figured an update was in order.
somehow, one of the msd 8969's, used for the cam switch points, was re-set to some oddball value below the base idle rpm. so, 8 seconds (an msd internal timer) after start-up the affected cam would be switched to the big lobes and the idle would naturally got to total crap. (these engines will barely idle on the big lobes)
the good part is.....the motor has ALL NEW sensors, leak down and compression test were good, and no vacuum leaks
a couple more weeks and the STI injectors go back in, a bit more break-in time on the Calum RT re-tune, then i'll be looking to dyno it soon after.
i'll start a new thread in the West Region when i have a dyno date set.