Problems with 89 Chevy 4x4 w/ 388 stroker (long)

larry33kc

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
I installed a 388 stroker in my 89 chevy 4x4 lifted w/ 35's and 4.56's when my original motor blew up. I couldn't aford buying a engine at the time and had to get it running it was all I had to drive at the time and I had this crate motor here for a Jeep I used to own.

So I put it in and had a problem from start up, It would heat up the exhaust manifolds cherry red at 2500 RPM's or above, well at the time I couldn't figure out why so I drove it that way till it wouldn't hardly run at all.

Now after thinking about it I figured the distributor was of a tooth so, after I fixed that it still runs like crap it is running pig rich and on T Link it show codes of 34,42,45 and missing very bad.
I think some of the miss might be plugs and the wires. Also T/L shows TPS at .59 and IAC at 52.

My question is what all do I need to check or fix to get this thing running so I can drive it again, there is snow on the ground here and this damn Escort isn't cutting it, plus I can't even go hunting by myself without the risk of getting stuck some where and it sucks

Also is there a place that I could get a chip burned for it that dosn't cost an arm and a leg.

Sorry for the long post but I need help please TIA.
 
You are either way lean or have a timing issue. I bet its the timing.

Do you have fuel injection or a carb?

With TBI injection you should be set at 0 degrees base timing at TDC.

With a carb start at 8 degrees and work your way from there.

Get a timing light and let me know what you find
 
I see you need a chip so it sounds like you kept the FI

If you didnt upgrade the throttle body, chip, and injectors you will be WAAAAAYYYYYY lean with a 388 with headers, cam and a good exhaust.

That ECM is probably so far off it is completely guessing.

The TBI experts for trucks are at CK5.com, also known as ColoradoK5.com
Lots of those guys have built engines and huge lifts and tires along with TBI. It is not a free site but trust me it is $25 well spent.
 
Any idea what the cam specs are?

TBI's and 7747 ecms are very tricky to tune with any sort of cam thats even a little "big"

Tony
 
First of all thanks to all that responded, I was beginning to wander if I was going to get some help

Now let me answer some questions

Well I had to reset the distributer since I was a tooth off. I have done that but the closer to TDC 0 the worse it would run I stoped at 5 deg. adv. that is when it started to throw the codes 34,42,45

I do have the TBI,with the large Holley TB so flow shouldn't be an issue I would think.

As for the cam I belive it is the same as the Edelbrock Performer cam I can't remember though.

As for the exhaust I have a custom single 3" with a turbo muffler and no cat

I will go and check out the other sites TIA
 
The computer in that car has no idea what is going on, and the Holley TBI has HORRIBLE injectors.

Put a 454 TBI that is ported on there (requires manifold mod) and get some good flow matched 454 injectors for it. Also an adj fuel pressure regulator is a must.

Finally get a good chip burned (probably several hunder dollars)
You will need scan tool info to get a chip burned.

www.3rdgen.org has a good TBI section also

TBI systems have very little room for mods and you went WAY over the threshold, that is why it is so jacked up. The other option is to put a carb on, but I would fix the FI
 
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