about backwards 84/85intakes

[VASCAR 3]

84/85 intakes were first turned around in 1985.I came across a magazine article from 1985.It shows what mcclaren engineering did to a project 85 ttype.They turned the intake around and move the turbo like were a 86/87is.Then they used a 86/87 style intercooler with a upsidedown u shaped pipe into the air inlet of the 84/85 intake.They also left the throttle body on the turbo in its new location.This moved the hot turbo to the front of the engine and added the intercooler.According to the magazine article i have it dropped the et down a whole second.Which is how the 86/87 design was made.Later mcclaren did it again in 87 with the gnx.Mcclaren took a bad 84/85 intake design from gm and in there hands made it bad to the bone.So it can be turned around.Have both a 84 and a 87.Still like the 84 better cause it is the original bad to the bone car.

 

[cool 84]

That's very interesting. Any pictures? Was the intake modified in any way?

 

[6SENSE]

Great info! Any idea what magazine (and issue)?

 

[turbojustin]

Now that is what I am talking about. Thank you very much for the info.

 

[forcefed3.8's]

It would just be easier to use an 87 intakeand TB, delete the a/c compressor, and mount the turbo there with custom headers and dp. Then you wouldn't have to mess around with the coolant hoses and wiring harness.

 

[VASCAR 3]

About backwards 84/85 intakes

I am looking for that magazine i have a couple hundred to look at to find the article i spoke of.When i find it i will try to post the pictures from the article with my scanner.

 

[VASCAR 3]

Sure now you could say just use a 86/87 intake now but in 85 there were no 86/87 intakes yet.Mcclaren redesigned it in 85 to make it easy for production and performance.

 

[TRiv]

I have a spring 1985 edition of "Muscle Cars" magazine ( Schneider performance series) that has an article and a few pictures ( one that show a reversed 84-85 intake), unfortunately most of the 2 page spread shows an 85 t top regal with concept add on body work, and two small engine pictures, one is from the 85 brocure showing a stock 85 engine, the other about 2"X4" showing the McLaren experiment engine. If I can will post it in the future, though can't promise, anyway I'll describe what there is to see; the manifold is completely covered so it is not at all visible but is an 84-85 mounted in reverse. The coil pack sits right on top the plenum dead center, and mounted to a metal plate that is just slightly larger in footprint of the coil pack. The thermostat housing is not visible but is towards the firewall (buried) and hard plumbed from there towards the master cylinder close to the firewall then disappears from the picture (sure it 's going to the radiator). This plumbing has a tee in it which is located behind driver side valve cover, sort of jury rigged with a radiator cap and overflow tube probably to burp the coolant at this point. The turbo is mounted similar to the 86-87 up front, can't see any detail of the brackets though, or if the ac compressor is still there, the throttle body is still attached to the turbo as 84-5 ( inlet side of turbo) and is located behind radiator shroud and centered, the inlet/air cleaner set up is not visible. The intercooler they used is not visible though it is an Air research according to the article, the output tube of the intercooler, probably aluminum is made up of at least 3 pieces welded together ( looks pretty good) runs up from behind the fan shroud similar to 86-7 with a smooth radius, over the throttle body and into the intake with a very mild bend. It sure looks like it is going into the stock turbo port of an 84-5 intake (sure not an 86). The alternator is on the driver side and looks to have the serpantine belt style, no detail shown for brackets. Only other thing I can see is the throttle body linkage comes from firewall, runs over the alternator, and ends at TB behind fan shroud in center, oh and there is a fabricated shield over the turbo similar to 86-7. That is the best I can do for now, if I can send the picture I will. This issue of Muscle Cars magazine had a lot of the Buick performance history in it, GS's, Rivieras, and GN's, one article I liked was the twin turbo 83 Riviera pace car, cool!

 

[VASCAR 3]

about backwards intakes

That sounds like the magazine still looking for it.About the twin turbo riv does anybody on this website own one.Never saw one for real yet look like a one of a kind turbo car.And could you just put that engine in a gn that would be bad to the bone.

 

[TRiv]

The magazine cover is dark blue and has a big picture of a yellow 1970 GSX ! As for the Riviera pace car there is one maybe two, and maybe an engine or two. I have only run into a few people with an 84-5 turbo Riviera ( aprox. 1100 made each year). There is a picture of the 83 pace car and engine here:

http://www.rivowners.org/lakegnva/

 

[VASCAR 3]

about backwards intakes

Those are some really cool pictures of the riv pace car.Just makes me wonder why gns did not come standard with 2 turbos and a stage2 block.