Forum Feedback: Is there any thing left to do?

[Tampa T-Type]

1985 Buick T-Type

1987 ECU
Spearco Intercooler Part # 2-135
Turbo Turbonetics, Cheetah .63
Razor Alkyl running methanol
Adj Wastegate
GReddy Profec B2 Boost Controller
Kenny Bell Headers
Kenny Bell Air and breather filters
Fuel pump 340
Hot wire kit
Chip Thrasher 93
K&B dual stage headers with down pipe
3” High Flow no-cat converter
2 ½ dual mandrel exhaust
MSD 50 Lb injectors
Lt-1 Maf
Translator
Bosch Adj fuel pressure regulator
2004R Shift kit rebuilt with all new performance parts
2800 Torque Converter
AVC Motor Sports GNX cluster dash kit analog
30 Lb boost gauge
Oil pressure
Temp Gauge
New cam “cams 231t 0.519”
New crankshaft 0.646
Valve springs
V-8 Radiator
Rod and main bearings
Oil pressure booster plate
Throttle enhancer
Turbo ram air not installed
New Egr
New O2
New Plugs
New Wires
New Vacuum Lines
When I purchased a 1985 T-Type, it had many new suspension parts and all service records. It was set for 9 Lb’s of boost and has an adjustable wastage.

Over time I have added the following items and am presently up to 23 Lb’s of boost.

I just purchased a Data-link and will install it soon but a problem I am having is breakdown on full throttle, plugs and wires are new. This is the final piece of the puzzle and I hope the Data scan will find out what is wrong.

This car is street driven!

Is there anything else I can do to bring this up to an 87-performance level? I love this car its gold and is a sleeper.

 

[FlaBoy]

I can think of a few things that weren't mentioned (unless I missed 'em?)

First off, an alky injection system would be one idea.. especially with Julio/Razor living so close to you (I assume from your name that youre from tampa). I've met him a few times at the cruise-in at Burger King on Saturday nights over here in Pinellas. He seems a genuinely nice guy, eager to help. And from what I've seen and heard about him on the boards here, he's a great guy to do business with. Plus, having the Man himself just around the corner would make tuning and setting up an alky system easy as pie.

The other thing I could think of was maybe an improved intake. From what I've heard, the stocker is waaaay restrictive, making it one of the other main reasons (besides an IC) that our cars are generally slower than the 86/87s. I know a few of the intercooler kits produced for our cars had drastically improved on the stock intake design (the JS manufacturing kit, V-something, etc.). If you wanna keep the spearco kit, you could always port the stocker, or even cut it open and gut out the interior floor/baffle thingie. If you're not good with welding, I'm sure you coudl find someone to do the work for you, or buy one allready done (I got a used gutted intake off e-bay bout a year ago, still waiting to go on ).

The only other thing I can think of is the typical stuff, bigger intercooler, bigger turbo, bigger cam, better heads, etc.

I didn't know there were any other hot-air guys in the area, It's nice to know I'm not alone. The few times I've been able to make it out to the Burger King show (my work schedule is nuts) It's all been intercooled guys. Hopefully some time we can meet up and I can see whats possible with a hot-air (only had mine about a year, still fixing a lot of a problems with it, and slowly modifying it from stock). Also, I have a complete spearco kit in my garage, that will probably be going on in the next few months, after I sort out my exhaust problems with new headers, etc. When it comes time to throw it on, I may send an e-mail your way with a few questions on the install.

Good luck with your hot-air! Keep it quick so you can show up them guys in the 86/87's!!!

 

[FlaBoy]

of course, immediately after posting, i re-red your list and see the 4th item down, your alky kit So of course, disregard that part of my post

 

[Lee Thompson]

?

New crankshaft 0.646 what's this?

 

[Tampa T-Type]

.06 ?

Not sure that was on my paperwork when the crank was replaced! The previous owner had note's thought it might be clearence value.

 

[cool 84]

I hope I didn't miss these above. How about ported heads and ported stock intake manifold. The stock intake will flow fine with porting. A 3" downpipe that eliminates the elbow will make a big difference with all of those mods. Looks like a good foundation.

As for getting it up to 87 performance level, I'm sure it was there many mods ago.

 

[ngianop]

1985 Buick T-Type

1987 ECU
Spearco Intercooler Part # 2-135
Turbo Turbonetics, Cheetah .63
Razor Alkyl running methanol
Adj Wastegate
GReddy Profec B2 Boost Controller
Kenny Bell Headers
Kenny Bell Air and breather filters
Fuel pump 340
Hot wire kit
Chip Thrasher 93
K&B dual stage headers with down pipe
3” High Flow no-cat converter
2 ½ dual mandrel exhaust
MSD 50 Lb injectors
Lt-1 Maf
Translator
Bosch Adj fuel pressure regulator
2004R Shift kit rebuilt with all new performance parts
2800 Torque Converter
AVC Motor Sports GNX cluster dash kit analog
30 Lb boost gauge
Oil pressure
Temp Gauge
New cam “cams 231t 0.519”
New crankshaft 0.646
Valve springs
V-8 Radiator
Rod and main bearings
Oil pressure booster plate
Throttle enhancer
Turbo ram air not installed
New Egr
New O2
New Plugs
New Wires
New Vacuum Lines
When I purchased a 1985 T-Type, it had many new suspension parts and all service records. It was set for 9 Lb’s of boost and has an adjustable wastage.

Over time I have added the following items and am presently up to 23 Lb’s of boost.

I just purchased a Data-link and will install it soon but a problem I am having is breakdown on full throttle, plugs and wires are new. This is the final piece of the puzzle and I hope the Data scan will find out what is wrong.

This car is street driven!

Is there anything else I can do to bring this up to an 87-performance level? I love this car its gold and is a sleeper.

You must like the Kenne Bell headers because you mentioned them twice. :smile:
Anyway, your comment about the "breakdown on full throttle..." and the fact that ignition coils aren't mentioned on your list caught my attention. What's the status of the coils and/or module? If the coils aren't putting out the juice, you should consider upgrading to the later model coils but you'll need a new base plate and a wiring harness adapter. (all available from TR vendors)
The scanner is a good idea and should help you zero in on the problem. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

[turbo6x2]

Can you describe what you mean by Breakdown, does the car hesitate under full boost? The ignition module on these cars can cause issue if it's going bad. Would only recommend a gm replacement not aftermarket. And it won't show on the scan tool until it's really bad.

 

[6SENSE]

...As for getting it up to 87 performance level, I'm sure it was there many mods ago...

Doesnt take too much to get 84/85 cars to 86/87 stock performance levels, without an IC. As stated you should already be there. With your additions a GOOD scantool should have been acquired long ago for tuning purposes (i.e. TurboLink, DirectScan, or Scanmaster at very least). Your combo is nothing without tuning. Tuning is always #1.
IMO the flow of the stock intake is probably the largest difference between the performance of 84/85 and 86/87 (you dont need a IC to perform like stock 86/87). Deal with that and it opens up a whole new world. iwinengineering still does them for $300 or $350 dont they guys/gal?
Thrasher is okay but there is more being done with chips now days. Try Turbotweak. Ive always liked my street chip from Joe Lubrandt, but curious to try Turbotweak myself.
The breakdown could be ignition related (coil, module). Check the resistance across the towers of the coil. Could be a plug wire that isnt fastened all the way or is bad. What wires did you use? I have used some in the past that just couldnt take the heat on passenger side and melted on the inside. Couldnt even tell until I felt it. Could be plug(s) not gapped right. What plugs, what gap? How is alternator putting out (need scantool to see V at WOT). How much fuel pressure? Could be too rich on topend. Could be lean on topend. Need FP gauge to see if FP is matching boost lb. for lb. or if it is taking a dump at a certain level. ECM could be pulling timing out (KR).
A good scantool that can record will help you figure out some of this.