Hey guys, I'm thinking about selling my 86 na and getting a project 89 or newer Turbo 2 to work on... I just need more speed, and i know ill want more than i can ever get outta my beloved car... I figure its worth at least 1500, and I plan on spending about that or less for my TII. Understand that the TII I'm looking for isn't going to be the prettiest car,,, but I want a good engine, turbo and tranny. Is this doable?

Whats everybody's take on this


~Jesse

 

Hmm... I don't blame you for wanting to go turbo... however in order to get a GOOD Turbo II expect to spend at least $3000. You might get lucky and find one that looks bad, but has a good engine / tranny, but I believe those are few and far between. Make sure you drive a TII before deciding you want one, they ARE different cars. My TII has a totally different "feel" than my 87 N/A did.

Good luck,

 

How do the two cars feel different? I've never driven a TII, but I imagined they would just be a bit more powerful.. what else am i missing?

 

It's hard to describe... but the Turbo just feels heavier IMHO. You have turbo lag, and a heavier flywheel. For SOME reason the N/A always "felt" more tossable to me... however I KNOW that my TII handles MUCH better than my N/A ever did. Like I said... it's best just to drive one. One thing that might have made them feel different was the fact that the N/A had 150k miles on it and the TII had 21k miles on it. Still, I think you will notice the flywheel and turbo lag no matter what. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade my TII for an N/A, I'm just saying that they do feel a little bit different.

 

I had a similar feeling when I went from my GTU to the convertible. The convertible feels less tossable, but a lot more stable and planted. A lot of that could be due to the fact that the suspension on the GTU was a bit worn out and the convertible is still fresh.

 

Two weeks ago i made the choice to purchase a Turbo2. I loved (still do) my n/a...but i guess i just got greedy and wanted a turbo. ****, i've had the n/a for 2.5 years now and have been looking for a nice turbo 2 shortly after i got the n/a that long ago. buuuut, nothing ever worked out. i finally found one...went and test drove it, performed fine...bought it...and driving it home (15 hours) it turned to ****...i'm sure its just something electrical, that can be fixed...but it certainly pissed me off. it made me realize how much faith i have in my non-turbo and how its NEVER...EVER messed up or broke down.

Brian TII is right though...the turbo seems to handle a little different...it does feel heavier (it is) and not as tossable. i think it has longer sway bars so it feels like it turns a lot sharper. i haven't had the chance to take it on some windy mountain roads around here, but i'll have to and see how it compares to the n/a. as for the lag, the n/a doesn't have much torque to begin with, so once you feel the turbo spooling...the power comes on strong.

all i can say is MAKE SURE, the T2 you get is the one you want...good luck

 

Yo,



Erik, keep us updated on your Turbo II. As you know, I've got a GTUs and I'm always singing the praises of the normally aspirated rotary. I've driven a Turbo II and like you, hopefully one day I can have both. The Turbo II is still a performance bargain, but it has its turbo quirks. Give us the scoop! I hope you get yours running and it's not a big deal. The car looks cherry in the pics you posted, how much did it end up costing you? Ya gonna throw your "Volks TE37's" on it? *wink*

KS
1989 GTUs "Everything but the turbo."

 

Brian_TII,

That's why for my convertible project I want to swap in a supercharged motor & TII drivetrain. I want that HUGE NA ENGINE feel (aka more streetability or nimbleness).

Erik,

Yeah I got a decent deal for the rareness of my TII but as with your setup, I've had to restore/replace some minor failed components.

I've been putting money into rare accessories and hard to find pieces right now. Figured those were more important than replacing shocks, new paint job, etc..

Everyone,

When it comes down to it - your going to pay near the same for every TII - either in restoration work or a premium for "emaculent." I think an $8500 modded emaculent TII is a better deal than the $4000 new engine, fair body, worn interior.

 

Vaughnc-

Yeah, I love low end power, and I REALLY like the V8 feel (yeah, I know...) What is so rare about your TII? It sounds like you might have a car simliar to mine... Low miles w/ mods? I have only minor mods.

 

You sold your NA erik???? NA may not be as fast, but WAY more reliable. Ive had my T2 for 4 years and invested rediculous amounts to keep it going. Working on it yourself is the only way to go if you want to save money and have things done right. The new red car looks cherry though.......just like mine . Email if you want any help, ive rebuilt my motor myslef and do all own work nowadays.

Beware skibum, turbo cars are really fast, but really expensive to own!!!

 

hehe...nah, still have the n/a...if i get the turbo running reliable i'll have to seel the n/a for the money...but damn, i still love it...it has ALWAYS come thru for me

 

hehe, yeah i might throw the volks on...

here is a pic i photoshopped with my wheels http://www.filebox.vt.edu/users/eklemm/New%20T2.jpg

 

OK after reading this thread Im now wondering if I should trade out the drive train in my NA ad just get a T2. I was thinking a 3rd gen would be in my future but Im getting really disenchanted with the high miles and high cost of the 3rd gens out there. BUT I do love the reliability of my NA and have tossed the idea of just building a 175+hp NA motor for it and keepign it my daily driver. But like ya'll I want more speed Somaybe a T2 is the way to go and have one of each

 

1500 isn't going to buy you jack for TII's. If you find one for that there's a reason why.

Save your money for a nicer one. Free up the exhaust, upgrade the suspension and you'll never look back.

I used to have a '91 N/A - modded it. Sold it. Bought a TII. Modded it (not through) Now it's fast and corners viciously.

I like this car just as much as when I bought it 3 years ago. There's something to be said for BOOST...

 

Brian_TII,

92 model - last year they sold it (built same year as the 91).
Also just added a brand new OEM hatch cover

Everyone,

TII can be just as reliable, but will run a premium over the life of the car. Keep in mind "massive amounts of money" is not true when you stretch it over a 3-5 year period.

Example - my 1989 929 runs about $150-$200/mo in maintenance. I've had to replace a radiator, tires, shocks, restoration, 60K & 30K tuneups, etc.. over a 4 year period. Your thinking $1800-$2400 a year - that's MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF MONEY - but not over a 12 month period.

NA's engine is a bit more bulletproof and your running cheaper gas. The TII's drivetrain is MUCH more bulletproof for HP / torque mods.

I've probably invested $3600 so far in SHOP restoration & upgrades (which would have been cheaper by hand I know) on my TII. That's $350/mo for the 1st year, but that will go down next year as I'm done with major restoration. Next year I plan on shocks/springs, paint, and more stage 1 upgrades.

 

Well, seeings how i barely have the $$ to keep my na running, a turbo might be outta my league.. I'd like to get an FD anyways, but that wont be for a couple years...(guess i'll start saving
I didn't realize the turbo 7's were so expensive, even in crummy condition. I'll i really want is a good 13bt and tranny. I'll get back to modding the na then, i have an intake to put on, im looking for headers, and have a good idea for an exhaust system. I'd like to get the motor mildly ported, but i'm not about to take the motor out of the car for anything but catastrophic engine failure. Thanks for your opinions, you've basically decided the matter


~Jesse

 

Yeah i was always an N/a fan, still am actually but i needed some speed. i like the torque the turbo produces but the low end is indeed lacking. nothing new though.

I have to disagree about the reliability though i loved my n/a and it was in great condition mechanically so i just chose to go with a motor swap and haltech. and its been just as reliable. and way faster. cooler sounds also.
Jason

 

I agree with everyone, I LOVE you guys

Personally, I have never really liked turbos, because of the problems they can cause. But I surely would not mind having one in excellent condition, or building one from scratch so I know everything is done properly....

 

I don't know where everyone gets this idea that turbo cars are all unreliable. They can be very reliable, it just depends on how you treat them and how many miles are on the car.

The motor on a T2 should last 100k - 120k miles IMHO. A N/A motor should typically last 130k - 160k (once again, IMHO). The stock turbo on a T2 is very well built and typically doesn't have any major issues associated with it, and you can always get it rebuilt for ~$400. The tranny is bulletproof on the T2, the N/A tranny... well... it breaks. The electronics on both cars suck. Where people get into trouble with a T2 is that they throw a bunch of boost at the thing and don't bother to beef up their intercooler, fuel, turbo and other items. There is a REASON Mazda didn't ship the car out the door with 300hp @ the wheels and 18psi of boost. (not because of insurance either) Also Turbo cars do require spark plug changes a little more often, and frequent oil changes, but the maintenance costs are not extraordinary when compared with a N/A RX-7.

BTW- vaughpc: nice car, what all do you have done?

Take care,