help with fluctuating idle, car hates extremely cold temps Options

[azian_advanced]

i've been having this problem lately that occurs when my car is parked outside overnight without the block heater plugged in and when temperatures drop below -30 deg celsius (or -22 F).

one of the problems is that my car will run unusually rich as if fuel isn't being properly ignited or too much fuel is being injected beyond what the engine would normally inject on cold startup. this only occurs when the engine hasn't warmed up all the way. but with air being more dense when its cold (more O2 = more combustible), i don't see how the temperature could be related to the fuel not properly burning. and i know the iac valve is working like it should because i had cleaned it and lubricated it recently and it idles about 1800 rpms at first and will gradually drop to where it should once the engine has warmed up.

anyway the real problem starts after 5 mins of driving when the iac valve has closed and the idle reduces to about 1000 rpms, the idle will bounce from 1100 to 300 rpms every 2 secs over and over. when i rev it up to 2000 and let go of the gas pedal, as the engine speed drops the engine will just die. and even i'm cruising then i clutch & brake to stop at a red light, the engine would die from the sudden drop in rpm.

what's funny about this is that it only happens when the block heater isn't plugged in and when the weather is -30 deg C or below. but while my car is parked at school, my car is plugged in which keeps the coolant somewhat warm and my drive home is flawless. so i know it's not a vacuum leak issue since vacuum leak related problems are present regardless of the temperature outside. and i also don't have a CEL or any other warning lights on the gauge cluster except for my ABS light which has been on since last fall.

i'm suspecting that there's something about the ignition that doesn't operate properly at really cold temperatures and that's what i'm trying to figure out. the spark plugs are new, the wires, dizzy cap, and rotor were replaced a year and a half ago as well. the alternator and battery are good and never had a problem with the electrical side of things.

i just need a second opinion on what may be the problem before i dump a couple hundred dollars on new wires, ignition coil, and distrbutor.