My s13 ka24de build

[YoungS13]

Hey whats up guys i have been looking at this forum for help for about 4 months now but i have just registered because i am totally confused and need more direct help if possible. Ok so i have done my ka24de swap and now my car will not idle it just dies. I have replaced MAF. Cleaned IACV. New injectors. New fuel pump. The only code i have is for the knocm sensor. What gets me is i can unplug my maf and the car will rev its self up to stay alive but when i plug it in it dies. Remember it is a new MAF so if possible please help i will be glad to add any info you may need thank you guys. Like i said i have searched and tried everything thats why i am posting. Thanks again.

[YoungS13]

Update: just made it home and started the car with the MAF unplugged and messed with the distributor. I turned it almost all the way counterclockwise and it seemed to idle better so i plugged in MAF but it still wanted to die after that. Someone please help everytime i think i am getting somewherr it ends up not being fixed lol thanks guys

[JustinRB25s13'92]

does it idle with the maf plugged in if you hold the throttle blade open just a touch?

[YoungS13]

Yeah if i leave the maf plugged in i can hold the throttle and keep it alive but as soon as i let off the engine shakes and dies out.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Might have a bad ground or something... your timing could be off as well. Has it improved (with the MAF) with the dizzy clocked fully one way? Might be off a tooth.

If you rule that out, you could also try seeing if it runs better if you induce a small vacuum leak (like pulling the vacuum line off the fuel pressure regulator). That would suggest either your IACV isn't open enough, or your MAF is signaling for too much fuel. If It makes it worse, you probably have another vacuum leak somewhere, or you're sucking in air after the MAF (and therefore unmetered).

[YoungS13]

I am going to try to get working on it again tomoro after work but would adding a ground be a good idea just to add as a safety i guess. But i will check all that you told me and tell you the results soon as i check. Thanks again to everyone that has responded i am reallyready to get this car in action.

[YoungS13]

Havent made it to work on the car again have been stuck at work but just curiosity i may be completely wrong but could i adjust my cams to match up with the lower timing chain if it is off? When i got the engine after the guy had done a rebuild the cams were not 180 from eachother like they are supposed to be they were offset which confused me but now im thinking it was done on purpose to match the chain. Am i way wrong or is it possible?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

They usually aren't exactly 180 from each other. I always suggest putting the engine at TDC on cyl 1 compression stroke and looking at the lobes.
Intake lobe should be pointing to the 9-10 o clock position, exhaust should be 2-3 o colock.

[YoungS13]

Oh well that may be my problem then. I thought they were supposed to be 180 from eachother. Possibility that is my problem? Thanks again for helping.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Yeah, it should look a lot like this:

[YoungS13]

Ok cool thanks. I went out today and worked with it. With my maf plugged in and distributor turned anyway it still dies as soon as i plugg in the maf. Today it is going back to not wanting to start when warm. My ecu only has code 55. I hope timing is my only problem but i dont knkw now because it didint want to start back after i shut it off.

[YoungS13]

Got the car back starting it still will not idle as soon as i plug in the maf it shakes and dies. I remembered i used a brass fitting to plug my lower egr pipe maybe it isnt snug enough and allowing air in? And the side of my air box has an open hole which is after the maf just trying to cypher through my problems to hopefully get it running

[PapaSmurf2k3]

air box has a hole AFTER the MAF? Like, between the MAF and throttle body? If so, there's your problem.

If not, and you suspect vacuum leaks, get some starting fluid or something and spray it around the areas you suspect the leaks... like the EGR, maybe intake manifold where it bolts to the head (and itself), etc. It should ide up if you have a leak.

[YoungS13]

Thanks man i will try to keep the car alive long enough to spray a few areas it dies so quickly but hopefulu i can gain some ground on it. Thank you

[PapaSmurf2k3]

yeah you might need a helper or something.