1990 Sunbird Turbo GT - Second Generation Forum

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1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Saturday, June 05, 2010 3:16 PM
I'm finally giving up on my 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT which I special ordered back in 1990 (I still have the original window sticker with my name on it). The head cracked for second time last December and started leaking into #3. Pulled engine and bought rebuilt head from maching shop (never had been cracked or welded) inspected all and replaced all gaskets. Bought new turbo off E-bay (NOS) as old one was leaking some oil for 20,000 miles. Put all together earlier this week and drove (ran fine for few miles) then rod knock on #4. Drove into my garage and pulled engine back out today. Drained oil - lots of fine metal shavings in oil. Took off oil pan - metal shavings everywhere - what af***ing mess. Pulled #4 rod cap - bearing toast but not spun. Pulled #2 rod cap - bearing starting to go. Suspect new turbo may have shelled and caused all the problems - but don't know for sure. Don't really care at this point. To fix this engine will be a major operation to get all the shavings out of everywhere, and repair the damage.

Rather than send it to the junkyard, is there anyone interested in buying this car for $100 and acutally fixing it to drive? Maybe you have a good motor? It is a white Turbo GT with A/T, PS, and PB. Tan interior. 125,000 miles. Never wrecked. NO RUST!! You would need to come to Granger, Indiana and trailer it home - engine will go in the back of your pickup.

Let me know if you have any interest.

Les Myer

Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Saturday, June 05, 2010 3:39 PM
Hell....For $100 you got me thinking about it..My old lady would kill me too



Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Saturday, June 05, 2010 5:46 PM
Not trying to make money. Just don't want someone to part it out for junk and would like to see someone put an engine in it. This is actually a pretty nice vehicle that I have owned since it was new. Was a garage queen with only 60K miles in 2000. Then was a daily driver until 2006 when we bought a new vehicle. Has been a Winter vehicle since then until last December when the head cracked again.
Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Saturday, June 05, 2010 6:37 PM
damn..... i need a trailer.... i already have a white '90 gt turbo, that some clown "attempted" to swap a plain jane 2L into, but i wouldn't mind using mine as a parts car :p... that really seems like a hell of a steal for $100... i might have to let a few people know
Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Monday, June 07, 2010 3:28 PM
Photos. Note 1990 GT is the last year for turbo / first year for sideskirts. It is not a peice of junk.

Convince me that you have the knowledge and resources to fix it to drive and it's your for $100. Title included, but title will not be left as an "open title" - your name goes on it. Any questions please ask. if no valid takers here in a couple of days, I'll start looking elsewhere. I want it out of my garage soon.






Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Monday, June 07, 2010 11:52 PM
damn...... i cannot even begin to describe how much this sucks.... and i want that car... that thing is so clean!
Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Tuesday, June 08, 2010 1:57 PM
If the turbocharger is in as good shape as it looks, I will give you $130 for the turbo alone.
Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Wednesday, June 09, 2010 6:35 AM
Sorry, not parting it out.
Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Wednesday, June 09, 2010 12:41 PM
Interested and not far (Greenwood, IN) but don't have an engine handy for it. I'm sure I could find one and get it back up and running later in the summer though...



Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Wednesday, June 09, 2010 4:37 PM
I have discussed with Scott Thomas and I am happy to have the car go to him. Thanks, Scott in advance for taking over the task of fixing it, and keeping it on the road. For what it's worth, I believe the 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT Coupe is one of the most rare J-body cars (unfortunately does not necessarily make it valuable). I have noticed less than 10 others on the road during the 20 years I have owned it. Anyone have the production numbers? I know there were tons of 89 Turbo GT convertibles, but they did not have the side-skirts (only flares). Also there were tons of 1990 Turbo LE Convertibles (convertible GT was not an option in 1990) with the deck spoiler, but no sideskirts and no batmobile front with hideaway headlamps. It is my understanding that for some reason production of the GT did not begin in earnest until March of 1990. I know I had to wait until then for my special order. My GT came standard with the stiffest suspension, quickest steering, and least-assisted power brakes I have experienced in a production car. Was wierd to drive it again last week (for that day it was running) after driving something else for 6 months.

Les Myer
Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Wednesday, June 09, 2010 10:28 PM
if what you say is true, i should really try and get my '90 turbo gt going again... just have to find the correct motor for it

Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 7:31 PM
Well damn, too little too late. I have one brand new turbo bottom end (and one used) and a new cometic headgasket that would have made that a complete new motor... I'da driven to Indiana to get it too, would have been an awesome addition to my collection!





Cardomain|Myspace

Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Tuesday, December 06, 2011 12:19 PM
OMG - I wish I would have wandered into this forum about a year earlier...




Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Wednesday, December 07, 2011 1:47 PM
I'd say it was a hell of a deal!


Tony
1987 Sunbird GT turbo convert
Ported intake, Fiero 53 MM TB, 52 lb inj, ported and flowed head, tube header, Mitsu TD06, ARP rod
bolts/head studs, adj cam sprocket, 4" x 12" x 31" FMIC, Paxton AFPR, modified 125 trans/LSD
unit/3.42's, custom chip tuning, Alky Control Methanol injection
13.61 ET at 101.44 mph, 262 WHP/350WTQ

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP roadster, 2.0 turbo w/GMPP exh, CAI and turbo upgrade, 290 hp/325 ft lbs

1969 Olds 442 convert
400 Eng, 200-4R trans, 3.73 posi, power everything, OAI


Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Thursday, December 08, 2011 6:02 AM
I wish I could have gotten that deal, nice car by the way, I understand how you feel when you get fed up on working on something. Think I'm going to save up and try to find a sunbird turbo if there are any left. They look hard to find since they are so old and not the most popular car that ever was. I had an 84 sunbird at one time, should have learned my lesson from it. I ended up burning a valve because I was cruising on the freeway at top speed of 85 for a half hour or so and the valve decided to burn. That was the top speed on my car 85 miles per hour, amazing isn't it ? A sunbird GT convertable would be a cool car to have though, at least I think so. Time to start saving my pennies. There was a nice clean sunbird convertable on Ebay for $5000, it looked like it was worth it, couldn't believe how clean it was, I think it was a turb with 50,000 miles on it. Maybe a member on here will sell their's when I get the money saved.
Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Thursday, December 08, 2011 6:07 AM
Here is the link for the car I was talking about if anyone is interested, very clean, surprised how clean it is.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac-Sunbird-GT-1987-Pontiac-Sunbird-GT-Convertible-/300631095480?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item45ff0278b8

Someday I'll get one.
Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Saturday, December 10, 2011 2:39 PM
Except for the rims it looks like Protonus' car. Looks like a great deal.


Tony
1987 Sunbird GT turbo convert
Ported intake, Fiero 53 MM TB, 52 lb inj, ported and flowed head, tube header, Mitsu TD06, ARP rod
bolts/head studs, adj cam sprocket, 4" x 12" x 31" FMIC, Paxton AFPR, modified 125 trans/LSD
unit/3.42's, custom chip tuning, Alky Control Methanol injection
13.61 ET at 101.44 mph, 262 WHP/350WTQ

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP roadster, 2.0 turbo w/GMPP exh, CAI and turbo upgrade, 290 hp/325 ft lbs

1969 Olds 442 convert
400 Eng, 200-4R trans, 3.73 posi, power everything, OAI


Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 6:32 PM
I always liked the black over silver... Look at that trunk lid - SHINY!!!




Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Thursday, December 15, 2011 6:42 PM
Sadly mine is no longer that shiny Maybe one of these days it will be again if I can ever close the hood on it!




Tony
1987 Sunbird GT turbo convert
Ported intake, Fiero 53 MM TB, 52 lb inj, ported and flowed head, tube header, Mitsu TD06, ARP rod
bolts/head studs, adj cam sprocket, 4" x 12" x 31" FMIC, Paxton AFPR, modified 125 trans/LSD
unit/3.42's, custom chip tuning, Alky Control Methanol injection
13.61 ET at 101.44 mph, 262 WHP/350WTQ

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP roadster, 2.0 turbo w/GMPP exh, CAI and turbo upgrade, 290 hp/325 ft lbs

1969 Olds 442 convert
400 Eng, 200-4R trans, 3.73 posi, power everything, OAI


Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Saturday, June 09, 2012 12:28 PM
Les, if you still have it I'd be interested.
Jeff 231-683-7805
Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Saturday, June 09, 2012 1:53 PM
^^ Hey bud he posted that car 2 years, and after reading through the thread, it looks like Scott Thomas bought it from him.

Gatta watch the dates Jeff.





Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Thursday, August 16, 2012 1:38 PM
I see that..........

Just found an '88 Turbo GT hardtop to tinker with. $1800.......
Re: 1990 Sunbird Turbo GT
Saturday, August 18, 2012 1:40 PM
Have to speed read when I'm at work, so can't always pay close attention to dates....... you guys are gonna like my new ride.

Jeff
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