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TTA #579 LIVES!

TTA579

TTA579

South Bay TTA "Barn" Find
Some of you may remember that I purchased TTA #579 a little over a year ago. The car had been sitting for years in the driveway of the original owner before he passed away and his daughter traded the car in. The car didn't run when I bought it from a specialty dealer lot.

In the last year, just about every time I went to work on the TTA, my daily driver would have a problem. As luck would have it, the DD threw a code Wednesday night and the check engine light came on. Instead of working on the daily driver, I decided to renew my efforts on the TTA. Sure enough she fired up (after some hesitation, she hasn't run in years).

Now, she's not in any sort of condition to make runs to the grocery store yet. The turbo is shot, she idles at almost 2000 rpm in park (drive is normal), and I'm hoping that the smoke means she's just burning off years of crud that has accumulated on the headers. Interior is just as bad, and of course, every maintenance item needs to be replaced as well.

I'll be back with a few pictures in a little while.
 
well congrats on reviving your tta!!! It will all be worth it when you get her all fixed up and feel the pull of that turbo. Sounds really cool too.

Jarred.
 
She got a sponge bath today. I know some of you might cringe at the idea, but if you saw the clear coat, or lack thereof, you would understand it's not an issue.
 
This car reminds me alot of my car when I started with it, I also got mine from a man that had it for years. I replaced the things that needed the most attention first. I was lucky with the motor, the only thing I had to replace was the radiator. Engine ran fine but low boost. So I had to correct this and now I have full boost. Still got a lot of work left on the car, but I enjoy working on it. Hope to have it completed in a year or so.
 
I went down and sat with the car for a few minutes and just let the engine come up to normal operating temperature. I made a few observations:

Engine idle in park has come down below 1000 rpm.
No knocks or other indications of internal mechanical or timing difficulties.
The engine RUMBLES. The previous owner must have replaced the stock exhaust, I don't have the SS quad tips either.
No boost. I know from having the intake tube off that the turbo is not working (partially seized).
 
TTA579 said:
Engine idle in park has come down below 1000 rpm.
No knocks or other indications of internal mechanical or timing difficulties.
Click to expand...

This is not an uncommon problem. Battery goes dead....ECM goes into reset...car is fired up and the ECM has lost control of the IAC and needs to relearn.
I would not get my undies in a bunch just yet, you'll have to get 15-30 miles of driving(city/Hwy) on it before it will start to act normal.

If it doesn't then you have some real issues to work on, till then get the the car road-ready and drive it. Don't worry about how it idles in park or drive.
 
It looks good, keep us posted on other things you do to it....

You should put your TTA on the Registry here, its nice seeing another TTA number close to my #591.
 
I'm mostly concerned with the turbo and fluids at the moment.

#1, when I had the intake off, I could not spin the turbo freely. It didn't rub or scrape on anything, but the impeller required significant force to move. Now, I don't know how ? years of storage affects a turbo or it's ability to spring back to life with oil being pumped through it again. I assume there's a TE44 (or some similar stock-upgrade) in my future. Also the wastegate tubing has rotted away. I have all the parts but need to find new tubing.

#2, all the fluids are ?+ years old. The engine oil (on the dipstick) looks good and the coolant (green) looks cleanish, but I'm not a chemical engineer (I'm an electrical engineer) and I don't know how these things break down over time.

#3, almost minor at this point is that the transmission engages hard when going into Drive. Again, sitting for ? years?

#4, the brake rotors look like a solid mass of rust. The brakes work (at idle speeds), but I have no idea what condition they are in and they could probably stand to be replaced.

#5, I still need to buy a headlight retainer ring. I've found C4 corvette part number 5969466, but I haven't ordered one yet.

After all that, I live in California and the car needs to be smog checked. Simo kindly sent me the smog history of the car when I first posted about a year ago, and I believe the last successful smog was in 1998.
 
A TA-49 Turbo (I think) would be be the next step up from stock, but there may be newer technology ones out there now.

An oil change is always good, just use quality weight oil & filter (there's a good write up here on oil & filter combos).

Coolant over time can have electrolysis & Brake fluid is usually overlooked, but is hydroscopic & turns very dark to almost black if not changed.

I would check with California DMV, but here in AZ, if you have Collector car insurance, and a DD car, you don't have to get the smog check. Might be something to look into.
 
as far as the wastegate hose goes, I got mine at Kirbans and put the correct orffice
in it. Because the one on the stock Grand National hose is the wrong size. I got the right orffice from Johns Performance, he is no longer in business.
 
I was having a problem with idling with my car at first, I changed the stock chip and put a Turbo Tweak Chip in it and it idles and runs much smoother.
 
TURBO1 said:
A TA-49 Turbo (I think) would be be the next step up from stock, but there may be newer technology ones out there now.

An oil change is always good, just use quality weight oil & filter (there's a good write up here on oil & filter combos).

Coolant over time can have electrolysis & Brake fluid is usually overlooked, but is hydroscopic & turns very dark to almost black if not changed.

I would check with California DMV, but here in AZ, if you have Collector car insurance, and a DD car, you don't have to get the smog check. Might be something to look into.
Click to expand...

The TA-49 is what I was thinking of, but I couldn't find one on Cotton's site. So I went to full throttle and picked something with a similar model number. Probably not as related as they might seem. Did Cotton's stop carrying the TA-49?

The only smog exemptions in California for gas powered cars is 1975 or older. So that problem isn't going away.

TTA984 said:
as far as the wastegate hose goes, I got mine at Kirbans and put the correct orffice
in it. Because the one on the stock Grand National hose is the wrong size. I got the right orffice from Johns Performance, he is no longer in business.
Click to expand...

I still have the original Y connector with the correct restricter. I just need the hose.

TTA984 said:
I was having a problem with idling with my car at first, I changed the stock chip and put a Turbo Tweak Chip in it and it idles and runs much smoother.
Click to expand...

I started the car up again this morning, trying to troubleshoot a rattling noise I was hearing yesterday. The idle speed is coming down much more quickly now, after a minute or so idle speed returns to normal.

The rattling noise seems to be coming from the rear end, intermittent and in time with engine vibrations, I believe it may be the non-stock exhaust.
 
I have a TA-49 turbo in my car and an Armstrong chip. Also Lucas 009 injectors. This is just the stuff I was told from the PO. Its just slightly upgraded from stock but it runs good. Also an upgraded tranny (I think he told me Connolly-dont know if thats the correct spelling). Emissions testing is not required in my county.
 
I also replaced my wastegate hoses with ones from Kirban. They are original GM. just replace the y with the original from the car. Im pretty sure they are discontinued so I wouldnt wait too long to find some. As far as the TA49 goes. I have been talking with Precision turbo and they no longer make the TA49. only way i know to get one is if one of the other stores still have them. I think you should be able to send the stocker out and have it rebuilt to a TA49 though. I actually have 2, one that is brand new, and the other that needs rebuilt. I am trying to get it rebuilt with ball bearings. thats what i have been talking to Precision about. they cant do the BB upgrade that i want since they no longer make them however they do have the journal parts still available. good luck with the revival and enjoy.
 
I would go around the entire engine bay and replace every vacuum line as well. I'm sure from sitting they are all dry rotted. Pull out the IAC and clean that, then set that and check the setting on your TPS as well. Just keep picking away at it and in no time she will be purring like a kitty again!

Depending on your goals with the car you might want to just get the turbo on the car rebuilt. Since your not driving it take it off and send it out to someone like John Craig ( http://www.limitengineering.com/ ) he's not that far from you and have him rebuild the one on the car. All the turbo's on my cars are from him. While it's off replace all those vacuum lines, check the sensors and set them. More info on setting the TPS and IAC can be found here... http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/basics.htm#Throttle Position Sensor Adjustment Position Sensor Adjustment and http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/basics.htm#IAC (Idle Air Control) Adjustment (Idle Air Control) Adjustment Change all those fluids and filters and you'll be back on the road and on your way to the turbo trans am reunion in Ohio this year with a smile on your face! :)
 
PhillyTurboSix said:
I would go around the entire engine bay and replace every vacuum line as well. I'm sure from sitting they are all dry rotted. Pull out the IAC and clean that, then set that and check the setting on your TPS as well. Just keep picking away at it and in no time she will be purring like a kitty again!

Depending on your goals with the car you might want to just get the turbo on the car rebuilt. Since your not driving it take it off and send it out to someone like John Craig ( http://www.limitengineering.com/ ) he's not that far from you and have him rebuild the one on the car. All the turbo's on my cars are from him. While it's off replace all those vacuum lines, check the sensors and set them. More info on setting the TPS and IAC can be found here... http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/basics.htm#Throttle Position Sensor Adjustment Position Sensor Adjustment and http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/basics.htm#IAC (Idle Air Control) Adjustment (Idle Air Control) Adjustment Change all those fluids and filters and you'll be back on the road and on your way to the turbo trans am reunion in Ohio this year with a smile on your face! :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. Those are all going on my "to-do" list.

I've been looking around locally for vacuum hose but nobody in the area carries hose with the appropriate inside diameter. Does anyone know of a source for vacuum hose?

I have a spare turbo I picked up. It appears to have functioning bearings but the compressor fins are a little chewed. My intention was to have this one sent out for refurbishment at a place like Limit as you suggested.

Future goals; it'll be a cruiser. I'm interested in all the bolt-ons I can afford. Not interested in alcohol injection.
 
One of the top things on my list, on top of what I listed... would be to get some fresh injectors in the car along with maybe a fuel pump hot wire kit and a turbo tweak chip. Eric sells most of that in package deals here.. http://www.turbotweakstore.com/ with some more info here... http://www.turbotweak.com/ you really can't go wrong. Do some 60lb injectors and you'll never need to look back for fuel and you can go deep into the 11's with ease on them without alky.

You might want to check gbodyparts.com for vacuum line kits. He may have them unless someone else here has another source. I went to the local Advanced Auto and just bought a few rolls of ever thing they had pretty much for my cars.

Your on the right path in the best place for tips and advice! Keep it up!

Now you have till July to get this all done and take her on her maiden voyage on a trip to Ohio for the reunion!! :)
 
There's an Earl's Performance store within walking distance, I think I'll stop by and ask them about hose.

I have a fuel pump hotwire kit from Racetronix. It came with my fuel pump. I need to install it.

I've also installed an on-rail fuel pressure gauge. I'm considering moving to an electronic in-car model however.

I don't know if I'll make the reunion (which I still think should be in Van Nuys ;) ) my goal was to make the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit. I went to college in Michigan and never went.
 
Again, thank you to everyone who's been helping and providing advice.

A small update: it looks like my turbo may actually work. With a few minutes of oil running through it, the turbine spins fairly freely now. I'm crossing my fingers for the future. I purchased the silicone hose kit posted by TTA984 and I'm hoping it works out for me.

A question: I'm attaching a file of what should look like water on concrete. I'm concerned that this might be an indication of a problem. This liquid is coming out both tail pipes along with a thin vapor. After the car is shut off the vapor can be seen lingering in the exhaust pipes. Any ideas? I've considered condensation, it's certainly cool enough here in LA for that sort of thing, but I want to get second and third opinions. I know the image isn't going to tell you much, I'm hoping the description is enough for a general consensus that it is not something to be worried about at this point.
 
I've decided to ignore the excessive moisture for now. I went and replaced a few of the vacuum lines that were rotting away today. This included the lines to the wastegate.

The car idles better now, it seems like it comes down from it's 2k rpm idle much more quickly ans settles right under 1k (maybe 800). Revving the engine (in park) is a bit more responsive now, but the rpms don't quite come down as quickly as they should. I still need to clean up the throttle body and adjust the TPS and IAC per the directions posted earlier.

(if it's alright with the moderators, I'm just going to use this thread for all future restoration updates)
 
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