Well, I picked up my Vette in Nov. I really love driving it. However, after hearing everyone else talk I think there might be something wrong with the motor.

1. It's running rich. Seeing a "fuel stain" on the bumper right above the exhaust. Does not smoke on start or while running, does not seem to burn oil.

2. Only get 19.2 MPG on the milage average and that was with a couple 250 mile highway trips (@70) in a two week period.

3. Sounds a little flakey at times like there is an exhaust leak at the heads but everything seems to be tight. I heard some clicks before and thought it might have been an injector clicking and was told that might be normal. There is no pinging in the motor that I can hear.

4. According to others I should be able to roast the tires off the car from a dead stop and break them loose going into second. If I am just setting at a light and just romp on it when the light changes I take off but the tires do not break. No second gear most of the time. If I hold the break and start to apply some gas and load up the motor I can get the tires to break from a stop.


I think that this is mostly a stock setup.

89' w\114K

L98 (350\Alu Heads)
A4
MSD (module on top of Batt and Coil on firewall)
Cut Lid with paper filter (Waiting on the K&N to get in)
Sock exhaust (Don't know about the Muffs.. (Super Turbos)
3.07 rear end (by code and run 2000 rpm at 70)

New Kumo tires on back (275/40 R17) (Later Sawblades)

Does this sound normal to other 89s out there?


Tim

 

Sounds like a typical L98-Some do better than others...Enjoy!

Let me add the all necessary disclaimer: "normal", meaning a little worn and needing a little TLC, not perfect and running 13's.

 

things don't sound right at all.

When was the last time a full tune up was done?

Fuel pump/pressure? You may have some injector issues...

 

I got the car in Nov and have not done a full tune up on it. I have no idea when one was done before I got the car. I got it from a small car log so I am not even sure if they did one. Guess I need to pull the plugs and see what they look like.

I have not checked the Fuel Pump or the pressure. I have not gotten a set of service manuals for it yet (soon... Had Christmas and a cruise to pay for first.) (Anyone have that web site for them? I can't search this site for it right now)

Tim

 

Engine performance sounds exactly like my 86 with alumnium heads. I get around 15-16 MPG at all times. Doesn't light up the tires at all....but generally acts OK thru all gears when its floored. Ive even got Hedman headers, Ansa exhaust, and a chip, and it the car seems to be lacking. Even backfired once or twice while accelerating in 3rd gear a couple of days ago. Threw in some injector cleaner and seemed to cure that though. My dad lovingly purchased a new set of bosch platniums for my car, allthough they wont fit due to the headman headers, so I have 8 new paper weights. I have Taylor wires, which are new...so I dont know where to start. Tell me if this is a good plan :

1. Replace all spark plugs with Accel Short Plugs for headers.
2. Replace rotor, if not cap as well
3. Fuel Filter replace
4. Clean out MAF sensor and anything else that I can get at with Chemtool
5. Pray this crap works

Ive also got a SES light on, but its my little "buddy" and has been there since ive had the car. I guess I could jump the connector and diagnose. Probably will tell me I have a sick O2..

 

Tim: Being the owner of an 89 model for about three years, here are some suggestions for you:
1. Replace the O2 sensor with a GM or check its operation using an adapter or scanner. With 114k miles you may be due for a new unit.
2. Check your fuel pressure as it should be 38 to 40 psi. Lower reading may indicate a restricted fuel filter or bad fuel pump;
3. Pull the plugs and examine for any difference in appearance. Put in new plugs.
4. Check the resistance of each injectors. If you have stock injectors, they will be a gray color. The resistance of ALL stock injectors should be 16 to 17 ohms. Anything less that 16 is a problem and your stock injectors cannot be rebuilt.
5. Set engine timing to either 6 or 8 degrees BTDC.
6. Set base idle speed (I have written a Word doc on this for the 89 and can forward a copy to you) and this includes TPS adjustment.
7. Check all vac lines for being connected or having cracks.

My 89 is an auto and I cannot break the tires in OD. However, if I go down one gear and floor it, I have trouble keeping her on the road. The web site for GM Helms manual is: WWW.Helms.com. Don't give up as some car work will be fun and will pay off for you.
SAM

 

Give your car a full tune up and get back to us...your car with the 3.07's should boil the tires with no problem. Mine when stock would smoke them from a stop and through a second gear shift every time. No powerbraking or other "cheating" necessary either. Just a good stomp on the go pedal was all it needed.

 

You guys have got to be kidding! My 85 will peel the tires right off in 1st, spin second and squeek into 3rd

 

I would think a properly running L98 should roast the tires on a launch. I know my 91 does.....even did when I had the 2.59 rear.

 

you might want to check out the catalytic converters to see if they are clogged
john

 

my 87, mostly stock, auto getts squirly on OD
If I drop a gear on dry pavement I have a hard time getting a straight launch.

Did I mention that I need new injectors and have a bad plug wire.....

Your 89 should roast those shiney new tires.

 

That's nothin, my 88 spins them at 100+mph......

 

Sam Lam posted an incorrect link for a service manual. Go to: www.helminc.com and order for your year. Helms prints the Factory Service Manuals for Chevrolet. THAT is what you will be ordering. You can't do better.

I don't see where you mentioned, automatic or standard. I think at least some of those that are "boiling the hides" have manuals. Your car doesn't sound like it has any serious problems.

RACE ON!!!

 

CFI-EFI

Thanks for the link. I just got done ordering the manual for the car. Sad to see that it will not include the wire diagrams. Anyone have them in PDF or anything.


The 89 has the A4 (700R4).

Tim

 

Since when? No schematics? The 87 manual has them... and the 92 manual has a break down of each circuit (which, to be honest, is more helpful).

With 3.07 gears, that thing should JUMP off the line... nothing should be soft there...

 

The Helm service manual should be a two book set and will have electrical information. For example, here is the listing for my '88:
(1) ST36488EDM - 1988 Corvette Electrical Diagram Manual Supplement
(2) ST36488S - 1988 Corvette Electrical Diagram Manual Supplement
(3) ST36488 - 1988 Corvette Shop Manual

 

This is what was on the page when I viewed the shopping cart.

ST36489 1989 Corvette Shop Manual $92.75 $92.75
This manual is a copy of the original publication. It is possible that this item will be in loose-leaf format, if so, a binder will be included. Any wiring diagrams in the original shop/service manual are NOT reproduceable and are no longer available.

It also included the 1989 Corvette Shop Manual Supplement.

Tim

Tim

 

My 1984 manual has two, 5 page, fold out pages, each printed on both sides that are the schematic of the whole car. When I ordered my manual, almost 20 years ago, I remember it coming as more than one book. One book, as I recall, covered the, then troublesome, 700R4 transmission, in addition to what was in the main manual. There may or may not have been an electrical trouble shooting manual. Recently, a fellow forum member made the '84 electrical book available in a pdf file. See what you get. You may be able to make up any short fall by the graces of forum members.

RACE ON!!!

 

time for a good tune up. I prefer AC Delco plugs. Also time to check the fuel pressure-it will give you a read on the injectors. I use SeaFoam everyother year-just for cleaning carbon out and helps clean the injectors. My stock 87 auto will smoke em, especially if I power brake.