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5 GT Turbo R5 TURBO REBUILD

Winger14

New Member
Hello folks, interested to hear thoughts of those more informed. I have a 1991 R5 GT Turbo from new, (in my profile pic) to rebuild. Enough money to invest in it. What is the consensus regarding modifying the engine? An engine builder has said to keep it standard, but can tune it slightly, though I'd be keen to give it a bit more safe and reliable bhp. I have all the original parts, etc, but might change cosmetics slightly with brakes etc. Mechanic who is storing it was talking about fuel injection? Garaged since 2002 with only 70k, but started ok after nearly 20 years in storage. I have had the car from brand new in May 1991 and was used until 2002, when then garaged. Would love to hear the thoughts of the more experienced?
 
Whatever your preference is. Plenty of options if you have a fair budget. Do you prefer originality or OEM+ or heavily modified? Build it to the spec you want.

Personally I would go for OEM+ so mostly OEM, some nice wheels, probably an EFI conversion (they run and drive loads better) and coilover suspension. But thats me.
 
Imo Maybe reliability is key, the further you push for power the more you need to upgrade to withstand that power and the more it costs, as im sure youre aware. With a t2 hybrid turbo and a little carb alteration and boost tweak will see you smiling. Just dnt catch that nasty boost bug...forged gear, efi, standalone management, nos....nasty stuff lol Best of luck with it keep us informed of decisions and progress ;)
 
Slight tuning would make for a better driving experience. As standard the gtt is distinctly sub-par these days on the speed front. The 160-180bhp range makes things far more interesting and fun, without breaking the bank or reducing reliability. I'd stick with a carb for that sort of power, a mild cam and a boost increase.
 
Whatever your preference is. Plenty of options if you have a fair budget. Do you prefer originality or OEM+ or heavily modified? Build it to the spec you want.

Personally I would go for OEM+ so mostly OEM, some nice wheels, probably an EFI conversion (they run and drive loads better) and coilover suspension. But thats me.
Big thanks, mate. All points noted. I'm somewhere in between original and heavily modify. I have the original parts and it's not for selling on. I have had it since new and it outlasted three marriages, so it's very sentimental. It will purely be for the odd nice day out in the Summer (I believe we are due some eventually) Definitely noted on the EFI, as the current mechanic has suggested this also. Mind you, he was talking about longer con rods and shorter pistons etc, hence why I decided to ask you guys, as there is a lot of experience in these ranks. Big thanks and will update on the progress. There is a top engine buildrr engine builders have recommended, who has said he can have the engine better than when it came and converted to 95 etc by late October. It is what it is.
 
As Dave said Build it as you want it. Obviously original cars will fetch more money. But Original parts can command a
Premium these days.

@sparkie is the Best advise for engines.
Cheers, Mark. I do see the need for keeping classics original, but as I replied to DaveL485, all original parts are retained and I will be keeping it, for the odd good day, so a slight facelift and tuning is probably the way I am going to go. Thanks for your input. Greatly appreciated.
 
Imo Maybe reliability is key, the further you push for power the more you need to upgrade to withstand that power and the more it costs, as im sure youre aware. With a t2 hybrid turbo and a little carb alteration and boost tweak will see you smiling. Just dnt catch that nasty boost bug...forged gear, efi, standalone management, nos....nasty stuff lol Best of luck with it keep us informed of decisions and progress ;)
Big thank you. I think you read my mind and the more I read the replies from you guys, it focuses me more how I will go. I will of course update the status of the work.
 
Slight tuning would make for a better driving experience. As standard the gtt is distinctly sub-par these days on the speed front. The 160-180bhp range makes things far more interesting and fun, without breaking the bank or reducing reliability. I'd stick with a carb for that sort of power, a mild cam and a boost increase.
Mark had mentioned you were the best advisor re engines. Not surprisingly, the really highly recommended engine builder I am considering using, who has said it won't be ready until October :( said exactly the same as you, almost word for word. 180bhp would be not too shabby in that little car. Will of course update you guys on the status, what exactly the engine builder proposes to do and his estimated costs. Big thanks, guys.
 
Agreed, the C1J rods are very chunky. Engine ready in October - makes me feel a bit better about my 1-2months build time 😆😆
Yep, I'm kid of caught by the balls, as it has been with the current mechanic for a few years and he has not done much, other than pull the engine out and store it. Trying to get a decent engine builder in Northern Ireland is like trying to find rocking horse shite, but the name given to me basically said what you have written. I work overseas, so will just wait it out. I suppose the mechanic who will be overseeing respray and putting it all back together could get his finger out of his arse and have the rest sitting pretty, ready to drop the new engine in, or am I dreaming in that regard?
 
Yep, I'm kid of caught by the balls, as it has been with the current mechanic for a few years and he has not done much, other than pull the engine out and store it. Trying to get a decent engine builder in Northern Ireland is like trying to find rocking horse shite, but the name given to me basically said what you have written. I work overseas, so will just wait it out. I suppose the mechanic who will be overseeing respray and putting it all back together could get his finger out of his arse and have the rest sitting pretty, ready to drop the new engine in, or am I dreaming in that regard?
There's a good guy south of the border in kilkenny.
 
Is there any possibility of getting the car shipped to England and get it sorted then sent back to you @Winger14 ?
Sorry I am only replying now, but was travelling. That is a possible consideration and had I known the original mechanic who currently has the car had arsed around so long, I would have done this earlier, but tbh the engine rebuild and timing for oct does not massively bother me, as I am working overseas in Ukraine (for my sins) and can't see me being home much this year, so that would allow the painter and mechanic to do their stuff to be ready to stick engine in. I will contact those mentioned this weekend and seek a firm commitment and if I still feel they are arsing around, then I will definitely get back to you. Big thank you.. options are good.
 
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