Originally posted by: KevinH
Hey guys,
Any of you own the 90 and up Twin Turbo version of this car? How reliable is the engine? I know the NA version is a rock. Would you consider getting a used one? If so what mileage would be the most you'd accept? Thanks!
Kev
I own a silver 91 TT. The engine is rock solid. As long as you don't do anything stupid (like continuing to drive the car when a sensor goes bad) it will hold up just fine.
Let me put it this way- A guy on the Z board I go on is pushing 630 horsepower at his rear wheels (about 750 at the engine) on completely stock internals. And he races it. Holds up fine. The stock engine has forged and shot peened crankshaft and rods.
Escort Racing has a drag Z, and they use the stock VG30DETT block and crankshaft, and they're pushing 1,200 rwhp. The stock block and crank are extremely strong. The pistons will be the first part to give out.
So yeah, the engine is pretty solid. Just make sure you maintain it properly. I wouldn't worry about the mileage too much because that doesn't tell you anything about the condition of the car. When I went to look for a Z, I found several low mileage ones that were just ragged. And other higher mileage ones that seemed to be well cared for. So its life could have been harsh or it could have been gentle. It depends more on how the owner cared for it rather than how much they drove it.