84 T-Type

[Boombastic86]

I'm looking to buy one, unfortunately I've been a Ford guy my whole life and I know next to nothing about these hot-air Buicks from 84-85.

If I do happen to get this car, I'm looking to drop it from it's stock 1/4 mile of high 15's (correct me if I'm wrong on that one) to around 14 flat.

What would be the cheapest way of achieving this, and how much would it cost?

I'm currently running mid 14s in an 87 Mustang GT with a few minor modifications, so if the price of modifying a T-Type is too much I may pass on it being as I don't have a lot of money. :-\

 

[tpivette89]

stock in good tune these cars should do low 15s at around 89mph

low 14s/high 13s can be had by:
1) better fuel pump (hotwired of course) - $125
2) AFPR - $100
3) 9" cone K&N - $45
4) ATR 2.5" downpipe - dont know cost, i bought mine used
5) free flowing catback w test pipe in place of cat - (i just use a straightpipe off the downpipe, muffler shops wont charge much for this fabrication)
6) upped boost ... keep in mind better fuel will be necessary for anything above 15lbs - you can make your own adjustable wastegate or buy one from Poston for $100
7) an off the shelf chip - $15 to $25

actually that combo will probably be good for mid 13s provided you have a good set of tires and can launch on boost

this is almost my exact combo, but i have rebuilt heads w a bit of port and polish work in them. i hope to run low 13s and break 100mph with around 18psi on race gas

 

[Boombastic86]

How would I up the boost on one of these turbos? (sorry I'm a newbie on turbos, I usually deal with V8 Fords)

So I'd be looking at about $700 dollars to make it run low 14's or maybe high 13's not counting the cost of installation (I should probably be able to do 90% of the work myself).

 

[tpivette89]

to control boost you need to make the wastegate actuator rod adjustable. there is a write up somewhere on www.gnttype.com to do this mod yourself, or you can buy an adjustable wastegate actuator from www.postonbuick.com

keep in mind, you NEED an aftermarket boost gauge to determine exactly the amount of boost your running. the factory boost gauge is just a inaccurate light bar mostly for show

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

I would also add a knock gauge as well. Just my 2 cents. Brad

 

[racemybuick]

just a correction, the web site is www.GNttype.org for tech articles.

For under 700, 14's are very easy. if you want a consistent 14's car, just exhaust and fuel will get you there. An adj fpr is 100 for a billet one, the fuel pump and hotwire kit (easy install) is only 180, and exhaust, you can straight pipe it for the track with stock down pipe. decent tires an crank the boost to about 16-17 ish, and you should pull 14's. get a chip from jay carter of Jim testa, and boom...you are there!

John

 

[84T-typeMike]

My car completely stock except for an Adj. wastegate and Adj. FPR ran 14.3 @ 98 Mph.Mind you I had the exhaust system un hooked after the downpipe and I put some 110 oct. gas in it. 5 gal of 110 on top of say 4 gal in the tank.This was on 215/65/15 street tires and 1 wheel peel.Had the boost around 17 psi.I say low 14's are very achieveable with a near stock car tuned decently.

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Anybody who puts on an adj. waste gate actuator on a stock 84/85 TTYPE/GN without an after market boost and knock gauge is a complete fool! You are listening to such a fool. Been there done it and my wallet is a whole lot thinner. Brad

 

[tpivette89]

Anybody who puts on an adj. waste gate actuator on a stock 84/85 TTYPE/GN without an after market boost and knock gauge is a complete fool

while an aftermarket boost gauge is a necessity, a knock gauge is not if you have a scan tool. there are other things to watch for besides KR, such as O2 millivolts etc, that a scan tool can provide. plus, there are only so many spots to put gauges

i have a 2 5/8" boost gauge on the A pillar and a scan tool permantly mounted next to the dash. all the info is availible right at my fingertips for accurate tuning