New to me 86 T-Type

[kornball426]

So this is becoming a bit of a problem, I have basically a used car lot at my house now. I bought an 86 Buick T Type the other day and just dragged it home today, don't have any pics yet, but I will get some.

It needs a paint job and a "spring cleaning" but it runs okay, currently not really building any boost, the digital gauge says 10-11 psi (I doubt it) and there's a mechanical boost gauge that reads at like 4 psi tops, so it's a bit of a turd. I'm wondering what's going on, I think it's gotta be the waste gate or a bunch of massive leaks in the turbo plumbing. Also needs a headliner but I'm not worried about that.

I'm going to pull the ECU and see if it's been chipped. If not I'm going to order a new pump gas chip, order a new MAF and translator, and scanmaster. Also going to change the plugs and wires and redo all the vacuum lines which look ancient.

What else should I probably do to put some pep back into this thing?

 

[ck80]

If the waste gate rod hasn't been cut yet, cut it and make it adjustable so you can open it up.

Remove the cat and add a dump pipe in its place.

Check the exhaust manifolds for the usual cracks and get them welded up.

If it's a stock airbox dump it for a k&n cone filter.

If it's a stock bosch regulator replace it

Hot wire kit on the fuel pump, possibly upgrade it in the process

Replace nylon timing gear with a steel gear and chain set

Slight upgrade on fuel injectors, nothing too crazy

Once I did those I'd do a little ride and handling maintenance, add the gnx body bushings, make rear seat braces, add cutlass and grand prix suspension brackets for stiffening, go with the fbody sway bar, stuff like that.

Once it ran good then I'd think about more aggressive injectors paired with turbo upgrade, thumb wheel chip selector, downpipe, upgraded neck on the IC, etc etc etc.

 

[kornball426]

Oh it's already got a big open filter on it, may have a gutted cat, it's kinda loud, it has a manual open dump on it but I think it's a stock downpipe, it definitely still has the stock elbow on the turbo. It's probably already chipped because the injectors are not stock i think they're 36 or 42 lbs but I didn't check yet. If the stock turbo is no good it'll probably get a larger but still stock style replacement.

What fuel pump and hotwire kit should I go with? Was looking at the Casper's hotwire but the Racetronic one looks to be the one most people have. Not sure on the pump, walbro 340?

 

[kornball426]

Oh boy and I just found a 442 parts car to take the 8.5 out of for my Elcamino so that'll probably be in the driveway next lol.

It appears to have nice doors on it too, they might get donated to either the GN or the T-Type if they're clean. Honestly the whole car looks decent for the price, it's cheaper to buy the whole car than just a rear separate in this case.

 

[kornball426]

As promised here's a couple quick pics of the T. I have the missing headlight bezel. She's no show car but pretty solid. My fleet is in the pics including a very sad pic of my GN sitting in the weeds with about ten pounds of dried bird crap on it. ☹️

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

Walbro pump is definitely a must. I would check all the vacuum lines also and make sure everything is connected and not falling apart. Definitely looks like a good starter!

 

[kornball426]

Walbro pump is definitely a must. I would check all the vacuum lines also and make sure everything is connected and not falling apart. Definitely looks like a good starter!

Thanks, yeah it needs some work but it's all there I think. Gonna get working on it soon. The focus in the pics sticking out of my garage is just getting some work done so I can sell it, I need the room.

Anyone need a good relaible cheap daily/beater? Only 47,000 miles 2002 very nice condition, timing belt and water pump done about two years ago just due to age not mileage. 🤣