M20B28 - Pinging/ Smog Questions

[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.

[RCM3]

Double post.

[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]

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.

[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.

[kickinindian]

paging ssquid for a tune!

Sent from my VS930 4G using Tapatalk

[DRTSRFR]

any luck Ryan?

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

[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.

[mkcman17]

I don't even try to smog e30s anymore. I'll pay for the security of a pass.

Good luck Ryan!

[RCM3]

Hopefully it doesnt come to that!
The neighboring counties by me dont require a dyno smog test, even that would be nice. Im not heading home for at least a week, so once I swap some parts out Ill update the thread with the post-smog outcome.

[henryki]

It's a shame you're in Nor Cal. I have a guy down here that'll "pass" your car for $150

[RCM3]

Your description definitely sounds like pinging and this is not good! Stop driving it like this until you fix the issue. I'd have to agree with above. For smog your best chance is with stock injectors and a stock chip. But after that you need to get a proper tune in that thing before something happens.

Theres always the "other" way to pass smog...

In the process of doing this now. I just sold my spare 173 ECU the previous day so Ill need to grab a new one. Im going to let it sit in the garage until I source another ECU and some tested injectors.

I know about the "other" ways... but I want to ensure the car is running properly before I go that route.

The mish-mash of mods to the engine certainly makes diagnosis difficult. So I'd start by replacing the injectors and chip with stock M20B25 parts and making sure that the AFM and FPR are M20B25 parts. Then I'd run a rail fuel pressure check and a smoke test, repairing as indicated until a repeat test reveals no leaks. I'd also replace the O2 sensor, ignition wires, distributor cap/rotor with a new OE/OEM parts and replace the plugs with a fresh set of NGK ZGR5A's. I'd also run compression and leak down tests, which might indicate a deeper problem that requires correcting. That may be enough, but if HC & NOX are still high I'd try another 173 DME (or more than one). If still off, replace the non-OE catalytic converters with a new OE down tube assembly.

I know the AFM is from a B25, Ill check on the FPR and swap in the proper unit if it has been swapped out.

I did do the cap and rotor as part of the maintenance overhaul 2 weeks ago. The spark plugs are new Bosch plugs I ordered from Pelican Parts but I will look into sourcing the other plugs also.

Swapping on the BMW OE manifold through cat assembly this weekend also.

Thanks for the advice again jlevie, your advice helped me get the last e30 to pass CA smog.

[efficient]

Fixing a car just to pass smog is pricey but then again its nice to have a nice running car.

[jlevie]

The mish-mash of mods to the engine certainly makes diagnosis difficult. So I'd start by replacing the injectors and chip with stock M20B25 parts and making sure that the AFM and FPR are M20B25 parts. Then I'd run a rail fuel pressure check and a smoke test, repairing as indicated until a repeat test reveals no leaks. I'd also replace the O2 sensor, ignition wires, distributor cap/rotor with a new OE/OEM parts and replace the plugs with a fresh set of NGK ZGR5A's. I'd also run compression and leak down tests, which might indicate a deeper problem that requires correcting. That may be enough, but if HC & NOX are still high I'd try another 173 DME (or more than one). If still off, replace the non-OE catalytic converters with a new OE down tube assembly.

[MR 325]

Your description definitely sounds like pinging and this is not good! Stop driving it like this until you fix the issue. I'd have to agree with above. For smog your best chance is with stock injectors and a stock chip. But after that you need to get a proper tune in that thing before something happens.

Theres always the "other" way to pass smog...