260

Description: 1227727 in underhood case
Application: 1990-92 2.5 L4 TBI ?R? LR8 (?W? body)
1988-89 2.8 V6 PFI ?W? LB6 (?W? body)
1989-93 3.1 V6 PFI ?T? LH0 (?W? body)
1989-90 3.1 V6 PFI turbo ?V? LG5
1990-91 5.7 V8 TPI ?8? L98 (?Y? body)
MEMCAL IDs: ?R?: APTW, ?
?W?: AMAS, APWM, ATRA, ?
?T?: ARCX, ARZW, ATSN, ATSP, AUMY, ?
?V?: ASAN, ASMF, ATMJ, ATMK, AUAD, AUAF, AUFR, AZRC
?8?: ANHT, ARFP, ?
EPROM type: 27C128 or 27C256

[grinders_18]

Alright thanks a million! I'm gonna go to a JY and find a cheap one.