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I've got a pretty good perspective on this issue, since I formerly owned a 1981 Cadillac Coupe DeVille (slow) and a 1990 IROC-Z Camaro (VERY fast). I currently own both a 1983 245DL 4spd and a 1983 244 Turbo automatic.
The 1983 245DL is pretty slow alright. I've modified this car a fair amount (aggressive K camshaft, 2.25" exhaust, airbox modification) and it gets easily outrun by everything. I've taken it to the track repeatedly, and managed to get it (in modified form) to run 17.9, and a 0-60 of under 10 seconds. There are very few cars (or trucks or vans for that matter) being made today that it can outrun. It's still fun to drive and row through the gears with the K cam though, slingshot powerband and all.
My 244 turbo in STOCK form will not outrun my 245DL by much if at all. It's still mighty slow with the stock 127hp it puts out. The newer intercooled model 240 turbos (1984.5-1985) are pretty fast though, with around 165hp. They'll keep up with most cars on the road pretty well. I have however modified my turbo car for practically no money (less than $100), and it is now VERY FAST. Just adding an intercooler, running a free flowing exhaust, and raising the boost has turned my car into a monster. I'm sure it'll scare the hell out of a lot of people once I get it insured so I can drive it on a daily basis. I plan to take it to the track, and it'll probably run low 15's to high 14's, which for reference is sport sedan territory. There are people with high performance turbo 240s that have had them pumping out 190+hp for years with no more than the usual turbo car problems.
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Isaac Babcock - '83 245DL 'Borkie' and '83 244 turbo project
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