Lack of power and sputtering

SmokyJoe · Jun 21, 2010

I bought a 1994 cobra with a 331 and AFR heads custom cam,LT, etc.car ran great until i noticed the spout connector was not in.I think he probably had the timing at like 35advanced. So i go to ford and buy a spout and set the timing and now it starts right up idles perfect but when you drive it it spits and sputters ,i guess you could say it surges and seems to lack the power it had.You really have to get the RPMs up to get any power.I no i need to check for codes ,you think it might be the msd? Also seems to be running rich strong gas smell.CL mass air 36lb injectors.Thank you in advance because i cannot figure it out.

toyman · Jun 21, 2010

SmokyJoe said:
I bought a 1994 cobra with a 331 and AFR heads custom cam,LT, etc.car ran great until i noticed the spout connector was not in.I think he probably had the timing at like 35advanced. So i go to ford and buy a spout and set the timing and now it starts right up idles perfect but when you drive it it spits and sputters ,i guess you could say it surges and seems to lack the power it had.You really have to get the RPMs up to get any power.I no i need to check for codes ,you think it might be the msd? Also seems to be running rich strong gas smell.CL mass air 36lb injectors.Thank you in advance because i cannot figure it out.

First clean the MAF sensor and see what that does. Is there a tuning chip installed? 36 lb squirters without a tune may be an issue.

ProKiller · Jun 22, 2010

c&l mass airs are also hit or miss on our cars. Some have success while others have nothing but problems. my question is does it have a tune or not?

nmcgrawj · Jun 22, 2010

If the car ran great previously....the MAF isnt the problem. I doubt it suddenly got dirty when he swapped in the spout.

Its gotta be something that has to do with the car adjusting the timing...im not sure of the chain of parts that the spout connects to. Also makes sense why the previous owner just said to hell with it and pulled the spout.

Are you sure the balancer hasnt spun and the timing is accurate? What is the base timing set to?

64post · Jun 22, 2010

I had similar problem with backfiring on hard accelerating through the intake, checked fuel pressure 32lbs, turned adjuster 1 full turn inwards and set it to 40 psi with vacuum line off, reconnected and went for a ride, night and day difference, runs very well now without the "popping" through the intake, it was too lean.

SmokyJoe · Jun 23, 2010

Thanks for the help,timming is at 15 ive cleaned the mass air, balencer is good.If you take it out for a drive and try to get up to speed you kind of have to ease up on the gas,or it falls on its face and then as you slowly press the gass again it will start to pic up. Fule pressure is set at 38 with the vac line disconected.Thanks again for any help.

Chythar · Jun 23, 2010

Stock timing is 10* btdc. And just in case, that's to the right of 0 on the harmonic balancer. A stock balancer will say "BTDC" and "ATDC" on it, aftermarket ones will not. Might be worth trying to see what effect it has.

Also, the 94-95 computers are not terribly forgiving of engine changes as previous years. With the engine changes you have, it's entirely possible that you simply need to get the engine tuned. Long tubes can also cause the computer to have fits because they move the O2 sensor farther away from the engine.

toyman · Jun 23, 2010

I'm still a bit puzzled about the initial timing issue. You stated it was set at 35* BTDC spout out and the car ran great. That sounds to me like the timing was locked. Have you pulled the ECU to see if a tuning chip has been installed? I'm thinking that the timing has been set (ignition map) and is being managed through a chip.

nmcgrawj · Jun 23, 2010

That wouldnt make sense....well maybe thats the case and something happened electronically along the way. But with the spout out, the computer tune doesnt matter.

SmokyJoe · Jun 24, 2010

You guys are great,keep the help coming. OK i was wrong on the fuel pressure. It was at 41 with the vac line pulled so i changed it to 36 and it has a ton more power.Most of the surging idle while giving it gas is gone.Only prob left is in second gear as rpm start to climb it almost acts like it hits a rev limiter at 2000 to 3000 rpms ,one little SWEET SPOT that sounds weird and no power.Any how thank for all the advice u guys

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