Reviving a 91SS

Headlights to tailights and everything in between.

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YetiSmasher
First Gear
Posts: 115
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 6:55 am
Location: Portland, OR

Reviving a 91SS

Post by YetiSmasher »

Howdy everybody, been awhile!

So I recently picked up a Rio Red 91 SS with a factory 5 speed. When i got the car it didn't run at all. Previous Owner had stated he drove it for many years with a 20G ECU & a td04, but parked it because a Coolant Temperature sensor code. So I picked it up for a good price and have been bringing it back to life...slowly.

So when I first dived into it, it did in fact have a 20G ECU and a massive amount of treacherous wiring.. The biggest head scratcher was this bizarre dual igniter setup that was tied into the factory Igniter. The car also came with 440 injectors, WRX Top Mount inter-cooler, GFB BOV, detchwerks 255 fuel pump. I swapped out the Black Jecs MAF and installed a metal Hitachi MAF from a friend. I also Plugged in a 22T ECU and a new Fuel filter.

https://imgur.com/7JO2fgA

When I parked the car in the driveway and charged the battery, it would crank and crank and crank but wouldn't start. Then I discovered the insane amounts of botched wiring throughout the car. I took the Top Mount off and found 2 red and black wires leading from the dual igniter setup and they led into the cabin. From what i assumed, there was 2 wires that were cut on frayed on the F47 Connector on ports 8 & 9 that those wires tied into. 1 These ports are for the Cylinders ignition. However, after looking at Pictures of unmolested factory plugs from other forum members, the wire colors did not line up. In fact, only port 9 was apart of that circuit. But it had a blue/white wire plugged into it(for the canister purge solenoid). I then figured out that there was a green/ white wires in port 7 that was supposed to be in port 9. I re Pinned everything how it should be on the plug, reverted the funky Dual Igniter setup in the engine bay back to factory and the car finally started! but only ran on 2 Cylinders... At this point i ran the car in D check Mode and checked for codes and these popped up:

14
15
16
17
21
31
35
45
49

https://imgur.com/ldTcJPO

https://imgur.com/az49eEy

While I was down there fixing the ignition pins, I noticed there was some wires that needed to be gone through on connector B48. There was a power wire(13) that needed to be re connected, the Coolant temp sensor wire was also tapped into that?(7) And the Ground wire for the MAP sensor(5) was tied into the Sensor ground wire(21). I reverted and fixed all that wiring and the car still only ran on 2 Cylinders...

https://imgur.com/WF7Q3XQ

https://imgur.com/cdcxdLQ

https://imgur.com/iZgZhUi

So, back to the drawing board. I went ahead and installed a New Coolant temp Sensor from Napa and it fixed my problem where my fans were always running. but the CEL code was still active for it. I then decided to take out the Injectors for the Cylinders that weren't running and swapped them for some others that i had laying around. To my amazement, when i started the car, it purred like a kitten and my misfiring was fixed! Theyre still 440s and its chugging smoke out the tail pipe along with all the fuel that built up in there. I have some Pink Top 380s on the way.

https://imgur.com/bSCu8FR

So now were here. When i start the car it idles at about 1.2k. If i give it any amount of throttle, it'll jump up to 3.2k and stay there.. until i turn the car off. if i don't touch the throttle at all it will just stay at 1.2k until it gets to normal operating temp. If i floor it, the car bogs down immediately and dies. I cant even move it in my driveway. I'm sure codes 14-17 will go away when i install the correct injectors. I have already installed a new CTS, the canister purge is hooked up and wired correctly, and all thats left is the MAP, MAF, and TPS. Ive already taken the MAF apart and cleaned it with no luck. Ive confirmed all sensors have continuity and have power going to them.

Does anybody have some insight or where to start next?
Blulian
In Neutral
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2024 6:54 pm

Re: Reviving a 91SS

Post by Blulian »

YetiSmasher,

That is one sweet ride.

It defiantly needs some love though.

I know your concern is the high idle but before you tackle that it appears you have a chain of issues that may or may not overlap.
I would address all of the little known issues you have with the wiring first and foremost.
Fix that CEL, the wiring, and do more general maintenance items.

If after all that the high idle persist, then I would look into the IAC. They are getting hard to find so I would try and clean it first.

Defiantly post updates, love to see it.

I am doing my second 257 swap into my 91 Sedan currently.

https://imgur.com/xMOK7Cv
Austin
1991 Subaru Legacy
SCCA midwest region
SCCA Rocky Mountain region
Based in Colorado
jefferson
Third Gear
Posts: 768
Joined: Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:41 am
Location: Parkville, Mo.

Re: Reviving a 91SS

Post by jefferson »

Might go back to the jecs maf and see if that changes anything.
91 Black SS 5spd. Edm lights, wrx gauges in dash, 45 degree airbox, cryoed drilled and slotted brakes. Invidia divorced downpipe with custom stainless exhaust. To be installed, aluminum a-arms, manual belts, awic.
YetiSmasher
First Gear
Posts: 115
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 6:55 am
Location: Portland, OR

Re: Reviving a 91SS

Post by YetiSmasher »

Hey guys,

So after a few days i went outside to start the car and let it get up to temp. As i was standing there looking at it i decided to just go and try to take it for a drive. When i hopped in and hit the throttle it immediately jumped up to 3.2k rpms, but when i engaged the clutch and backed out onto my street the rpms when back to normal and idled at 800rpm.

I said screw it, and began to drive down the road and, oddly enough, the car runs and drives fine. It boosts all the way to 10psi and doesn't hesitate or skips a beat. Weird right? I still actively have all of the previous codes that i mentioned above.

Anybody have any thoughts? I just got some stock 22T injectors in the mail today and will be installing them tomorrow
Legacy777
Site Admin
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Re: Reviving a 91SS

Post by Legacy777 »

You need to try and get everything back to stock as possible.

Have you run D-check mode again? These ECU's won't really know if you have different injectors....all they're checking for is the proper resistance and if you have working injectors they will check out ok. I'd suggest starting there and putting the proper pink injectors in to match the stock ECU. Keep the aluminum Hitachi MAF sensor as it matches the ECU.

Does you throttle body have a screw on the top of it like this?

https://www.main.experiencetherave.com/ ... images/TB/
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
YetiSmasher
First Gear
Posts: 115
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 6:55 am
Location: Portland, OR

Re: Reviving a 91SS

Post by YetiSmasher »

Hey Josh, been awhile since we've last chatted!

So after installing the correct pink injectors and re setting the ECU, the car no longer has a CEL and runs fine. The only hiccup is it still idles kinda weird. If i turn it on and let it warm up it idles fine, but as soon as i touch the throttle it will rev high for a second and then slowly come back down. My throttle body does have that screw and Ive been messing with it from time to time.
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
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Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
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Re: Reviving a 91SS

Post by Legacy777 »

Try turning that screw all the way in and see what happens.

Also, have you calibrated the idle switch in the TPS?

https://www.main.experiencetherave.com/ ... sting3.jpg

Other pages are here

https://www.main.experiencetherave.com/ ... sting1.jpg
https://www.main.experiencetherave.com/ ... sting2.jpg
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
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