Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

95 Vette LT1 rough idle

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 9, 2007 | 04:10 PM
  #1  
youngrodder's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default 95 Vette LT1 rough idle

I have a 95 Vette LT1 motor in my 1948 Chevy truck. I have a Howell engine harness and reprogrammed CPU. Non emission set up. My motor starts up but idles rough. It sounds like an old Harley.





I have confirmed that my fuel presser is in spec.

Here is what I think are the possible causes.
1 - The motor sat for 7 years. I am thinking that I need to have the injectors cleaned.
2 - I am running open headers. insufficient back pressure.
3 - Opti

Looking for feedback.

Thanks in advance
Marc
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2007 | 04:23 PM
  #2  
Ravant's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Default

Honestly, I'm going to have to say a combination of 1 and 2. Try cleaning the injectors first, see what happens. If you've still got a nasty idle problem, then see what you can do about increasing backpressure a bit. I don't mean go to the extreme and put 1.5" piping after the headers, but to be honest, I've never seen a problem with an LT1 in the past while running open headers, so cleaning the injectors should clear everything up.

Can you pull data off the ECU? An air-fuel ratio would be perfect in order to find out what exactly's going on in those combustion chambers.
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2007 | 06:36 PM
  #3  
yamaryder6's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: cheyenne wy
Default

i have a very similar project. same exact motor,open hooker headers right now, just got the fuel cell and lines all plumbed up and i also gutted all emissions. i am almost ready to start it, and i would be very interested in how your progress goes and what you did compared to what i did, thanks o ya its in an 83 chev sb 2wd slammed (same concept as yours)
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2007 | 07:16 PM
  #4  
youngrodder's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Ravant
Honestly, I'm going to have to say a combination of 1 and 2. Try cleaning the injectors first, see what happens. If you've still got a nasty idle problem, then see what you can do about increasing back pressure a bit. I don't mean go to the extreme and put 1.5" piping after the headers, but to be honest, I've never seen a problem with an LT1 in the past while running open headers, so cleaning the injectors should clear everything up.

Can you pull data off the ECU? An air-fuel ratio would be perfect in order to find out what exactly is going on in those combustion chambers.
I need to run a scan. I will either need to purchase a scanning tool or try to rent one. I am not sure if that provides air to fuel ratios. My goal is to get it running smooooth before I go to paint.

I am running my own exhaust (2.5" stainless with 50 series Flowmaster mufflers with an x-member) and I just about have everything I need. After I get the injectors cleaned it wouldn't take much to hook up the exhaust.

I should also mention that when I felt the headers, I noticed some of the tubes were much hotter then the others, which also lead me to believe that it is an injector problem. I did run all new taylor plug wires and new plugs.

Thanks
Marc
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2007 | 07:19 PM
  #5  
youngrodder's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by yamaryder6
i have a very similar project. same exact motor,open hooker headers right now, just got the fuel cell and lines all plumbed up and i also gutted all emissions. i am almost ready to start it, and i would be very interested in how your progress goes and what you did compared to what i did, thanks o ya its in an 83 chev sb 2wd slammed (same concept as yours)
Anything you would like to ask, just shoot me an e-mail. I had a few minor set backs when trying to fire mine, but nothing major.

Your project sounds cool.

Good luck.
Marc
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2007 | 07:02 AM
  #6  
LawrenceF's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: South Wales, UK
Default

Swap your injectors around and see if the cool pipes move with them. Are you running a MAF? If not you'll need to tune it a little to get your idle right. Even with the MAF mine needed work, and without the MAF it was rough.

Sweet truck too.
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2007 | 09:54 AM
  #7  
youngrodder's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by LawrenceF
Swap your injectors around and see if the cool pipes move with them. Are you running a MAF? If not you'll need to tune it a little to get your idle right. Even with the MAF mine needed work, and without the MAF it was rough.

Sweet truck too.
I am running a MAF sensor. I have a noid light so I will test that each injector is getting a signal to fire. Then I will run the motor and unhook each injector one by one to see which ones are working. I was also told that sometimes lightly tapping on the injector will sometimes free them up.

After doing all of that I should have a better idea if it is an injector problem.

Thanks for the reply.
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2007 | 01:56 PM
  #8  
LawrenceF's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: South Wales, UK
Default

Push the injector plug gently with your finger as it's running, you can feel it firing.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 10, 2007 | 02:10 PM
  #9  
daniel6718's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (36)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,760
Likes: 2
From: garland tx
Default

scan it and the o2 are prolly gone crazy with the open headers...
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2007 | 08:46 PM
  #10  
youngrodder's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by LawrenceF
Push the injector plug gently with your finger as it's running, you can feel it firing.
Good suggestion. I will try it.

Thanks
Marc
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2007 | 10:30 PM
  #11  
mullenh's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: pensacola, florida
Default

to test the injectors you do not need to swap them. you can unplug them one at a time. when you get to one that does not change the idle you may have found a problem. normally i would doubt that it is an injecor issue but you did say 7 years. if you can borrow another maf. getting the motor scanned at a shop of course is the best choice of all. very nice truck.

the last car that had a rough idle that I looked at was not throwing any codes at all and it was a broken valve spring (2002 6.0 ltr. with 200k)
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2007 | 12:51 PM
  #12  
youngrodder's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by mullenh
to test the injectors you do not need to swap them. you can unplug them one at a time. when you get to one that does not change the idle you may have found a problem. normally i would doubt that it is an injecor issue but you did say 7 years. if you can borrow another maf. getting the motor scanned at a shop of course is the best choice of all. very nice truck.

the last car that had a rough idle that I looked at was not throwing any codes at all and it was a broken valve spring (2002 6.0 ltr. with 200k)
I did confirm that each injector is receiving a signal to fire with the use of my noid light. I then tried to unhook one at a time and it seems to me that only about three injectors are working. The motor is a low mile (15K) motor.

I also tried tapping on the injectors while the motor was running and it seemed to get a little smoother.

I must admit I am confused by the MAF comment. When you say MAF do you mean the sensor or the duck work? This was brought up before and I was not sure what they meant. Please explain.

Thanks for the feedback
Marc
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2007 | 01:22 PM
  #13  
mullenh's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: pensacola, florida
Default

the MAF sensor would be between the throttle body and air intake. I do not even see one in your engine photo!? look up LT1 MAF sensor (google it) and you will see a photo, your computer should be hooked up to it.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2007 | 02:08 PM
  #14  
youngrodder's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by mullenh
the MAF sensor would be between the throttle body and air intake. I do not even see one in your engine photo!? look up LT1 MAF sensor (google it) and you will see a photo, your computer should be hooked up to it.
I see. My Howell harness does not require the use of one (I think). My harness is a non emission harness. I think that is why I don't have a MAF plug in on my harness?

Does that sound right?
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2007 | 02:19 PM
  #15  
edcmat-l1's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 4
From: Va Beach
Default

Originally Posted by mullenh
the MAF sensor would be between the throttle body and air intake. I do not even see one in your engine photo!? look up LT1 MAF sensor (google it) and you will see a photo, your computer should be hooked up to it.
Looks like hes setup to run SD. Typical of the conversions.
You are probably on to it, OP, if you tapped on the injectors and it sounded smoother. You probably freed one up. Go out and get a mechanics stethoscope. You should be able to hear a pretty good click, click, click, from them with your stethoscope. If you dont hear that, then they're stuck. Tap on them with a brass punch and a hammer. You can wack em pretty good. I been doing that for 15 years. I think I'm the one that came up with the idea. LOL
Now, even if you hear a click, it doesnt mean the injectors good. It could be moving the pintle, and just be clogged. If thats the case, you need to pull them and get them cleaned.
When you go out to buy your stethoscope, get an infrared temp gun too. They are the best thing since rubber tires!! LOL
You can use it to find dead cylinders, just point and shoot the header tubes.
Also good for finding draggin brakes, hot and cold spots in the rad, countless uses.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2007 | 02:21 PM
  #16  
edcmat-l1's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 4
From: Va Beach
Default

Originally Posted by youngrodder
I see. My Howell harness does not require the use of one (I think). My harness is a non emission harness. I think that is why I don't have a MAF plug in on my harness?

Does that sound right?
Yes, you probably are setup to run speed density. Which is typical of conversions.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2007 | 02:28 PM
  #17  
youngrodder's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by edcmat-l1
Looks like hes setup to run SD. Typical of the conversions.
You are probably on to it, OP, if you tapped on the injectors and it sounded smoother. You probably freed one up. Go out and get a mechanics stethoscope. You should be able to hear a pretty good click, click, click, from them with your stethoscope. If you dont hear that, then they're stuck. Tap on them with a brass punch and a hammer. You can wack em pretty good. I been doing that for 15 years. I think I'm the one that came up with the idea. LOL
Now, even if you hear a click, it doesnt mean the injectors good. It could be moving the pintle, and just be clogged. If thats the case, you need to pull them and get them cleaned.
When you go out to buy your stethoscope, get an infrared temp gun too. They are the best thing since rubber tires!! LOL
You can use it to find dead cylinders, just point and shoot the header tubes.
Also good for finding draggin brakes, hot and cold spots in the rad, countless uses.
I know that I need a temp gun. I used the feel method. You know touch the header to realize what is hot and what is not. Ha ha. I did notice that some of the tubes were much cooler then others. I don't have a radiator yet so I don't let the motor run too long.

I don't think that I am tapping on then injector hard enough. I was just slightly tapping on them.

I think that I am gaining on it.

Thanks for all of your help.
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2007 | 03:46 PM
  #18  
youngrodder's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Default

Update!!

It was the injectors that were the culprit. I purchased a used set off eBay and it fixed my rough idle. It sounds and runs sooooo much smoother.

Thanks for everyones feedback.
Marc
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:15 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE