After the dreaded differential debate, lets try this again Couple questions. On a 91 Testarossa, are there upgrades over the previous years? Some people have said that they are faster, as in 512TR power upgrades? Few sellers have told me the 91 has the same engine as the 512, which I dont think is true. #2. Have you heard of any issues with white TR's specificly having their paint yellow, needing a repaint? And lastly, the dousy.... If a car hasn't had its timing belt changed in 5-6 years, but has only been driven approx 5 to 700 miles since that service. How concerned would you be on immediately doing the service? What does this generally cost around? Thank you!
I wouldnt worry about driving it. A testarossa doesn't have any 512TR parts in it. Its no faster than previous years.
1. IIRC the 88.5 to 1991 TR is the same car not counting country specific things like mouse belts. 2. Ive never seen yellowing on white TR's. Ever. 3. Belts wear out over time but from not driving the car as well. I would be more suspect of belt failure on a car that sat from non use than a car with regular useage and miles. A belt that sits will develop cracks and flat spots for the lack of a better term. 4. Price at F Dealer is gonna start about $7k and go up depending on what they find and what you want to do while the motor is out (Fuel pumps, Diff, water pump etc.) Im gonna budget about $10k for my next belt service. $16k all in if I decide to do the Diff.
$7700 for my last svc at the dealer, didn't change the water pump or anything else. Was previously done 9 years, probably 5 - 7k miles before that. Ymmv.
I've never seen yellowing either. Not driving the car is worse in my opinion. I'd do the belts as they are supposed to be done.
Not to get into the whole timing belt debate thing here again but I find it absolutely absurd to do an engine out every three years as FNA recomends. There are some great mechanics that post here that I absolutely respect but also differ with when it comes to the belt debate. If you are driving the TR- IMO 7 years is a good interval.
Agreed. Im from the aviation world and a sitting plane is a broken plane. Thats why my TR is on a battery tender and gets started once a week, idled up to fans switching on then shut off. Twice a month she gets to stretch her legs, even it its only to work and back. We have plenty of other cars, so she is used for fun dates and special occasions. But to let a TR sit and collect dust is not conducive to a healthy auto. She needs to be touched, stroked and played with.
