I have an 87 GXL and I was wondering if it would be worth it to save up and get a turbo II with enough left to add on stuff, or if I could just mod. my N/A. I am still in school, so I would get a job over the summer and save up enough money for the turbo. Would it make sense to keep the N/A stock, and save up for the turbo, or just mod. the N/A? Oh, I want it ot be pretty fast, and still handle good.

 

Get a TII. Trying to make an NA as fast as a TII costs a lot of money and the TII still has more potential.

 

if you want speed get the T2 but it wont be as reliable as the NA. T2s tend to have a few more problems so it all depends if you need a reliable car or not

 

If you are still in school and dont have that big of a budget , just keep the N/A and mod it as you can. Yes the Turbo2 has the potential to be silly fast, but it comes at a price.

 

Ok...I dont own a turbo so I am asking to kinda shed some light on things. Everytime someone asks about modding a n/a to turbo the responses are the same. Its easy to start with the Turbo II. So how much per month and per year does the typical Turbo II owner spend to keep his seven alive?? If its unmodded is it still hard to maintain?


Eventually I would like to step up to an FD once my career can officially pay for it. I am definitely a little weary with the turbo owners responses about reliability.

 

I say keep the NA while in school and mod it as you can
just as Rxmfn7 said. also where in fl are ya?

 

yeah...cause an fd will be cheaper to repair and maintain...lol. Tell that to the mazda warrantee people that took it up the...well you know.

NA or TII maintenance costs will vary depending on the condition of the car and what you can do yourself as well as availability of parts/supplies.

TIIs are more complicated and have more things to break. Boost hurts motors more. NAs are more reliable as daily drivers only because there is less power in motor to put a strain on it and the drivetrain and etc. More power equals more wear and tear. But TIIs are fast and fun when they are working. Be warned...boost is a drug...pretty soon 6-8 psi wont be enough to get your fix. Youll want more...and more....and more....

If you want a suggestion, get what you can afford as a second car. As a daily driver....get something else or at least a good condition NA until you can afford to or know how to do easy to medium level repairs by yourself.

 

If you want a 3rd gen man just keep the NA. Save up for that 3rd gen now. Because there is one unavoidable fact....those 3rd gens aint getting any younger.

James

 

Keep it simple. Your N/A is a great car. TIIs are not that expensive, so I don't think it is worth modding your car. Buy a TII when you have lots of money to BURN....literally....

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bebesito21
[B]yeah...cause an fd will be cheaper to repair and maintain...lol. Tell that to the mazda warrantee people that took it up the...well you know.

Never said an FD would be cheaper, I just love that body style and would be more willing to accept the wallet syndrome. =)

See ya in Tampa at the next mrccfl meeting??

 

I tend to disagree with that.. ask skold what happened 3/4 times we raced saturday night on 270.. just ask what my N/A did to his T2 from a 70mph roll.. all i have is a cold air intake, bonez race pipe, and a stock S5 T2 catback.. and his T2 has a cold air intake and a catback..
Dave

 

I agree it takes around $500 or so to make an n/a as quick as a T2 in stock form.. Once you start modding the Turbo though it just gets pointless to try and keep up in the n/a...

Be happy with what you got is what I say! If you want to go faster save up for something faster, if you want something reliable(er) then stick with the n/a..

 

whats the matter with the N/A? why does it HAVE to be modded? its reliable - and still silly fun to drive.. id just keep it!

though my experience, get a reliable car, and THEN get a car you want to make really really fast..

that way you can always fall back on the reliability.. seriously its much better that way man

 

Ill be at bradenton...hopefully club 1320 next friday. But im not in mrccfl. i dont know them

 

Then that T2 driver does not know how to drive. Besides, racing on a highway is not always an accurate test of power. Of course, I assume you already knew that.

 

TII

 

I mean my god a tii rocks at 70...that is just the begining of the meaty 3rd gear.....2nd redlines around 60...and in come 3rd gear *drool*

James

 

mmmmmmmm yummy

 

Why yes....

3rd gear

A TII delight

James

 

hey you can always get a TII and leave the boost at factory levels. This way you've got a turbo with the sweet sensations of 3rd gear boost, and a reliable car provided you do all the maintainence.

 

Just thought I'd add. Trying to find a TII in great condition could be a major hurdle as they are (S5) 12-14 years old. I don't see any added expenses unless the car is driven at the max all the time. I purchased mine new (May '89) and with 155,000 miles, just replaced engine, clutch assembly (first one), rebuilt trans (2nd time), brakes (3rd set). Up to that time no $$$$ except for normal maintenance items. Still has original mufflers, suspension,accesories, etc. Hard to believe it is only on 2nd battery.

 

i'm over by Clearwater, in a town called Safety Harbor

 

Words to live by.

 

if you're in college keep the NA until you have the $$ to convert. In the meantime mod your NA with things that will apply to the turbo car in the future...I'd suggest a racepipe/midpipe/catback, intake, wired 6 ports, pulleys, nice clutch (ACT, centerforce, exedy etc...) and an aluminum flywheel. On a motor w/ healthy compression an NA w/ those mods should lay down around 150 hp vs. 120 stock. When you can afford a TII motor swap you can keep most of your parts you modded your NA with (including the driveline, clutch and flywheel).

 

man 120 stock?
i know thats prolly right
but it feels SO much more than that....