Fired her up and was getting ready to adjust the timing. The car will not idle down and I have to shut the key off.
I had the throttle body off but did not mess with the idle control motor.
Here is what I did:
new thermostat
ported base
SLP runners
Bosch III injectors
adjustable fuel pressure regulator
ported plenum
chrome steel valve covers
Accel coil
new cap and rotor
new EGR valve
rebuilt distributor
I took extreme care in labeling all the sensors, hoses, wires and tubes. Everything is back where it should be with nothing left over.
The throttle body is not stuck open.
I did forget to run the TV cable for the A4 inside the runners so had to do that after the fact. I loosened the left hand SLP runner as much as possible and had to force the body of the TV cable (the squarish portion that mounts to the bracket with the cruise and throttle cables) and is is scuffed a bit but not really beat up.
Can't think of anything I did that could cause this problem.
I do have to say that the Bosch IIIs from FIC really perform well at full throttle. It sounds strong as hell!

Vacuum leak/connection?

I am all in for today. I will pull codes tomorrow. In between taking the cat to the vet, fixing the flat on my wife's car and going to work.
I really need to retire in order to have more time for my obsessions.
Anyway - at least I have a start on the engine bay. Here are a couple of "before" pics and some from today after it was all put back together.

I did have a rather amusing thing happen when I first tried to fire it up. It snarted, farted and began to run and I heard a metallic "clank". Shut it off quickly and discovered the pulley for the water pump had jumped off.
I had removed the frisbee "while I was in there" and forgot to put the bolts back in! Idiot!

Looks like you put a lot of TLC into it.

Looks great! I wished mine looked that good!

looks AWESOME!!!

The idle... have you tried starting it with the throttle cable disconnected? Something could be bound there or just not lined up right.

Found the problem. On another site someone had installed the SLP runners on the wrong side which left a large air gap at the plenum. These were used SLPs and came with no directions. I got them on the wrong side. I will have to take it apart and put it back together right.
I took the road less traveled and found adventure.
O well, makes a good war story.
Can't wait to feel the newfound power when I get it right.
On a brighter note one of the gals in my W Michigan crew said I could drive her new ZR1 (as in 2010 with 600+ hp) when I get back from Carlisle. Woo hoo! Life does not get much better than that!

Engine bay looks great with all the subtle touches on the vcs, plenum, tb, etc.

Do you need any more help with the SLP install? I could look for the instructions, but to be honest with you they weren't very good. There were no pictures or anything like that. Also, I think it's crappy they aren't even marked d/s and p/s. It's easy to confuse them like that.

Matthew

Ron, I see it in your pictures now. The beveled top edge should face toward the front . I had to remind myself of that when mine went off and on. Glad it wasn't something major. I also made the same mistake with the TV cable, LOL. Joe

Thanks for the advice and kind words. Nice to know I am not the only one who is machanically challenged.
Hey - at least we are not afraid to try!