Getting into a 86' Turbo II
 

Whats up guys, let me just preface this thread by saying this. My knowledge of these cars is very limited. In laymans terms ive been a bmw fanboy my whole life. I Sold my 335i today, and im going to look at an 86 Turbo II. Here is the post on craigslist.https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/ct...315275655.html

Now, here are my questions.
Is this worthy of the purchase? I talked him down to $7,000
What would I have to do in order to make it the 600hp it was built to handle?
Overall thoughts on the car.

Thanks guys, any feed back on the car is appreciated. Have a good one.

I don't have a Turbo, so I only speak from reading many many build threads. Someone else with more experience will probably chime in.

You will need a bigger turbo, a front or v-mount intercooler (and a larger one at that), and you will probably have to lose the RTek and SAFC for a standalone EMS. It doesn't mention an upgraded Fuel Pressure Regulator, so that might warrant further inspection. That is, if you actually want 600hp. If you want a lesser power figure, you can probably get away with the RTek and the stock turbo. Intercooler upgrade is probably required regardless.

The ad is suspiciously quiet regarding the exhaust, but if that is still stock it has to be upgraded. It looks like at least the mufflers are different in the picture, but it might just be a catback. Also, the radiator is stock in that photo, which means it is a 2 row copper rad with plastic end tanks which are just waiting to fail at the worst moment. Replace it with an all aluminum rad. And apparently the sunroof has blisters from rust, so figure easily a few hundred for the repairs (unless you do it yourself).

So all in all, you will need quite a bit of invested money and time to get 600hp if that is what you want.

As for the price, that depends largely on the cost and availability of similar T2s in your area. I can't comment at all on that.

what he said, sounds like a grenade waiting to blow with the stock computer depending on what boost he is running. it still needs a bit of work if you believe or are expecting what he wrote.


my engine is prepped for 1400+whp, does it have it? no. the TII drivetrain, although stout can't take it either. looks like the typical craigslist BS.

i also wonder if it's swapped or a typo, because i don't actually recall USDM cars having a turbo option in 1986, they came out in 1987. there's lots of info missing from that ad.

I forgot to mention, in the picture it looks like an NA hood cut for the Top Mount IC, not a stock T2 hood. It is probably swapped.

Which means if he still has the NA driveline, adding power may destroy it quickly.

And I think you're correct, I'm pretty sure only JDM cars had turbo in 1986.

Yup, USDM didn’t get the turbo models until 87, so if its a 86, its been swapped, that alone i would walk away from honestly

there was a turbo in 1986, it was late, so its a bit rare but the early ones have "GT" badges instead of the Turbo II badges

Ahhh, did not know that

i didn't either, because it's probably like a unicorn and doesn't exist, i've seen tens of thousands of FCs and haven't ever seen one but i have seen one of the rare late S5 GTUs. but i highly doubt this is one, since it has an n/a hood and wreaks of a swap. i thought the "GT" was a canadian car, perhaps one made it into the US and that is how the myth came about.

I'd pass. You can probably find a better deal for a car and fly to get it. Maroon interior is also horrible if it's faded.

THIS, i have maroon interior and loath it, its not really faded, just fugly

This proves that drug abuse was rampant in the 80's!..lol!

for 500 whp, big turbo, megasquirt, big fmic, 3" exhaust minimum.

"Snort!" (twitch) "This maroon interior kicks ass!"