I plan on keeping it the way it is for a while (see my other post for mods). It has around 8k on the engine and I think 3500 on the trans/convertor and turbo, so it's really fresh (all rebuilt). It has 55k origional. I just seem to hear that the hotairs are less reliable then the intercooled ones? Is this true? If so, why? TIA
How reliable are these cars?
- Thread starter blueta
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Like any vehicle it depends on how you treat it and how far you go with mods before it becomes not so streetable.
Ive found mine to be as durable as any other TR around me, and a very reliable vehicle overall. Ive got too brothers each with 86-87 models and basically nothing but intercooled versions around here. Car has suffered through plenty of KR, etc. while Ive been learning the hard way but still keeps running strong. Key is to learn about the cars and you will be fine. Keep Tuning and combination as #1 priority with these cars and they can be great whether being used as a daily driver or racer as soon as you step on it.
P.S. all turbo cars have certain precautions to be aware of (i.e. importance of oil as it is shared by both the engine and turbo).
Ive found mine to be as durable as any other TR around me, and a very reliable vehicle overall. Ive got too brothers each with 86-87 models and basically nothing but intercooled versions around here. Car has suffered through plenty of KR, etc. while Ive been learning the hard way but still keeps running strong. Key is to learn about the cars and you will be fine. Keep Tuning and combination as #1 priority with these cars and they can be great whether being used as a daily driver or racer as soon as you step on it.
P.S. all turbo cars have certain precautions to be aware of (i.e. importance of oil as it is shared by both the engine and turbo).
Hutch85
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- Aug 5, 2002
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- 4
What 6Sense said! 
My '85 has over 250,000 kilometres on it (156,000 miles), and still runs quite well. Matter of fact, I just replaced the original starter in it yesterday! I will admit that it's eaten a few alternators and batteries, but perhaps that's the heat (and the fact that they're only 94 amp alternators).
I've done a fair number of mods such as tranny, ECM, turbo, injectors, timing chain, valve springs, etc.; but I haven't taken the intake or heads off yet. I've done lots of city driving, long trips, and some degree of racing and can't complain about it.
From what I've seen, the guys that screw around with them like they're small-block Chevys are the ones that have the most problems.
HTH,
Mike
My '85 has over 250,000 kilometres on it (156,000 miles), and still runs quite well. Matter of fact, I just replaced the original starter in it yesterday! I will admit that it's eaten a few alternators and batteries, but perhaps that's the heat (and the fact that they're only 94 amp alternators).
I've done a fair number of mods such as tranny, ECM, turbo, injectors, timing chain, valve springs, etc.; but I haven't taken the intake or heads off yet. I've done lots of city driving, long trips, and some degree of racing and can't complain about it.
From what I've seen, the guys that screw around with them like they're small-block Chevys are the ones that have the most problems.
HTH,
Mike
My 2 Cents
Hey man, It really depends on how you drive it. Since you got all stock parts with stock tuebo and injectors, if you're running stock boost, you should have a very long life with it. IOn theory, a stock intercooled car and a stock hotair would have the exact same reliability simply cause they are completely stock, and the motor is exactely the same in boththe only real difference betwene the cars is the turbo, intercooler, and the design of the intake. And of course the layout is quite different. Reliability for stock cars is quite well - compares to pretty well any other well build GM machine Usually its not till you start modding them is when things you gotta worry about things breaking.. But a lot of us have had great success. My motor as well as others hasent even been opened up as yet. and after 17 years and a whole S**t load of mods, she's still pulling strong, however thats just my experience. HTH
Hey man, It really depends on how you drive it. Since you got all stock parts with stock tuebo and injectors, if you're running stock boost, you should have a very long life with it. IOn theory, a stock intercooled car and a stock hotair would have the exact same reliability simply cause they are completely stock, and the motor is exactely the same in boththe only real difference betwene the cars is the turbo, intercooler, and the design of the intake. And of course the layout is quite different. Reliability for stock cars is quite well - compares to pretty well any other well build GM machine
Usually its not till you start modding them is when things you gotta worry about things breaking.. But a lot of us have had great success. My motor as well as others hasent even been opened up as yet. and after 17 years and a whole S**t load of mods, she's still pulling strong, however thats just my experience. HTHmine is 'reliable' in a sense its never left me stranded anywhere except home 
its eaten its share of batteries (3+), alternators (5??), adjustable fuel pressure regulators (2)...
but i think thats cuz mine is a bitch and likes to make me spend money.
its eaten its share of batteries (3+), alternators (5??), adjustable fuel pressure regulators (2)...
but i think thats cuz mine is a bitch and likes to make me spend money.
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