Home made adjustable wastegate for 86 GN

Welcome!

By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

SignUp Now!
Would it be worth it to put a fuel guage on the rail and see what it puts out?

Thank

Louie

Better to get one that has a 3ft extension so you can tape it to the dash & then you can see if FP rises 1 lb for every lb of boost. The rail ones are useless IMO. Caspers Electronics has them & the hotwire kits as well. Get the Scan Master from Full Throttle Speed & most of what you need is right there. Jack at Racetronix makes a nice harness & pump setup & Caspers sells the hotwire bit no pump. Altho Full Throttle has the same pump as Racetronix so pick & choose. Prices vary!
 
Thanks for the information. Is there a chart thats out there that would show the boost to fuel pressure ratio? If I'm running 15lbs of boost what pressure should I be at! Also what was the stock boost pressure for an 86 GN and with stock injectors + turbo, and I will get a new fuel pump what is a good area to keep boost and the fuel regulator at?

Thanks'

Louie
 
KR is Knock Retard - when the computer pulls timing due to the engine experiencing knock. Higher boost levels (without additional fuel and/or octane) can cause KR and long term KR or short term high levels of KR can damage the engine - damage can range from a blown head gasket to driving over the crankshaft.

I would highly reccomend that you get a Scan Master to monitor KR and other vital engine functions before you turn up the boost. A Scan Master and a WG actuator can most likely be purchased from most of the supportimg vendors - just tell them what turbo you have.

I see that you have have very few posts on the forum - if you are new to the car welcome AND please read all that you can from this site and Turbo Regal Web Site

+1. You really need a scanmaster or equivalent to monitor what's happening with your engine before you start tweaking/tuning. Especially if you start bumping the boost up! Caution, there is an endless chain of events that occurs once you start upgrading those 20+ year old parts.:D Do as much reading as you can.
MH
 
Is there a scan master loaner out there that can be used? I would take are of the shipping cost and a small rental fee. :smile:
 
Looks like all GN tunning shops are out of business in IL. I have called ANS, Street Perormance and they are all shut down. Does anyone know a good tunner in IL?

Thanks

Louie
 
As long as you own the car you should have a scanmaster in it, it's the single most important tool you can buy for these cars when starting out.

Everything i've read says the stock fuel pump BARELY handles the stock settings, so best bet is call up Racetronix and order a new pump + hotwire kit.

A chip from TurboTweak wouldn't hurt either.
 
Well I went ahead and ordered a new pump from Kirban, 1984 1985 1986 1987 Buick Regal Grand National Turbo T T-Type GNX HIGH-PERFORMANCE IN-TANK REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMP KIT #1540, also got a new wastegate 1984 1985 1986 1987 Buick Regal Grand National Turbo T T-Type GNX ADJUSTABLE WASTEGATE ACTUATOR #6696, and finally a new boost line kit since the ones there are old 1986 1987 Buick Regal Grand National Turbo T T-Type GNX GM Factory Original BOOST LINE KIT #6644. I guess I would like to get this stuff on first and then pickup a scan master! Any good link on how to replace the fuel pump?

Thanks

Louie
 
its a pretty simple process. but just kind of a pain in the ass.

run the tank as absolutely dry as you can
unplug the fuel pump
remove the gas cap so you dont have issues with it hitting the bumper fillers
put the rear of the car on jack stands
with a jack under the tank, undo the 2 straps holding it up, lower the tank ever so slightly until you can get to the feed/return/vapor lines and remove them

after that its just a matter of getting the tank out from under the car, i highly recommend throwing down a big sheet of cardboard so you can just pull it out from under the car.

once again be careful with the filler neck, it can get caught on the bumper fillers and possibly crack them where the plate sits.

once its off the car just get a small hammer and an old screw driver and you can lightly tap the tabs on the lock ring that holds the tank in and it'll loosen. just pull the assembly out carefully and dont break the sending unit.

make sure you arent smoking when doing this and you should be OK
 
Here is a write-up on replacing the fuel pump. Fuel Pump Remove and Install

Fuel pressure should increase pound for pound with boost. If your base fuel pressure (with the vacuum line off) is 45# and you are running 15# of boost, the FP should be 60# (45# + 15#).
 
Well I have been told that stock boost for an 86 GN is around 10-12 lbs and that with a stock setup I need to stay away <13-14lbs, anymore even with the correct pump / mix that I'm asking for trouble. What are your thoughts on this?

Also, can I use a AC test gauge to check static fuel pressure, got some AC and water pressure gauges and was going to make a poor mans test unit?

Thanks

Louie
 
Guys,

Does the attached image look correct regarding my connections between the turbo, wastegate, solenoid and boost gauge?

Thanks

Louie
 

Attachments

  • Turbo connections.jpg
    Turbo connections.jpg
    23.8 KB · Views: 154
no

tee the boost gauge at the end of the steel line vac line that feeds the map sensor
 
Is this the MAP sensor location that you speak about? Guess I got an older model one compared to images on the web if this is the unit!
 

Attachments

  • MAP.jpg
    MAP.jpg
    27.4 KB · Views: 133
If the images above is not the MAP were is it then located as I dont see it on any of the fenders?
 
Thanks for the information. Is there a chart thats out there that would show the boost to fuel pressure ratio? If I'm running 15lbs of boost what pressure should I be at! Also what was the stock boost pressure for an 86 GN and with stock injectors + turbo, and I will get a new fuel pump what is a good area to keep boost and the fuel regulator at?

Thanks'

Louie

1 lb boost = 1 lb fuel pressure rise.

Is you car a Digital dash? I ask from your last pic of Map sensor. They are slightly different than the analogue dashes. We dont use the Brown Plug in the pic we use the 3 prong Black one but the line is the same I believe? Just T into it where it comes off Throttle Body & splits up at the Firewall area.
 
Its a digital dash. What does that mean for the boost connection and or using the 3 prong connection for a newer style MAP unit?

Thanks
 
Its a digital dash. What does that mean for the boost connection and or using the 3 prong connection for a newer style MAP unit?

Thanks

Analogue use the 3 prong & digital uses the brown one. just T in behind engine at firewall area & it should be fine.
All cars come with Both Plugs installed in the harness at the factory.
 
Can i go to a 3 prong style MAP unit ever if using a digital dash?

You only need the factory 2 bar, 3 wire sensor for the analog dash boost gage. You can add a 3bar, 3 wire map sensor for Turbolink boost sensing of for alchy injection, but you wouldn't plug it into that plug.

You currently don't need one.
 
do they still sell the 2 bar map, i dont see it on the web! Also i wonder if the map stopped my boost light from coming on the dash?
 
Back
Top