The Comeback

RareGMFan · April 04, 2005, 10:47:56 PM

Welp....after a year of having it in my possession, the much anticipated (well...for me, anyway) return has finally transpired. The TGP hit the road Saturday for the first time since I've owned it. Granted it was far from the condition I was aiming towards for this return, I had to make due with what little time I had. Since we laid off our previous store manager, I've taken things over, which gave me approximately 0 time to work on the car. Then, 4 months after that, we moved the business all together to a busier location, which means I lost the garage space at work where I was keeping the car, and planning to do the complete restoration. So...I had to settle with towing it to a mechanic, and having him just get the damn thing running. With the assistance of a new fuel pump, new sending unit and new fuel filter, along with a professional cleaning of the injectors and tank, it now starts with no problem. I spent most of the day Saturday putting back the bizarre things that were taken apart/off by the previous owner. Turn signals were reinstalled (and the literally disintegrated bulbs under the headlights were replaced), radiator fan was reattached, the faceless aftermarket tape deck was removed in exchange for a stock CD player, the blown fuse for the courtesy lights was replaced, the brackets for the MAP sensor and cables running behind the upper intake plenum were bolted back down, etc. There's still quite a bit to go, but that was good enough for now to get it worthy of a test run. Not sure what the hell this guy was thinking, but man did he make a mess! :shock:

The verdict after the test drive? It needs lots more work, but she's got plenty of potential. I took it down a side street behind my apartments, and let her loose Saturday evening (was taking it easier on her earlier in the day since I didn't know her status). Man....those wheels broke loose like there's no tomorrow, even though I was not pushing it as hard as I could (still a bit scared to until I have a better idea of what else is wrong). Certainly a lot more responsive off the line then the TSTE. The bad? It makes a horrible groaning sound when I push the accelerator beyond 1/4 of the way down (almost sounds like the moaning of a power steering pump getting ready to go out, but it has nothing to do with turning the wheel). It also tends to pull to the left when this happens, and I can feel it pull left and right when I hit imperfections in the road (feels like a tie rod). I can smell burning oil pretty badly at times, as well. I need to drive it around a bit more to get a better grasp of what else it needs, but she'll definitely be going in to a mechanic to get all suspension and braking components checked.

So...what's next? As I said, I'm going to get her checked out top to bottom for things I can't do myself. As for things I can do, I'm going to start with the red 8mm Taylor wires, the NGK Iridium spark plugs, and new AC Delco coils (all 3) and ICM. That will take care of the electrical system (minus any possible wiring issues). I'm also going to swap in a new FPR. That, along with all the previous work done, should eliminate any fuel related problems. From there, I think I'm going to put the repaired crossover pipe I bought off of a member on w-body.com onto this car, and then have the stock TGP one repaired to swap into the TSTE. I'll assess what to do from there once I get the report from the mechanic on the rest.

And now, a moment of reflection....Saturday was a bittersweet day. I was glad to finally get her running, but in doing so and discovering the countless, other new things I need to get done, it got me depressed at the same time, as it has now become a daunting task getting all 4 of these cars back to 100%. I found myself wondering if I'm willing to go through all this anymore. There's no one to blame but myself, as I kept buying more cars instead of concentrating on finishing one project at a time. Now I've got 4 cars that need a decent chunk of work at the least in order to be completely reliable. It's almost made me cave in to temptations like "hmmm.....those new Acura TLs are pretty cool....". I know I'd never forgive myself/would regret it if I ever got rid of these cars for a new, common one, but when you're in the heat of the moment, staring down a gigantic "to do list"....well....it's hard to think about regretting such a decision in the future. I'm going to push on for now, because the excitement of having the TGP somewhat drivable out-weighs the bad at the moment. But I can't speak for the future. I may walk away, yet.....

Anyway, just wanted to share an exhausting day of joy, and disappointment. Carry on.

GangstGP · April 05, 2005, 05:03:50 PM

dont cave in
it IS worth it.

Do those AWD cars is that all wheel drive?!?

never seen

Swap on TGP?

Rick

GutlessSupreme · April 06, 2005, 09:53:52 PM

:theadworthlesswithoutpics:

RareGMFan · April 07, 2005, 12:16:08 AM

Quote from: GP Apedont cave in
it IS worth it.

Do those AWD cars is that all wheel drive?!?

never seen

Swap on TGP?

Yes, the 6000's are full time all wheel drive. All 1,376 '89 STEs came that way. It would be a monumental task to get the drivetrain to fit into the floor plan of the GP's. Even the 6000's floor plan required quite a bit of change. The exhaust hump was widened to make room for the driveshaft, the spare tire was moved INTO the trunk instead of under the carpet to make room for the rear differential, and everything was reinforced. Plus the 6000's had better balance and braking. So, I parted out a TGP a couple of years ago (long before I ever thought I'd pick up GP's for keeps) just for the engine....to swap into one of the AWD's. :wink:

And for picks, as luck would have it, they were side by side as I was using the TSTE engine bay as a blue print to put things back together on the TGP, so I figured "HEY! Kodak moment!!" Awwww...aren't the adorable?? :oops:

I know, I know. They need a bath real badly. That's probably why they hate me. :shock: I'll get them cleaned up someday, and get the AWD in the shot, too. It'll be a red, white and blue convention. :mrgreen:

R Dubya · April 07, 2005, 04:33:43 PM

A local dealership around me has a 90 or 91 STE 6000. The paint is flaking badly, but other than that not in bad shape. He wants a grand for it though.. I thought it was too much.

GangstGP · April 07, 2005, 06:46:44 PM

a grand is not that much if it runs and drives. I would look into it, I got 2 tgp motors, actually 2 tgps(1 is a donor). Anybody got a pic of one?

no1kicker · April 07, 2005, 08:51:47 PM

Nice pics! :)

GutlessSupreme · April 07, 2005, 09:04:49 PM

Quote from: RareGMFan...they were side by side as I was using the TSTE engine bay as a blue print to put things back together on the TGP...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v379/RareGMFan/TSTE%20Photos/100_0333.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v379/RareGMFan/TSTE%20Photos/100_0332.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v379/RareGMFan/TSTE%20Photos/100_0334.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v379/RareGMFan/TSTE%20Photos/100_0335.jpg

Sounds JUST like what I've been doing with the Cutlass and TGP :lol: it's so nice have two half-identical cars with the same engine.

Both of my babies need a bath too.. well, one needs a bath and the other could stand a repaint.. :cry:

QuoteAnd now, a moment of reflection....Saturday was a bittersweet day. I was glad to finally get her running, but in doing so and discovering the countless, other new things I need to get done, it got me depressed at the same time,

God I'll be knowing that feeling soon enough.. I'm already feeling it, just don't have it running again. I look at all I've done.. and realize I have quadruple that left to do.

We gotta keep going though and save these POSes ;)

RareGMFan · April 07, 2005, 10:07:04 PM

Quote from: RW89TGPA local dealership around me has a 90 or 91 STE 6000. The paint is flaking badly, but other than that not in bad shape. He wants a grand for it though.. I thought it was too much.

They stopped making the STE package on the 6000s in '89, (they moved the STE trim level to the GPs in '90), so either you have the year mixed up, or it's not an STE.

Thanks Kick. :mrgreen: Of course, I blew out a tire yesterday morning doing around 85 on the expressway, so the TSTE don't look so perdy, anymore. :bad-words: A large portion of the tire separated, and the excess flap bent the bottom of the rear bumper upwards, knocked the side marker out, and left scuff marks all over the paint around the wheel well. Needless to say, I was fuming. That's all I need. One more set back. And this just before the replacement rims for the TSTE arrive. Damn the luck, man. When it rains, it pours.

Yup, Gutless. That's the key. Just gotta keep chipping away at it. It's a lot of work, but little by little, hopefully we'll get somewhere. It was either this, or these things would have been in the junkyard by now in someone else's hands. That's the one thought that keeps me going.

R Dubya · April 08, 2005, 05:43:44 PM

I guess that I am mistaken.. I know that it is AWD so it must not be an STE. It's too much work for what I want to do.. but if the price was right I'm sure with time and money and knowledge if could be put to use on a TGP.

RareGMFan · April 09, 2005, 11:41:36 PM

Then it's a '90 SE AWD. They made a handfully of them after the STEs final run in '89 (we're guessing because they had a lot of drivetrain pieces left over). They look identicle outside, but lack many of the interior features.

A few photos of the better of my 2:

I've seen some pretty ratty ones go for $1K plus on eBay, and most were only SEs. I bought my rough one (rough cosmetically, very sound mechanically, minus the Teves II ABS problems :x ) for $1,700 about 5 years ago, and the better of my 2 for about $3,300 (by the time you factor in the gas money I paid the previous owner to drive it to IL from MA, and then his plane ticket back) 3 years ago. Remember, there were less AWDs built collectively as there were TGPs in ONE year.

GangstGP · April 10, 2005, 04:30:10 AM

what does it have for a motor and tranny? 3.1 or is it a 2.8?

RareGMFan · April 10, 2005, 11:04:52 PM

There were 124 '88 STEs made with the AWD, and those were the first GMs to receive the 3.1, which all AWDs got. Thus why I have a spare TGP motor ready, and waiting. :wink: Supposedly, there were around 50 or so AWD STEs built with the same McLaren turbo engine package.

I typed up everything in the link below a while back when there was a lot of misinformation going around on the Yahoo! groups 6000 club. It's kind of long, because there was a lot I needed to address/educate the members on (man....you miss a week....). I need to tweak and correct some things (can't edit on those stupid Yahoo group forums :shock: ), but someone on the club asked if they could copy/paste it for his website. Some good background info, nonetheless.

http://s89928010.onlinehome.us/articles/rare.html

GangstGP · April 10, 2005, 11:34:03 PM

I would give my left nut :moon: :eek2: for one of those turbo model 3.1 awd 6000s

Prospeeder · April 11, 2005, 05:33:21 PM

Quote from: RareGMFanThen it's a '90 SE AWD. They made a handfully of them after the STEs final run in '89 (we're guessing because they had a lot of drivetrain pieces left over). They look identicle outside, but lack many of the interior features.

A few photos of the better of my 2:

I've seen some pretty ratty ones go for $1K plus on eBay, and most were only SEs. I bought my rough one (rough cosmetically, very sound mechanically, minus the Teves II ABS problems :x ) for $1,700 about 5 years ago, and the better of my 2 for about $3,300 (by the time you factor in the gas money I paid the previous owner to drive it to IL from MA, and then his plane ticket back) 3 years ago. Remember, there were less AWDs built collectively as there were TGPs in ONE year.

that is one hot car! i would give my TGP for that if it had the 3.1 Turbo