Good Morning folks!
New here, Ive been drooling over GN's since I was in the military in the 80's. Im considering purchasing one now and have been watching many of the usual sites. I have a few favorites that Im watching but I have one in particular that Im unsure of. If anyone could please offer your take on the level of repair I could be in for.
Just a quick want list is a clean WE2 or WE4 (preferably cold air) driver with mods for 11's or hopefully 10's. Or a clean driver in the price range and low enough miles to confidently build into a 11 or 10 second car myself. I feel foolish saying this but Im hoping to stay in the $20-$25k range. I know I know.... just bare with me here. This one Im asking about "could" save me a few grand doing some work myself.
An auto trader add that shows a WE2 with G80 as a "mechanic special" is at a pretty interesting price for the mileage. Ive received two videos from the seller showing the amount of exhaust smoke and an under-hood video I was hoping would reveal any telling noises. Smoke is constant but not obnoxious, and no out of the ordinary noises were heard while revving the engine.
https://www.allstarcaroutlet.com/inventory.aspx?mk=Buick
Sellers response to my questions: "Typically constant smoke , more smoke when you push the gas, also a little hesitation around 40mph when your driving the GN and you step on the gas."
Unfortunately I cant seem to upload the iPhone videos to show you guys.
From the photos and videos, it appears as if the turbo has been upgraded, and the customary gauges installed on the dash. However no alky or scan master is visible. My suspicion is that someone over boosted, maybe didnt upgrade the fuel system enough and burned valves, cracked a head, or blew a head gasket, yadda yadda.
My position is, if this smoke is indicative of a head gasket, or even if the heads are toast, new champion heads would still keep costs in the desirable range allowing for fuel delivery upgrades-alky etc.
My concern is, could this amount of burning oil be due to damage in the bottom end that would drive costs so high that Id end up better off spending $20-$25k for an unmodded car. Most of those Im finding are not necessarily low mileage.
Im not new to wrenching, and I dont hear much about bottom ends of the 3.8 giving much trouble. So Im I rolling the dice too much hoping the damage could be limited to heads?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can help with!
New here, Ive been drooling over GN's since I was in the military in the 80's. Im considering purchasing one now and have been watching many of the usual sites. I have a few favorites that Im watching but I have one in particular that Im unsure of. If anyone could please offer your take on the level of repair I could be in for.
Just a quick want list is a clean WE2 or WE4 (preferably cold air) driver with mods for 11's or hopefully 10's. Or a clean driver in the price range and low enough miles to confidently build into a 11 or 10 second car myself. I feel foolish saying this but Im hoping to stay in the $20-$25k range. I know I know.... just bare with me here. This one Im asking about "could" save me a few grand doing some work myself.
An auto trader add that shows a WE2 with G80 as a "mechanic special" is at a pretty interesting price for the mileage. Ive received two videos from the seller showing the amount of exhaust smoke and an under-hood video I was hoping would reveal any telling noises. Smoke is constant but not obnoxious, and no out of the ordinary noises were heard while revving the engine.
https://www.allstarcaroutlet.com/inventory.aspx?mk=Buick
Sellers response to my questions: "Typically constant smoke , more smoke when you push the gas, also a little hesitation around 40mph when your driving the GN and you step on the gas."
Unfortunately I cant seem to upload the iPhone videos to show you guys.
From the photos and videos, it appears as if the turbo has been upgraded, and the customary gauges installed on the dash. However no alky or scan master is visible. My suspicion is that someone over boosted, maybe didnt upgrade the fuel system enough and burned valves, cracked a head, or blew a head gasket, yadda yadda.
My position is, if this smoke is indicative of a head gasket, or even if the heads are toast, new champion heads would still keep costs in the desirable range allowing for fuel delivery upgrades-alky etc.
My concern is, could this amount of burning oil be due to damage in the bottom end that would drive costs so high that Id end up better off spending $20-$25k for an unmodded car. Most of those Im finding are not necessarily low mileage.
Im not new to wrenching, and I dont hear much about bottom ends of the 3.8 giving much trouble. So Im I rolling the dice too much hoping the damage could be limited to heads?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can help with!
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I guess you can tell that I'm on the ball tonight.
