[Jbaugh]

It does have cats and they look smaller than what I would have expected? It also has an H pipe not an X pipe. If its running rich or has weak spark what would be the most efficient way of dealing with that? I dont have a tuner or anything. Maybe plugs and wires? It does have 80,000 miles on it? I'm pretty mechanical so is there any adjustments I can make myself? Its not a daily driver so I would prefer it ran a little lean than rich, Any ideas???

 

[SheizaSoSay]

1.Clean the MAF sensor
2.Check plugs condition with a comparative look at a haynes manual to decipher the condition (it has pics in the back, plus the internet probably has a crap load)
3.Check airfilter
Possibly, clogged ****** old fuel filter that's actually making you run lean and backfiring at the intake manifold (that would be a lean condition though)
If you don't have a tuner then I doubt you have a tune which would mean your timing isn't too far advanced so that's not an issue.
Basically backfire occurs because A/F ratio is off. So just check the simple stuff you can get to since you can't plug a tuner into it and read. Do you have a check engine light on?

 

[ITLRUN]

1.Clean the MAF sensor
2.Check plugs condition with a comparative look at a haynes manual to decipher the condition (it has pics in the back, plus the internet probably has a crap load)
3.Check airfilter
Possibly, clogged ****** old fuel filter that's actually making you run lean and backfiring at the intake manifold (that would be a lean condition though)
If you don't have a tuner then I doubt you have a tune which would mean your timing isn't too far advanced so that's not an issue.
Basically backfire occurs because A/F ratio is off. So just check the simple stuff you can get to since you can plug a tuner into it and read. Do you have a check engine light on?

Just because HE doesn't have a tuner, doesn't mean someone else didn't have one and install one of those so called custom canned tune files. If he bought the car used, there's a lot of variables that can come into play. If the car has a canned tune, his timing could be way off. Backfiring through the throttle body, is usually a sign that the timing is off. Cleaning the MAF, and checking the plugs is good and should be done anyway. It's all part of preventive maintenance, changing the fuel filter is another thing he should do especially if he bought it used. When you buy a used vehicle, you never know what has been done and when unless the previous owner kept all maintenance records and gave them to him with the car. And even at that you still don't really know, Mike. SCT Tuner.:bigthumbsup:bigthumbsup P.S. If you want to check your air/fuel ratio, just put it on a dyno and tell the tuner what you want to do. If you know the shop well enough, he may do it for no charge or $30 tops. You'll know if it's running rich, just by putting your right foot down and checking for black smoke coming from your tail pipe. If your exhaust feels real hot, then it's running lean. Good luck, Mike.:bigthumbsup