Dr.-hey I have thought about doing an n/a motor before.......Id love to hear your experiences with them. Just asking as this would by me sometime on my current project. Just for fun! Thanks
I have had decent experiances with them if you treat them as they are.
kinda like buying a harbor freight power tool.... you have to expect the worst so that your not pissed when it chits the bed.
but I will mention, not to discourage anyone, but to help.... ive been building engines for awhile, and between measuring and inspection, i can tell what is gonna fly and whats not, so if you know somebody who has built a buick or 2 before it would be to your benifit to have them atleast look over what your doing.
Ive done them both ways, as they sit and rebuilt? (slapped together) using used turbo guts. Using a NA motor as it is will hold fine if your very conservative with boost and mindful of even the slightest detonation. You do however have to atleast open it up to add the drain back port. But this is minor. And in my case does not apply since my drain is in the Intake.
Ive also just torn the NA motor down and used it as just a base platform. reusing basicly only the block, crank, covers, and heads. the NA block and crank will hold atleast 400hp before any real problems are encountered. for pistons id buy the used sets that would come up for sale in the classifieds on here. 35 bucks plus shipping bought me a decent set of stock used pistons that werent too baddly worn or scuffed. using a Cheap-O re-ring kit purchased from either Summit or PAW provided the rest. I hone my blocks myself using a bottle brush hone. Though Ive found that the bore on these motors isnt usually very worn out. Same goes for the crank, just fresh bearings and a quick hand polish on the journals with 1200grit is enough for use. The cam is one thing though that generally is worth replacing. but again, a cheapy flat tappit grind from either above sources works fine.
Again, dont expect this to not have its problems, low oil pressure, smoke on start ups, wiped lobes, etc etc... your basicily building a buick like a chevy and that alone can be a dangerous endevor. So i would highly reccomend NOT using your 1500$ turbo or other premium items.
but for a motor that runs in a pinch and may last a summer of being driven easy.... its not a bad route.
For me, they generally get pretty fried. but thats because I push the envelope on them... for me there what I use to test different turbo combinations or manifold configurations. Since I am Carbed turbo, and technology is very very limited, I have to look outside the box to make any kind of performance improvement. Most test were major failures, too much detonation, too much heat, un-responsive intake manifolds etc etc... and at the rate different trains of thought are made, there would be no way for me to afford to loose one premium build. Though Charlie would agree ive probably spent a mint on re-ring kits and fresh blocks already. I will add that its super easy for me to pull my engine and drop one. I dont have miles of electronics or vacuum lines. No EFI, Intercooler, pretty much anything that makes it difficult on a regular GN. So maybe this applys only to me? I dunno.... but it can be done.
I agree with all the post above, A proper Buick build is expensive and difficult. It requires tools, quality parts, and a well experianced machinest and assembler. For a Buick that will last, its best left to the professionals.
But you wanna have a little fun, learn something about tuning your car, then this is the way to go..... cheap and nasty! Just dont be mad when it blows. cause it will.
let the flaming begin!
A.j.
