C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Adjustable TPS '87 automatic

Old Jun 4, 2006 | 11:55 PM
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Default Adjustable TPS '87 automatic

My car idles at spec, but is a touch slower than I'd like it to be. It is not adjustable. I see Corvette Central sells a TPS that is adjustable. The original is not. Could I use that to crank the idle up 50 rpms or so? I'm sure the more right way would be if the computer was reprogramed some how so it was done with the IAC, but I don't know how to do that.
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 12:51 AM
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Originally Posted by newbecorvetteguy
My car idles at spec, but is a touch slower than I'd like it to be. It is not adjustable. I see Corvette Central sells a TPS that is adjustable. The original is not. Could I use that to crank the idle up 50 rpms or so? I'm sure the more right way would be if the computer was reprogramed some how so it was done with the IAC, but I don't know how to do that.
The 87 HAS an adjustable TPS...check your TPS voltage to ensure its in the right/proper range...moving the tps down lowers the voltage,raising it increases it.
Non adjustable TPS came on later TPI cars.

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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 01:39 AM
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87's, same as mine, is adjustable.... see tech notes on how to adjust.
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by newbecorvetteguy
My car idles at spec, but is a touch slower than I'd like it to be. It is not adjustable.
You are right. The idle is not (by normal means) adjustable. The TPS on all C4s up to 1990 were adjustable. First get a correct, adjustable, TPS and adjust it correctly. The TPS does not determine the idle speed. The prom has the idle speed burned into it. If you would like a different idle speed, the proper way is to (or have) a new chip burned with your desires. Within reasonable limits, the TPS adjustment doesn't affect the idle speed.

RACE ON!!!
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
You are right. The idle is not (by normal means) adjustable. The TPS on all C4s up to 1990 were adjustable. First get a correct, adjustable, TPS and adjust it correctly. The TPS does not determine the idle speed. The prom has the idle speed burned into it. If you would like a different idle speed, the proper way is to (or have) a new chip burned with your desires. Within reasonable limits, the TPS adjustment doesn't affect the idle speed.

RACE ON!!!
Even the adjustable TPS on the '90 does nothing, because the ECM calibrates whatever voltage the TPS is set to at key-on to be 0% TPS.

-- Joe
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
You are right. The idle is not (by normal means) adjustable. The TPS on all C4s up to 1990 were adjustable. First get a correct, adjustable, TPS and adjust it correctly. The TPS does not determine the idle speed. The prom has the idle speed burned into it. If you would like a different idle speed, the proper way is to (or have) a new chip burned with your desires. Within reasonable limits, the TPS adjustment doesn't affect the idle speed.

RACE ON!!!
You are of course correct in theory, but in practice on my 88, a higher tps setting such as .62 will raise the idle speed and increase throttle response. A shop near me likes to set them at .75 to .80 for this reason. This does not work well with an A4 such as mine as it bangs into gear at 1200 to 1300 rpms. I tried lots of settings, and settled on .54 in the end, after a TB (off car) and top end cleaning with
Seafoam the idle settles at 600 to 700. Perhaps a good cleaning and base idle procedure would fix his idle to his liking.
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by ED HEISER
You are of course correct in theory, but in practice on my 88, a higher tps setting such as .62 will raise the idle speed and increase throttle response. A shop near me likes to set them at .75 to .80 for this reason. This does not work well with an A4 such as mine as it bangs into gear at 1200 to 1300 rpms. I tried lots of settings, and settled on .54 in the end, after a TB (off car) and top end cleaning with
Seafoam the idle settles at 600 to 700. Perhaps a good cleaning and base idle procedure would fix his idle to his liking.
Thats because your '88 which runs $32b thinks the throttle is cracked open, and is not idling anymore.


-- Joe
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 02:03 PM
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Yes, my computer is relatively primative so it can be fooled into thinking it's at WOT even when it's not. That said, it still runs best overall when clean and set to factory specs. I guess those engineers tried all the different setings too.
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 02:59 PM
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your tps is adjustable unless someone has substituted a latter type, non-slotted one--you must use the oem slotted one...get one from your local ac-delco parts if needed; we have seen bad new ones from several name sources recently....idle speed screw is adjustable-you can see the end of the adjuster in contact with the throttle arm--adjustment access is covered by a pressed in cover at the factory to prevent "tampering" for emissions---most covers disappeared long ago--you can carefully turn the adjuster where it is exposed at the throttle arm if you don't want to pry out the cover..
follow the complete idle set-up procedure to get the best results, leave any steps out and get mediocre operation....i've tried all, factory guys got it right on this.

no way is a new chip required

Last edited by redrose; Jun 5, 2006 at 03:02 PM.
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 03:17 PM
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Originally Posted by redrose
your tps is adjustable unless someone has substituted a latter type, non-slotted one--you must use the oem slotted one...get one from your local ac-delco parts if needed; we have seen bad new ones from several name sources recently....idle speed screw is adjustable-you can see the end of the adjuster in contact with the throttle arm--adjustment access is covered by a pressed in cover at the factory to prevent "tampering" for emissions---most covers disappeared long ago--you can carefully turn the adjuster where it is exposed at the throttle arm if you don't want to pry out the cover..
follow the complete idle set-up procedure to get the best results, leave any steps out and get mediocre operation....i've tried all, factory guys got it right on this.

no way is a new chip required

hahah.

The screw is for setting minimal idle speed, which is designed so you can get the idle stepper motor to 0 steps ad the absolute minimal idle.

You guys are silly

The idle speed is set in the chip, end of story. wanna set it to something absurd and have the ECM adjust everything from IAC to spark advance/retard to try and correct it? go right ahead!! There is a right way and a wrong way for everything.. I'm starting to notice a pattern around here.

-- Joe
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 03:51 PM
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i could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time, just ask my wif...but the idle speed is NOT set by the chip....i've reset mine and a bunch of others....i've set my idle for 600, 700, 800, even 1000 during new engine break-in, using the adjusting screw and the full service manual procedure (which includes a step to drive the IAC to fully closed)...every time i have been rewarded by consistent idle at selected rpm, with no stalling at stop lights or other problems of any kind...just the facts,ma'am
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by redrose
i could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time, just ask my wif...but the idle speed is NOT set by the chip....
And it just happened again. The idle speed IS programmed into the chip. The throttle stop screw is NOT an idle adjustment screw. It is for setting the minimum air adjustment. It cracks the throttle blades so they don't stick in the throttle bores and allows just enough air to pass for the IAC to have the full control of idle speed, including the warm idle speed. All of the idle speeds, cold, warm, hot, A/C on or off, are programmed into the chip.


Originally Posted by redrose
no way is a new chip required
It is if you want to do it correctly. The original post stated that the engine idled properly, and that it was HIS preference that it idle faster. Since there is nothing that is broke, it won't help to "fix" it.


Originally Posted by anesthes
You guys are silly

The idle speed is set in the chip, end of story. wanna set it to something absurd and have the ECM adjust everything from IAC to spark advance/retard to try and correct it? go right ahead!! There is a right way and a wrong way for everything.. I'm starting to notice a pattern around here.

The pattern isn't a new one, but it is great that others are paying attention and noticing.

RACE ON!!!
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 05:05 PM
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just boost idle idle screw o u p a little if it doesnt affect drivability or gas milage dont worry about it thats whar i did on 88 one of thes days ill do it to specs
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by redrose
i could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time, just ask my wif...but the idle speed is NOT set by the chip....i've reset mine and a bunch of others....i've set my idle for 600, 700, 800, even 1000 during new engine break-in, using the adjusting screw and the full service manual procedure (which includes a step to drive the IAC to fully closed)...every time i have been rewarded by consistent idle at selected rpm, with no stalling at stop lights or other problems of any kind...just the facts,ma'am
The idle most certainly is set in the chip. If you get it to "stay" higher using the TPS or the TB blade adjustment screw then you are either "fooling" the ECM or forcing it outside of the ECM's ability to correct for your changes.
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