It all started back in december with an idling problem. I changed the plugs, cleaned the IAC, TB/Plenum and MAF. Had the fuel injectors cleaned, fuel lines flushed and got new fuel filters. After each session, it would run great for a couple of days and then go back to running like crap and idling rough.

I ended up buying a set of P&P Windsor heads from R3dn3ck and had them installed. I had hoped that maybe something could be found in the process of tearing the engine down that could be causing all the problems. We did find a shredded timing chain tensioner arm and replaced both as well as the timing chains.

I get the GT back and its running worse than ever. Only now, there is white smoke pouring out of the exhaust. Which means either coolant is leaking into the combustion chamber, or alot of fuel is getting through unburnt and vaporizing in the cats. GREAT. I did some data logging from the PCM and checked the fluid levels. The fluid levels never changed but the ocmputer showed that the PCM was dumping ungodly amounts of fuel into the right bank. The short term FT2 was maxxed at -24% and fuel pressure peaked around 75psi. The GT never threw a code the whole time and it should've been going nuts. Come to find out the injector drivers were corrupted and my PCM was taking a huge dump. On top of that, all that fuel washed the inside of the cylinders and corroded the piston rings, pretty much blowing my engine and frying my cats.

The GT is back in the shop getting a new PCM and forged short block. Hopefully, I'll have it back in a couple of weeks and put this nightmare to rest. I'll let ya'll know how things turn out.

 

That sucks but its a common problem for them timing chain arms to go. I had a problem last year where I was getting a knock under WOT loads and was pretty pissed because I thought that was my problem. Luckily it wasnt.

whos doing the engine work?

 

I was so hoping that the tensioner arm would've been the end of the problem. It did explain one of the problems I was having while under WOT. As it was explained to me by my mechanic, the arm failure first appeared with the lightning trucks and the the termy's. Basically, the main problem was with the right bank tensioner arms. Crappy materials failed under load. The new arms are much more durable.

As for whose building my new engine, that would be Kirk Prewitt @ Pro Modular Performance here in Austin. He's an awesome engine builder and a great guy to work with. For those in the Austin area, here's a link to his website:

http://www.promodularperformance.com/

I would definitely recommend him for any kind of high performance modification. He used to own Prewitt Racing and sold it off to start this new business venture of his.