Purchased 97 850 GLT and it's scary fast....tuned ECU?

moses3 · Post by **moses3** » 05 Jan 2023, 20:22

I recently purchased a 1997 850 GLT and it's scary fast. I've driven fast cars, Porsche 911, Dodge Viper, BMW M-everything, this 850 GLT flies on the road, the pedal just gets a whiff of my foot and we're at 40mph. At 4,000 RPMs I'm easily flying past everyone. Take off is like a rocket.

The car has a rear spoiler, and a vented front bumper. The car also came from Portland, which I know is home of IPD, I know IPD makes a custom tuned ECU. Does anyone know how to check the ECU, or anything else that may indicate what I'm dealing with?

Every time I get in it I feel like a little kid in a race car! Great feeling!

Oh.... And I'm NOT using Sports mode! I personally don't like how it feels. So this car is flying in Economy mode. I do give it premium gas, I've tried the different grades and it definitely prefers premium.

Post by **Sveedy** » 05 Jan 2023, 20:47

I believe your experiencing Low Pressure Turbo Syndrome

I'm not sure about your ECU - I would think there would be a sticker on it if it's a tuned unit from IPD.

Post by **kallekula** » 05 Jan 2023, 21:07

Cool! How long does 0-60mph take?

moses3 · Post by **moses3** » 05 Jan 2023, 21:17

Sveedy wrote: ↑05 Jan 2023, 20:47 I believe your experiencing Low Pressure Turbo Syndrome
I'm not sure about your ECU - I would think there would be a sticker on it if it's a tuned unit from IPD.

Is that what that is?!

moses3 · Post by **moses3** » 05 Jan 2023, 21:35

kallekula wrote: ↑05 Jan 2023, 21:07 Cool! How long does 0-60mph take?

I don't really know.... But as a point of reference, my buddy has a 1978 Porsche 911 Targa, which Porsche says does 0-60 in 7, and he's gotten 7.4 on a race track. I would guess this 850 is at least a second, maybe 1.5 faster than his Porsche. Keep in mind his Porsche is 45 years old, and it handles phenomenal! The 850 doesn't handle like the Porsche, it's still great, but I'm not taking tight turns at 60mph!

Post by **Chuck W** » 05 Jan 2023, 21:36

Check the ECU. It's possible it has a tuned ECU, but who knows.

The LPT cars have a bit of grunt off the line, but they tend to run out of steam in stock form. My wife's '97 GLT was fairly peppy when we bought it, but since we've put a larger turbo on it, and a mild tune, etc. it breathes a lot better on the top end. It's still slower than my T5, though.

You have the car in front of you, so you'll know better than the rest of us if any work has been done to it.

Post by **kallekula** » 05 Jan 2023, 21:47

Fastest car I’ve driven was actually a buddy’s diesel truck! That thing moved man, with thick black smoke pouring out of two smoke stacks. On the other hand I haven’t driven very many fast cars/trucks. It was ridiculously fast though to be such big and heavy as it was.

Post by **abscate** » 06 Jan 2023, 01:01

Having both the LPT and HPT in my fleet, the LPT is awesome off the line. The only thing that approaches it is the HPT m56 spooled up to 4000 rpm dropping a Porsche in the rear view.

Ok, passing Mrs Robinson in Rolls was cool too. She caught up with me later and gave me some Benjamin’s

Post by **Sveedy** » 06 Jan 2023, 07:52

I think part of it is the fact that the car is FWD. All the power / drive right on top of your steering definitely gives one that " Holy Shit " feeling.

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 06 Jan 2023, 11:24

I know the gearing is a bit different on the GLTs, and the engine revs so much quicker than an NA. I don't have a T5 or R to compare to.