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Newly Built LS2 Engine runnig rough

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Old Sep 8, 2023 | 02:07 PM
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Default Newly Built LS2 Engine runnig rough

It's been a while since I've posted last but I need a little help with my 79 LS2 conversion Camaro. Engine was rebuilt with all new bearing, gaskets, rings, seals and lifters. Converted to cable TB (92mm Billet Throttle Bodies SUM-227100B) and PCM is of the 411
variety from PSI (not tuned yet). Medium length 1 3/4" headers, Comp Cams XFI RPM High-Lift Camshafts 54-424-11 (dur 212 int./218 exh. lift 0.558 int./0.563 exh.). New MAF sensor from PSI, new in tank fuel pump (Holley OEM Style EFI Fuel Tank Modules 12-304). I started
the engine first time about 6 weeks ago. Injectors are not new and were sticky on first start but engine is firing on all 8 cylinders now. Vacuum is steady @ 15 in Hg. Headers are open (exhaust not complete and O2 sensors are not plugged in. Engine will idle, but response is poor right off idle. However sounds really good and strong above 2500 RPM or so. Just seems rich and sluggish below 2500. Will this improve with complete exhaust and O2s functional?
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Old Sep 8, 2023 | 04:29 PM
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"Engine will idle, but response is poor right off idle. However sounds really good and strong above 2500 RPM or so. Just seems rich and sluggish below 2500. Will this improve with complete exhaust and O2s functional"?
Maybe finish the install before you worry about how it runs?
Not sure what you expect with the O2's being inop.
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Old Sep 8, 2023 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Old Buzzard
"Engine will idle, but response is poor right off idle. However sounds really good and strong above 2500 RPM or so. Just seems rich and sluggish below 2500. Will this improve with complete exhaust and O2s functional"?
Maybe finish the install before you worry about how it runs?
Not sure what you expect with the O2's being inop.
Agreed. This and the “not tuned yet” comment.
79Camaro…finish the exhaust and any other loose end. I don’t ever recommend anyone trying to start a build without exhaust in place. It confuses the o2’s and you can’t hear any mechanical issues that might arise over the loud exhaust. Then, get it tuned by an experienced tuner who knows the LS platform well.
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Old Sep 9, 2023 | 09:23 AM
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Completing exhaust and getting a tune are in the plan. I was hoping to hear from someone who has done a similar build and experienced this issue. I'm sure I'm not the only person who has ever started a newly built engine with an incomplete exhaust system.
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Old Sep 10, 2023 | 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by 79Camaro1961
Completing exhaust and getting a tune are in the plan. I was hoping to hear from someone who has done a similar build and experienced this issue. I'm sure I'm not the only person who has ever started a newly built engine with an incomplete exhaust system.
Why do you need to hear from someone who has done a similar build and had this issue? Sensors are there for a reason, why would it run properly with them not there?
And as far as the tune goes you put a cam in it and it runs at 15 in hg that puts the fueling in a different area of the VE map. Among many other things.
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Old Sep 13, 2023 | 11:20 AM
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Yes people have started it with just headers. It will never run right without the exhaust complete so the 02's can read the afr correctly.
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Old Sep 13, 2023 | 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Gene Cheeseman
Why do you need to hear from someone who has done a similar build and had this issue? Sensors are there for a reason, why would it run properly with them not there?
And as far as the tune goes you put a cam in it and it runs at 15 in hg that puts the fueling in a different area of the VE map. Among many other things.
To be clear,....I'm not new a building engines nor troubleshooting related problem. But this is my first LS project. I do know that disconnected sensors and open exhaust do affect air/fuel ratio and drivability, Question is,.... how much. And it it enough to make it run so rich as to cause a misfire. So that's my question,... is it? The car is at a body shop owned by a friend 90 miles away. Full exhaust including relocation of the O2 bung on one side (to get clearance) are next followed by a tune. I'm just trying to get some assurance (or probability of,... might I say) of it not being something major going on with my motor. This has been a major project undergoing a complete frame-off restoration. And it's my very first LS build. So if someone can give a little encouragement without it seeming as though they are looking down their nose at me, that would be much appreciated. Thanks!
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Old Sep 13, 2023 | 06:44 PM
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I most certainly wasn’t looking down my nose at you in post 3, and I apologize to you if you felt that way. I don’t see you having any issues here, other than what’s been mentioned about the o2’s needing exhaust. As long as youve got good oil pressure (the Achilles heel of the LS platform is the oiling system) then you should be able to make this car sing with a good tune. You have made good choices on parts here including cam choice. Keep us posted here after exhaust and tune. Have any pictures? I’m interested!
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Old Sep 14, 2023 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Che70velle
I most certainly wasn’t looking down my nose at you in post 3, and I apologize to you if you felt that way. I don’t see you having any issues here, other than what’s been mentioned about the o2’s needing exhaust. As long as youve got good oil pressure (the Achilles heel of the LS platform is the oiling system) then you should be able to make this car sing with a good tune. You have made good choices on parts here including cam choice. Keep us posted here after exhaust and tune. Have any pictures? I’m interested!
Thank you Che70velle for this! You changed my outlook about this conversation and this site! I do want to share some pics here of my project and I do want to make some friends here. I did a ton of research on these motors (the LS platform) and I've learned so much about them over the past 2 two years and I'm learning more about them as time goes along. I was a long time Gen 1 and 2 Chevy SB fan. But after discovering the LS group, I believe these engines are the best (of the widely used) engines to start a project from. With their extended block skirts, 6 bolt main caps, larger base circle camshaft and greatly improved head design over the gen 2 small blocks, these engine make an excellent place to start. I only wish GM would have originally designed them with priority main bearing oiling. I'm going to have more questions and ask opinions about certain things I've done along the way. Just remember, this is my first LS build from ground up. During my parts collection phase, there were some limits in availability due to the so-called pandemic. So I'd like to get some opinions on some choices I've made with bearing, gaskets, oil pump and the like. But that's for later conversations. Thanks again the encouragement. Talk again soon!
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Old Sep 15, 2023 | 07:46 PM
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I'm a little farther along than this right now but these are the most recent. Upgrades include: Tremec T-56 with 2.97 1st gear and .5:1 6th, Eaton Detroit TruTrac w/Richmond 3:42 gears, 180 Lb leaf springs, Eibach shocks all 4 corners, Added rear sway bar rear, huge one up front, Poly body bushings, 4 wheel 12" disks brakes w/Wilwood calipers, 9""dual diaphram, new tubular upper and lower control arms to achieve 5 plus degrees caster. Car will also get cruise control, Raingear wiper upgrade, Dakota Digital gage set and a decent sound system. More pics to come!
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Old Sep 15, 2023 | 07:47 PM
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Oh yeah, forgot the mention the Vintage Air too.
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Old Sep 15, 2023 | 10:16 PM
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Very nice sir!
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Old Sep 16, 2023 | 08:04 AM
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One question, does this site have rules for the size of pix being uploaded. I thought that I would be given the option to re-size them when uploading but that didn't happen. So if you guys don't care either way, I won't either. Let me know please. And thanks!
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