85 t type

[xgolferdude]

Hey guys,
I just bought an 85 t type. My question is I want to get the most performance I can but im not sure what I need to do. I know that I want to intercool it and I want to make a highway killer out of it. I've got all the parts ready to do my 6 speed manual conversion but now I'm not sure if I need to change engines and go with the 86 87 or can I make the older one work. I've heard some conflicting info so I need some clarity. ecu wiring ect ect. I'm looking to get low 500's and about the same in torque on pump gas. I even thought it might be cool to do the ESP TT kit, but dont know how fesable that is havent heard much about it as far as people using them in real world driving. I know that with lower boost levels would be better for the motor but I havent heard much about it yet. Any help is much appreciated thanks guys...

 

[Instro84]

do a search for boost231. Brent is gettting some pretty good performance from his hot air car.

 

[GNBeswick]

You can make decent power with a hotair...but I think it costs more and finding parts is hell. I think it's easier to upgrade an 86/87 and cheaper. You can always look up "recipes" on gnttype.org. But the manual trans....thats an interesting thing to do. I remember hearing a long time ago that the 3.8 turbo for some reason just eats up manual trans'. Pontiac had planned to make the 89 TTA manual but all the trans' they tried in testing failed.

 

[LBNJWE4]

you also get turbo lag in every gear, at least the thunderbird turbo coupes, and eclipse/talons did.

 

[xgolferdude]

I'm just making sure its the best avenue to go with the newer wiring harness and ecm. The one thing is im going to have to run a stand alone any ways so do I still need the newer stuff. well there are so many turbo cars out there with manual tranny's and ive worked on a bunch of them im not so much worried about that part of it. its all about getting the right gear ratio's so you dont fall out of boost. on that front the biggest concern I have is tuning the thing..