SY/TY Mechanics

JoeDirte566

New member
Anyone know of a mechanic around Tucson, been having problems with my SY and wanted to take it to someone who knows SY/TY set ups. Items looking at are head gasket replacment and turbo swap.
 

killerrudy

New member
Re: SY/TY Mechanics

I would have to say that your best bet would to read on here and give it a go youself! I would trust the information found on here and a chiltons before some shisty mechanic!
 

MadPSI

Member
Re: SY/TY Mechanics

I'd hop on www.turbobuick.com and see if there are any people there that have shops in Tucson. Be prepared to shell out around 1500-2000 for it though, and it's all labor.

If you want to do it yourself you have a huge backing of knowledgeable people here to help you through it. If you get stuck, just ask and they'll help you out. You'll learn a ton doing it, and after you do a headgasket, everything else is pretty easy...

Turbo swap is child's play compared to the headgasket. You can do it in an evening. Just have a can of PB Blaster handy (and a torch if the bolts are really stubborn).

Lastly, are you sure you have a headgasket problem? What are the symptoms?
 

JoeDirte566

New member
Re: SY/TY Mechanics

Noticed what I thought was oil in the exhaust but was only one time after I started it after sitting for about a month since then nothing thought maybe was headgasket. I want to replace the turbo with the bolt on stage one from RPM
 

sy#2716

SyTy 4 Life
Re: SY/TY Mechanics

the oil was probaly just the valve guide seals. These trucks are notorious for that for sitting for a long time.

You might want to do some reading on here before you do a turbo swap a so forth there is alot of information here that can be learned.
 

MadPSI

Member
Re: SY/TY Mechanics

The smoke on startup is definitely valve seals. You'll learn to live with it. It's one of those things that you'll end up replacing some day when you happen to have the valve covers off. You'll never tear into the truck with the intent to replace them, it's definitely an "opportunity fix".

How long have you had the truck? What mods are done to it that you know about? What are your expectations/budget/timeline? We can help point you in the right direction so you can get the most out of your money, and do it without blowing up the truck...
 

JoeDirte566

New member
Re: SY/TY Mechanics

I have had it for about a year, things I know of are kenne bell pully set, kenne bell big boy 3" exhaust, 4-1/8-1 Chip. I bought it after the previous owner had just let it sit for a long time without keeping up with the basic maintenance so I am starting with the basics of brakes new exhaust, shocks etc, later on i want to upgrade the turbo maybe run air to air as well. Have a hard time because im in the military to get down and dirty to work on it as much as i would like. as for budget hahaha thats as much as i can get away with without making my wife to mad....
 

sy#2716

SyTy 4 Life
Re: SY/TY Mechanics

If the truck sat for a long time you will need to do an ignition tune up (plugs wires cap and rotor) and need to check the timing. You will want to also check all the vaccum lines cantact sytyacrchives here on the board.

First thing though you need to get is datamaster to be able to see what the truck is doing (Knock specifically) if not you will end up needing a new motor. Before you do the turbo and a2a you need to replace fuel pump, afpr, intercooler pump, and other items that need to be done before you start making more power. It will make the truck run a whole lot better. Like i said do some reading on here and you will learn alot just by search the engine tech section.

Also you want to make sure you start saving for a tranny becasue you will need one becasue these do not last and go with a repituable builder not some local yokal that say they can build a high performace tanny.
 
Top