I finished my h/c/i swap after a big ordeal with tall valve covers. I havnt got a chance to gun it yet because i put in new pistons so im breaking it in, but it still doesn't feel right. I had to keep giving it gas to keep it running this mornin in the 20-30 degree weather. It seemed like it was running rich in fuel because I could barely breath with all the fumes. Also I was driving on ice and with the pedal half way to the floor the tires wouldnt break traction. Any time the tach reads below 1000 the car tries to die and barely accelerates no matter how much gas I give it. Once it gets over a 1000 rpm it runs a little better but still doesnt have the power it should. The only ideas I have is the timing, which i havnt adjusted and is relatively low; or the x-pipe. The first time I drove it the car didnt have the low idle problem with the stock h-pipe. Dont know if this helps but my injectors, fuel system, and MAF is all stock. I'm open to any ideas, ive just been teaching myself about this stuff as I go, so this isnt my area of expertise. Thanks for any help.

 

sounds like a timing issue. ide go ahead and check the fuel pressure, then look into spark timing. what cam did you put in? sounds like it could also be cam timing.

dont forget the o2 sensors and computer will take awhile to learn the new setup. and this is a mass air motor correct?

 

ive got a trick flow stage 2 cam. im getting ready to go play with the timing and see if advancing it will help. Most everyone I ask say to adjust the timing. Thanks for the advice

 

what did you set the timing at? you did time it with a timing light correct? for pump gas shoul be 10-12 degrees for a starting point.

 

The problem was i didnt read the timing right; it was at 10*, the wrong way. So I put chalk on the guage to see it right and set it up to 15* advanced and now the car runs great.

 

15 advanced is going to be too much when the warmer weather comes. keep an ear open for detonation as youll have some soon. 10-13 is a good number, 15s alittle much.

 

Most people I talk to say 15 is too much; my the car still was a little rough at 10*. Once I get it tuned, I'm sure 10* will be alright, but until then I just keep puttin 91 fuel in it. Also I talked to a guy yesterday that says he keeps his timing at 33* and his car must like it cuz it goes 12.7 in the 1320. I guess to each his own but thanks for the advice. Ill listen for the detonation.

 

never heard of 33* timing on a mustang, is it his daily driver?

 

He drove it quite often but it wasnt a dd. He mite have bumped the timing up that high just for the tracks, because I think he was also puttin 112 octane fuel in it.