What are common problems with the TR

[Ranger X]

I used to have a 5.0 that was a money pit and had to sell when my kids came along. Now that things are settlling down in my life I would like to get myself a toy again. I had always like the TR and would like to get one. I just wanted to ask what to expect when I get my TR and do some light mods. What fails the most or what's the weakest link...

1. motor, seals, turbo etc....
2. trans, will it hold up.
3. body, doors, piller cracks, etc..


I am not looking for a 10 sec car to take to the strip just a weekend car.
BTW the weakest link on my old 5.0 was the third gear, broke it many times. I miss the speed I need a fix.

 

[bsdlinux]

Gotta keep these cars in tune. Don't worry plenty of info here. Tuning will make or BREAK!! ya

These cars a fairly reliable until you get deep into the 11s.

 

[BUICKTR]

POWERMASTER (Brake System) and the fuel pump are the weak links in these cars. The Performance of these cars is awesome. You could get a stock 86/87 turbo Buick in the 12's without much work. Exhaust, chip, good tuneup, fuel pump, adj reg, scan tool, slicks. Good Luck with your car, you will have fun with it.

 

[Lee_Burough]

Good luck finding your TR....You will find some important and well considered things to look for here:http://www.gnttype.org/general/buyguide.html

 

[geno]

Trans can be a problem when you start making power
Alot of guys that race these cars have trans and headgasket failures. Most headgasket problem are self made (Over boost on pump gas) alot of times

 

[charlloots]

deffinitly the fuel pump for starters.

 

[Ranger X]

Fuel pumps

I take the fuel pumps are tank mounted not in line mounted.

What do you mean by a good tune up, is it like setting the tps?

Are the brake booster $$$$$$ ?

 

[salvageV6]

Once you do the $300 or so in parts for a new fuel pump (in tank Walbro 340 kit) and the powermaster rebuilt (Autozone Part) you should be good to go there.

Reliability depends solely on the car you buy to start with.

If you go with a 100K mile stocker look to put $2-3k aside to do the proper maintenance to it.

Could need the aforementioned stuff, as well as timing chain, valve springs, tune up stuff, possibly a turbo, and perhaps a few sensors and repairing of interior and optional equipment.

Low mileage car won't be that bad. Still need a buffer of $$$ for some 15 year old parts that may fail.

Auto. tranny can go anytime stock rebuild good for high 11's should be around $1.2K.

First things you should get are the fuel system mods. and a good scantool and perhaps some gauges.

I think they are reliable they don't normally let you down.

 

[Gr82baGN]

If your in the market for a good quality car you might want to check out www.kirbanperformance.com You can find some nice examples of the 86 or 87 TR's or GN's

 

[Ranger X]

one?

He has only one car listed. I love the TR on E bay the black one with crank windows.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1873452113

My offer would be no more than $14000

 

[Gr82baGN]

Wow, low miles and all. Plus you can't go wrong with black. I say put the bid in at 14000 and see what happens. My car was from Kirban and at the time he had 5 in house. 3 GN's and two TR's. All were in outstanding condition. I never had a problem with my GN. My only problem was the NEED for SPEED. Boost addict.

 

[xtremexnyc]

Also another common problem is the Cracked drivers side exhaust manifold. Easy fix just have it welded "correctly" and you shouldn't have this problem again.

 

[bsdlinux]

BUICKTR

OT When are you guys going out again? I haven't heard from Todd in a while

On Topic Again: You can go a lot faster in these cars for a lot less than other cars. Pretty much been covered by others, good luck on a TR purchase.

 

[bsdlinux]

Re: one?

Originally posted by Ranger X
He has only one car listed. I love the TR on E bay the black one with crank windows.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1873452113

My offer would be no more than $14000

I also own one of Dennis's old cars. The damn thing is solid as hell.
I would definitely verify that info on the car you are looking at.

 

[Ranger X]

Re: Re: one?

Originally posted by bsdlinux
I also own one of Dennis's old cars. The damn thing is solid as hell.
I would definitely verify that info on the car you are looking at.

Verify what the value or fraud of the car? Good or bad?

I had started looking at some and have found none that fits for what I am looking for yet, but that ebay TR looks nice. Its kind of a joke with some GNs big $$ for junk. There is a local GN with only 108 miles at a Buick dealer I need to call to see what they want for it. My guess is at least $25.000http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1871974267

 

[BUICKTR]

bsdlinux

Todd had some problems with his Buick, hopefully he will be back soon. I'm working on my suspension and it should be done in the next week or so.

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Another problem is a lot of other people will want your car without buying it from you. In other words, stealing it. Make sure you have a few anti theft devices installed on it. Never leave it out of your sight either. I don't know how you guys without garages sleep at night. Have read too many horror stories on this board about cars gone missing. Even Jack Cotton had his car stolen years ago while he went into Dunkin Donuts for just a minute.

 

[bsdlinux]

Re: Re: Re: one?

Originally posted by Ranger X
Verify what the value or fraud of the car? Good or bad?

I had started looking at some and have found none that fits for what I am looking for yet, but that ebay TR looks nice. Its kind of a joke with some GNs big $$ for junk. There is a local GN with only 108 miles at a Buick dealer I need to call to see what they want for it. My guess is at least $25.000http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1871974267

There is always 2 ways to go.

1. Buy a mint car with great paint, etc and go from there. You spend $$$$ especially if it is a GN. GNs just carry a bigger price tag. Don't fall for the low miles bit. Remember these cars are approaching 20 years old. Low miles could mean, dry seals and all kinds of other hidden problems, due to lack of use.

2. Buy a solid car that has been driven but taken care of. I have seen plenty of good cars go for around 7000. If you don't care if it is a GN then you can typically get more car for the money. Most people can pick out a GN but not necessarily a T-Type, ie becuase most of them are not black.

If you are patient you can pick up a good car on this board. There are plenty of good people here that sell good cars.

 

[alex]

It seems that everything is the problem on these cars. I had almoust everything to brake once sometimes even twice
Alex

 

[Paladin]

You forgot the 3rd option there, bsdlinux!

3. Buy a car that's been beaten to death and rebuild it yourself. So far I've replaced the plugs, filters, fluids, front brakes, in the spring I'll be replacing the turbo, transmission, and putting in a new set of rear struts. Once I get the new turbo in, it's going on the street for the first time in over 3 years, I've got just enough transmission left in it to get it over to Level 10 in Hamburg to that straightened out. Course, after that we've got the timing chain, valve springs, etc.. etc.. etc..

Welp, that's what I'm doing, wouldn't have it any other way! Sure, it's more expensive but in the long run I'm building my own car. I figure for the first few months or so of replacing various components, I get to see what it is like for Mustang owners...sorry, had to!

Good luck finding one, I get choked up every time I fire up the mill on mine...Fiance still don't get it. There's just something about having a car in your driveway that has "I AM GOING TO EAT YOU" written all over it.

Sam