So I leave for the navy this may, and a guy I know has a non running 88 t2. He offered to trade me my car (87 n/a gxl 200k on chassis) for his t2 and he will throw on $500. Either car will be built when I get back with a turbo engine etc. Would it be better to start on the T2 platform? Or keep my car and swap it? I already have a little bit of money into my car, and the t2 is in pretty rough shape.

 

It depends on what you want to do. The na will always have a higher potential if you build and boost it with the 6 port and higher compression. The t2 has 5 lug and better brakes from the get go.

 

Also, you wouldnt have to source additional parts for a conversion with the t2

 

the t2 would be much better to build over the n/a. yea the t2 has 4pot brakes, but it also has lsd diff, much stronger transmission and axles, different interior stuff. plus a genuine t2 would be worth more than a n/a even swapped. if the body is in good, better condition, go for it.

 

Thanks guys, my car already has 5 lug and the 4pots because it's a gxl but I won't have to source parts for it. It is in rough shape but he is going to throw $500 cash on top so I think it's fair. He wants a running car, and I want a turbo 2 project.

 

what do you mean by "rough shape"? because that really is the deal breaker, imo. if it's rust, i wouldn't. but that's just me. why isn't it running? if it spit out an apex seal, consider the engine to, more likely than not, be junk. if the turbo's never been apart, it's probably in rough shape too. so what are you left with? a beat up, rusty shell.

 

if your current body and interior are nice keep what you have
engine and transmission is cheaper then bodywork and interior.
Besides it sounds like the engine needs a rebuild anyhow- what is the attraction to this thing?

 

the body on my car is awful, interior is gone. His atleast has full interior and better body. Regardless I'm rebuilding a turbo motor whether it's from Japan or the one in his car...

 

well there is your answer, worst case scenario you will need to find another 13bt if that one is total scrap, you will already have the diff, axles, trans and drive shaft. Granted those may need repair as well, but i highly doubt the entire drive train was grenaded lol

 

the motor has like 96 psi front rotor and 98 psi rear it just won't start... So I think that it will be good

 

Probably a simple issue. If the body is in better shape and it's a complete car, I say go for it. You'll get what you want, plus you'll have a somewhat healthy block to work with and in the mean time, save up for a rebuild and do what you want with the motor. Seems like a win/win for you and the dude. Pics?

 

Take the TII, your GXL doesn't have the same diff than the TII. Everything is easyer to modify, when it already in the package. In the same way of thinking, you could start with a cleaner TII and sell your GXL. There are quite a lot of nice cars for sale, if you can wait for the right one.

 

It comes down to how attached your are to the car . I've owned 4 and robbed parts from every one of them to keep the one I've had the longest Just cause I have way to many memory's in it . It's now has been swapped with all t2 drivetrain and 5lug with t2 brakes , and turbo'd the 6port with a hx52/ haltech . If you have the time good deals come around on a lot of stuff . I got a whole 87 t2 for the drivetrain 5lug swap for 300 no title . There out there for sure . T2 yes has upgraded STOCK parts but doesn't run and sounds like is in bad shape . Yours runs right . ? This is just a opinion and in the end is up to you to decide what is worth it and what's not .