As predicted 6 cylinder turbos are not the future.

[RR Fan Dan]

I had a '89 Turbo Trans Am for 20 years.
TTA engines came with Pontiac heads, to fit under the hood, but also flowed better. Also came with factory headers, handled better, etc. Faster 0-60 and quarter mile than anything else on the market.

Bought in 1997 with 30k miles, bone stock. Took it to the track on a scorching July day and ripped a 13.4, then a 13.3, and finally a 13.1.

I raced a brand new Corvette on the street, without even trying and much to my surprise, kept my door ahead of him the entire way.
He was beyond upset.

I threw everything at it, bigger turbo, injecters, throttle body, 3" exhaust sans cat, drag radials, routed the air filter outside the engine bay, etc, etc.
All bolt on or stuff I modified.

It quickly became too fast for the 4 wheel disc brakes.

I raced a friend multiple times on his crotch rocket and a bunch of his buddies on theirs, major highway, guard rails on both sides, kept the unwanteds away.

The car was in the pack every time, never last. We were laughing so much afterwards we almost didn't realize how stupid we were. Never did anything like that again.
However, the car pegged the 140 speedo with ease, in seconds, stayed steady, so in that moment it didn't seem so stupid.

Single 3" exhaust sounded awesome, even better, running the car up close on the passenger side to the big old galvanized guardrail, that turbo would eco something fierce.

The turbo Buicks were stupid fast out the box, tore up everything around, and are still crushing it.

All from a little V6.

View attachment 1877088

What did it run after you fully modified it?

 

[matthon]

What did it run after you fully modified it?

I never took it back. The rules changed and the local track wouldn't let me run with a motorcycle helmet, which I borrowed.

They even used to let me run with an 'expired,' if that's the correct term, motorcycle helmet.

I didn't go into the engine, other than removing the aluminum block in the intake, I forget exactly what it was, but you have to machine or grind it out.

I think it's a reasonable assessment it was at least in the low 12s, on a cold night, 11s <--that number might be wishful thinking, but I would drive it on winter nights, as long as it hadn't snowed yet that year, and with the air filter outside the engine bay coupled with the intercooler, it was a different animal in the cold.

It would hook, no burning tires, put it in neutral, raise the rpms so the brakes held firm, put it in drive, bring the boost to zero, or the tire break limit if you knew, and lay into it.

My apologies, reminiscing too much.

Probably the only regret with that car.

 

[OneWheelPeel]

sometimes the reminiscing is really good tho.

 

[Triplegreen500]

All this is why I still have my 91 Daytona turbo. Nowhere near the same league as the GNX or TTA, but still plenty of memories. And, same mod streak - bigger turbo, bigger injectors, 62mm throttle body (up from stock 46mm), gasket match intake ports, 2.5" exhaust (WITH cat, to control boost creep), cold air intake, FMIC, manual boost control...and the only thing that had to be done to the long block itself was change to head studs, and use an MLS headgasket. Cast iron block, forged internals from the factory...just run it.

My Daytona is back to stock now (except the exhaust) just because of the production numbers (1 of 150 AGS cars, one of 26 with these colors), but back in the day it DID run 12s so I have no doubt the TTA was low 12s or even mid 11s with traction.

 

[Hey-O]

Yeah. They were around back in the 80’s when I cruised my Charger. I thought they sounded like crap. I’d have rather had this. My brother’s car that he drove in that era. It sounded better. Just needs a big block that bolts right in.View attachment 1877037

 

[68-500]

They could be if they built them like the Cummins 6.7 Octane. Not stick a turbo on a light gas engine.

 

[1970Bee]

I like NA V8s, but turbos flat out work. I have a new-ish Colorado with the 2.7 turbo 4. Sounds like utter crap, but can’t say I mind the 430 lb ft that come in essentially off idle.

 

[Triplegreen500]

I like NA V8s, but turbos flat out work. I have a new-ish Colorado with the 2.7 turbo 4. Sounds like utter crap, but can’t say I mind the 430 lb ft that come in essentially off idle.

Same with my 3.0 ecodiesel Grand Cherokee. 460lb ft out of a 3.0 v6 turbo. Sure, it's a diesel...but still, small displacement and force-fed.

 

[Coelacanth]

The turbo Buicks were stupid fast out the box, tore up everything around, and are still crushing it.

All from a little V6.

View attachment 1877088

Yep, I'm happy with my '86 GN. I've heard V6 'Stangs and Challengers that guys have tried to soup up, they sound like utter crap. I don't think the Buick Turbo 6's sound anything like those, they have their own unique sound and I quite like it. If I want a big block rumble, I have Grendel and her 383 Magnum, or even my 2005 Magnum RT for that sound. When I want that intimidation factor, not much beats driving a GN. Stock, they're badass. Modded, and it's anybody's guess what you're up against.

 

[68-500]

Yep, I'm happy with my '86 GN. I've heard V6 'Stangs and Challengers that guys have tried to soup up, they sound like utter crap. I don't think the Buick Turbo 6's sound anything like those, they have their own unique sound and I quite like it. If I want a big block rumble, I have Grendel and her 383 Magnum, or even my 2005 Magnum RT for that sound. When I want that intimidation factor, not much beats driving a GN. Stock, they're badass. Modded, and it's anybody's guess what you're up against.

Correct me if I’m wrong, didthe GNX and such have the odd fire V-6? If so it has most of the V-8 sound. Thats why they sound better than even fire V-6

 

[OneWheelPeel]

All this is why I still have my 91 Daytona turbo. Nowhere near the same league as the GNX or TTA, but still plenty of memories. And, same mod streak - bigger turbo, bigger injectors, 62mm throttle body (up from stock 46mm), gasket match intake ports, 2.5" exhaust (WITH cat, to control boost creep), cold air intake, FMIC, manual boost control...and the only thing that had to be done to the long block itself was change to head studs, and use an MLS headgasket. Cast iron block, forged internals from the factory...just run it.

My Daytona is back to stock now (except the exhaust) just because of the production numbers (1 of 150 AGS cars, one of 26 with these colors), but back in the day it DID run 12s so I have no doubt the TTA was low 12s or even mid 11s with traction.

Want another that isn't special as far as Production numbers to throw the go fast goodies on?

I might know a guy.

Ok its me.

 

[Photon440]

Correct me if I’m wrong, didthe GNX and such have the odd fire V-6? If so it has most of the V-8 sound. Thats why they sound better than even fire V-6

The Buick V6 started with odd fire, back in 1962, but in 1977 they changed to the split pin design to get even firing.

 

[Triplegreen500]

The turbocharger still cuisinarts the exhaust note. I don't run a muffler on either of my turbos (the Daytona or the minivan) and they're very mellow.

I DO, however, run a muffler on my Cummins with the 4" turbo-back exhaust. It's my work truck and I get home from gigs between 1am and 3am every week. I'm not that guy.

 

[Triplegreen500]

Want another that isn't special as far as Production numbers to throw the go fast goodies on?

I might know a guy.

Ok its me.

I'd be tempted, except that you're on the wrong coast.

And I'm basically broke at the moment with my duplex rebuild.

 

[OneWheelPeel]

I'd be tempted, except that you're on the wrong coast.

And I'm basically broke at the moment with my duplex rebuild.

Story of my life, let me know if things change. I have it advertised somewhere on the site, its running and driving and basically just the cost of shipping. I want it to go to a good home since being in Cali its a pain to do anything fun with it. Plus its an 84 and that year has some unique challenges.

 

[Triplegreen500]

Story of my life, let me know if things change. I have it advertised somewhere on the site, its running and driving and basically just the cost of shipping. I want it to go to a good home since being in Cali its a pain to do anything fun with it. Plus its an 84 and that year has some unique challenges.

Yea, 84 has the suck through throttle body. But, I have a half dozen 2 piece blow through intakes on the shelf...and I think I still have a conversion hat for the Garrett turbo...

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Story of my life, let me know if things change. I have it advertised somewhere on the site, it’s running and driving and basically just the cost of shipping. I want it to go to a good home since being in Cali its a pain to do anything fun with it. Plus it’s an 84 and that year has some unique challenges.

Can you post the link for the ad?

 

[matthon]

Checkout my plate. I still have it.
Second pic mimics a period Good Year magazine ad.
Third pic is a sticker that was on the a/c line, it has Trans Am 20th Anniversary on it.
I checked 2 bone stock low mileage original TTAs and neither had it.

I still have a bunch of TTA stuff.
I have the Car & Driver test, it did 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, quickest US production car, and the qt 13.4 at 101.
Mine bone stock did 0-60 in 4.3 seconds and the qt 13.1 at 104.4.
Good times, and it went to a great home. The guy took it to the next level, then took it to Indy and went around the track.

Check out the new for 1989 lineup from Pontiac!

 

[OneWheelPeel]

Can you post the link for the ad?

I guess they closed it for lack of activity but it’s still viewable.
FOR SALE - 1984 Dodge Daytona Turbo $500obo - runs and yard drives - Salinas, Ca.