New owner checking in

Sy_Zero484

New member
Well, #484 has a new home. I've wanted one of these trucks since high school ('96). I was going to buy one from out of state, but this one popped up 20 minutes from my house. The truck is in great shape and just needed a little TLC.

I have a strong background in Turbo Buicks. I've owned two Gn's and two t-types, the quickest went 11.45 on a stock bottom end. I did a lot of research on these trucks before I decided to buy. I bought Datamaster and the cable from RPM and they showed up the night before I picked up the truck. I drove home and checked out as much as I could like hoses, fluids, etc. and then hit the road to make some logs. So after driving and logging for an hour, the truck felt good and everything seemed ok, so I got on it a little. I heard this "pop" and the truck fell on it's face. I thought "oh sh*t" I just detonated the motor. The log only showed 1.2* of retard. Then I thought head gasket....but the engine sounds fine....so I pulled over and popped the hood. No smoke, no smell, no noise. The IC hoses were tight and I didn't hear anything weird. So I head to the house, and everything sounds okay but the truck won't make boost. It turns out that a big peice of the intake tube chipped off and destroyed the turbo.

So, 12 hours after owning the truck I was bolting on a new turbo :) I found a brand new stock turbo and lines for $800. You guys weren't kidding when you said to invest in good jack stands :rotf:

I'm two weeks into this and about 90% done with the maintenance. Vac lines are done, turbo, all the fluids, heater core, new oil lines and power sterring lines, cap/rotor/plugs..... Next up is the engine tie down, propshaft loop, and IC line upgrade. When that's done I'll head to PRP and see how it runs.

I'm from Greensburg PA not too far outside of Pittsburgh. I'm a certified welder and I do alot of TIG at home. I'm always working on something, so let me know if you need anything welded. I ran into a white Ty the other day and it turns out he lives just down the road from me. I saw a Sy at the Irwin car show but didn't get a chance to talk to him.

Thanks for having a great community.....I know I would be lost without the information that's on here. And thanks to SY0237 for helping me out.....
Matt
 

Daron

Active member
Re: New owner checking in

Welcome.
Sounds like that truck got a good home. Post pictures up when you get a chance.
 

TY0618

Member
Re: New owner checking in

Congrats and welcome to the SYTY community! Glad to see another welder here! I'm CWB certified!
 

Baythan

SY2TY2SY2TY
Re: New owner checking in

Welcome. Lots of us in PA. Southeast representin' here. :cheers:

Also from a Turbo Regal background. :tup:
 

SY-1193

Active member
Re: New owner checking in

Welcome to the pain....
Sounds like you have it well in hand.
Your wallet will always be light owning a SY/TY.

Look up Aeroking he is in your neck of the woods I think.
 

Sy_Zero484

New member
Re: New owner checking in

Thanks all! I finally took some pics. I had the truck all cleaned up last weekend for a car cruise, but I forgot the damn camera.....so she's a little dirty in these.

syclone017.jpg

syclone018.jpg

syclone020.jpg

syclone019.jpg


I made the engine tie-down yesterday..
syclone016.jpg


and the blown hairdryer.....
syclone001.jpg

syclone002.jpg



I have enough parts to make a few more tie-downs if any one needs one. So are there any PA get togethers?
 

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: New owner checking in

wow that turbo looks horrible.

We held a couple of Pittsburgh meets, but haven't really discussed having another one recently. We more recently had some wrenchfests in Williamsport, PA...and even got some Pittsburgh attendees at that.

Thats about all that goes on for organized meets in PA that i know of.
 

Sy_Zero484

New member
Re: New owner checking in

wow that turbo looks horrible.

We held a couple of Pittsburgh meets, but haven't really discussed having another one recently. We more recently had some wrenchfests in Williamsport, PA...and even got some Pittsburgh attendees at that.

Thats about all that goes on for organized meets in PA that i know of.

Yes it does, but it did a good job of breaking up the plastic enough to not damage the IC. I did a leak/pressure test on it while I waited for the turbo to get here. I washed out some compressor blade peices, but no damage to the core at all. That would have been bad :(

I debated on doing this....
syclone005.jpg


It's a TA49 from my GN, good for high 11's. But there's too much BS involved in welding cast iron (correctly) to put a T3 flange on it. Not to mention the Sy isn't ready for that kind of upgrade yet.


Thanks for the info on the PA meets. I'll keep an eye out for Pittsburgh meets....hell, I would be happy to host a cookout/meet, but I can only fit 8 in my driveway. I'd be up for a central PA meet depending on my schedule. I'm usually busy on weekends with other activities.
 

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: New owner checking in

good for high 11's

you'll quickly learn that there is not such things as "good for ____" w/ syty. They all react differently to mods...no 2 are truely the same. You can buy/make an adapter rather than welding a t3 flange onto the exhaust housing.
 

Sy_Zero484

New member
Re: New owner checking in

Gotcha. I was more or less referring to the CFM flow of the turbo, not necessarily that it would make a Sy run high 11's;)

I've never seen a 3 bolt GN to T3 adapter...where could I find such a beast? That could make for more options down the road since I have some GN turbos handy.
 

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: New owner checking in

ATR used to include them in their turbo package...a quick google search netted 0 results for anything of the like to purchase. guess you'll have to make it :)
 

Sy_Zero484

New member
Re: New owner checking in

ATR used to include them in their turbo package...a quick google search netted 0 results for anything of the like to purchase. guess you'll have to make it :)

Good thing I'm a manager at a specialized CNC company! I'll most likely just buy a new turbo though:D

I can't believe no one noticed the .45 brass under the truck.......;)
 

alwayscode390

pppssssshhhhhtttttttttttt
Re: New owner checking in

I definately would have replaced the turbo with an upgraded unit ;) ... then you could have eliminated the crossover tube ( or did you do that anyway? )

WELCOME :) ... I have a TTA so we are cousins so to speak .... plus our trucks are only 28 numbers apart !!! ---
 

Sy_Zero484

New member
Re: New owner checking in

I definately would have replaced the turbo with an upgraded unit ;) ... then you could have eliminated the crossover tube ( or did you do that anyway? )

WELCOME :) ... I have a TTA so we are cousins so to speak .... plus our trucks are only 28 numbers apart !!! ---

I REALLY thought about it, but I didn't have enough info to make a good decision. I almost bought the RPM Stage 1, then I looked at a bolt on 20g...but I'm not ready to start burning my own chips and the fuel system is stock other than the Walbro and hotwire. My plan for (way) down the road is a DBB Garrett unit because I'm familiar with them. Right now I want to get the stock truck running as good as possible, and learn along the way. The truck is running really good after the "tune up", but I wouldn't think of pushing it beyond the limits of the stock turbo until the engine is overhauled.

As far as the crossover tube....I'm stuck between keeping the truck mostly stock or major modifications. I don't want the battery in the bed, so I may go with a mini battery and weld up an aluminum intake from there. Either way, it will be changed. For now, I applied the tin snip tool to the brittle plastic and removed it, so it's good for now but I know it won't last long.

Nice on the TTA! I've seen two and had a ride in one. Post up some links to vids or pics, I'd love to see it! I always thought a '98+ with a single or twin turbo V6 would be a dream car.
 

SY2932

Administrator
Re: New owner checking in

Welcome to the "cult" :lol:! Sharp looking truck :cool:! I'm just west of the border but I like to defect east as often as I can. Sounds like we are gonna have to have a mini meet sometime in the near future...
 

Sy_Zero484

New member
Re: New owner checking in

Welcome to the "cult" :lol:! Sharp looking truck :cool:! I'm just west of the border but I like to defect east as often as I can. Sounds like we are gonna have to have a mini meet sometime in the near future...

Thanks. How far west of the border? My fiance' is from St Clairsville, OH and we travel to Zanesville for a few shooting matches.

Does Canfield still hold the Hot Rod Super Nationals? That show was unreal.
 
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