Got my first TB. Have questions

[eric_1984ttype]

I bought my first TB a couple of days ago and have been feeling it out. Its an 86 with few options. As far as I know and the PO for that matter, it is mostly stock. It does have an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and a test pipe with an older exhaust.

I have changed:
oil, trans fluid, diff lube, fuel filter, coolant flush, fuel filter, fuel injector cleaner.

PO recently did plugs and wires. Has a slight miss at idle though. Clears right up once on the gas. Will check the wires and find out what plugs are in it today.

Going to order a CAI soon....

It needs some front end work and maybe a swaybar issue that I need to work on.

I think the tach may be off. It reads 1100 at idle and about 3100 at 65? Where can I get a signal for an aftermarket tach?

I have to replace the vacuum line to the wastgate solenoid and do some more poking around to make sure all thats right.

Going today to get a boost guage.

Are there any advantages of going with a scan master over my snap on modis? (other than permanent install)

Is there a write up or diy on adjusting the stock wastegate somewhere? I've looked but didn't see one.

Any hints, tips, or tricks welcome. Progress will be slow as I have to beg and borrow to get garage space at the moment and its to darn cold to work much outside.
I'm sure there's more but i'm blank at the moment....

Here's a couple of pics.

 

[WH1_T-Type]

gnttype.org is a wealth of information. Recommend you start with the 'spring cleaning' that you will find on there.

Vortexbuicks-etc.com is also a good source.

 

[eric_1984ttype]

gnttype.org is a wealth of information. Recommend you start with the 'spring cleaning' that you will find on there.

Vortexbuicks-etc.com is also a good source.

Thanks for the links. I've looked over gnttype.org before.
I've done most of the "spring cleaning." I'm waiting to order the CAI.

I haven't been to Vortexbuicks-etc.com I'll spend some more time reading up.

 

[coach]

There is a green connector hanging off the wiring harness by the alt. It will give you the tach signal you need. I plugged a 1/4 male spade connector in and ran it thru the rubber by the speedo cable.

:biggrin:

 

[eric_1984ttype]

There is a green connector hanging off the wiring harness by the alt. It will give you the tach signal you need. I plugged a 1/4 male spade connector in and ran it thru the rubber by the speedo cable.

:biggrin:

Thanks, I was wondering what that was for

 

[84gnguy]

Nice ride..I love the white turbo cars!
Get a turbo tweek 93 octane chip.Mine is mostly stock (mods in sig) and its real fun to drive.

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Love the white cars! Looks like you have a nice TR to start with. You know where to get the cold air kit from. Stock tach is pretty much useless except for the "purty" lights.

 

[TRICKSIXPA]

Make sure the boost gauge reads Vac & Boost upwards to 30lbs. Get a scanmaster it's made for our cars Gives great info to start with. Turbo Tweek chip if it does not have one in the ECM already. You will see a TT sticker on it with numbers. Most importaint New Walboro 340M fuel pump and Hotwire kit. Hotwire kit is a larger wire that runs to the fuel pump with a thicker gauge wire it will provide the correct voltage for it to operate properly. Also consider buying a new Battery Positive and Negative Wires will help your charging system run ALOT better. Stay away from your gas pedal before you know more about these cars. Don't upgrade your wastegate yet. read first and enjoy. Welcome

 

[Victory]

...read first and enjoy...

x2 - There probably isn't a question you could ask that hasn't been asked answered many times before.

Good luck!

 

[Beamer]

Very nice start for a TB, and congrats !

Some tasty wheels will supe up the looks of that car. Mainly tires, as the T wheels look good also.

I am quite appreciative to white cars also. Only problem, we are not as fast as the black ones, especially rean GN's. (that is very much a local joke for a few around my area that HAD to trade their respectible T for a GN - to have a GN).

Good luck and read up on them, like you are doing now. Find some local guys to buddy up with, Buick people are the best and will help more often than any other group.

Mike

 

[broke86gn]

Sell it before you get sucked in deep.:biggrin:

Just joking. All i can say is read and read alot.

And yes get a scanmaster with these cars you need to know whats going on almost all the time. Any Little burp could cost you. Knock is the number one thing for blown headgaskets easily seen with scanmaster thats always there.

 

[SPOOLFOOL2]

All good info. Just take your time. Great looking car. Looks just like Gary Wells Limited.

Happy spooling.

Mike Barnard

 

[king kong]

Take your time w/upgrades.....And DON'T cut any corners. Do everything right the 1st time :smile: And I feel the force will ben strong with you. Last but not least: "WELCOME TO THE DARKSIDE"

 

[eric_1984ttype]

Thanks guys. I ordered a richmond lock right for the rear, a scammaster,a tach and boost guage. My plan is to install the scanmaster and make sure the tune is good the way it is and take it to my buddys shop and do a pull and see what my baseline is and go from there. Next will be a chip, fuel pump upgrade with the hotwire, and an adjustable wastegate. Then it'll be on to paint. Its hard to tell in the pictures but the paint is rough.

 

[eric_1984ttype]

Very nice start for a TB, and congrats !

Some tasty wheels will supe up the looks of that car. Mainly tires, as the T wheels look good also.

Mike

I'm working on wheels now. I'm going to get some gta's for now. The PO but 245/60 on the front and 215/70 on the back......

 

[TRICKSIXPA]

Thanks guys. I ordered a richmond lock right for the rear, a scammaster,a tach and boost guage. My plan is to install the scanmaster and make sure the tune is good the way it is and take it to my buddys shop and do a pull and see what my baseline is and go from there. Next will be a chip, fuel pump upgrade with the hotwire, and an adjustable wastegate. Then it'll be on to paint. Its hard to tell in the pictures but the paint is rough.

DO NOT PUT THAT CAR ON A DYNO!!! Chip, fuel pump, and hotwire kit focus.
You can tune these cars without putting it on a dyno. The car needs to be running normal with no problems before you start pressing the gas down.
Also on you short list a Fuel pressure gauge that goes from your fuel rail to the windshield. Without proper fuel pressure BOOM! AKA Knock retard.
Read Vortex Buicks

 

[turbo39151]

Might want to put your "general" location in your info... Lots of TR folks all over the place. Most very friendly and helpful.

Welcome to the Darkside (or maybe the lighter side- in your case. )

 

[williamsGN]

Ditch the stock airbox ! Get a 9" K&N and you'll be fine.
If you live in a warm climate, get a 160 stat, bypass the coolant lines that heat up the throttle body -pass side by the up pipe.
If you still have the tube going from the pass valve cover to the turbo, get rid of it!! Kirbanperformace.com sells a breather and a cap for the turbo side so you don't suck oil into the turbo/intercooler.
Bypass the low speed resistor for the fan, ceramic piece on the lower drivers side of the fan, just remove and connect the two wire together to run the fan on high speed when it comes on.

Take a few detailed engine pics and post, lots of people with eagle eyes on here that will catch possible issues for ya.

Enjoy

 

[eric_1984ttype]

DO NOT PUT THAT CAR ON A DYNO!!! Chip, fuel pump, and hotwire kit focus.
You can tune these cars without putting it on a dyno. The car needs to be running normal with no problems before you start pressing the gas down.
Also on you short list a Fuel pressure gauge that goes from your fuel rail to the windshield. Without proper fuel pressure BOOM! AKA Knock retard.
Read Vortex Buicks

It will have a good and safe tune before it gets put on the dyno. I'm not using the dyno to tune it. Just to get hp and tq before I start turning the boost up or any other power adding mods.

 

[eric_1984ttype]

Might want to put your "general" location in your info... Lots of TR folks all over the place. Most very friendly and helpful.

Welcome to the Darkside (or maybe the lighter side- in your case. )

I'm right outside of St. Louis on the Illinois side. Fixed my location.