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Why does this TTA feels like the parking brake is on

Kman1971

Well-Known Member
I just looked at another TTA. This one is a project for sure. Clean car fax, Clean interior, minor body repairs, but the engine scares me but I am looking forward to the challenge. The car runs, but current owner thinks maybe the turbo is blown or the transmission is not right. It only has 56k, cloth t-top car. The current owner bought it in 99 with 51K on it and has not driven it much the last few years. It needs some body work, rear spoiler, power antenna, headlights make noise but don't go up or down, no air but heat works, no radio...typical, etc. .The engine was heavily modified by the original owner with a bigger intercooler, turbo, maf translator, heads and cam. ford 9" rear. He said when he bought it, it would skip second gear but would run 12's. Does that make sense? He showed me a track print out it running 12's. He decided to get the transmission fixed and it has not run right ever since and even took it back to get repaired again and it still drives the same. The car started right up, constant smooth idle, great pressure on gauges, no leaks that I could find before or after driving, no smoke in the engine area or any heavy smoke from the exhaust. The engine sounded good with it in park and throttled. But on the test drive the car felt like it was being driven with the parking brake on. No power. It felt and sounded like it was boosting, but nothing over 5 psi. I am thinking it's the transmission but I really have no clue, just guessing based on what the owner said. Does anyone know what this could be or had these type of issues with their TTA? I am trying to decide if it worth it to buy at the right price or just stay away from it. Here are some pics of the engine.

engine3.jpg


engine2.jpg


engine1.jpg
 
Could be several things. Trans slipping or about shot. Severe boost leakage.
I'd pass on that one, unless it was really cheap. Like $4k cheap.
 
If it's only had 5k miles put on it in the last 12 years it could also be the fuel system is all gummed up. Everything from the pump to the injectors. No fuel = no boost. Plus there's no telling what else might start failing after you decide to start driving it. Hoses start to break down, especially when they just sit that long. Just my $.02.
 
I had a friend that bought an '87 GN at one point that had been someone's DD. It had like 80k miles and snow tires on it! It had been sitting for several years and the injectors were all clogged up...and who knows what else. Best it could muster down the 1/4 was mid-15s...minus the snow tires!
 
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