Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!

Idles fine but runs like crap under load

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-24-2012, 07:10 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
d00012's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Everett, Washington
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 2006 GTO
Engine: LS2
Transmission: M6
Axle/Gears: 3.46 LSD
Idles fine but runs like crap under load

I just installed a new distributor, plugs, and wires. Set base timing. It idles fine, but tach is off. Put it in D and it shakes real bad and has no power. Tach reads 2500 rpm but sounds normal. Bad distributor? Module? Should I reset the ECM? Going to double check all plugs and wire fitting tomorrow, as well.

I would search, but it won't work on my phone.
Old 01-24-2012, 07:29 PM
  #2  
Moderator

 
AlkyIROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,120
Likes: 0
Received 123 Likes on 104 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Idles fine but runs like crap under load

If it ran fine before you swapped all those parts, recheck your plug wires. It's very common to get 5 and 7 mixed up.

18436572
Rotation is clockwise

When #1 piston is at TDC, the rotor should be pointing at the terminal for the #1 plug wire.
Old 01-24-2012, 09:02 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
d00012's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Everett, Washington
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 2006 GTO
Engine: LS2
Transmission: M6
Axle/Gears: 3.46 LSD
Re: Idles fine but runs like crap under load

It ran ok before the swap, had misfiring issues. Couple plugs had a bridged gap. Its possible I switched up the firing order, I was in a hurry.
Old 01-25-2012, 01:04 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Black88Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1988 IROC-Z Camaro, 1981 Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI, 301 N/A
Transmission: 700r4, 350thm
Re: Idles fine but runs like crap under load

Id say firing orders screwed up, or timing is out of whack.
Old 01-25-2012, 02:07 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
d00012's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Everett, Washington
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 2006 GTO
Engine: LS2
Transmission: M6
Axle/Gears: 3.46 LSD
Re: Idles fine but runs like crap under load

While setting the base timing, it was a steady 6*. But once that EST was connected, it didn't want to run right. But in my haste, I might have messed up with the firing order, or forgot something. Here's hoping for a "D'oh" moment. Haha.
Old 01-26-2012, 12:45 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
d00012's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Everett, Washington
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 2006 GTO
Engine: LS2
Transmission: M6
Axle/Gears: 3.46 LSD
Re: Idles fine but runs like crap under load

It was the cap and rotor. The second MSD cap/rotor to fail on me, out of the box, for a V8. But the one on my Camaro (2.8) works perfectly. So far, O'reilly's premium cap and rotor work better and about 1/2 the price. No issues with other MSD products, just those V8 caps and rotors...I must be unlucky there, haha!

A good lesson here, the cap and rotor can make for a nasty symptom.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
theshackle
Tech / General Engine
4
09-17-2020 08:26 AM
jklein337
Tech / General Engine
2
09-19-2018 06:23 PM
Andrew6.688
TPI
10
12-13-2015 10:59 AM
Wade787b
TPI
2
09-29-2015 01:15 PM
92camaroJoe
Tech / General Engine
6
08-13-2015 06:07 AM



Quick Reply: Idles fine but runs like crap under load



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:06 AM.