Guys I changed the AFM, still runs like a dog, I thought it could be bad fuel so I went down to the local caltex and put 98 octane in it, now the backfire is even louder... its very upsetting and looks like its off to the mechanic... Ill keep this updated and let you's know what the problem was for future reference. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

did you pull out the plugs to see if one of the cylinders is over fueling? ---------- Post added 19-08-12 at 11:47 ---------- Quote: Originally Posted by HTURBO [View Post] Sounds like your AFM. TO TEST AFM: pull back the rubber boot on the AFM connector revealing the wires. grab your multimeter and stick the probes on wire 4 (white) and 3 (1 being the closest to the airbox) with the multimeter on DC voltage. turn the ignition on and the voltage reading should be between 1.26V (lean) and 1.32V (rich). this is the base setting and if it is out then the AFM wont be able to be adjusted to a satisfactory mixture (meaning you need a new one) and just for interests sake you can test the mixture by putting the probes on wire 1 and 3 with the key on and measuring the voltage. 3.6V is the factory setting which is lean, with 2.0V being rich. the mixture should be in the vacinity of 2.0-4.0i couldn't get the LED's to flash and therefore couldn't set it using the computer so i did it this way and set it to 3.5V (AFM resistance of 375 ohms) and then checked it using the computer and it was right, LED's flashing together. if the 02 sensor is stuffed from an over rich mixture, this process will just add a new predicament to the condition. set the resistance (ohms) to around the 372ohms mark between pins 1 and 6 on the MAF and leave it alone. If you think the ECU is messing up the mixtures, simply leave the oxygen sensor unplugged to eliminate that possibility. VL's will often happliy run without them installed. Spray some water from a plastic bottle around the plenum and see if the idle changes.. looking for an airleak introduced by removing throttle body etc.

Check the leads properly the dizzy cap is numbered do it carefully one at a time . It defiantly sounds like ur problem . Unless u have taken the dizzy out and not set it back up properly ?

Im thinking about doing a ecu diagnosis to check for any error codes, not to sure how to do it tho... can anyone help? Is it an issue if I have a 3EA computer and not a 3EM if the car is manual?

Yep "Ms" is for manuals.