first problem, at low rpms, the surges/bucks bad. and sometimes it makes slippin the clutch a nightmare. ive changed the tps, calibrated it to .45 and 4.5. the idle feels a lil smoother, but still surges/bucks. i also changed the fuel filter just because its right there, and was just shootin from the hip on that one. soo theres my first problem. ohh by the way this problem has been happening longer than the 2nd problem im about to get into.

2nd problem, pratically overheating. i have an oversized radiator on the car, put this in about 6 months ago because i was heating up pretty badly when i was towing my dirtbike. at the same time i replaced the thermostat. and also burped the coolant so i had no air bubbles in the system. ran fine for awhile. now, drive home from school, hour long drive 90% highway, about 80 mph, the car would heat up and cool down constantly. never stayed cool longer tan maybe a minute and each time it cooled down, never cooled back down to normal temp. had to turn heater on to keep the engine running at a descent temp. get home, let it cool for a lil bit, go out warmed it up, checking to see if rad. fan comes on. yep sure does, put my handheld temp gauge on top rad house, 180, bottom rad house, 150-160. t-stat housing right at 200. and i felt coolant flowin through the houses. at this point im kinda lost........right now waiting for car to cool more so i can check coolant level. any suggestions on both problems?

 

Like you said-- park on level ground, wait until cold, then check that the radiator is completely full. If the coolant keeps getting pushed out of the radiator, forming an air pocket, the head gasket is likely bad.

Misfiring primarily at heavy throttle and low rpm is usually weak sparks. The spark wires are the first thing to suspect. Some aftermarket wires are real lousy.

 

thanks for the idea about the spark issue. ive been thinking about upgrading my ignition system with msd or something of that nature. might just go ahead and pull the trigger on that.

as for the coolant. is was a lil, low. filled and purged again. ill see how it does tomorrow.

 

I would not convert, there's no need to on a car that is otherwise basic stock (not turbo). The stock ignition makes powerful sparks. The only weak point of the stock ignition is that if you run with a spark wire disconnected, the coil is prone to blow out. Check / replace your plugs and replace the wires.

 

the reason for the convert is not just for power. which i know aint much, but for fuel mileage. i did it on my 96 civic several years ago and notice an increase in fuel mileage. msd-6a box, msd blaster 2 coil....i think, wires, cap and rotor. but i have replaced my wires and plugs. about 8 months ago.

anyways, the car ran better today. last night i re-calibrated my tps. and moved it to
.50 at idle. and it idled so much better and no surging/bucking. as far as the heating problem. it didnt heat up today.....but it also was colder today than yesterday.