Okay, newbie here. I just bought a '91 Z28 with the EFI 350. It runs like mad, but it doesn't hold an idle. I'm an old carb guy. This stuff is new to me. Aside from plugs, wires, air cleaner, belt, what other stuff should I take care of when doing a good tune up on this? Also, is there anything else I should look at in the way of general maintenance outside of the obvious?

TIA

 

Good to have another oklahoman on the board

But we need to find out for sure which engine you've got. You said its a 1991 Z28 with EFI 350. The only 350 available in 1991 was the L98 tune port injected 350. The next option was the TPI LB9 305. Are you sure its a 350 car and not a 305 car that someone rebadged? The tune up procedure will be basically the same, just want you to make sure you've got what you think you do.

You've got the usual stuff listed I'd also service the rear differential, and then make sure you get NEW brake fluid in the lines. I guess you'll have to bleed each wheel? I dont really know how to do this but this was a new one to me and should be done ever 2 or 3 years from what I've been reading.

Now as for your car do you have pics? Did you get it here in oklahoma? What'd you pay for it? How many miles are on it? I'm on the market for a 305 5 speed car and they're downright impossible to find in goodshape. At least it appears that way so far.

 

The vin decodes as a 350 car. I just walked out and looked and the intake has Tuned Port Injection stamped on it. Now that I look like a fool , I would say it's a TPI motor, and not EFI.

I don't have any pics yet, but will soon, and I'll post them up once I do. I got it here in Duncan, where I just moved to. The guy who delivered my fridge was selling it. I had been looking around for a good deal on a 1st gen, but it seems like no one is reasonable when it comes to a project car any more. I paid $1500 for it, and it has 113,000 on the odometer. The body is straight with the exception of a small dent in the drivers rear quarter. The interior is also in great condition for the year IMO. My overall opinion is it needs a little TLC to freshen it up from sitting. The shifter linkage is a little out of adjustment (it's an auto, not sure which). One thing I haven't been able to tell is if it is a true Z28. I mean, it has the badging, and appears to have the original paint, but the VIN doesn't show it as far as I can tell from searching.

And thanks for the welcome!

 

If the 8th digit of the VIN is an 8, then its a 350 car which means it is a Z28. Z28 was the only model in 91 to get the 350 in the camaro line.

 

Then it is. That's how I got it was a 350. Awesome! Time to get to work on it

 

Spark plugs, spark plugs wires, distributor cap and rotor, air filter, fuel filter, PCV valve, serpentine belt, and oxygen (O2) sensor. While your doing all of that, check all of the obvious things. Check all the vacuum lines that you can find, check and feel the radiator and heater hoses, and make sure all electrical connectors are on, tight, and aren't cut.

It would also be a great time to check and/or change all of the fluids. Motor oil and filter, rear diff. fluid, tranny fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid.

You really never know what the previous owner could have done with the car, good or bad.

 

Thanks...It's all on the list. Fluids are the first thing to be changed my me. Lubrication is your friend!

 

 

Well, to answer the question that you (sort of ) posted above, there are a few things that could cause that problem. Probably wouldn't hurt to take a good look around/inside the throttle body, I've seen one or two of these with some serious "gunk" in there. I've used carb cleaner to get rid of the gunk, didn't seem to have any ill effects on the car.

You might also take a look at thirdgen.org's tech page, they've got a pretty decent list of articles that outline the tuning issues that are specific to our cars. Here's one article that I recommended to someone else tonight.

Hope it helps.

 

I'll take a look. In my past experience (once again with carbuerated cars) a good tune-up was always a good way to eliminate most idling issues, that's why I really didn't post it as that question. I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions.

On a side note, I did a little playing last night, and absolutely smoked my mother-in-laws 81 vette. Not that it's all that suprising, but I was stoked. I'm not sure if it's the case with all older vettes, but hers is a definite dog.

 

demented a few things i can ad that will help. first things first, get on ebay and buy yourself a helm manual for your car. not a hayes manual. the helm book is for your year model. its about 2½ in thick and the hayes is about 1 in thick and covers mutiple years.
also after you get to know the car a bit get the injectors set out to be properly cleaned. no telling when the last time they were scerviced. the GM injector service dosent do much. havign them flo matched and OHMd makes a differnce.
get in touch with Rich at cruzin performance and he will fix you up.
http://www.cruzinperformance.com/ i had mine done and i was glad i did as one was far enough out of soec to cause issues. mine had been sitting up for a bit over a year also. properly flowing injectors make a big deal.
also change the coolant temp sensor, and the IAT. the coolant temp sensor is for the ECM to know what temp the motor is at so it can make the proper A/F adjustments.