When I had the same sound in my '86 cat converter and was unsure whether
or not to change it, my vette mechanic gutted the insides and left the
converter on. It's just like having a straight pipe (almost) with no
problems since. Passed inspection also in NY.
"88C4RagTop" > wrote in message
news:miF0g.31225$P01.3348@pd7tw3no...
> Thanx PJ. You guys really know your stuff. I appreciate you sharing your
> knowledge. The MAF relays are exactly what I had heard about. I
> remember the guy was having the exact same issue as me. He had addressed
> the other possibilities and was still stumped. Someone in the group
> suggested changing these out. I don't know how it turned out but i'll
> give it a try.
>
> I don't have any heavy extra equipment on the car so the stock altenator
> one will do just fine.
>
> I'll go with replacing the CAT instead of bypassing it and look into a
> torque converter. As well as the MAF sensors, all thanks to you good
> folks' advise.
>
> How big a job is the oil pressure sensor? Mine shows a constant 550 which
> I assume means the sensor needs to be checked/replaced?
>
> 88C4RagTop
>
>
> "PJ" > wrote in message
> ...
>> 88C4RagTop wrote:
>>> Thanks everyone for the replies.
>>>
>>> I changed out my battery. (Tried to get an AGM or GEL battery but the
>>> Orbital & Optima ones won't fit without mods).
>>>
>>> I ended up getting a regular one. Just before I swapped the battery the
>>> battery icon became illuminated on the dash. I'm taking the altenator
>>> off tonight and having it bench rested on the way home from work
>>> tomorrow. Is there a particular brand or output I should be looking for
>>> when getting a replacement? Partsource priced out at $150 cdn for a
>>> rebuilt Champion (105 amp) or NAPA has a unknown brand rebuilt for $140.
>>> cdn for 105 amp. Should I get one woth more output?
>>
>> Unless you are running extreme audio plus 100w headlamps plus high
>> wattage driving lights, the stock alternator will do the job. Biggest C4
>> alternator problem is frequent failure of the internal regulator due to
>> idling around town between 20 and 40 mph in the summer with the A/C on.
>> Last alternator I bought was an Autolite rebuild of an OE (AC-Delco)
>> unit. Looks stock. Has outlasted all prior alternators. It was about $
>> 85US. This brand had a 'lifetime' warranty--it really means, 'two
>> alternators for the price of one.'
>>
>>>
>>> Newbie2: I'm a semi-noob and I didn't kow there was susch a thing as a
>>> torque converter upgrade. I take it this would be an easy thing for the
>>> tranny shop to do if the transmission is out anyway? These look a
>>> little pricey.. I see several 2400 for around $100 usd. re-man 'borg'
>>> brand is one on there. I will look into it further.. thanx!
>>>
>>> So nobody has heard of these sensors in the intake plenum that can cause
>>> intermittent hard starting?
>>
>> You might check and see if your '88 has a pair of relays -- MAF burn-off
>> and MAF power (these were an in-service addition to early Bosch Fuel
>> Injection) On the '89 they are located on the firewall just aft of the
>> brake cylinder. Early relays were square, newer replacements are round.
>> The 'burn-off' relay's job is to superheat the MAF sensor wire during
>> shut down to clean it of 'uglies' that make it through or past the air
>> cleaner. If it isn't working well, the MAF sensor will accumulate residue
>> and send bad signals to the ECM. This can contribute to some lag. The
>> Idle Air Control (IAC) and Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) also affect
>> low-rpm stability.
>>
>>>
>>> Thanx again
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> --
>> PJ
>> '89 Hookercar '02 e-blu coupe
>
>