hey man i saw your response in the "Should i get a GN or TTA" thread...i was wondering if you could help me out. I'm doing the turbo 3.8 swap into my GTA probably this winter...a buddy of mine(TTA850) will most likely be helping me out with this project. I was told in order to retain my AC i have to swap the heads...go with TTA heads(obviously)...well what if i don't want AC(which i don't...thats why i have ttop ). Would i run into any problems? i mean...whats the big difference..what it boils down to is i want mid-high 11's...easily obtained by these engines...i wanna do it for as cheap as possible(but bear no expense if needed) If i don't HAVE to swap heads i won't..to hell with AC...if u could shed any light on this subject it would be much appreciated

thanks man!!

------------------
Originating member of the SJNEP Crew
Vice President of the Jersey Fbody Crew(JFA)
Check out MyGTA Nicknamed:The Big Red Machine
***AOL IM RiceEatinGTA***
Moderator at www.transamgta.com
"What does not kill us only makes us stronger"

Tony

 

If you don't care about the A/C you can buy an A/C Delete Pulley and take care of that.

You will need to change the Vacumn block on the top of the intake over to a TTA one to use the Power Brakes, not a big deal.

The GN headers will fit with no problems but a neither a GN or TTA downpipe will work. You will need to have a custom downpipe made. Other than that its the same.

How is his Red GTA project coming? I havent talked to him in months...



------------------
-Mike
89 TTA
PT51, V4, 50s, 3DP, Stock Long Block and Convertor.....
11.25@121 w/1.56 24psi Through the Exhaust on a 16psi launch

1998 LS1 T/A 6-Speed
13.10@106 Factory Stock down to the air in the tires. 296HP/319TQ

 

i know the engine is done...last i talked to him he was ready to buy the tranny...he was still deciding on the rear...

i haven't talked to him in weeks so i don't know what is done...its should be done any week now though....

So custom downpipe...no big deal....and the vacumn block...no big deal either...

Are the TTA heads better? would it be worth it for me to spend the $$ on the TTA heads or should i keep the GN heads?

 

Hey TTA, do you know where to get a rebuild kit w/ TRW Forged pistons for the 3.8 Turbo motors. I got an 84 non turbo block, modified to take the turbo...but w/ KB-Silvolite pistons. It needs a rebuild, and I would prefer (Due to some advise) TRW forged pistons, but can't locate 'em...any help?
If you are curious...the motor will be going into....a...fiero Along w/ about a $1500-$2000 suspension buildup, and a 5 spd GetRag Transmission=street legal go-kart
thanks for any help

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Corry Lazarowitz
clazarow@voicenet.com
clazarowitz@hotmail.com
1987 Pontiac Trans AM (GTA?) 350 or is it a 305?! TPI
SLP 1 3/4" headers, 3" cat back (stock cat
MSD ignition.
MSD Blaster SS coil.
3.73 Rear end gears
Accell 8.8 Wires
Bosh +4 Spark Plugs (Don't know if they really help but hell!)
Holley AFPR
Race Built Automatic trans ('vette servo, shift kit, tightly packed clutches)--just needs titanium gears now!
Newly gutted cat (the car gutted it's own cat!)
Hypertech Chip (Just found out I had it! :eek
More soon when funds are avail...

 

Pistons are TRW L2481F, $42.39 at Summit

From there all you need is rings & bearings to make a kit. No mysteries there.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

Corry check out www.turbobuick.com or www.turbobuicks.com and look at the ad banners. I would call any of the buick vendors, they all sell that stuff. Summit work too as long as you know what your buying.

As far as the fiero project, www.turbobuicks.com has a hybird section for Buick Powered Cars, There are two people doing a Fiero now and pics of 1 that has been completed already. Check it out.

------------------
-Mike
89 TTA
PT51, V4, 50s, 3DP, Stock Long Block and Convertor.....
11.25@121 w/1.56 24psi Through the Exhaust on a 16psi launch

1998 LS1 T/A 6-Speed
13.10@106 Factory Stock down to the air in the tires. 296HP/319TQ

 

fly89gta,

I think the difference in the heads is mainly the combustion chamber size and the rocker arm design. If you buy a complete motor out of a Turbo Regal, just use the heads that come with it. TTAs and GNs use different pistons because of the head chamber volumes. I think if you run TTA heads on a GN shortblock you will end up with an altogether different compression ratio (another variable you probably don't want). Isn't that right TTA?

------------------
89 G92 Formula
87 Buick Grand National
Bunch of other stuff

 

Its debateable if the TTA head are better. If you bolt TTA heads to a GN shortblock you get 9:1 compression. Stock is 8:1 which is where you wanna be.



------------------
-Mike
89 TTA
PT51, V4, 50s, 3DP, Stock Long Block and Convertor.....
11.25@121 w/1.56 24psi Through the Exhaust on a 16psi launch

1998 LS1 T/A 6-Speed
13.10@106 Factory Stock down to the air in the tires. 296HP/319TQ

 

so i'm better off just dropping in the engine...if i change the heads i need to change the pistons...hmmm...and for what? I can't see the TTA heads being that much better than the GN heads...and if they are i'll just port the GN heads

All this talk is really getting me excited about this swap...

TTA as far as turbos go...what should i upgrade to? Like i said i want mid 11's. I was thinking like a T-60(i think thats the one) and 50-55# injectors...along iwth a chip filter trans brake and slicks...and bumping the boost and using race gas for the track could i hit 11's with all that? As far as suspension goes mine is decent...and i have a 9-bolt 3.27 rear.

Thanks!

 

You should get the car running with all the stock pieces before you start modding it.

With the Stock Turbo, Injectors, Intercooler etc etc you can get the car to run 12.0000s no problem. You should get to that point before you upgrade.

Tuning is a Big part of these cars. Its the difference between 13s and 11s. Once you get the car running good then I would go ahead and upgrade.

T60 sounds like a Turbonetics Turbo, I dont know anything about them. The Main Turbo Supplies for Buicks is Precision Turbo and Engine or PTE, If you want mid 11s then something like a TE44 or a PT51 will get you there without any problems. MSD 50s are really great Linar injectors that the Chip Gurus Have down pretty well. You can't go wrong there..

Basic Guide to a Solid low 12 setup starting from a Bone Stock Factory Motor.

Remove the Trash Screen from the Intercooler.
Block the Turbo Sucker on the turbo going to the Valve Cover.
160 Thermo
replace the Cat with a TestPipe/Dump Tube
Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regualator
Adjustable Bleeder Valve
New Valve Springs (Factory ones are DEAD at 20K miles)
Install K&N Cone filter and Solid Maf Pipe
Remove 1 Screen from the Maf
Install Thrasher 108 Racechip for Stock Injectors
Walboro 340 Fuel Pump
Wire in a Lockup Switch
Install a Scanmater to watch Sensors.

Thats basically it... Its Stupid Easy to go fast. Screw all that Install a Cam, Heads, Headers Exhaust, gears, big convertor BS...

Go to the track, Drain the car of all Pumpgas and add 5 gallons of 110 Octane.

Install Sticky Tires or use Drag Radials.

Set Fuel Pressure for 45psi, Adjust boost for 20psi.

With this setup my first pass down the track after I had the car for 8 days went 12.19@113. 2 weeks later we tuned it down to 11.82@114.88 with no extra parts than what you see above.

Just watch the Knock and 02 Values..

When you get closer Ill get more in depth..




------------------
-Mike
89 TTA
PT51, V4, 50s, 3DP, Stock Long Block and Convertor.....
11.25@121 w/1.56 24psi Through the Exhaust on a 16psi launch

1998 LS1 T/A 6-Speed
13.10@106 Factory Stock down to the air in the tires. 296HP/319TQ

 

thanks for the advice...yeah u are right...i should get an idea of what the car will run first...then start upgrading...no sense in dumping $$ into mods if i really don't need it....anything else i should look out for? also...will i be able to keep my aluminum driveshaft that goes to the 700r4? will it bolt up to the 2004r when i put it in? thanks

 

Thanks for the links...and I will definatly check out the fiero hybrid stuff, no sence in re-inventing the wheel
Corry

 

I'm planning on getting a TTA next summer. Out of curiosity....from a STOCK TTA, how much $$$ am I looking at to get it into the even high 11's. I saw above that it's not very much, but I'm clueless as to how much that stuff will cost.

 

Around $1000 bucks going from a totally stock car to 11s with all the stock parts, Turbo, Intercooler, Downpipe, injectors, convertor ect.



------------------
-Mike
89 TTA
PT51, V4, 50s, 3DP, Stock Long Block and Convertor.....
11.25@121 w/1.56 24psi Through the Exhaust on a 16psi launch

1998 LS1 T/A 6-Speed
13.10@106 Factory Stock down to the air in the tires. 296HP/319TQ

 

yeah thats about what steve put into the car to run his 11.99

 

Who do you think told steve how to do it

------------------
-Mike
89 TTA
PT51, V4, 50s, 3DP, Stock Long Block and Convertor.....
11.25@121 w/1.56 24psi Through the Exhaust on a 16psi launch

1998 LS1 T/A 6-Speed
13.10@106 Factory Stock down to the air in the tires. 296HP/319TQ

 

ooooooooooh i see....so YOU take all the credit...i see how that is...well i'll just have to ask him who should get the credit

[This message has been edited by fly89gta (edited June 24, 2001).]

 

Make sure you mention TTA89, thats my screen name. It was already take on this board.

Tell Steve I said Hi

------------------
-Mike
89 TTA
PT51, V4, 50s, 3DP, Stock Long Block and Convertor.....
11.25@121 w/1.56 24psi Through the Exhaust on a 16psi launch

1998 LS1 T/A 6-Speed
13.10@106 Factory Stock down to the air in the tires. 296HP/319TQ

 

no problem man...and thanks for all the info/advice...i'll probably start and finish this project mid-late fall