It finally runs... sort of

[Erikir]

Brand new engine with a 190hp kit and it's finally up and running
Part throttle driveability is terrible. When maintaining speed on a flat surface either with my foot or cruise, it feels like fuel is either on or off, making the car buck. A/F gauge looks like an on/off switch while maintaining speed. Check engine light turns on and off when it's bucking.

Cooling system has an issue, probably due to a no-name aftermarket radiator. Can't find a cap that will hold pressure, though a cooling system pressure test will hold pressure over night. I thought I had it solved, but discovered otherwise when I was about 30 minutes away from home... in a construction zone. Fortunately I had a 12 pack of water bottles, so I was able to keep topping up the rad, after letting the car sit for 15 minutes for every 5 minutes of driving in the worst of the stop and go traffic. When I was up to speed it didn't boil over and the temp gauge pointed to 12:00.

The car was pinging badly, but it had 3/4 of a tank of 1 year old ?? octane fuel. I topped it up with 94 and a bottle of octane boost and it sounded much better. I dunno if that octane boost stuff does any good, but in this unusual case I figured what the heck, it's worth a shot.

With A/C engaged, when taking my foot off the throttle, rpm's drop to 0 and the car stalls :(

Oh well, at least it runs, and seems to pull pretty good.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

First guess is that the TPS is not properly adjusted. Second guess is a vacuum/boost leak.

How does it idle? At 800 to1000 RPM, what is the vacuum?

Knock and engine heat are your enemy. Any idea of A/F?

[Erikir]

It idles perfectly at 850rpm. It's very, smooth and even and sounds fantastic. I love it!

A/F at cruise is mid 14's. Due to knock, I couldn't accelerate very hard, but the numbers dip into the 11's. The primary purpose of the first drive was to seat the rings and get a few miles on it. I certainly wasn't expecting it to be tuned perfectly.

Vac/boost leaks have not been checked for, but thats a good idea.

The throttle cable came loose and I nearly lost the little pulley on the throttle bottle. Gonna have to use a nylock or lock washers there I guess. I'm sure there will be a few more issues.

[bogey]

I would tie the supercharger bypass in the open position and work out any issues you have before introducing boost to the equation. A cable tie can be used to hold it open.