Has anyone here gone back to stock?

[Laffs]

I haven't driven my car in 8 months or more because it won't pass etest, throws codes for rich conditions. I have no idea if it's a tune, parts, install or other issue because of how much shit has been changed/altered on this car. I wouldn't even dream of taking it to anyone locally because no one deals in modified Fords and if they do it's 2015 or newer they just put premade kits on. I've been burned by shops here in the past spending $$$$ to get things not fixed or told I had to replaced part A with part B only to end up with same or more issues.

Part of me wants to pull the blower/cams out of the car and go stock motor but then I end up going then there's no point having a 6speed in it, or all the suspension shit, which to put back to stock or mildly modded would probably cost me more out of pocket and honestly a stock 2000 GT today is probably going to be terrible to drive anyway.

Anyone else been at this point with a car where it's either spend $1000's to sort through a bunch of little headaches with no guarantee of solution, or try and revert back to stock even if you don't know if that will solve anything or rekindle the fire?

[RedSN]

I got a good part of my collection of parts off a car that got put back to stock out of a fit of rage.

[Laffs]

I got a good part of my collection of parts off a car that got put back to stock out of a fit of rage.

How did that fare for the other party.

[Armen]

I went thru that with my 87. I ended up cutting my losses (I put big money into that car) and started fresh with something newer. I still modded that new car but just did suspension and aesthetics. I ended up with a very good looking and reliable car (2012 Vert). I then had the Boss which I didn’t mod at all other than wheels - I didn’t even lower it. Then with my 2015 I stuck with the same plan as my 2012 - suspension and exterior visual mods. I haven’t touched the drivetrain. It even has the stock paper filter, and I enjoy that car more than anything else I’ve had.

Everyone has different abilities, time restraints and obligations. I learned a lot with my 87 and don’t regret one bit changing my direction and goals for my later cars. I want to enjoy my hobby - not get annoyed and stressed out about it.

[WidowrRacing]

A car is no fun if it’s constantly stressing you out....or not performing right...it will just end up collecting dust.

You gotta do what you gotta do to get it reliable again so you enjoy driving it.
It’s not all about RWHP or chasing the fastest time slips....just cruising is sometimes enjoyable enough.

[Slick_89_Hatch]

It's a tough call, i've had headaches with my highly modified Fox, but for me....I knew id regret it if I went backwards. If you have the money, get it to the right shop.
A few shops in the GTA that could get you fixed up including ZR. When my car runs right (which it is now) I get a grin from ear to ear that makes every cent worth it.
Sounds like you may just need a proper tune? But i'd have someone knowledgeable go through the car and make sure everything is mechanically good, that you have the right combo of parts and if all is good then get it tuned properly.

[Laffs]

It's a tough call, i've had headaches with my highly modified Fox, but for me....I knew id regret it if I went backwards. If you have the money, get it to the right shop.
A few shops in the GTA that could get you fixed up including ZR. When my car runs right (which it is now) I get a grin from ear to ear that makes every cent worth it.
Sounds like you may just need a proper tune? But i'd have someone knowledgeable go through the car and make sure everything is mechanically good, that you have the right combo of parts and if all is good then get it tuned properly.

Problem is my fear of trailering 4 hours each way to end up back here again just with less $$$$. I have had people I know go get tunes bring the car back to Windsor and then it starts stalling or running off and then have to haul it back up the 401 for an adjustment. That's a full day of lost work and $200+ in gas each time. If I knew with a good degree of certainty I could bring it somewhere and get it sorted I'd do it, but the idea of spending thousands to potentially not correct it is whats essentially paralyzed me from acting.

[Slick_89_Hatch]

Problem is my fear of trailering 4 hours each way to end up back here again just with less $$$$. I have had people I know go get tunes bring the car back to Windsor and then it starts stalling or running off and then have to haul it back up the 401 for an adjustment. That's a full day of lost work and $200+ in gas each time. If I knew with a good degree of certainty I could bring it somewhere and get it sorted I'd do it, but the idea of spending thousands to potentially not correct it is whats essentially paralyzed me from acting.

Gotcha, one day you'll have to make that call. Unless someone knowledgeable is willing to come out your way and at least mechanically go over the car.
Whats your combo?

[Laffs]

Nothing earth shattering. 2V with comp 262 cams. Vortech V3 non aftercooled with a powerpipe, stock bosch bypass. 38lbs vortech injectors, lightning maf, aeromotive 340 pump.

[ZR]

^ Should be a slam dunk to tune.
With current set up / tune etc, has it ever run correctly?

[Laffs]

^ Should be a slam dunk to tune.
With current set up / tune etc, has it ever run correctly?

Sorta/kinda? Never gotten over 200km to a tank since blower, always had some form of hiccup to chase.

[ZR]

Competent tuner or can'd tune?

[Laffs]

Have run both. Never had it dyno tuned by a shop however.

[ZR]

My 02,

Vehicle 1 with canned start up tune, fires right up and runs like a rock star until we hit the dyno. Vehicle II with same mods and same canned tune, blows clouds of black smoke out the tail pipes n requires significant adjustments to make it run even half decently. Why it happens, who knows but can tell you for a fact it happens more vs what some peeps think. My point, canned tune is just that, a tune that works on some but may be a nightmare on others. Whipple on a Cobra with 60lb injectors and supporting mods is a super super super common combination, have the seen the above happen on several occasions. In the same breath, recently did two similar blower fox combos, both ran like a champ on same base set up. :shrug:
If it was mine, confirm everything is working as it should then have a competent tuner strap it on the rollers to see if the issues can be ironed out.

[hsousa88]

Threads like this one make me wonder.. do I go balls deep with my fox... or will a simple h/c/i make me happy? Who knows... I need my own place to own both a newish coyote and the fox to tinker with. Good luck figuring your car out.. I bet a trip to Ricks would make life easier.

[ZR]

Heads / cam and intake is a pretty stout upgrade over stock.

[RedSN]

So I’ve heard

[hsousa88]

So I’ve heard

Keep hearing the same thing...

[Laffs]

My 02,

Vehicle 1 with canned start up tune, fires right up and runs like a rock star until we hit the dyno. Vehicle II with same mods and same canned tune, blows clouds of black smoke out the tail pipes n requires significant adjustments to make it run even half decently. Why it happens, who knows but can tell you for a fact it happens more vs what some peeps think. My point, canned tune is just that, a tune that works on some but may be a nightmare on others. Whipple on a Cobra with 60lb injectors and supporting mods is a super super super common combination, have the seen the above happen on several occasions. In the same breath, recently did two similar blower fox combos, both ran like a champ on same base set up. :shrug:
If it was mine, confirm everything is working as it should then have a competent tuner strap it on the rollers to see if the issues can be ironed out.

Ya, it's just hard to confirm that everything is working when I'm not sure if the issues are parts or tune problems. My current thought is swap the current in tank setup out for a BBK all in one 300lph pump as my basket/wiring are uh interesting? Mostly fuel system related at this point, then I get caught in the loop of should I add a front mount cooler prior to tuning, should I be swapping to a catted mid pipe, etc etc. Not trying to talk circles, I really do appreciate the advice as this has been gnawing at me for a long time.

[Ponyryd]

Lidia should be able to tune that bitch in his sleep dude......just across the water too.

[Minaccia]

Problem is Lidio won't do anything about the e-test part of the tune but yes he will get that car running properly for sure.


Lidia should be able to tune that bitch in his sleep dude......just across the water too.

[Laffs]

Lidia should be able to tune that bitch in his sleep dude......just across the water too.

Like Minaccia said, Lidio has expressed 0 interest in making Canadian cars pass Canadian etest.

[Ponyryd]

If the car ran properly I doubt there would be an emissions issue.....it doesn’t need to run clean, just needs to pass the monitors.
But if you’ve already looked into it I guess it’s a lost cause.
What are you running, sct? Someone should be able to send you a tune for your combo that is emissions friendly.....

[Minaccia]

Laffs, what codes are you getting?

[Laffs]

If the car ran properly I doubt there would be an emissions issue.....it doesn’t need to run clean, just needs to pass the monitors.
But if you’ve already looked into it I guess it’s a lost cause.

He apparently always shuts off the 02 and EGR monitors with boosted stuff. Still thinking about it, maybe if Tino brings one of his I can tag along get a group rate.

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Laffs, what codes are you getting?

P0172 and P0175 bank 1 and bank 2 too rich. Fuel trims look like they are trying to pull max fuel at all times.

[Ponyryd]

He apparently always shuts off the 02 and EGR monitors with boosted stuff. Still thinking about it, maybe if Tino brings one of his I can tag along get a group rate.

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P0172 and P0175 bank 1 and bank 2 too rich. Fuel trims look like they are trying to pull max fuel at all times.

You can have some shut off, just not sure how many....I know you need some on but I thought two n/a was fine.
Do you have another maf you can try? I’d bet it’s an issue with the tune as most tuners go very rich for safety.

But ya, with regards to your first question, I did with my Green Bullitt, car was pretty tame beforehand, but I have very little self-control in a powerful car......I wanted a cruiser so I put it back to stock save for the slp exhaust, drove it a few times and loved it, but there was a small paint issue and I was paranoid about the kids hitting it in the garage so I sold it.

[Laffs]

I have my stock maf still, no other Lmaf.

[Ponyryd]

No matter, I’m sure it’s likely a tune issue anyways....can you see your duty cycle? And what are the fuel trims at? I’m sure you have tried clocking the maf, I know that can cause issues sometimes depending where it is.

[Mustang4]

Heads / cam and intake is a pretty stout upgrade over stock.
Throw in upgraded brakes and suspension and you’re having fun.