Finally have money, the dilemma begins

[Project TNX]

So I finally have the money to fix up my 84 WH1, I've had it sitting in primer taken apart for 4 years now, lol.

The backstory,

I had a dogged out 220,000 mile drk blue 86 T-type, I was driving around one day and saw a WH1 sitting beside a barn, yeah the old barn story. So I would drive past it every now and then and one day I figured I would just see if they wanted to sell it. I offered them $1,000 and left them my number, they called back an hour later and I bought the car. I originally bought it to part it out, but when I got it to the house and cleaned it up, I realized it was 100% nicer than my 86, and it was a hardtop. It had the usual rough paint, a mint, albeit low optioned burgandy interior, not a speck of rust or a dent to be found, and I got it running right off the bat. It had a horrible rod knock so I didn't run it for long. Right then and there I decided to build that one up....with disregard for keeping it anywhere near stock appearing or drivetrain wise.

A year later I needed some money so I sold the 86 for a piddly $1800 with a plethora of problems but a lot of new parts. I hated to let it go, especially for that price because I wanted to convert the 84 to an 86/87 drivetrain. this entire time I was stripping down the 84 getting it ready for paint. So fast forward to today, with money in my hand and big dreams in my head.

As you can tell from my username, I am building TNX:001. :redface: It will be void of all chrome, all dark Garnet Red, GNX flares and louvers, SLP "hyper black" 17" ZR1's, a GN schemed burgandy/silver interior with silver cloth front and rear door panels, red engine block with all satin silver accessories and covers, and custom one off TNX badges I am making. I already bought everything I just listed except the upholstery (I am waiting on 2 vendors samples), so take it easy on me.

So here is where the dilemma starts.... I had planned on converting it to an IC drivetrain right off the bat, but now I am having second thoughts about doing that right off the bat and just waiting for the perfect complete 86/87 drivetrain or parts car while I cruise around in the T with a fresh rebuild on the original engine. But I need high 12's or low 13's out of it or else why even bother owning one, lol. Would a 207 cam, TE-33C, Poston Headers, Hi-po valvetrain, Hooker 2.5" exhaust, upgraded fuel pump and regulator, 30 psi injectors, and few misc parts take me anywhere near where I want to go? I would be willing to do all that to the 84 engine because once I do switch to an IC drivetrain down the road I'll be putting the 84 engine in some donor car for sure. I've worked with TR's alot ( I was once a mod here), but I never really researched Hot Air cars so I don't know the potential with the typical TR recipes. I should have researched gnttype.org first, but I am going there after I post this, lol.

I'll post some pics of it within the next 2 weeks, deer season beckons first. Thanks for the time and input.

Brent

 

[Squid4life]

13's should be no problem with your mods stated, plus ported intake and heads, cold air intake, etc. 12's shouldn't be an issue either with one of Razors progressive alky kits. Go big the first time on injectors, turbo, stall so you won't have to change them again later. Obviously you will need to swap to 87 ECM for use of good chips and scantool. Post pics when you get a chance!

 

[tenright]

Most seem to like the offset cams...208/212 for example, I personally have a 214/214, I have heard the car will run smoother with the offset. The 86/87 and the 84/85 are basically the same power plant especially with the WH1's. Even your pan gasket is an 86/87. You seem to be on the right track for 12's but why would you get 30lb injectors? The 42 009's are much more available and leave alot of room for growth. The 30's are just a waste of money. I have a set of 38lb green stripes gathering dust I replaced while troubleshooting you could have for 100 buck plus shipping. There not bench tested but they worked fine when I took them out. Also with the bigger turbo what about a stall???? Can't really build up the engine and forget the tranny.... Anyway, personally I would go 42's or better. Also you should invest in the 87 computer and wire harness, this will make a big difference and the LT1 translator and MAF. You simply will never find a decent rebuilt 84 MAF so sidestep that nightmare before it happens.

Lastely the key to 12's is boost, stock boost on that car if I remember correctly is 12lbs, certainly not going to get you into the 12's, you will not get much past 15 without some way to curb detonation. Most of us will agree alky is the only way to achieve that on a non IC car.

I have the same plan in mind that you do, I will eventually be converting my 85 to the 87 drivetrain, only I am going to use a 4.1 block (already in the garage ready for machining). These cars are extremely unforgiving, and infinately more expensive to set up then the 86/87's. My advise to you is get it running, with as few oil leaks as possible, and don't worry so much about speed. After all you are converting, so worry about speed with the conversion. If you start seriously modding the 84 it is going to become a money pit very quickly. You will find yourself spending all your money trying to achieve low 12's and not have anything for the conversion....


J.M.O.

T

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

I agree 100% with the above replies. In the end the downpipe hurts these cars. Brad

 

[Project TNX]

Most seem to like the offset cams...208/212 for example, I personally have a 214/214, I have heard the car will run smoother with the offset. The 86/87 and the 84/85 are basically the same power plant especially with the WH1's. Even your pan gasket is an 86/87. You seem to be on the right track for 12's but why would you get 30lb injectors? The 42 009's are much more available and leave alot of room for growth. The 30's are just a waste of money. I have a set of 38lb green stripes gathering dust I replaced while troubleshooting you could have for 100 buck plus shipping. There not bench tested but they worked fine when I took them out. Also with the bigger turbo what about a stall???? Can't really build up the engine and forget the tranny.... Anyway, personally I would go 42's or better. Also you should invest in the 87 computer and wire harness, this will make a big difference and the LT1 translator and MAF. You simply will never find a decent rebuilt 84 MAF so sidestep that nightmare before it happens.

Lastely the key to 12's is boost, stock boost on that car if I remember correctly is 12lbs, certainly not going to get you into the 12's, you will not get much past 15 without some way to curb detonation. Most of us will agree alky is the only way to achieve that on a non IC car.

I have the same plan in mind that you do, I will eventually be converting my 85 to the 87 drivetrain, only I am going to use a 4.1 block (already in the garage ready for machining). These cars are extremely unforgiving, and infinately more expensive to set up then the 86/87's. My advise to you is get it running, with as few oil leaks as possible, and don't worry so much about speed. After all you are converting, so worry about speed with the conversion. If you start seriously modding the 84 it is going to become a money pit very quickly. You will find yourself spending all your money trying to achieve low 12's and not have anything for the conversion....


J.M.O.

T

I forgot to mention a 2800 stall converter, and cooler and I may just buy those green stripes from you when I get back from deer camp. I figure some of the stuff I put on the 84 block will just get carried over when I convert. I just figured I'd swap over to the poston headers because jet hot coating the originals is still pricey as hell.

So large injectors won't cause any issues? Even when I convert I am only going to shoot for high 11's or low 12's, I don't want to lose the streetability, pure drag racing isn't my bag.

All I know, is I miss being slammed into my seat by my last T. Driving a beater with 150 hp this last year is killing me. My Twin Turbo Stealth took a dive on me, but it lasted 215,000 miles basically maintanance free prior to that, so I can't complain.

 

[Jerryl]

.......... The 86/87 and the 84/85 are basically the same power plant especially with the WH1's. Even your pan gasket is an 86/87. ..........

Edited;

If we are talking about the oil pan, 84 - 85-1/2 have 14 bolt blocks, others have the 20 bolt.
Not sure about WH1, and Tom may be right. He does his homework!

 

[Squid4life]

I may just buy those green stripes from you when I get back from deer camp. I figure some of the stuff I put on the 84 block will just get carried over when I convert.

So large injectors won't cause any issues? Even when I convert I am only going to shoot for high 11's or low 12's, I don't want to lose the streetability, pure drag racing isn't my bag.

Any set of injectors will need a chip burned specifically for them. That specific chip for, say 60's, will be just as tame as 30s thanks to the chip. Streetability will not be affected, and when you go bigger than you need at first, you will have growing room for mods later. Eric Marshall at turbotweak.com can hook you up. His chips are top shelf, and his customer service is too!

 

[racemybuick]

for basic low 13's high 12's, I have learned this:

Headers, DP, Alky, PORTING, 42.5's, 50's or 60's injectors, Turbotweak- 87 eletronics, SCANMASTER, 3000 stall converter, adj fpr, walbro 340, lt1 maf, and a dump pipe will get you to your goals.....easily. Running 16-17 lbs on a stock turbo with alky shouldnt be too harmful, and if you are going to swap out motors in a couple years or even sooner, why bother getting another turbo unless you want to mount up a TA series turbo to the hot air...I am planning on purchasing a TA 60 or larger very shortly and the compressor has to be re-clocked, as well as a little modding for the wastegate, however, should i ever feel the need to get an IC car again, lol, i can swap teh turbo over!!! but my opinion is, a good tune with bigger options yeilds a better return later on. Get big injectors, get all the components up-to-date, and have fun with it.

I have been told that going larger than 16 inch rims will hurt your 60' and final ET's due to tire size and such...i had MB motorsport 17" classics on my 86 GN, and a stock everything 126XXX mile motor running 14.5 all day long, but never had a decent 60'....just food for thought....

As per the car, please post up pics of you got em....I love this stuff!!!

John:biggrin:

 

[Project TNX]

Thanks for the input guys.

I'll post pics real soon. I'll be pulling the engine and trans in early December, so I hope to have this thing up and show ready by early spring. When I throw the old 84 engine in a car, I think I'll throw it in a 1981 Bandit Turbo T/A, make it a real Turbo T/A.

Here is a shot of the wheels.

 

[Project TNX]

QUICK QUESTION.........


Do the 86/87 accessory brackets all mount to the 84 block with no modifications?

What I am getting at is can I just drill the return line into my block at a later day and convert to an 86/87 configuration while using my current 84 block?

This is a concern for down the road but since I always have my eye out on parts it would help to know now.

Thanks

 

[Squid4life]

QUICK QUESTION.........


Do the 86/87 accessory brackets all mount to the 84 block with no modifications?

What I am getting at is can I just drill the return line into my block at a later day and convert to an 86/87 configuration while using my current 84 block?

This is a concern for down the road but since I always have my eye out on parts it would help to know now.

Thanks

Yes they do match up, the holes in the block and heads are the same for 85 or 87 style setup. For the oil return, you can drill the block later, or run it to a bung in the pan.

 

[Project TNX]

Excellent news.

I'm going to attempt to finish claying up my TNX badges today........if my kids let me, lol.

Next up, finding a nice set of affordable tires in 245 and 255.