GNX-ing an El Camino

[Vendor Defendor]

do you think it can be done? for some reason it came to me last night, when i was looking through Kirbans catalog. my dad wants to start up a project some time soon, build a nice motor for it so i have been thinking about what we should do, and since i miss my el camino so much, and i love my buick so much, why not make a combo? but why stop there? put the GNX suspension it in i think that would be pretty unique and niffty, i would think it would solve the weight ratio/traction problems those cars have right?

everything in my mind tells me it should work, because 78-87 el caminos are G-Bodies, so the frame is the same, so i dont see what it wouldnt work? the only thing is, that kirbans says you MUST have the rear seat braces for it to work.. i dont know how i could do those unless i put them behind the seats in that little storage compartment directly below the back window?

so what do you think? or do you think i am just crazy?

-Neil

 

[1badTTA]

Go for it!!!

Are you just planning on the suspension, or are you gonna do the frontend and vents and flares too?

It looks like you may have to fabricate some braces of your own to stiffen it up as much as possible, but it shouldn't be too difficult.

 

[Vendor Defendor]

i dont know about the fender flairs, but i defintaly want the fender vents....

i think i will call it the ECX

-Neil

 

[1badTTA]

Actually the febder flares would be the simplest way to get the correct wheel well openings on the rear. The shape is different between the regal and el camino and cutting the quarters is a bitch but the flare would be easy.

 

[b4black]

Are the frames the same? I thought El Caminos and Wagons used a different frame from the rest.

 

[GNVAIR]

All g bodies have a 108" wheel base. The only exception is the El Camino's which had a 119" wheel base.
Coupes, sedans and wagons had basically the same frames (there are variations through the years). The El Camino has a unique frame unto itself.

 

[denn454]

it would be cool. i'd like to put a gn engine in a 72ish chevelle, an elcamino would be just as cool. the suspension would probably have to be made for the car, if you can find good pictures of it, and do it yourself, or most of it yourself it would probably be cheaper than buying the kirbains kit. i'd like to see it done!

 

[6 to go]

I saw a GN'ed El Camino at the Buick Nats a few
years ago and it was really sharp! I have a
complete engine that I keep toying with
selling or planting in and Elky.

 

[turbofish38]

The frames are different on the ElCamino. Wagon,coupe and sedans are 108" and ElCam is 116". The rear kick up and rear frame rail sections are the same so the GNX suspension should work with no problems. Everything else as far as the suspension is the same on G-bodies. I too saw the GN-ElCamino hybrid at the Nats about 4-5- years ago and I took pictures so if I can find them I'll scan and post them. What ever you do dont put a stupid Bow-Tie emblem on your truck like this guy did. It kind of distracts from the nice job he did on it. BTW I also love them trucks, I had a 1978 double(triple?) black I bought brand new and than traded it in on a 79 and than traded it in on my 86 GN.

Eric Fisher

 

[TurboD1987]

I have a picture of the grand camino you're talking about on my web site.
http://www.geocities.com/turbod1987/pics/page18.html

 

[turbofish38]

Hey, My error. The wheelbase is 117". The difference was made up in the middle so you better double check the frame area there becuase thats where the front crossmember welds on for the torque link front mount. Eric

 

[turbofish38]

TurboD1987, Is that your truck? I didn't mean to insult you with the emblem comment. That is one slick ride. Do you have any pictures of the interior and engine. Eric

 

[Pat Adkins]

didn't that guy have to cut 1 or 2 inches out of the hood and header panel to get it to fit properly? I rememeber reading the article about the car and the easiest part of the swap was the engine, I think it bolted right in.

 

[Matt Weiser]

The ElCo-GN swap has been done by a few of people, including a few on this forum. Very do-able. I talked to a couple of these guys for tips when I was building my wagon. Another thing about the ElCos is they have a unique gas tank, but that's actually an advantage if you can find a tank from the '87 ElCos that had the EFI V6 motor. It would eliminate the need to modify the tank at all, which is one of the trickiest parts of this swap. Just drop in the right pump.

Otherwise, it's a pretty easy swap. Everything forward of the rear window should be identical to a TR. Shouldn't be any need to modify the firewall, hood or anything else. Even the GN motor mounts will bolt right in using holes already in the frame. A GN dash and interior should also be a direct bolt-in, just like it was on my wagon (well, except maybe door panels). You might have to modify the tranny x-member, but I used a kit from www.crossmembers.com that made this real easy.

As for rear suspension mods, at a local car show recently I saw an earlier-model ElCo that had a full Corvette independent rear suspension. Very cool. You could easily fab some x-braces that bolt or weld into the bed to firm things up back there.

 

[WakkoSS]

Wow, talk about traction issues. Looks sweet.

 

[420]

Originally posted by TurboD1987
I have a picture of the grand camino you're talking about on my web site.
http://www.geocities.com/turbod1987/pics/page18.html

That thing is SWEET!!!! Oh man, you folks are making me want another project....

 

[1000MileStylez]

my place is a g-force retailer

s-k speed
273 rockville centre ny
516 766 2225

you need the rc200/400

very great product from a very good company!

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

http://www.okbuicks.com/tomkeith.htm

do a search for elcamino also

 

[Vendor Defendor]

i know people put GN motors in elky's but i never saw a GNX suspension in an Elky, thats why i was wonder if it could be done...

-Neil

 

[denn454]

Originally posted by TurboD1987
I have a picture of the grand camino you're talking about on my web site.
http://www.geocities.com/turbod1987/pics/page18.html

<DROOL>

that has to be the coolest thing i've ever seen!!!!!!!!!!! whoever made it really spent some time on it! i'd like to see if they switched the dash out too.

seeing that gives me an idea. woudl it be possible to switch out the front SS nose (from the elcamino not monte carlo) we have an 87 ss monte aerocoupe, i've looked at it before and the body lines wont' quite line up, but from the looks of that the elcamino nose should line up. not that i have the time or money to do it, but the ss nose looks better in my oppinion.

anyways, that looks beyond awsome, i could only immagine a gnx version looking even better!