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

92 lt1 stumbles under heavy acceleration

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 04:04 AM
  #1  
Donta the realtor's Avatar
Donta the realtor
Thread Starter
6th Gear
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default 92 lt1 stumbles under heavy acceleration

Hello folks long post. My 92 LT1 stumbles under heavy acceleration. Intermittently.
Whole story.
I bought the car from a mechanic for $150+ a diamond wrist watch.
It wouldnt start.
The fuel pump and sending unit was rusty.
I cleaned out the fuel tank by hand. And replaced the pump and sending unit. Still no start.
I replaced the fuel filter and regulator. It would start but shut off after a second or two.
I took the injectors out and DIY you tube style cleaned them. The car finally ran but bad under heavy acceleration (Sometimes).
I then replaced the spark plugs, coil and opti spark (autozone duralast lifetime warranty) runs ok not good while cold but gets worst after warming up.
I checked these sensors while running.
Idle air temp sensor. No difference
trottle position sensor. idle raised
ignotion control module. Shuts off
optispark connection under fuel rail. Shuts off
egr connection. No difference
coolant temp sensor. Fan turns on
Each injector connector. Stumples at idle after I disconnected each one by one.
I don’t have a fuel pressure gauge
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 09:02 AM
  #2  
KyleF's Avatar
KyleF
Drifting
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 229
From: Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by Donta the realtor
Hello folks long post. My 92 LT1 stumbles under heavy acceleration. Intermittently.
I cleaned out the fuel tank by hand. And replaced the pump and sending unit. Still no start.
I replaced the fuel filter and regulator.
Originally Posted by Donta the realtor
I don’t have a fuel pressure gauge
Get one, you can't troubleshoot without it. It has already cost you a pump and sending unit because you couldn't eliminate this being your issue. How do you know you have enough fuel pressure to run... you are going to need to know idle pressure and pressure at RPM. Lack of fuel can cause stumbling.

Originally Posted by Donta the realtor
I took the injectors out and DIY you tube style cleaned them.
That doesn't mean a lot. You still don't know if one has a problem.
Originally Posted by Donta the realtor
I don’t have a fuel pressure gauge
You are going to need one to do a leak down test and then you need to do a resistance test to know they are good. If you are comfortable they are clean you can eliminate that issue but it doesn't mean they function properly. Even if it isn't the issue today, it may be an issue soon. Seems the TPI cars started to have a lot of issues in the 25-30 year range. You car is about to hit that window.

Originally Posted by Donta the realtor
opti spark (autozone duralast lifetime warranty)
Probably your issue, do some reading around here. The Duralast usually fails frequently. The warranty is good for getting free parts, but it doesn't keep you from breaking down or having to do the replacement. I suggest you send your old stock unit out for rebuild. Read around and decide on your source. Though, before you go through all the labor to swap it out again, please do some troubleshooting. It may not be your issue, but I would still get your old one rebuilt to keep as a spare. The Duralast seems to have a 90% chance of failing based off what others have posted.

Originally Posted by Donta the realtor
I checked these sensors while running.
Idle air temp sensor. No difference
trottle position sensor. idle raised
ignotion control module. Shuts off
optispark connection under fuel rail. Shuts off
egr connection. No difference
coolant temp sensor. Fan turns on
Each injector connector. Stumples at idle after I disconnected each one by one.
All good stuff... any codes?

Have you reset your computer yet (Pull the negative battery cable for about 10 seconds)
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 09:03 AM
  #3  
KyleF's Avatar
KyleF
Drifting
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 229
From: Michigan
Default

By the way, you can get a fuel pressure test kit with gage at most auto parts stores that have a loan a tool program.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 01:25 PM
  #4  
Donta the realtor's Avatar
Donta the realtor
Thread Starter
6th Gear
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks for the reply. I was getting a code 16 if i step on the trottle hard over and over.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 02:58 PM
  #5  
Kevova's Avatar
Kevova
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
Default

Dtc 16 relates to Opti spark low resolution, to DIY you need factory manuals. Corrosion is a concern with cars that sit. Make sure ground connections are clean and tight with no corrosion. Make sure female terminals aren't spread from probing causing intermittent condition..A test terminal or something about .040 diameter should work.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2019 | 05:55 PM
  #6  
Tom400CFI's Avatar
Tom400CFI
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Default

Originally Posted by Donta the realtor
My 92 LT1 stumbles under heavy acceleration. Intermittently.
I then replaced the spark plugs, coil and opti spark (autozone duralast lifetime warranty) runs ok not good while cold but gets worst after warming up.
Originally Posted by KyleF
Probably your issue, do some reading around here. The Duralast usually fails frequently. The Duralast seems to have a 90% chance of failing based off what others have posted.

All good stuff... any codes?
Originally Posted by Donta the realtor
Thanks for the reply. I was getting a code 16 if i step on the trottle hard over and over.
Originally Posted by Kevova
Dtc 16 relates to Opti spark low resolution,
My car exhibited the same symptom (missing under heavy load when hot) when the opti started to take a dump. You need to determine if it is really the opti causing the miss. Do you need a scan tool or FSM to do that? No you don't. When the symptom occurs, does the tach needle jump/bounce around? The "now, now, now, now, now..." originates at the opti (like points, in the old days). If that is causing issues, then it should show up as erratic tach behavior when the symptom is happening.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2019 | 11:14 AM
  #7  
Donta the realtor's Avatar
Donta the realtor
Thread Starter
6th Gear
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by KyleF
Get one, you can't troubleshoot without it. It has already cost you a pump and sending unit because you couldn't eliminate this being your issue. How do you know you have enough fuel pressure to run... you are going to need to know idle pressure and pressure at RPM. Lack of fuel can cause stumbling.


That doesn't mean a lot. You still don't know if one has a problem.

You are going to need one to do a leak down test and then you need to do a resistance test to know they are good. If you are comfortable they are clean you can eliminate that issue but it doesn't mean they function properly. Even if it isn't the issue today, it may be an issue soon. Seems the TPI cars started to have a lot of issues in the 25-30 year range. You car is about to hit that window.


Probably your issue, do some reading around here. The Duralast usually fails frequently. The warranty is good for getting free parts, but it doesn't keep you from breaking down or having to do the replacement. I suggest you send your old stock unit out for rebuild. Read around and decide on your source. Though, before you go through all the labor to swap it out again, please do some troubleshooting. It may not be your issue, but I would still get your old one rebuilt to keep as a spare. The Duralast seems to have a 90% chance of failing based off what others have posted.



All good stuff... any codes?

Have you reset your computer yet (Pull the negative battery cable for about 10 seconds)
Ok I have a fuel teater and the pressure is at 30psi while idling under heavy acceleration it drops to 10psi.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2019 | 11:20 AM
  #8  
bob arrowsmith's Avatar
bob arrowsmith
Racer
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 416
Likes: 29
From: diamond bar ca
Default

fuel pressure to low, replace fuel filter and retest and go from there.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 1, 2019 | 09:45 AM
  #9  
KyleF's Avatar
KyleF
Drifting
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 229
From: Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by bob arrowsmith
fuel pressure to low, replace fuel filter and retest and go from there.
Yep, start with the easy stuff because with a new pump, you should have a new filter anyway.
You should also test voltage at the pump, make sure it is not a wiring issue.

This doesn't rule out you having an unhealthy Opti, but that fuel pressure is definitely low. While it may be your regulator, less pressure at higher RPMs is usually a volume problem from the pump. Replacing the regulator would also not be a bad idea given the age of the cars, it's pretty accessible and cheaper than a pump. While I am not a fan of throwing parts at a problem, changing the regulator and filter with a new pump is cheap/easy to prevent future problems.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2019 | 10:38 AM
  #10  
Y-bodluvr's Avatar
Y-bodluvr
Racer
 
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 389
Likes: 77
Default

Originally Posted by Donta the realtor
opti spark (autozone duralast lifetime warranty)
Id trust that unit about as much as marrying a STRIPPER which translates to ZERO
I’ve stuck with OEM AC Delco on any of my F-bodies and C4’s and never had an issue...

Last edited by Y-bodluvr; Apr 2, 2019 at 11:19 AM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 92 lt1 stumbles under heavy acceleration





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:25 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE