Converting a 84 to a 87 Cool Air set up?

[Spool'n Fool]

No one seems interested in buying my 84 GN (daily driver) for low $8K price . I'd like to daily drive a quicker car like my 87 garage queen. I hate altering an original HA car (especially since the 84 is first year and rare). If I install a $2K+ 87 engine set up, will I gain $2K+ value? or will there still be no interest due to the year?

I even thought about dropping a chev 383 set up in it...

It's got a nice body/Interior and has 87K miles. Anyone know history with these conversions?

 

[tthorngen]

If you drop a 383 in it people will throw eggs at you.

 

[cool 84]

No one seems interested in buying my 84 GN (daily driver) for low $8K price . I'd like to daily drive a quicker car like my 87 garage queen. I hate altering an original HA car (especially since the 84 is first year and rare). If I install a $2K+ 87 engine set up, will I gain $2K+ value? or will there still be no interest due to the year?

I even thought about dropping a chev 383 set up in it...

It's got a nice body/Interior and has 87K miles. Anyone know history with these conversions?

Don't know about the value but the swap has been done many times and is very easy. My dad did the swap in his 84 with a stageII motor. With that said, you have an 87 already, why alter such a rare car?

 

[Spool'n Fool]

Basically, my 87 get's driven once a week or so to keep the miles off it for future investment... I drive the 84 daily, but want something quicker (Like the 87 quickness).. I can't afford another nice 86 or 87 though.

 

[blown okie]

I did the conversion on my 84 ttype, and if i had it to do over again, i probably wouldn't do it .

it sounds like the your 84 is nice, so if it was me put a cold air, coil pack ecm swap, electric fan, bigger dp/exhaust, add an alky kit, turn up the boost, it should be plenty fast for a daily driver, dont do anything you cant undo for originality sake, and then you have 2 great buicks, just my 2 cents

 

[blown okie]

btw, if you put a 383 chevy in I will also throw eggs at you, it a great engine but use a monte or cutlass, for that.

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Spool n fool- You can make a hot air go fast. Check my mods as well as Tenrights. It works. Brad

 

[waldo786]

I agree with Brad....I don't race my car but the previous owner did. He ran 14's on the few smaller mods that he did to the car, and if you put the time and effort and some more money you can get it fast. Personally I want a nice cruiser that I'm using as my daily driver. There's a lot more that could be squeezed out of the car...intercooler, and larger turbo (TA33 fits with stock look), larger stall converter, higher gears, etc. Guy I bought the car from also had almost all the parts to convert it to an 87 in the trunk but after looking at the time and $ investment, I think it's better to leave it the way it is. Hope that helps.

 

[1QUICK85]

STOP!!! I will trade you cars and you can put a 383 in my car if you wish. I would love to have a stock '84

 

[cool 84]

Basically, my 87 get's driven once a week or so to keep the miles off it for future investment... I drive the 84 daily, but want something quicker (Like the 87 quickness).. I can't afford another nice 86 or 87 though.

I added just a front mount and mine went 13.9@101mph with 14psi. Right where the stock 87s are.

 

[boostingbuick]

Hate to jump on this wagon, but i agree. I bought my 84 just cuz of the rare leather. Not many people know of these cars and like that i have one of 2000. My car is now fast. Full frame off that many people can't get over how nice my car is. But, why is it that my 84 can't pull the money of a same 87 with the same mods? I have no plans to ever sell it, but if I had to then i will lose more money just because its not an 86/87? The car has run high tens on pump gas, everything works and has power everything. But has manual pricing. Go figure.

 

[conn84gn]

Bought my 84 for the interior Becaues it was rare and spent $$$$ on it.
Now it has a 87 setup on the 84 block because I had already spent $$$ on the rebuild, I love it.
I would not do it again IF it was a very LOW MILEAGE CAR
If it's not a low milege car, do what you want
It will never be a Barrett Jackson Car
Everybody thinks they have one.

 

[Spool'n Fool]

Thanks for the input guys.. I've been on vacation for a couple of weeks.

1QUICK85, I'd be interested in a trade if you weren't so dammed far away. then again.. How's the rust situation??? Quarter mile time?

I'd drive my 87 everyday if it didn't have lower miles on it...

I've decided to put a few bucks into the 87 instead of the 84, so I'll keep it as is and push harder to sell it now..

Honestly, I would hate to ruin the mostly original aspect of the 84. I would be interested in a trade for a "Faster GN" though..

 

[1QUICK85]

I didn't think you would consider that....I couldn't part with it....not after all the time and effort I have in to it. I am going to the track later this month for the first time. I do love that interior on the '84's though. :biggrin: