I need advice

The Devils Own Chariot

The Devils Own Chariot

Active member
Hey guys my name is Keith. Im from MN. I am purchasing a 1991 GMC syclone with 37k miles on it. I just have a few questions for every one. The truck currently runs under powered and I was not impressed by the test drive. It was owned by a doctor and has been sitting in storage for a year or two. It is completely stock. There is a knocking in the rear of the engine when its cold but goes away when it warms up. Could this be a fowl plug? I think the truck needs plugs, wires, cap and rotor, new gas, and maybe a new fuel filter. There should not be much wrong with it if it only has 37k miles. From what I have heard from other owners is that the sy/ty engines are fussy when it comes to boost and have a tendency to detonate. I would like to run 20 psi. I was thinking about running race gas most of the time. Others suggested methanol injection. Also how do the transmissions hold up? I was also wondering if there is a AWD dyno that any one in MN/WI knows of. Any comments and recommendations would be appreciated.
 
Baythan

Baythan

SY2TY2SY2TY
Re: I need advice

WELCOME! :tup:

I'm sure you're gonna get a lot of good advice with the questions you ask. Remember, it may only have 37k, but it's still 15 years old. Things can wear from time alone.

Yes, a complete tune up, if not performed recently, is a MUST. Replace all the vaccuum lines too.

Is it a knocking...or a ticking? The injectors are notoriously loud.

Don't think you're gonna need race gas...but I'll let the experts respond to fuel and psi questions. The trannies are crap...and a crap shoot. Some last, most don't.

Remember to use the "search" feature on this site...any questions you can think of prolly have been asked a dozen times...it's all here...so read read read. And good luck!
 
dgoodhue

dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: I need advice

I hope the truck is priced appropriately due to the lack of performance. A 37K mile truck would have poor performance if it had the original ignition parts. Since it has poor performance, definately check #2 on this list

http://www.syty.org/old/buyers.html

As for the knock, sometime the injectors are loud, but they do not sound like a bearing rap. I would double check that.
 
gjp

gjp

another post whore
Re: I need advice

If it did not impress you then something is wrong. My father-in-law almost crapped his pants when I gave him a ride last night. Oh..and he drives a 2000 corvette. Stock you should be in the mid to low 13's on a decent tune. Check local shops for awd dyno's. I found a local one by checking a wrx website. 20psi will be hard with the stock turbo. I can get 18psi out of mine but thats pushing it. You will need some mods to get 20psi. If you have access to 93 oct that should be good. Living in california I mix 100 with 91. Last night I put a full tank of 100 and on 18psi my truck was kicking ass. Knock is a big issue with these trucks. Get a datamaster soon. By tuning you should be able to dial out most of the Knock. On 91 I still see 1-3*. On 100 its all but gone. (on 14psi almost no KR on 91oct) Simple things would be to change oil,fuel filter,cap rotor,plugs, wires, vacuum lines, check the purple starter wire and check battery. Also would do a adjustable fuel pressure regulator and add an aftermarket boost guage. . Hardwire the Ic pump. Change the gas. Bad gas will cause heavy knock. Welcome and Yes these trucks are fun but the fun comes with a price.... enjoy. I do.
 
The Devils Own Chariot

The Devils Own Chariot

Active member
Re: I need advice

Thank you all for your help and replies. The dealership now has done the work I requested and Im going to test drive it again on Monday. I hope its what Im looking for. If you guys could just through a price out there what you think a 100% stock syclone with 37k miles is worth. They are asking $13k right now. I was thinking more like $11k.....
I am also not familiar with a "datamaster." I was also wondering if there is any one that knows were a good program for a laptop to tune sy/tys can be purchased.
What are guys doing when the 700R4 transmission goes out?
 
JSM

JSM

Active member
Re: I need advice

Rookie said:
Thank you all for your help and replies. The dealership now has done the work I requested and Im going to test drive it again on Monday. I hope its what Im looking for. If you guys could just through a price out there what you think a 100% stock syclone with 37k miles is worth. They are asking $13k right now. I was thinking more like $11k.....
I am also not familiar with a "datamaster." I was also wondering if there is any one that knows were a good program for a laptop to tune sy/tys can be purchased.
What are guys doing when the 700R4 transmission goes out?
Click to expand...

If the dealer worked on it your fuked even more. Never seen a dealer yet know what the hell they were doing on these trucks.

Time to get dirty and learn how to work on the truck yourself, while you still have the original motor.
 
gkrcr882

gkrcr882

SyTyless......for now!
Re: I need advice

Datamaster is a laptop program, you can buy the link cables from members on the board. If and when the tranny goes, there are some very reputible builders on this site. As previously mentioned, stay as far away from a dealer as possible with these trucks:2cents:
 
The Devils Own Chariot

The Devils Own Chariot

Active member
Re: I need advice

LOL yeah I know what you mean about dealerships. I just told them to put in new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and new gas. I think they should be able to handle that. I will keep you posted about how the second test drive goes. If it still runs bad I just might make a low ball offer. I think I could repace a few things to make it run better.
 
Don W.

Don W.

Stab it and steer it
Re: I need advice

IMHO, without hearing the noise, a knock when cold that goes away when warm is often piston related.
2cents.gif
When you start the engine cold can you "control" the knock with some throttle? In other words does the knock change when you bump the throttle? Darn, so much depends on the way it sounds. You might cut the filter and check for metal. Not always a good idea but you could also try shorting one plug at a time to see if it goes away. If you do this by pulling a wire then stick an old plug in it so it has a path to ground. again my
2cents.gif
 
The Devils Own Chariot

The Devils Own Chariot

Active member
Re: I need advice

When I popped the hood to listen to the knock I did play with the throttle. The knocking went away with a few RPMs but then came back when it settled to idol.
 
Timbo

Timbo

SyTy Stalker
Re: I need advice

Rookie said:
LOL yeah I know what you mean about dealerships. I just told them to put in new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and new gas. I think they should be able to handle that.
Click to expand...
If they use the correct plugs. These trucks are very picky when it comes to spark plugs and other ignition parts.

And on the value, I think $13k is reasonable for a stock Syclone with under 40k miles, assuming nothing's wrong with the body/paint or interior. If you can get it for $11k, even better.
 
bezerk

bezerk

New member
Re: I need advice

Rookie said:
My god! I purchased the syclone today 38k miles for $12,500 but they offered a 5 year 100,000 mile warranty with it. All engine and drive train componets included. He he he.... :D
www.autosave.com
Click to expand...

tell us what they say after they rebuilded your transmission for the 5th time:rotf:
 
QUICK STORM

QUICK STORM

B.A.M.F. BMW Tech
Re: I need advice

warrantys are a waste of time with these trucks. had one on my first ty and never used it, cost me an extra 1500 too. great find and price. you will definately have fun with the truck. i would install a walbro fuel pump as well along with the other stuff we suggested.
 
unluckyty

unluckyty

Member
Re: I need advice

I posted this in Raymont's thread on Turbo Dodge,
Warranty, good ideal . The owner I purchased my Ty from, bought an aftermarket warranty that transfered to me for $50. They paid out almost $13k in repairs on the truck between his ownership and mine.

When I had warranty work done, I was able to use this board, with its vaste knowledge, to make sure things were done as correctly as possible. The shop that did the majority of my work, was very cooperative. I was able to go into the shop area, and worked with one mechanic.

Hopefully autosave will be as easy to work with if, you have a claim as mine was (National warranty)



Greg
 
The Devils Own Chariot

The Devils Own Chariot

Active member
Re: I need advice

Yeah I found out today in order to get the warranty the vehicle needs to be in it stock form. Im not really sure how picky they might get. What company is your aftermarket warranty through? Maybe I should look into that?
 
unluckyty

unluckyty

Member
Re: I need advice

Looks like the same company mine was through. My warranty ended in 2002. The $13K spent on my Ty probably helped put them into bankruptcy. Too bad they were pretty easy to work with.
I looked over the paperwork ,previous owner purchased warranty with, he had added coverage for turbocharger,4x4, and seals and gaskets.

My truck was stock when the warranty work was done.

Greg
 
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