Need help: Do I have a TRC-1 problem or a Fuel Pressure Regulator problem?

[Mighty Thor]

The car is very difficult to start when cold or when it's been sitting around for 2 hours or so. The engine cranks several times before start and sometimes I have to pump a little gas to get it going.

Other than that it's ok when I keep starting it every 20-30 mins. interval or so.

From what I understand GM's 3800 fuel pressure regulator tends to go bad like around 26,000-35,000 miles. I'm over that. Usually when the FPR goes bad, cold start is difficult, right?

And today, I saw Kevin the owner of Muscle Mustang Installation center and he told me it's the TRC-1 that's messing up my ignition. From what I understand, this thing is also unreliable. But wouldn't hard start be consitent with either cold or hot starts?

Both of them takes alot of work to do. From my description above,I just want to know if you guys think that this is a definate FPR or TRC-1 problem?

I would like to keep the TRC-1 because I only put in 91 oct. but I'll ditch it if necessary and just keep putting octane additives.

[ssms5411]

I don't know about the FPR, I had my original on mine for 118,000 miles with no problems. I put a new one on when I rebuilt the engine to be on the safe side. AS for the TRC-1, if it is hooked up correctly you shouldn't have any problems with it. Did these problems just start or were they doing it for awhile now? I don't think it is either one causing your problem, I would check your FPR with a fuel pressure gauge. I think your problems sound like your battery starting to take a dump. I would have that checked to see if a cell has gone bad. I'm surprised you haven't got Hptuners yet and ditched your TRC-1 and your Fmu. Let me know how it turns out. Steve

[bret_xi]

i would say FPR... mine was just like that when i got it and gettin a new fuel pressure regulator fixed it right up...

[Mighty Thor]

Thanks. I just found out that if you pull the vacuum line connected to the FPR and if it has gas in it then that's the culprit.

ssms5411, I would like to get HPtuner and up my injectors. But I have to remain Calif. legal which really stinks to high heaven for me.

How's that Water Injection working for you?

[ssms5411]

That sucks about Cali. emissions, how would they know if you had Hptuners and 36lb injectors? I just got my emissions done , and all they did was hook it up to a computer to see if any codes were showing and check my gas cap. When the lady popped the hood she just had a strange look on here face and closed it back down. On mine I gutted the CAT and turned off my evap codes since it was throwing it every morning. Passed with flying colors. The water injection is going alright, still have to tune it some more. The smaller nozzle worked but it is still running lean sometimes. I think the denatured alcohol and water is not mixing all the way , so sometimes it will run a little rich then just lean out it less than a second. I order some boost cooler from Snow Performance which is premixed with 49% methanol and 51% water. Methanol has a higher octane rating (118 octane) than denatured alcohol so I'm hoping it won't lean out. I'll let you know how it turns out. Good luck with yours. BTW When are you going to get your car dynoed?