QuestionQUESTION: Hi! I just bought a 94 Firebird 3.4l 160k. When I got the car, it has rough idle, hard to start, it gets hot when sitting at idle and temp gage swings too much. I did some troubleshooting and was able to fix majority of the problems except for the engine vibes. I replaced the fuel pump for the hard start, also replaced the fuel regulator, replaced hightension wires, spark plugs, injectors, o2 sensors, checked TPS, cleaned throttle plate, fixed the overheating problem.. also i noticed that sparks flying from no 6 spark plug or end of the wire to the body. The side mirrors and the panels vibrates when idling.... anything I can do to fix or make it run smoother?
ANSWER: Hio Marlon:
this engine never idled smooth that's why theu only used it for a few years and switched to a 3800 engine and the base engine in this car. Does it misfire going down the road or just a rough idle? Take a look at the ends of the coils where the plug wires go on if any of them are burnt or rusty looking replace them. You can also try a product called Chevron techron in the gas tank that is a fuel system cleaner that works great just follow the directions on the bottle. If the car is not setting any trouble codes then it's running right.. Good luck :)
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QUESTION: Hi Tom, I got the coilpack replaced too, its just rough and vibrates, I thought about changing the motormounts if it helps, and also seems missfires every so often (only at idle) and no DTCs. If I decide to replace the engine with 3800, will it readily bolt on or does it need mods? how about the engine control unit and the tranny(auto), do I need to change them too? Thanks again and will try the techron.
ANSWER: Yes completely different The whole powertrian is different when they switched to the 3800 engine trans/engine wire harnesses engine computer etc.. They are not interchangeable at all.
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QUESTION: Hi Tom, I guess I have to deal with the engine vibes. now for the tranny, what model is it? I just noticed that sometimes it seems like its dragging on the first gear, and sluggish on 1st to 2nd gear transition, do you have any suggestion I should do?
AnswerIt is a M30 it can be an electrnic or a manual shift control 4l60e electronic transmission . The electronic means the shift are controled by the engine computer controls the shifts. manual control means the detent cable on the throttle that along with car speed controls the shifts. it can be either transmission i thin in that car. if the car has cruise it will have 3 cables on the throttle body if it has cruise and only 2 cables it is an electronic transmission. hope that helps.
