Help with turbo coupe I drove tonight...

I went tonight and drove an 87 Turbo Coupe 5 speed. Needs some help, oil pressure gauge did not come up very high past the red line on the stock gauge??? When I step on it in first gear, it shows boost, up to ~14 psi, but seems to hesitate a bit, then shift to second and step on it again and it spins good to about 3500, then just falls on its face??? Same in the rest of gears after that, even with it floored!!! It has 161k on it, so I realize that some of this stuff could be just mileage, but not as bad as it was. Turbo seemed to growl after spooling up, once I let off gas, it would make a growl sound, very faint, but something to take note of. Needs clutch and brakes almost guaranteed, TO bearing squeaks like a mofo...Brakes are warped, hopefully, otherwise I dont know....Whats this car worth, and any suggestions on the problems??? I'd appreciate it, I wsa even thinking cats may be clogged????

Thanks
Noah

Only my opinion but if the body is decent and you will need to deal with all of those other things - then $750 to $800

How much is the current owner willing to pay you to take this car off his pocket book? [Image: biggrin.gif]
OK, now that we have put the "what's it worth" in perspective, Let's look at the problems. Oil pressure. The only way to know is remove the sending unit and put a mechanical gauge on it and get some readings.
Sending units go bad with age and usually give progresively lower readings. Get some hard numbers. Also do a compression check, then you will have some idea of the condition of the engine. Boost/poor performance: Could be mostly a tuneup, plug wires, could be a leaking intercooler hose or loose clamp, cold be a fuel issue. Might be good to pull the codes and see what gets reported. Tell us more about what it does when it "falls on it's face" Is it like an ignition miss or is it starving for fuel. Turbo growling, could be normal turbo sounds. Pull the VAM hose of the compressor inlet and get some needle nose plyers on the turbo shaft. Does it move perceptibly back and forth or side to side?
If it move much either way it could be a problem. Are the blades touching the housing when you move the shaft. If so, big problem.
Squeaky TO bearings are not all that unusual. How does the clutch grab? Does it slip in 4 or 5th gear? Warped rotors speak for themselves. Front ABS rotors are not cheap.
Clogged cats: put a vacuum gauge on it, bring the rpms up to 2000 and close the throttle quickly. Does the needle on the vac gauge go instantly to 20-22" or does it hesitate very briefly before going to 20-22". If it hesitiates, that could mean an exhaust system resrtiction. What kind of vacuum is it pulling at idle?



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NATO Member
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, Main TC with K&N, 3"DP to 2.5"duals through Dynamax, Ric valve at 17+ and disconnected KS.
Elite Bodega 16" chrome wheels. Autometer pod w/ A/F and Vac/boost gauges.140 mph Motorsports Speedo New engine: Total Seal rings and TRW pistons, ported and polished head w/ cc'd chambers,1.59"exhausts, SS valves, gutted upper, knife edged lower, A-230 cam, Race Engineering Adj Cam Sprocket, Crowlers, ARP head studs, and rod bolts. Walbro 255 HP pump and Kirban adj FPR, T-3. Centerforce II, KB subs and jack rails.

He said he'd take $1500, I was going to offer $800, but that was before he said he was tired of it being htere and he was just gonna donate it to charity...That made me think a little more, then I drove it...Its in decent shape, has some rust on trunk and other common area...The other stuff sounds good to check, but I dont really think its worth my time to go back for a second look unless he agrees or counters me on the offer...I will keep that stuff in mind though to look at on the next one I see...Thanks