Want a Typhoon...but....

[JMC]

Hey SyTy Owners,

It has always been a dream for me to own a Typhoon since I first laid eyes on one over 10 years ago.

But, here is my dilema. I have read about the "special" attention which the 4.3 Turbo needs. Unfortunately, I don't have time or effort to put towards this as being a business owner who works between 60 and 70 hours a week + having 2 young kids...leaves very little time for "repair" issues.

My question is...is it worth purchasing a Typhoon with a freshly rebuilt 4.3 turbo engine or should I look into other options as a small block conversion with a warranteed crate motor?? And if the V8 conversion is the way to go...how will this affect the 4 wheel drive system??

Any positive feedback would be greatly appreciated. My greatest desire is to find the Typhoon of my dreams and to be actually able to drive it and enjoy it on a daily basis.

I thank each and everyone who takes the time to respond to my thread!

Thanks,
JMC

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

buy an umolested stock ty and leave it alone

 

[Jimmy]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

buy an umolested stock ty and leave it alone

:tup:

 

[91blazins10]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

If your going to buy one, get one that is very very very stock, less chance of issues, then you can mod it later and know exactly what was done. I woudlnt do v8 imo that kinda defeats the purpose of what sy/tys are. You will need alot of time to stay on top of things, ive had mine for almost a year, and yes they really do eat igniton parts. So if you dont have alot of time to work on it youself, u should prob look elsewhere, b/c I would never trust these with the local mechanic :2cents:

 

[Monesq]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

I too have a very busy schedule, have had one since I purchased my Typhoon in 1993. Adding two small kids in the mix does not help. I am however, very lucky in that initially I did not have problems with the stock car and when I did, I went to a dealer (it was still under an extended warranty) and they replaced my engine and turbo.

Now that I am on engine #3 (one time was the dealer's fault they really have no idea what they are doing on these things) I went on this forum and found someone in AZ who knew a very good mechanic. Since then, though I have spent much hard earned $ (primarily doing small fixes when I really should have done a complete overhaul for what I wanted out of the vehicle), my vehicle is at the point right now, aftre a coplete overhaul, that exceeds the performance it had when I purchased it and once I complete my computer mods on it, it will be my dream machine.

I would definitely look around in your area to find someone who knows these vehicles. If you can't find one, and still want the vehicle, you need to learn how to deal with its peculiarities and that means learing to be a good mechanic. These vehicles are VERY particular. But like a woman, if you treat it right, it will definitely treat you right. Where else can you find basically a sports car that can seat 4 people with luggage, and still blow the doors off of most any car in the road and look good doing it??!!

I would also definitely purchase something that is as much stock as possible.

Hope this helps.

 

[Typhoon1099]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

Hey guys, That's what I did.,Bought a one owner stock Typhoon in MINT condition with the original tires still on it. After much looking myself I found a 20k mile 93 Typhoon # 1187 and it is doing great so far. I recommend keeping it stock!!!!!!! Maybe a borla exhaust . If you treat them good they will do the same! Just like a female! good luck!

 

[jbone]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

like they said above stock motor. adult owned and driven should be fine. Spend a little extra cash to go through the truck and update old worn out parts. Keep it stock, or at least limit yourself to simple bolt on parts and thats it!!. Motor swaps (especially anything to a v8) would take A LOT OF TIME which is something like you said above you cant afford. Most people have probs with their trucks when they start tinkering with things and throwing on lots of mods. Keep it stock and maintained and for the most part you shouldnt have any problems.

 

[gkrcr882]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

I agree, find a bone-stock truck, and go from there. If you get a "modified" truck (cough, cough, T-56) you're kind of on your own as far as repairs go . And yes, the stock drivetrain will live and work behind a V8....changing the sparkplugs is easier, except for #8:2cents:

 

[huggles]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

I agree, find a bone-stock truck, and go from there. If you get a "modified" truck (cough, cough, T-56) you're kind of on your own as far as repairs go . And yes, the stock drivetrain will live and work behind a V8....changing the sparkplugs is easier, except for #8:2cents:

With the wheels off, I found changing the plugs actually pretty easy Only 2 burns and 1 cut!

 

[crazy151drinker]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

Well you have 2 kids, put them to work! It will cut down on repair time

 

[JMC]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

Well you have 2 kids, put them to work! It will cut down on repair time

I tired that...they break more stuff than fix!

 

[JMC]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

I too have a very busy schedule, have had one since I purchased my Typhoon in 1993. Adding two small kids in the mix does not help. I am however, very lucky in that initially I did not have problems with the stock car and when I did, I went to a dealer (it was still under an extended warranty) and they replaced my engine and turbo.

Now that I am on engine #3 (one time was the dealer's fault they really have no idea what they are doing on these things) I went on this forum and found someone in AZ who knew a very good mechanic. Since then, though I have spent much hard earned $ (primarily doing small fixes when I really should have done a complete overhaul for what I wanted out of the vehicle), my vehicle is at the point right now, aftre a coplete overhaul, that exceeds the performance it had when I purchased it and once I complete my computer mods on it, it will be my dream machine.

I would definitely look around in your area to find someone who knows these vehicles. If you can't find one, and still want the vehicle, you need to learn how to deal with its peculiarities and that means learing to be a good mechanic. These vehicles are VERY particular. But like a woman, if you treat it right, it will definitely treat you right. Where else can you find basically a sports car that can seat 4 people with luggage, and still blow the doors off of most any car in the road and look good doing it??!!

I would also definitely purchase something that is as much stock as possible.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Monesq...best advice of the tread! The reason I mentioned the V8 conversion as a way to extract more horsepower without the worries of messing with the 4.3 turbo...which can be a gamble from what I have read in the forums. When I did some priliminary research on S10 forums...the V8 swap is pretty much a no brainer now for the S10 GenI and GenII.

gkrcr882 was kind enough to answer my question regarding the V8 compatibility with the 4 wheel drive system...which he states will work fine. With a warranteed crate motor...it seems it might be a good option...especially since there seem to be more 100k+ Typhoons for sale at pretty good prices. What the true delema is the budget and reliability of a V8 conversion vs. the 4.3 turbo rebuild.

I would love to hear from someone who has performed the V8 conversion and has a definitive seat of the pants and wallet opinion on the Typhoon's performance and reliability issues before and after the engine conversion.

Thanks again for the great feeback!

JMC

 

[SeattleSy#1255]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

i agree...get a bone stocker, do regular oil changes and tune ups, don't beat on it and you'll be fine.

 

[vinnieTy]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

Thanks Monesq...best advice of the tread! The reason I mentioned the V8 conversion as a way to extract more horsepower without the worries of messing with the 4.3 turbo...which can be a gamble from what I have read in the forums. When I did some priliminary research on S10 forums...the V8 swap is pretty much a no brainer now for the S10 GenI and GenII.

gkrcr882 was kind enough to answer my question regarding the V8 compatibility with the 4 wheel drive system...which he states will work fine. With a warranteed crate motor...it seems it might be a good option...especially since there seem to be more 100k+ Typhoons for sale at pretty good prices. What the true delema is the budget and reliability of a V8 conversion vs. the 4.3 turbo rebuild.

I would love to hear from someone who has performed the V8 conversion and has a definitive seat of the pants and wallet opinion on the Typhoon's performance and reliability issues before and after the engine conversion.

Thanks again for the great feeback!

JMC

I think you feel that the 4.3 turbo motors are bad that you will blow them up all the time. This is my first ty and i drive it very easy and safe but when i want to push it i will anything can break if you do that to any type of motor or car at least that is how i feel. I also think if you buy a typhoon to put a v8 in it why dont you just get a regular s10 or jimmy that year and do it. I think you will depreciate the value of the truck by doing the conversion.

This is just a few of my comments. Nothing to downgrade you in any way.

 

[bezerk]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

i dissagree, if you buy a good modded Ty from somebody who know what he did, it can be verry fun. i bet that there are many fast trucks here on the board that have between 400-500hp that won't break down. it's just how you tread a car, a bonestock truck can be molested as well as a modded one.

 

[JMC]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

i dissagree, if you buy a good modded Ty from somebody who know what he did, it can be verry fun. i bet that there are many fast trucks here on the board that have between 400-500hp that won't break down. it's just how you tread a car, a bonestock truck can be molested as well as a modded one.

Monesq,

Good feedback again. In waiting for others to respond to my tread I did more research. I want you and everyone to know that I am not opposed to the 4.3 turbo and my preference is to keep the Typhoon in its original state...but, I want to be able to drive the car and since this is a 10 + year car it seems most are rebuilding the engine around this time. From what I have read most shops don't know what they are doing with the Sy/Ty and most forum members are recommending me to do it myself. Hence the time problem with work and the kids.

I would be more inclined with the 4.3 turbo if I could find an experienced shop in the South Florida area which could help maintain the Typhoon. If anyone in this forum know of such a shop...please chime in!!!!

I think many of the member's posting are starting to change my mind of the V8 conversion. Maybe my whole fear issue with rebuilding the stock motor would be solved if I could find a reliable shop in my area.

Thanks again for the great information!!!

 

[Luke]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

i agree...get a bone stocker, do regular oil changes and tune ups, don't beat on it and you'll be fine.

i agree, except mabey on the beatin on it part, i bought my stock cloned ty 3 mos ago and have driven it almost every day since, and goin to the local 1/8 mile track EVERY thurs. :lol: did all the minor stuff(tune,fluids etc.) and have been beatin the hell out of it ever since, with the exception of a broken motor mount (hey it was a 110k stocker) its been a dream.buy away and enjoy. but then again I might just be lucky :dunno:

 

[SeattleSy#1255]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

i dissagree, if you buy a good modded Ty from somebody who know what he did, it can be verry fun. i bet that there are many fast trucks here on the board that have between 400-500hp that won't break down. it's just how you tread a car, a bonestock truck can be molested as well as a modded one.

Good luck finding one!

 

[93TyphoonPacetruck]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

Monesq,

Good feedback again. In waiting for others to respond to my tread I did more research. I want you and everyone to know that I am not opposed to the 4.3 turbo and my preference is to keep the Typhoon in its original state...but, I want to be able to drive the car and since this is a 10 + year car it seems most are rebuilding the engine around this time. From what I have read most shops don't know what they are doing with the Sy/Ty and most forum members are recommending me to do it myself. Hence the time problem with work and the kids.

I would be more inclined with the 4.3 turbo if I could find an experienced shop in the South Florida area which could help maintain the Typhoon. If anyone in this forum know of such a shop...please chime in!!!!

I think many of the member's posting are starting to change my mind of the V8 conversion. Maybe my whole fear issue with rebuilding the stock motor would be solved if I could find a reliable shop in my area.

Thanks again for the great information!!!

Good luck trying to find a shop that has worked on TY's, or even knows what they are. They are few and far in between. Ask some people on the forum that live near you for a good mechanic around your area that knows what they are doing. :2cents:

 

[crazy151drinker]

Re: Want a Typhoon...but....

Even 'stockers' can have their problems. I bought my Sy from the original owner. When I went to change the cap and rotor I had to chizel the rotor off as it was rusted in place. The good news is that you have found this site! Lots of info and great people on here to help you with any problems you may have.