turbo swap, runs rich and rough..help!

87 turbo · 08-10-2006

built a 2.3 turbo motor and dropped it into my 87 2.3lx about 2 years ago. has NEVER ran right since i did it. when first done exhuast wasnt hooked up at the turboso was loud, point being could not hear my chattering valves, because the rod that goes from the distirbutor to the oil pump wasnt in the engine. only ran short time like this, the problem now is this. i have wired my vam in and had hoped that would fix the prob, but did not. with the stock lx injectors and ecu does the same thing as with the tc ecu and 35# injectors. starts right up when you hit the key, but has a lope or rough idle almost like a REALLY bad miss, and reving it up doesnt make a diff, still has rough shaking problem. it id running very rich as well, and i cant figure out what can be the problem. been trying to do this for 2 years im ready to have my car back!! also, when it gets hot it doesnt run rough but is still very rich. can it be something with the head, wiring or a sensor? o2 mayby? want to check the timing but dont remember what it is supposed to be set at? thx for any help.

evintho · 08-10-2006

Timing is 10*-12* BTDC. First things first. Give it a complete tuneup using only Motorcraft parts. 2.3's are very finicky about Motorcraft parts! Really! Set the timing w/SPOUT out and RUN CODES! This will give you a good idea where the problem lies. Adjust the TPS. Clean out the IAC. Make sure the EGR isn't sticking. Make sure you have good ground straps from the engine to frame (it really does make a difference). If possible, check your fuel pressure. If you've got more than 15k on the sensors, replace them. Especially the ECT, ACT & O2.

Are you sure your timing belt didn't slip a tooth? Double check your VAM wiring. Did you wire it correctly? If it's too rich, the ECU is getting a signal that the mixture is too lean, therefore it richens the mixture. Hence, O2 sensor and VAM concerns. That's just my 2 cents. Post this question on www.turboford.org. There are people over there more skilled than I when it comes to troubleshooting turbofords. Good luck!