Car has no low end torque after PI swap

[97PIswapGT]

I recently did a PI swap on my 1997 GT, took it to the track and could not run below a 15.7. Before the swap I ran a 14.6 at best. It feels like the car has no power in the low end.
atm im running a 89 tune for the NPI motor, would this make it run bad with the PI parts?

 

[bhuff30]

Did you check the cam timing carefully as you put everything back together?

 

[2002BLGT]

I recently did a PI swap on my 1997 GT, took it to the track and could not run below a 15.7. Before the swap I ran a 14.6 at best. It feels like the car has no power in the low end.
atm im running a 89 tune for the NPI motor, would this make it run bad with the PI parts?

Did you get the ECT sensor hole tapped and installed ? and are you using the 97 MAF ?

You probably just need a tune unless you have something else going on ? is your check engine light on ?

 

[Stan Weiss]

Did you check the cam timing carefully as you put everything back together?

X2

I had to edit this and ask. Why if the vehicle was running so bad would take it to the track and race it?

 

[97PIswapGT]

Did you get the ECT sensor hole tapped and installed ? and are you using the 97 MAF ?

You probably just need a tune unless you have something else going on ? is your check engine light on ?

yes and yes, the check engine light is throwing one of the O2 codes because I didnt put on MIL eliminators when I switched to a O/R midpipe, the light never stays on it comes on once and a while and goes off.

X2

I had to edit this and ask. Why if the vehicle was running so bad would take it to the track and race it?

I checked the timing none of the valves hit. The car doesnt feel like its running bad.
Ill just try to get it dyno tuned this week.

 

[NitroDuck]

You're running 89 octane after the headswap? Is it pinging?

Mine would ping like an MF if I didn't feed it 93 after the headswap. I'm sure you'd be hearing the detonation if this were the case, though.

 

[97PIswapGT]

You're running 89 octane after the headswap? Is it pinging?

Mine would ping like an MF if I didn't feed it 93 after the headswap. I'm sure you'd be hearing the detonation if this were the case, though.

I dont think they sell 93 anywhere close to me but ive been running 91 and I dont hear any pinging

 

[02nightmaregt]

I would say its either a tune issue, or as dumb as this may sound, you may not be used to the power yet and just need more practice running it at the track. If that makes any sense

 

[97PIswapGT]

I would say its either a tune issue, or as dumb as this may sound, you may not be used to the power yet and just need more practice running it at the track. If that makes any sense

I dotn have any low end power from a dead stop at a stoplight and flooring it in first(auto) I cant spin the tires

 

[Stan Weiss]

I dotn have any low end power from a dead stop at a stoplight and flooring it in first(auto) I cant spin the tires

Still sounds like cam timing to me.
A quick way to tell if the cam phasing is out is to do a compression test of both banks.

 

[squeak93]

Did you time the cams or just install so they don't hit the pistons? Big difference there......

 

[bhuff30]

Yup, you definately have to set the cam timing correctly. As mentioned, a compression test of all 8 will tell you what's going on. It absolutely sounds like the cam timing.

 

[2002BLGT]

Did you time the cams or just install so they don't hit the pistons? Big difference there......

probably on to something here , you have to degree them or alteast use the proper FORD timing tools to sync the cams together at a minimum

 

[1987stangman]

Yup, you definately have to set the cam timing correctly. As mentioned, a compression test of all 8 will tell you what's going on. It absolutely sounds like the cam timing.

I want to see your time slip for the 4banger.... I got a 91' 4cyl that could not beat it's self out of a wet paper bag.

 

[98COBRA281]

i did not degree my cams, just set the timing up right, and i have "O.K." low end, i wouldnt say its good, but after 4k you forget all about the low end

im realy think it has somthing to do with the cam timing.......

 

[97PIswapGT]

Did you time the cams or just install so they don't hit the pistons? Big difference there......

of course I degreed the cams and crank before I put the chain on. Going to do a compression test tommorow.

 

[bhuff30]

I want to see your time slip for the 4banger.... I got a 91' 4cyl that could not beat it's self out of a wet paper bag.

I haven't loaded the timeslip but here's a video of that 12.26 pass: P1010046.flv video by bhuff66062 - Photobucket

I enjoyed this race a lot more, though it wasn't my fastest. You can definately hear it is a 4cyl in this video.
P1010075.flv video by bhuff66062 - Photobucket

I guess if you really want, I could upload the timeslip, but I always thought the video was better evidence and more fun to look at.

 

[squeak93]

of course I degreed the cams and crank before I put the chain on. Going to do a compression test tommorow.

Did u use degree wheels or just put back on by the key ways? Not trying to be a jerk just being thorough(sp).

 

[d98gt]

Did you do a full pi swap (heads/cams/intake) or just the cams/intake? Car is holding idle with no problems? Is your coolant level staying full?


How long has it been since the swap? When I first did my pi cam swap my car was lacking power for the first bit, though eventually relearned everything and picked everything back up.

 

[1987stangman]

I haven't loaded the timeslip but here's a video of that 12.26 pass: P1010046.flv video by bhuff66062 - Photobucket

I enjoyed this race a lot more, though it wasn't my fastest. You can definately hear it is a 4cyl in this video.
P1010075.flv video by bhuff66062 - Photobucket

I guess if you really want, I could upload the timeslip, but I always thought the video was better evidence and more fun to look at.

Ok, now you have peaked my interest. No way the car is stock so maybe when you get the chance PM me with what you have. I considered trying to make this 4 cyl I have fast as a project but have not really put much thought in it.