Opinion

[70Firebird/TTA]

Not my intention to bag on anybody here...but from some of the stuff I occasionally read...I really have to laugh. I have been reading some really strange opinions concerning the comparison of GNs, TTAs, GNX to modern performance stuff. There was one post were a TTA owner was being rediculed for believing that his Turbo Buick could stand up to a new Ford Lightning...as if somehow he was shooting for the stars.


Obviously the Na Sayer doesn't know about the Turbo Buick 3.8 or how to work on this technology... Part of the Buick Turbo 3.8 "mystique" is the FACT that these motor run crazy numbers with rediculously simple mods. Unfortunately not every Turbo Buick owner knows how to fine tune his car...I would blame the owner for this...not the car. The statement encouraging the Lightning owner to go pick on a TTA almost had me falling out of my chair First off,,,how many TTAs do you see on a regular basis??? Not many. 2nd how many Turbo Buick's out there are in "stock" config?

Am I impressed that
back in 87 Buick GNs ran 14.0-13.9, TTAs---13.5, GNX---13.4 Certainly...after all the cars are going on 16 years old. Esp
considering a 89 Testorossa (@ $130,000) was running similiar numbers with a TTA.

Do I expect (witness) better stocker numbers with moder rubber and a $30 chip.... Yes

Am I impressed that some 15 + years later that cars are displaying impressive numbers...... NO I would suspect technology to make improvements in 16 years.

Am I impressed that for roughly $500 in mods...a 87 GN can take out a Lightning on the 1/4---- NO Of course $500 if you do the work yourself... $1500 if you pay a mechanic $100/hr to do it.

 

[Joe 1320]

Makes perfect sense to me.

 

[Little6pack]

Originally posted by 70Firebird/TTA

Unfortunately not every Turbo Buick owner knows how to fine tune his car...

I be one of those who can't tune these cars.

Originally posted by 70Firebird/TTA

how many Turbo Buick's out there are in "stock" config?

I see lots around problem is you can't chase them all down just to find out what mods they have or don't have.

 

[GNSCOTT]

I agree with most of what you say, and i think all GN tests were done with the stock skinny tires and driven by alot of guys who do not know how to launch a turbo car back in 85, but stock for stock, the lightning is a little quicker, maybe even 1/2 second quicker, and would prolly be the same difference between a GN and say a 5.0 or 350 IROC of the same year and remember, you can add a chip and pulley to a lightning for under $500 too, its the forced air that allows you to easily mod the car, any NA motor to get any real HP gains needs to be opened up and cam and heads installed unless you just spend your $500 on a bottle.