Buying a Turbo Trans Am - need advice.

[TTA976]

It will break the tires loose shifting into second.

What are you using to monitor knock? What chip? If you still have the factory chip.... the timing advance is aggressive... get a new adjustable chip.

Be careful Pal. You might be knocking a touch if you are boosting at 16.5psi (factory setting) with the factory chip.

Congrats! :thumbup:

 

[8289ta]

What are you using to monitor knock? What chip? If you still have the factory chip.... the timing advance is aggressive... get a new adjustable chip.

Be careful Pal. You might be knocking a touch if you are boosting at 16.5psi (factory setting) with the factory chip.

Congrats! :thumbup:

From what I know of the car it is all stock. I do plan on getting a chip because I heard there is too much timing on the stock one, and also because the aftermarket ones allow the car to idle better. What do you use to monitor knock? I am used to Ford's setup where timing is reduced by knock sensors on the car. It was a relatively warm day and I did not detect any audible knocking. How is the chip adjustable? I am assuming it is used with a scanmaster?
At this point in time I am new to the 3.8 turbo game and I have not had a chance to mess around with the car or get accustomed to the way the car is supposed to run. I still have not had it shipped to me, as it is half way across the country and I did not want to drive it back. I should be getting it by next week.
I welcome suggestions on what I should do to make it run better. I do not want to change anything that would make it look like it is not stock.
What could be done to it to make more power but still appear stock?

 

[Quiky One]

The scanmaster you mentioned is great for monitoring knock. If you hear audible detonation you are wayyyyyy past when you should let out.

Honestly, for your goals, install a 160 thermostat, a Walbro 340 fuel pump with hotwire kit, and a chip. This will make the car run so much better and still appear stock except for the one wire for the hotwire kit.

Jason

 

[TTA976]

F How is the chip adjustable?

Turbo Tweak Chip by Eric Marshall or Commander Chip by Mike Licht allow you to +/- timing & fuel. If you plan on keeping it stock... you can leave the chip alone the way it come.

Remember, Octane is your best friend and Detonation is your arch enemy.

Definitely get the stuff mentioned above by Jason first! He is a Turbo Buick/TTA guru. ttarider

 

[TTA976]

What could be done to it to make more power but still appear stock?

Your limited because of the catalytic converter. You will not be able to run leaded race fuel. It would not be worth it to run 100 unleaded because you still have the stock injectors.

 

[RatFink]

I think you could easily go 12.50's and look stock.

Above mentioned chips and fuel enhancments. Replace your cat with a test pipe.
Get a new up pipe (easily found) (the pipe from the intcooler to the throttle body) install alcy into the new up-pipe. Get a stock appearing TA-49 turbo. This turbo can generate 19-20 psi without too much additional heat, but the alcy will work great with that. Get a K&N filter. You could easily go stealth and fast at the same time. Your gonna need some Nitto drag radials as well.
All easy stuff to do and wouldn't affect the value of the originality of the car...IMO

http://www.cottonsperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA49

 

[8289ta]

One thing I noticed when I went to check the car out - the oil pressure gauge was pegged at 80(all the way) Could this be a bad sending unit or the gauge? It never fluctuated so I doubt that it was giving a correct reading.

 

[V6TA-MI]

Easy enough to change the sending unit. Located below the oil filter available at the dealer or NAPA. get one for a 80psi gage, there is also a sending unit for 60psi gages (at the dealer anyway).

Glenn