Come On Guys!!

[extranjeo]

Come On Guys!!!

I'm playing the devils advocate here as a gearhead since birth and a drag racer since I was a gear head. I love turbo Buicks but haven't crossed the line to buy one yet. Haven't bought one for virtually one reason; that being the frustrated posts on this board in trying to figure them out if it burps or farts. I have had all carburetor cars and I can dive in with a 9/16 wrench, a screwdriver, and a sixpack o' brew and make her hum. It seems to me that with a Turbo Buick, from what I read on this site, that troubleshooting is a lot of guessing, and replacing parts that aren't broke. This is further backed up by the different responses to a posters message in diagnosing the problem. One guy says MAF while the other says VSS. I realize the variables are being eliminated, as most motorheads do to each other to help friends, but I'm not convinced the computer thingy-do is the way to go. As with carburetors, we all know its spark and fuel, no finnicky sensors or scanners required. Help me out. Someone change my mind.

 

[Blown&Injected]

It is the way to go. There are plenty of simple old cars that do not run right and get a new coil that does not help, well then put some new wires on - does not help.

Problem is that there is so much good access to information, people ask about anything - Is this a problem????

Old Hot Rod Dude: That computer stuff is fine until the module goes out - better keep an extra one!

GN Owner: Hey, the simplest of parts - a fan belt that stops the water pump will strand anybody. The computer has a few extra parts and wire to hook it all up BFD, those few extra parts are easy to figure out and the computer will often tell ya if it is bad without even getting dirty!

Get one

Go Fast

Have Fun

 

[Geoff87]

Why I like driving a Turbo Buick:

-I can drive to the track (or anywhere else for that matter) with the A/C on. Race, then drive back home with the A/C on.

-The car is smooth and quiet, in comparison to an old school car. No fumes, excessive vibration, exhaust rumble, etc..

-I can drive on the freeway in 4th gear @ 60 MPH with the converter locked and cruising at only 1800 RPM.

-I can carry 5 adults plus some luggage with ease.

-If I do a lot of highway driving, it's still only a V-6, so I can expect around 20 MPG!

-My car has power everything (steering, brakes, locks, windows, trunk release, drivers seat), and even cruise control!

The BEST part, is that I have, and can do ALL of the above, and still blow away 99% of the cars on the street.




Did I mention that my car still has A/C?

 

[bruce]

Haven't bought one for virtually one reason; that being the frustrated posts on this board in trying to figure them out if it burps or farts. I have had all carburetor cars and I can dive in with a 9/16 wrench, a screwdriver, and a sixpack o' brew and make her hum. It seems to me that with a Turbo Buick, from what I read on this site, that troubleshooting is a lot of guessing, and replacing parts that aren't broke.

Not many people are mechanics, so they ask advise. There are alot of members here, so yes, there are alot of folks asking for advise. I don't see TRs as being any less reliable then any other car. As far as guessing, you're right about that, diagnostics take time to learn, and it's just easier to ask online then grunting thur the procedures. Cars are only going to get more complex, so you might as well, turn in your 9/16" wrench, and hammer, and get used to EFI.

 

[GANGSTER]

Ive only had mine about 8 months but the help I have gotten from people on this board is priceless. This was all new to me when I started and I would have been pulling my hair out if I didnt have this forum to fall back on whenever I was stumped.Ive got a few of those carbureted race cars and none of them put the grin on my face like this one does when im driving along getting 20 mpg then I mat the pedal and it takes off like the space shuttle!!
You have to own one of these cars to understand it but any trouble we have is well worth the fun and excitement that we get when its running right.
and we always have the family here when something has us confused.

The best comparison I can think of is the movie "christine" these cars possess you and all you want to do is be out cruising in your T/R.

NOW GO OUT AND BUY ONE SO YOU CAN FEEL IT TOO!!!

 

[Gary Wells]

FWIW & IMHO:
Please don't buy one, as there are not enough to go around as it is now for all of us who already have a love/hate relationship with these cars.
They are slow, ugly, break all of the time, and don't start the rest of the time broken or not. Haven't what disappearing parts prices go for scared you yet?
Definitely fear becoming involved with the "Darkside".
Impress your friends. Buy an import. Go faster, look cooler, come with warranty, go with the in crowd. Take up drifting.

 

[BEATAV8]

FWIW & IMHO:
Please don't buy one, as there are not enough to go around as it is now for all of us who already have a love/hate relationship with these cars.
They are slow, ugly, break all of the time, and don't start the rest of the time broken or not. Haven't what disappearing parts prices go for scared you yet?
Definitely fear becoming involved with the "Darkside".
Impress your friends. Buy an import. Go faster, look cooler, come with warranty, go with the in crowd. Take up drifting.

smartazz

 

[Danster]

It's not as bad as you think from reading some of the posts.

The first thing you should do when you get one of these cars is to go through the spring cleaning and make sure the car is in a good running condition with no problems. I ran my car for probably a good year or so before I started any mods. Keep the upgrades simple and do them one at a time and make sure the car is still performing like it was before the mod.

Too many times some folks want to beat the car when they first purchase it without even knowing the condition of the car. The first thing I bought was a Scanmaster to help with the tuning. I have kept my mods simple and have not had any major problems.

I have 113K on my motor and she still starts up the first time without any hesitation., even after sitting for a couple of weeks. The only thing you might want to upgrade is your tranny. I'm on my second one, but this time it was built to withstand a lot more poundings.

My .02

Dannyo

 

[DMan]

Come On Guys!!!

I'm playing the devils advocate here as a gearhead since birth and a drag racer since I was a gear head. I love turbo Buicks but haven't crossed the line to buy one yet. Haven't bought one for virtually one reason; that being the frustrated posts on this board in trying to figure them out if it burps or farts. I have had all carburetor cars and I can dive in with a 9/16 wrench, a screwdriver, and a sixpack o' brew and make her hum. It seems to me that with a Turbo Buick, from what I read on this site, that troubleshooting is a lot of guessing, and replacing parts that aren't broke. This is further backed up by the different responses to a posters message in diagnosing the problem. One guy says MAF while the other says VSS. I realize the variables are being eliminated, as most motorheads do to each other to help friends, but I'm not convinced the computer thingy-do is the way to go. As with carburetors, we all know its spark and fuel, no finnicky sensors or scanners required. Help me out. Someone change my mind.

Come to think of it, the Turbo Regal is probably one of the oldest, fully electronically controlled muscle cars out there. How many near-20 year old electronic FI cars are out there, and STILL using FACTORY components at probably TWICE their factory ratings? Breakdowns and troubleshooting are IN-evitable.

However, all the problems melt away when it all clicks. Isn't that true of any car?

 

[SFITurbo]

Most people (including me) throw parts at them when things aren't right because they are in the learning phase or do not have the proper equipment for diagnostics. I gave up all the "tuning and tweeking" when I sold my 68 Mustang Fastback, every time the weather changed even slightly I was adjusting something. Turbo Buicks are for the most part maintenance friendly until you start the mod process to go just a little bit faster each time. First time you drive one thats running right you won't go back to a n.a. V8.

 

[extranjeo]

I guess part of the problem is that I've never driven a TR, let alone rode in one. I do however, see them ripping up the dragstrip every time I go. This site as well as others does offer a lot of help to anyone who requests it. Having said that, anyone wanna take me for a spin? Are they pains in the behind to tune?

 

[SFITurbo]

Where are you near? My wifes car will definately give you the sensation you are looking for Scanmaster will be all that you'll need until you get really modded and are looking for low 10's and below.(ie FAST system)

 

[scottyb]

Wow, I fell quite the opposite. I consider myself relatively handy with automobile repairs, and I think the Buick has been a snap to work on/maintain.

The key to being "smart" is to know where to go to get the correct answer. Even if I'm 99% sure I know what the problem is, I still post my issue here to get a larger range of experience before I dive in.

The information available here and other TB sites is INVALUABLE. There may be more than 1 solution to a single problem. Usually a simple search will give you the real world experiences instead of opening a book to diagnose a problem. Also making good use of the data provided by a logging scan tool is very important. The data here on the web coupled with a logical approach to diagnosing issues and use of scan data has made for a favorable experience with the TR.

 

[JOHNDEEREGN]

eheheh

WELLS, I would have expected that from you

Seriously, buy one they are a blast

 

[UNGN]

I guess part of the problem is that I've never driven a TR, let alone rode in one. I do however, see them ripping up the dragstrip every time I go. This site as well as others does offer a lot of help to anyone who requests it. Having said that, anyone wanna take me for a spin? Are they pains in the behind to tune?

I unloaded most of the "old School" musclecars that I had, because they may be "easy to tune", but they also won't run low 12's on street tires with virtually no major modifications.

When I picked up my first TR, There was a web list, but I didn't have internet. At first I didn't have a scan tool and tuned my $5000 TR an 1/8th mile at a time, sometimes 3 times a week. Before I knew it, I was running 7.7's with a stock turbo, intercooler, injectors, etc... basically before I bought any "bolts ons".

That was 10 years ago and I wouldn't recommend it without a lot of patience and a LOT of help from knowledgable people.

Today, you can go faster without the trial and error, by using a scan tool and getting help for all the questions you have.

 

[KEVINS]

I think a key ingredient is to get one that is in good shape. If it looks old and rotted then you may play havoc trying to get it working good if/when it goes awry. They are very easy to tune for Perf. I knew NOTHING about electronic vehicles and this car scared me at first but a buddy of mine is an SAE Cert. mechanic so I figured I could rely on him if I needed. Turns out I never needed him b/c all the basics are on these BB’s and I have learned that these things are very easy to tune and to diagnose if you have the proper scan tool and the archives are full info if you should ever need info.

BTW, my car gets 28mpg on the I-state and runs 12.1’s and I have less than $1500 into it including slicks and wheels =)

Best bang for the buck out there plus it as A/C

ks

 

[darkred87T]

It takes alot of patience for me sometimes to refrain from rolling the car out of the garage and setting it on fire. However, when I take it out and mash the go pedal, I'm quickly reminded why I haven't.

 

[extranjeo]

I appreciate all you guys chiming in, With 322 views, (at the time of this post) I cannot belive nobody has attempted to shy me away from these things. Except for WELLS, wich I'm guessing has an 8 second GN stashed somewhere. Some one has to have some bad news out there. GN lurkers post it up!

Nick

 

[72firebird]

For a weekend cruiser and racer they're great. But if you're looking for something to drive all the time I would look somewhere else. Yeah theirs quite a few problems but that happens with any high performance car and especially when you modify them. A stock car should be no worse than just mantaining a normal car.

I agree with those who said they lik driving to the track with AC and then running at the track and then going home with the AC. They're fun to drive and relatively easy to work on. The computers aren't too advanced but will just take a little time to learn. I'd say find someone near you with a turbo buick and talk with them about their car and just look over the car really deeply, ask any questions with hope they know some answers and just start learning the car in person.

 

[2quiktocare]

Personally I would open a shop servicing some need for the turbo cars and then you can drive many and never have to worry about the cost of maintaining one. You can service your fix everyday and make money doing it.


Mark