M20B28 - Pinging/ Smog Questions

[nando]

40/lb injectors with a stock ECU and some random chip? yeah, I'm not surprised it's not running well.

I agree with the others. Start by removing some of the sketchy mods and returning it back to more stock like parts. A 2.8 will run fine on a stock chip, injectors, FPR and O2 sensor. there's no real reason to mess with the FPR anyway. Unless it has some sort of wild cam, it should be possible to pass the sniffer.

Then get a custom chip for your motor. leave the rest of it alone.

also if it's always at the 1/4 mark it's probably got a 70c thermostat. there's no reason to run such a cold thermostat - swap it out for an 80c one for a bit better efficiency.

[DRTSRFR]

any luck Ryan?

I've got a rail with stock injecters at the house if you need it...

[kickinindian]

paging ssquid for a tune!

Sent from my VS930 4G using Tapatalk

[Cabriolet]

the 153 DME will not work. do not install that.
i would go back to stock clean injectors. 40lb is way way way too big.
dump that chip, it's a pile of crap
you need to check your spark plugs. i use bosch copper.
i bet your AFM and/or O2 sensor is bad as well.
you may also need a cat.

[RCM3]

any luck Ryan?

I've got a rail with stock injecters at the house if you need it...

Mark, if I cannot find my spare set, maybe we cAn work something out for them. Ill text you if it comes down to it.

the 153 DME will not work. do not install that.
i would go back to stock clean injectors. 40lb is way way way too big.
dump that chip, it's a pile of crap
you need to check your spark plugs. i use bosch copper.
i bet your AFM and/or O2 sensor is bad as well.
you may also need a cat.

I meant 173, oops typo. Car came with the 40lbers, I figured it was the issue or part of it rather. AFM is solid, O2 sensor is new along with the Bosch copper plugs. I did a complete maintenance overhaul the day I got it, listed the specifics in the first post. Back to stock + OEM cat back in hopefully = CA smog test pass.

Thanks again guys.

[RCM3]

I've only spent 8 hours with the car essentially since I bought it. Never owned a storker build so ill look into the proper tune for it also. U less what some members are saying works, just returning it to and then leaving it fairly stock.

Mainly wanted to make sure it was possible to get it to pass with the work its had done. I know the car has a recent registration sticker but maybe the PO paid for a "smog" check. That was my main concern^.

[RCM3]

Double post.

[DRTSRFR]

Mark, if I cannot find my spare set, maybe we cAn work something out for them. Ill text you if it comes down to it.

Nothing to work out. If you need it, it's yours.

I'll dig around the shed tonight and pull it out of the mothballs.

[efficient]

What's the word?

[RCM3]

Havent made it home yet. The car has just been sitting in the garage :( . Ill be in town in about a week and Ill have an update.

Thanks again Mark for offering the injectors. Ill swing by GC on my way home.

[RCM3]

Alright, yesterday I swapped the injectors back for the stock ones (thanks Mark :)) and replaced the ECU with a stock unit. I went for a ride but still noticed the pinging/ rattling sounds. It happens only in 3rd and 4th gear, mainly 4th. It happens only when pulling a hill and at WOT above 3.5k RPMs. I brought it home and parked it. After parking it I put in 6 gallons of 91 but didnt have time to take it for another drive. The exhaust smells much better now, not as rich. Still need to further diagnose the pinging before I further pursue the smog issues. Im thinking about pulling some components off to double check I did indeed set the timing properly I guess.

[RCM3]

Had some more time to work on the e30, here's what's going on now.

Car is back to stock. I ordered a Sssquid chip, installed it into my 173 ECU. Tore back into it, timing is dead on. Took the car for a drive and it pings slightly worse now. Exhaust still smells very rich. If I drive the car under 3.5k rpm it's totally fine, no detonation issues. Once I push it to WOT or go above 3.5k rpm it pings. One observation: going from the chipped ECU to a stock ECU I get a noticeable reduction in pinging, but I still have pinging under engine load at WOT. Is this a timing issue, something else causing advanced spark?

No CELs, most all components are NEW. O2 sensor is not, but it's not triggering a CEL.

Any suggestions? Is it possible to retard the cam sprocket a tooth or two to remove the pinging? I have the front components of the engine off now, down to the timing belt.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

[wilholl]

Are you absolutely sure the AFM is good?
Does this engine have a stock cam?
A compression check might help diagnose a problem with the head or possibly ring issues.

I have used SeaFoam quite often on non EGR engines to get them to pass.
It sometimes helps to pour it in the cylinders and let it sit overnight. Then turn the motor over to clear any remaining liquid before reinstalling the plugs and firing it up. It will still puke out a lot of white smoke for a little while. Also, good to change your oil after the treatment.

I hope you find the problem, in any case it doesn't sound too good.

[RCM3]

Pretty sure the AFM is solid. It came off of my last e30 where the M20 was pulled in perfect working order. Ill temporarily borrow my bros off his car to confirm with another known good unit. Ill try his 173 ECU also, maybe my unit has some issues.

Ill double check the cam, thought I was told it was stock.

Assuming everything checks out and those items are correct, can this be some sort of timing related issue? Or do all guys have no issues leaving the factory timing at the cam sproket intact? Just wondering if I should retard the cam a bit, or get an adjustable gear? Does that even make sense with my symptoms?

Thanks for the response.

[RCM3]

So I spent many hours researching, made some phone calls, and figured I just take a small chance and adjust the cam gear a bit. I turned it counter clockwise one tooth, checked valve clearances, and took it for a spin. Pinging was greatly reduced, but still present. For the hell of it, I swapped out my stroker chip and 173 ECU for a refurbished factory 153 ECU and the pinging stopped. The car runs as great as it always has, but no pinging under load or WOT.

What does this mean? Should I leave it alone, play around with the cam timing a bit more and toss the chipped 173 ECU back in? Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.