differences between the 86 and 87 Grand Nationals

[draaronr]

I am sure you guys have beat this to death, but bare with me I am new. I have always had a love for the vehicles, but was wondering what the differences in the two years of the vehicle are. Also was wondering pros and cons to the two years.

 

[TTA197]

The '86 has a different grill (chrome piece on top of grill). I don't think you could get automatic climate control on the '87. Other than that the drivetrain is the same for both years.

 

[TurboJunky]

1. As already indicated the grille trim is different. The 1986 will have a chrome outlined grille, the 1987 will have a totally blacked out version.

2. The door pull straps in a 1986 will be black, whereas a 1987 will have gray ones.

3. Rated HP on the 1986 was 235HP and the 1987 was rated at 245HP. This may have been GM playing with numbers as I have seen NOTHING to substantiate this claim. The engine/drivetrains were mechanically identical.

I have no knowledge about the automatic climate control without researching my Kirban's book.

HTH...

 

[gn85]

Yes, according to Kirban's book, they did not offer it due to the high failure rate of the 86s auto climate control. I don't know if that's confirmed to be true though.

pg. 169, Kirban

Trunk code C68

 

[GNX Guy]

If I remember correctly, the chips were a tad different to comply with emissions laws, also, black door pull handles on 86's gray on 87's, wiring harness behind dash was a tad different on 86's than on 87's, decale on coil pack differences, and I believe the dot on the wastgate solinoid is a different color. power steering reservoir is different as is its cap. The grill as someone already mentioned, power seat motors are different, power seat switches are different, seatbelt DOT tags are different, Cruise Control Diaphrams different, 86 has metal retaining clips on the main dash harness where it plugs into the ECM, plastic on the 87's, aluminum bumper supports on 86 gn's. Electronic climate not available on 87's, fuel pump wiring a bit different, more checked paint on 86's. Lastly the 86 was used as a prototype GNX, In fact most of the press photos, including those in the hardbound GNX book are actually an 86 GN converted to a GNX.

 

[draaronr]

So is it safe to say that it mostly comes down to the nicer of the two you can find or is there a preference. Most of the items mentioned (great detail by the way) seem to be trivial. I am wanting to get a moderatley mileage vehicle in good condition. I would prefer t-tops as I am not wanting insane power modifications. After saying that though I would like to add some additional oomph to it. My main concern is getting a great looking mostly stock car. I just don't want to be limited with my year selection. Nothing is worse than paying good money for a nice used car and find out you can do many more things to a slightly different year, or finding out all the bugs were worked out in a different year.

 

[draaronr]

Also what are some common problems with those two years that I need to look for or common GN problems in general. Also can you recommend any books or is there a GN magazine in print even if it is quarterly.

 

[TurboBuckeye]

Originally posted by draaronr
Also what are some common problems with those two years that I need to look for or common GN problems in general.

RUST!

 

[77tech9]

I thought that the 86 had like 10% less turbo boost or some stupid claim. Not sure how they would obtain this with the exact same parts.

 

[87gnNV]

Originally posted by GNX Guy
If I remember correctly, the chips were a tad different to comply with emissions laws, also, black door pull handles on 86's gray on 87's, wiring harness behind dash was a tad different on 86's than on 87's, decale on coil pack differences, and I believe the dot on the wastgate solinoid is a different color. power steering reservoir is different as is its cap. The grill as someone already mentioned, power seat motors are different, power seat switches are different, seatbelt DOT tags are different, Cruise Control Diaphrams different, 86 has metal retaining clips on the main dash harness where it plugs into the ECM, plastic on the 87's, aluminum bumper supports on 86 gn's. Electronic climate not available on 87's, fuel pump wiring a bit different, more checked paint on 86's. Lastly the 86 was used as a prototype GNX, In fact most of the press photos, including those in the hardbound GNX book are actually an 86 GN converted to a GNX.

I think you missed one buddy, didn't the 87's have the third brake light?

 

[GNX Guy]

Yes the 87's had a 3rd brake light and so did the 86's

What did I miss about the 3rd brake light?

Joe

Originally posted by 87gnNV
I think you missed one buddy, didn't the 87's have the third brake light?

 

[mgmshar]

My 1986 has a third brake light...

Probably the biggest differences between the '86's and '87's are rarity. About 5000 GN's were sold as 1986 models, well over 20,000 GN's were sold as 1987 models. The exact numbers are on gnttype.org. I know that around here, there are a lot of GN's, and it seems like darn near all of them are 87's.

 

[TurboJunky]

The 3rd brake light was mandatory on all new passenger vehicles sold in this country by the USDOT starting for 1984's model year.

 

[87gnNV]

Ooops sorry I thought that only the 87's had the third brake light.

 

[turbojustin]

Originally posted by TT/A1233
The 3rd brake light was mandatory on all new passenger vehicles sold in this country by the USDOT starting for 1984's model year.

Are you sure it was mandatory in 1984? My 84 and 85 Buicks don't have 3rd brake lights.

 

[TurboJunky]

Originally posted by turbojustin
Are you sure it was mandatory in 1984? My 84 and 85 Buicks don't have 3rd brake lights.

My bad, you're correct and I was mistaken. It was mandated in 1986. Brain fart so to speak....

 

[RobR]

Originally posted by TT/A1233
My bad, you're correct and I was mistaken. It was mandated in 1986. Brain fart so to speak....

Yep, 1986. Most 85 cars had the option to have a 3rd brake light.

 

[thomas cory]

Know this is a decade late, but your saying the option for the third brake was offered ? I never have encountered a third brake light on any 1985 GN .....

 

[XS29L9B]

Know this is a decade late, but your saying the option for the third brake was offered ? I never have encountered a third brake light on any 1985 GN .....

It was not an option.

1986 model year vehicles, it was mandatory, and for all years since.

Any 1985-earlier vehicles, it was retrofitted.

 

[thomas cory]

Definitely knew this was mandatory as of 1986 on every car in the USA. I remember the third brake light on the 911 Porsche looked like “ET” also the Chevy Camaro looked like a last minute add.
Thanks for your feedback.
After all these years , do you still have the same GN , TR ??