Neglected GT Turbo

84 GT Turbo

New Member
Jun 12, 2004
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Washington
I picked up an 84 GT Turbo that was sitting for over 11 years. The fuel system was completely fried and the paint is rusty. I am planning on rebuilding the whole engine. I've already replaced pretty much the entire fuel system. I'm planning on pulling the engine soon for rebuilding. I was wondering what all I should do to the engine while I have it out that is fairly cheap.
I also know that the later SVO's have much more stock power than mine has and I was also wondering if anyone knows what the differences in the engines are.
 
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84 GT Turbo said:
I picked up an 84 GT Turbo that was sitting for over 11 years. The fuel system was completely fried and the paint is rusty. I am planning on rebuilding the whole engine. I've already replaced pretty much the entire fuel system. I'm planning on pulling the engine soon for rebuilding. I was wondering what all I should do to the engine while I have it out that is fairly cheap.
I also know that the later SVO's have much more stock power than mine has and I was also wondering if anyone knows what the differences in the engines are.
hey man thats a good find definately. I guess that engine is basically the same as the 83-86 TC and the merkurs.
Honestly I wouldn't mess with that old car especially if its been sitting that long. However, its your lucky day because I'm in the market for a turbo GT so I'll come get it. :nice:
 
The increased HP has to do with the timing/fuel maps in the ECU, boost level, intercooler, and air meter...all external bits. Internally they are identical. Personally I wouldn't even pull the engine, just tune it up and make some serious power with it as is.

Stinger
 
I need to pull the engine because it's been sitting so long. When I tried to start it, exhaust started coming out of the air cleaner and the gas that was in it smelled like varnish so I know that the cylinders are probably pretty nasty. Also, the exhaust manifold was cracked so I scored an SVO one that had never been used for 80 bucks. I was thinking about getting everything ported while I had the engine out. After I get it running, I was thinking about switching out the 30# injectors for 35#, getting an LA3 computer, the Tbird TC Vane Air Meter, and finding a good intercooler probably out of a volvo.
Sorry, I've been waiting to long to get this car running to part with it 351 :)
 
considering the length of time you say it sat it actually looks to be in really good and mostly clean condition. I'd focus on getting it running before pulling it to do work. Once it's running good as-is THEN pull it to build it, why work with more gremlins than you have to?

You said you replaced the entire fuel system? but you said the gas smelled like varnish? you didn't replace the gas? Swap the gas, pull the plugs for the night and replace the plugs with new ones the next day before trying to start it again and see what happens that time.
 
I actually have all four of those rims, the tires are completely worn down from the first owner. The reason why that ones on the front is because the person I got it from started to replace the brake pads, got half way through, and just left the pads right in front of that tire. When we towed it out, the pad slashed up the tire.
To answer Stackz's question, I did get rid of all of the bad gas before replacing any parts of the fuel system and put good gas in. I also tried new spark plugs.
 
Hang on to the 84GT. I picked up a 86 SVO in Dallas last weekend for a measly 1500 bucks. Owner said it was locked up. Trailered it back to Houston and found the starter fried, and no boost control!!!! Put starter on, car started right up. Got a blown head gasket (big deal). Now I got a numbers matching SVO complete except for the Bi-wing on the back, which I have found already. That bad boy stayin' in my garage now!!!
 
i was just given a 84 turbo GT and it has a full set of those TRX wheels but i need a GOOD pic of the engine mainly the intake from the front and i need a fuel pump the high press one lookin for a used one just to see how it runs and see how that T5 shifts any one got a pump they will sell?? thanks [email protected]
 
They are cool!

My next big project is an 84 Gt Turbo vert that I picked up for 400.00.
Previous owner put a carbed pinto motor in it and never got it running.
I bought an 86 Turbo-coupe for the motor but liked it too much to part. Then I found an 87 that was robbed of the manifolds and turbo but still had the block and heads and other parts. Then I bought the manifolds and 3 turbos,
then an 85 Turbo coupe was found for 200.00. These cars get in your blood and can be fun.
Search for TRX wheels can be fruitful as they often were changed for more standard size wheels.
Best of luck and enjoy!
Bruce