Sy/Ty or GN?

[no dubs]

Ok guys i am looking for some un-biased input. Looking to get another project and would like input on which vehicle i should choose. I am looking to build a low 11 high 10 sec street car. I am also looking for reliability (considering the amount of work it will take to run low 11s). I do understand that high horsepower and reliability do not go together just looking at which vehicle is more capable of hitting that mark and staying together. Please tell me your thoughts. Thank you -Josh

 

[Red C5]

GN
But seriously I don't think you can go wrong with any of the above choices. All awesome IMO and all very capable of acheiving your goals.

Peter

 

[eric_1984ttype]

I would stick with the buick for reliability and price, but I'd love to own a sy/ty too.......Tough choice.

 

[1quick6]

I don't know much about the Sy/Ty community, but I'd vote for a Turbo Buick just because you have a wealth of information around here. This virtue alone will help you reach your goals and give you maximum return on your investment. There are a LOT of people around here running as fast or faster than your goal quite comfortably.

 

[HUMBLE-U2]

buick x2.the sy/ty will cost you more to build and are awd. if money is no object.i would build the sy/ty but remember any ride going 10,s. reliability goes out the window!

 

[Pittsburghkid]

There's a little bit more of a market for the TR's since there were alot more made so parts would be a little easier to find than the sy/ty. Also you gotta decide what you would have more fun with rwd or 4wd. The 4wd has more parts that can break but will be way easier to get to hook. I could be wrong but I believe the sy/ty 4.3 blocks and internals are stronger than the 3.8's and hold up a little better. Either way they're all some of the fastest things out there and you can't go wrong either way.

 

[notacarlo]

The 3.8 Buick mill is much more reliable than the 4.3 by what I would consider a looooong shot.

It's been around since the 70's. It also responds to modification from your wallet to a lesser extent. 11's are easily attainable. If I has a Sy/Ty I would keep it stock and drive it every day. The Buick would be my weapon of choice.

 

[it's just a six]

Buicks are going to be easier to go fast, & cost less.

My Syclone runs 12 flat . I do not have a lot into it to run this time.
The 4.3 engines really do not have any problems except when they detonate w/stock hyper pistons,they do not far well, but even when they detonate,the head gasket usually does not blow.

11s ,should be easy to run on a mild build w/different heads,like L-35's 1994-95 or the newer Vortecs 96 & newer.
The 700r4s seem to be the weak link & guys that really beat on them or make above 450 or so HP they do not hold up well. Higher HP & torque levels,,, Then people switch to the 4L80E's. All done with stock exhaust manifolds.
10,s can be done also,but need to step up the build more.
Tranfer case seems to hold up well also.

So far ,I made 386 HP & 550 ft lbs of torque on the original tranny & torque converter.

 

[no dubs]

Thank you guys for all of the advise. I have heard from a couple of friends which they each have owned both cars and both say that the 3.8 is more reliable and easier to work on. Apparently the Sy/Ty are very finiky when turning up the boost. How are the Buicks for running higher boost? Problems with lifting heads? Another thing is i have noticed that the Buicks seem to grab traction pretty well which helps them catch those bricks. Thanks -Josh

 

["Turbo-T"]

The Buicks can and do lift heads/blow head gaskets if you are running boost and go lean. With a good tune and alky you can usually run upwards of 23 psi. Some run more, some less. ARP studs can also help as well.

 

[williamsGN]

Typhoons are heavy as tanks, you won't get one of those into the tens without $$$$, and Syclones are cool except good luck holding down the rear tires :biggrin:

 

["Turbo-T"]

Syclones are cool except good luck holding down the rear tires :biggrin:

Doesn't the AWD help with rear tire spin?

I'd love to do a Sy one day, with a V8 and turbos no less.

 

[williamsGN]

Didn't know they were AWD, that trans has to be even more fun that ours At least you'll be pulled forward as the back tires go up in smoke

 

["Turbo-T"]

Yep, the Sy's and Ty's were AWD, I don't think they could have ran 13's stock out of the box if they weren't...otherwise like you said the rear tires would go up in smoke.

 

[it's just a six]

Any good running stock Syclone will run 1.8's 60 ft w/standard tires.
Rear tires dont spin anymore than the front.

I am approching 25 psi on my stock longblock w/no problems. Currently running 23-24 psi. Not really finiky @ all running higher boost when the tune is good.

 

[GNDriven]

I am not trying to bash a fellow GM production turbo vehicle, but the
turbo system is just not laid out as well as the Buick's.

Take a good look at some images found on google. The engine compartment is so compact and busy on the ty/sy.

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/at...876-gmc-syclone-trade-gn-t-type-syclone23.jpg

I have a friend that has a typhoon, and he can't stand to work on it. To me the turbo system looks as if was built to fit. The Buick's turbo system is much more fluid and makes the turns much better.

Don't kid yourself with the reliability thing, if you drive it, you will be working on it.

 

[mtocrs1]

I have had three different freinds own them. Stop light to stop on the street the sy/ty is almost unstoppable. After 60-70MPH they start to fall on their face. I think the heads are the limiting factor in stock form from what I can remember.
I have always wanted one.
The Turbo Sunbird dash in those things still kills me.

 

[it's just a six]

but the
turbo system is just not laid out as well as the Buick's.
If anything ,the GNs turbo exhaust is not layed out as good as the Sy/Ty's.
A 90 degree bend as soon as the exhaust exits the turbine wheel?
You want a straight path from the turbine wheel,or as much as possible & the Sy/Ty's are pretty good on that aspect IMO.
Take a good look at some images found on google. The engine compartment is so compact and busy on the ty/sy. It is tighthttp://www.turbobuick.com/forums/at...876-gmc-syclone-trade-gn-t-type-syclone23.jpg

I have a friend that has a typhoon, and he can't stand to work on it. To me the turbo system looks as if was built to fit. The Buick's turbo system is much more fluid and makes the turns much better. The exhaust is not good,, 90 degree bend right out of the turbo. Don't kid yourself with the reliability thing, if you drive it, you will be working on it.

There are plenty of guys that drive there Sy/Tys everyday & have racked up the miles.

I'm not putting down Regals, the rest of the plumbing on Sy/Tys is not that great,but PAS had to put the Garrett air to water intercooler in a tight engine compartment.
IIRC ,guys have used the stock intercooler & stock exhaust manifolds & have ran in the 9's
Here is a vid of a slighly modded Syclone engine w/newer 1994-1995 Vortec heads.stock exhaust manifolds, stock intercooler, a 20G turbo w/a 61 MM compressor wheel installed,very minor build.
YouTube - Syclone Typhoon Engine Dyno
Note the DP ,pretty much straight out of the turbo,,,stock DP BTW also.

 

[2QUICK2B6]

was set on buying a syclone .... looked at all the trans engine failures bought an 87 GN draged it for 5-6yrs got into the 10's before i blew a hg

 

[viperman5]

I own them both and love them both. Both have roughly the same amount of money in bolt-on performance parts. The Ty has more in it but definitely not 1.5 seconds.