Need advice on choosing Typhoon

[fatecrush]

I hope I'm posting in the right room. I stumbled upon your forum, and am impressed by the few posts I have read, maybe I can get a little advice.

I have torn myself between the 2 greats in my opinion, a Typhoon, or a Grand National. As I have a family these are my 2 best bets (still need some cargo room ya know?)

I seem more firmly planted on the idea of a Ty. I have driven both vehicles and really liked the control and stability of the AWD on the Ty over the RWD on the GN.

That being said I wonder about endurance. I know you can pound a GN, she'll rip most other non-exotics off the road with little modification. The same is true for the Ty, but the GN has proven to be (from what Ive seen) very reliable as a daily driver. The cost of maintenance and repair is quite low. How do the Ty's compare?

I read here that a few people had prolems after hard driving, that the Sy/Ty would just shut down. Is that a common problem??

Just FYI, I come from a background of streetracing modified V8 F-Bodies, so I know the basic do's and don'ts, I also understand that if I choose to drive the vehicle as it was designed, i have to spend money for maintenance. i just want to know if is too high maintenance.

Any particular things i should really look for as a deciding factor in purchasing a Typhoon?

I know it's a lot of questions, forgive my "newbie-ness", but i believe in making a very well informed decision on the matter.

Thanks in advance!

 

[SeattleSy#1255]

the syty is NOT a reliable care IMO...compared to others that is. To look for ignition problems, trannys go on 50% of them I'd say, propshafts bust with hard launching over time and a few other things...

probably the biggest spender in terms of possible problems assuming your motor doesn't blow (not that common) is the trans. destructing...but maybe i'm saying that cause mine is toast as we speak?

Like most other cars it depends on how you drive it and your maintance of it. Sounds like you are mechaniclly inclined which takes away half the problem right there. So i think you would be happy with a ty over a GN because of your family status.

Problem with sytys from my experience is that people don't know shit about them. Simple things such as using the right damn plugs, good wires, etc. go a long way IMO with these trucks as they seem to be pretty picky with what works for them.

bottom line- if you dont' thrash on it all the time, use good mobile 1 oil, correct plugs and small things like that along with your ability to do shit yourself = a fun truck that WILL require some work, but nothing that is terrible if you take good care of it.

The thing about just simply shutting down and not working I have never heard of that :roll: ..why the hell would that happen unless someone was an idiot with the truck.

Good luck, your stumble upon this board is a good thing...no other forums out there and all the gurus are here from time to time...wish ya luck and hope ya get on board with us.

here is some links for ya...the basics:

http://www.sportmachines.com/
http://www.sytyauthority.net/
http://www.sytyarchives.com/
http://www.syty.org/

happy reading!

 

[jtz]

SyTy=best bang for the buck!

after you have a launch in one you will be hooked for life... :lol:

 

[TurboManiacal]

the syty is NOT a reliable care IMO...compared to others that is. To look for ignition problems, trannys go on 50% of them I'd say, propshafts bust with hard launching over time and a few other things...

probably the biggest spender in terms of possible problems assuming your motor doesn't blow (not that common) is the trans. destructing...but maybe i'm saying that cause mine is toast as we speak?

Like most other cars it depends on how you drive it and your maintance of it. Sounds like you are mechaniclly inclined which takes away half the problem right there. So i think you would be happy with a ty over a GN because of your family status.

Problem with sytys from my experience is that people don't know shit about them. Simple things such as using the right damn plugs, good wires, etc. go a long way IMO with these trucks as they seem to be pretty picky with what works for them.

bottom line- if you dont' thrash on it all the time, use good mobile 1 oil, correct plugs and small things like that along with your ability to do shit yourself = a fun truck that WILL require some work, but nothing that is terrible if you take good care of it.

The thing about just simply shutting down and not working I have never heard of that :roll: ..why the hell would that happen unless someone was an idiot with the truck.

Good luck, your stumble upon this board is a good thing...no other forums out there and all the gurus are here from time to time...wish ya luck and hope ya get on board with us.

here is some links for ya...the basics:

http://www.sportmachines.com/
http://www.sytyauthority.net/
http://www.sytyarchives.com/
http://www.syty.org/

happy reading!

Myclone!?

 

[SeattleSy#1255]

myclone??? whatcha mean? you think i'm myclone?

i wish i had 1/10th his knowledge :lol:

...not sure what you are trying to say.

 

[SeattleSy#1255]

SyTy=best bang for the buck!

after you have a launch in one you will be hooked for life... :lol:

so very very true! :wink:

 

[Lynn D. Brown]

Ty vs GN

Ty vs GN

Being an absurd spendthrift, I own one of each, and there R Pros
& Cons to each :

Ty Pros

1.) The SUV body style is very handy, altho' because it is so
narrow it really only seats 4 adults comfortably. However, U
can stretch out full and sleep in the back. GN seats 5.

2.) Ty has better low end - so better usuable power around town.

3,) Both handle and brake like SH*T stock, altho' Ty probably
a little better. The 1st thing to correct on either. Not acceptable.

4.) TY has better traction if U have snow or whatever.

GN Pros

1.) Many more aftermarket parts. Tecnology further along.

2.) Rides more comfortably - softer - but wallows more also.

3.) Easier to work on by far. nothing much worse than SyTy's.
As bad or worse than Vans.

4.) More reliable probably because it's not as complicated.

I could go on, but F'ing AOL cuts me off and I lose the whole thing

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: Ty vs GN

Re: Ty vs GN

GN Pros

2.) Rides more comfortably - softer - but wallows more also.

I hope thats a joke. every buick/GN i have ridden in, felt like i was cruising down the street on my old skateboard! My Ty is WAYYYYYY more smooth than any Buick ive even been in, just an observation, not everything is the same.

 

[Lynn D. Brown]

Ty vs GN, again

Ty vs GN, again

I will add some more stuff, but AOL already cut me off and I lost the whole F'ing thing one time already. Not sure we can save as we go
along, can we ? Feel like there is a dagger hanging over me.

Anyway, each have some superior mechanical features.

1.) The GN engine block is superior - 3.8 stronger than 4.3 surprisingly. Heads probably better also at least compared to the LB4's. Therefore
the GN has better top end - altho' neither R great shakes at the top. The TTA is the best there, but not a practical family car. ( I should talk about practical ?)

2.) GN rods and crank superior. I not sure how GM could get such
Sh*tty forged rods - they R worse than the GN cast ones, which I never heard of breaking.

3.) Maybe I'm kissing Arss a bit hear, but the SyTy bunch seems a little
more helpful and friendly and willing to share secrets.

4.) GN CCCI ignition far superior - no upgrades needed probably up to
1000 HP.

5.) GN is MAF fuel-controlled and SFI, TY is ? (I forget - no MAF) controlled and batch fire. Not sure which is best - a whole nother topic.

6.) Creature comforts better in Ty, leather, options, etc. - of course it cost $10-15 K more in the 1st place. I paid more ~ $6.K for my Ty w 48 K miles (bought too early) than the new cost for my GN.

Better quit before I get cut off again. Could go on & on.

 

[Carnut16]

Re: Ty vs GN

Re: Ty vs GN

3,) Both handle and brake like SH*T stock, altho' Ty probably
a little better. The 1st thing to correct on either. Not acceptable.

I hope you are kidding. My Ty is one of the hardest stopping vehicles I've been in. The only two cars I've been in that have stopped faster (not by much) were a Porsche Turbo and a Dinan BMW 3-series set up for auto-X events.

BTW, my truck DOES have the original brakes incase you were wondering.

 

[fatecrush]

WOW, thank you all very much for the replies.

To further explain my quandry.........

I am now hitting my 30's, have a wife and kid. While i need a vehicle to be practical enough to hold us 3 comfortably, and grab the occaisional groceries, I do want to cruise and stomp occaisionally. The vehicle in question would be a DAILY driver, and would likely be kept stock for the first 3-6 months of ownership. (Both to rebuild my wallet after purchase, and to weed out any and all potential bugs. I feel sometimes people rush into mods before knowing their vehicle well enough).

The last GN I test drove was a pristine 87 (the only year I would buy). The moron salesman forgot two crucial things:

1) That we would be driving into a heavily police populated neighborhood

2) To put a tag on the vehicle so that it wouldnt look stolen

Long story short, I jammed it, tossed it around impossible corners, and dissapeared. We slid into the car lot, and while i was grinning ear to ear, the salesman was looking for some tiolet paper.

Needless to say I was impressed.

My test ride of a Ty was less complicated, but as much fun. I was HUGELY impressed with how when I hit it, the truck didnt throw me back in my seat, it just felt like it was rising up, then ZOOOM! Never felt anything like it before or since. I fell in love.

I also like the idea of a turbo V6 over a big V8 (like the Impala SS I once thought of getting) because if my wife drives it, she can park it (unlike that lowriding black bus SS), and it wont get out from under her like a throaty V8. Dont floor it, and it wont wind up.

Yes it would be a daily driver, and not being a kid anymore, i dont feel the need to pound it to death. After the first few months I would expect to modify it to around 450-500hp. If it can turn 12's and still not puke in rush hour traffic, I'm happy.

I agree that it seems that the GN may be cheaper to mod. It also seems that more mechanics can do the work. Is the Ty THAT fussy?

I guess you can tell that i am really trying to hang on to the Ty dream huh? LOL. I believe i would be happy with either, but ohhhh, that damn Ty bug has hit me.

Since the chip, exhaust, and heads are the usual starting places on mods, I believe that is what i will research first, if you know of anything that i should also be looking at, please LMK.

Once again, thank you very much for the ifo, links, and overall good will. I sensed a bit of snobbiness at GN boards, so I never bothered posting.

 

[Tooky]

Re: Ty vs GN

Re: Ty vs GN

I hope you are kidding. My Ty is one of the hardest stopping vehicles I've been in. The only two cars I've been in that have stopped faster (not by much) were a Porsche Turbo and a Dinan BMW 3-series set up for auto-X events.

I have to agree. My Syclone stops so hard, that I don't even have the guts to put the brake ALL the way down because it's so damn forceful 80% of the way down! When you jam that brake, my chest feels like its going to explode from the seat belt pressure and my head does the same from the blood pressure. Its pretty intense. I've never been able to stop hard enough to get the ABS to kick in except one time I purposely tried going down a hill on some sandy asphalt and hitting it to verify it works (it did).

BTW my recommendations for modifying your truck would go like this. First spend at least 6-12 months doing the basic tuneup stuff, you will be kept busy with all the little problems and getting your truck to run proper, <3* knock on stock chip 15 PSI boost and pump gas. Once you do that, I'd put a chip on and see where you can go with that and some race fuel. You could do exhaust at any point although I'm not sure how big a difference it makes. I would do a minor turbo upgrade or a decent turbo upgrade & torque converter, before you do heads. The chips have to match, and I am not aware of any chips for performance heads that would be appropriate for the stock turbo.

 

[fatecrush]

For those of you who keep a generally stock Ty, what would you say your annual maintenance costs are? Under normal daily driving conditions, with the occaisional trip to the strip and a little racing here and there.

 

[InvisiBill]

I posted my repair experiences in http://syty.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20453 and you can follow the DB link in my sig to see the mods I have...

 

[Jimmy]

My wife drove a 50k Ty 20,000 miles in 1 year.Only prob we had with it was a broken fuel pressure regulator.
I'd say that if you find one in EXCELLANT running condition and don't drive it like it's stolen,it won't land you in the poor house.
But then again it could end up being the biggest POS you've ever owned.

 

[Syclone#892]

Make sure you go through whatever ty you are looking at, maybe even get some knowledgable people to come with you to check it out to make sure you aren't buying some trashed waiting to explode truck. Also shameless plug for a friend but hes selling his '92 Ty black on black with somewhere around 77k miles. Very nice truck all stock except atr exhaust and a walbro fuel pump, his name on the board is awdsyty his name is Darrin and heres a link to some pics of it http://www.chitownsyty.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=Stock-pics
Good luck hope you join the syty club.

 

[fatecrush]

Thanks for the link, that really helped put things in perspective.

I am very much a purist at heart, and my greatest consideration is the fact that these types of vehicles I am looking at are limited editions, so I feel that it's important to keep as many on the road as possible. I think it may be wiser for me to hold off for an extra year or so before buying a Ty.

Socking some extra money back to make sure I can attend to her needs when they arise is more important than just running out and buying one. Nothing worse than bragging about a car you USED to have because you couldnt take care of it.

I'll go the GN route first, it was always my first love, and they seem to be a LITTLE less fussy for a driver.

Again, much thanks, and I will still be keeping my eyes open here... imagine how much I could learn in the upcoming year!

 

[Twins]

I would say that the condition of the one you buy has more to do with how well it will holdup over time.

If you reallly want to make 450+ hp in the next year get a T/R. The aftermarket is there, and they are MUCH more forgiving to beginners mistakes, but I wouldn't count on anymore shops that have a clue on how to make them run right. I can't imagine driving either in the winter (that's what beaters are for!) but the GN is ok in the rain unless you are stupid. However it sneaks up on you much faster than an LT1 in a SS (sold one of those to get the TY) when the boost comes up. Just make her drive her own car, or leave it at home when it rains (again beater time).

That being said I have had a TR for 6 years and my TY for 6 months and I don't know if the GN's will leave storage next summer. I drive the TY with a grin everytime I go out. Is that because it's new to me and I have dreams of 12.9's on tuning the stock stuff on 116?, or because it has some freaking leg room. Or the fact that although piss-poor there are cup holders and don't kid yourself the G-body is one of the worse uses of space you've ever sat in. Why did GM think it would be a good idea to have a 3+ foot long door, try keeping that from banging into every thing you park next to.

The TR body goes back to '78 which means it was designed in '75-'76, remember the cars back then, the gauges are a joke and the trunk is huge but holds nothing because it's shallow and 2 tiered. If you have any friends you won't if you make them ride in the back of a TR, think F-body with headroom.

AWD is great but having the tires on the GN give up at 40 mph when it downshifts and the boost comes up is too much fun. Drivetrains in TR's are very stout, there's less parts, and it's much cheaper to replace when something goes wrong.

If you want a comfortable very reliable daily ride get a SC400, but that would take all the fun out of it, Everybody can make a Toyota run forever, but only a lucky few will get the chance to make a TR-SY/TY run strong and everyday.

Those are the lucky few!

I can't imagine having to pick just one, they are two total different beasts, each with strong points along with all the problems.

Good luck, either way welcome aboard.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Ty vs GN

Re: Ty vs GN

I hope you are kidding. My Ty is one of the hardest stopping vehicles I've been in. The only two cars I've been in that have stopped faster (not by much) were a Porsche Turbo and a Dinan BMW 3-series set up for auto-X events.

I have to agree. My Syclone stops so hard, that I don't even have the guts to put the brake ALL the way down because it's so damn forceful 80% of the way down! When you jam that brake, my chest feels like its going to explode from the seat belt pressure and my head does the same from the blood pressure.

The brakes between the two cars are almost the exactly the same, I gave one of my friend with a GN, my front caliper off the parts syclone. The only major differenece I notice was the syty have slip on rotors.

Brakes are one of those items it hard to compare unless oyu know both have been maintained. My Sy brake work a little better than I expected at highway speeds panick stops, but I get an uneasy feel everytime I get on my truck on backroads. IMP It takes a lot of pressure to stop the truck, for how quickly it accelerates. I also have a corvette, so maybe I just spoiled, but as you might imagine, the corvette brakes are much better than SyTy's. My truck will be getting a brake upgrade this spring.

Another thing is that comparing one car to another depends a lot on the maintenance of the brakes. My Sy brakes have fully been bleed with new fluids have good pads etc. My Ty brakes needs atleast new fluid and are definately spongier.