Looking to get into a GN, have some ?'s

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rd122481

New Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2007
Messages
8
Hi all!! I'm currently in a C5 (which might be sold already), but am considering purchasing a GN for my next toy. Are they reliable enough to be a daily driver? How quick can a stock longblock LC-2 be made, high 11's? What's the TA-49 turbo? Will it bolt on to the stock headers? Thanks!!
 
I think the GNs are reliable enough for a daily driver....mine has been since it was new in 85. It's never left me stranded.
I think 11s are doable on a stock longblock, just get the good supporting mods and a good tune.
A TA-49 turbo is a stock appearing aftermarket turbo designed to support a car to the low 11s....or about 545 HP. It will bolt to the stock headers just fine...looks just like the stock turbo. It is however an older series of turbos and alot of people prefer the new GT series turbos.
 
I drive my 87 Turbo T every day to work, no problems. It acts like a basic 3.8 liter carbureted Regal...until you step on the pedal. :eek:
 
A GN makes a great daily driver as long as it is a mechanically sound one to begin with. Project cars are another story. Depending on the demand for a GN in the area you live in, THEFT and the paranoia of it happening may be your worse enemy for a daily driven GN
 
Yes they do....a number of vendors sell aftermarket turbos. I know for sure that Full Throttle Speed sells the GT series turbos. Just look under their turbo buick section.....they have lots of great stuff. All of the turbos under that section will bolt right up, basically all 3-bolt turbos.
 
From what I understand, the OEM PCM is a MAF based one & there is a conversion pigtail that allows the use of an LS1 MAF. Does the PCM also adapt to mods or does it NEED to be chipped? What other PCM options are available without spending $1500+ ? Is there a thread on this site that will tell me what mods to do & in what order to acheive better performance? How much HP & how quick in the 1/4 mile can I get on the stock turbo?
 
Yes, the stock ECM is MAF based. There is what's called a MAF Translator that allows the use of the newer LT1 or LS1 MAFs. Full Throttle Speed sells the translator as well. The ECM should be "chipped" to your mods, for instance if you want to run larger than stock injectors you need to get a chip burned for it. A larger turbo is also reason for a new chip. Eric over at TurboTweak makes great custom chips. If you're looking for performance recipes, id say check out Gnttype.org. That site has alot of great information. The spring cleaning article is a nice thing to do if you just bought a GN.
 
One thing you might want to think about is how a turbo regal drives, mainly brakes and handling. I came from Corvette, and the first thing I had to do to my Syclone, was to upgrade the brakes. Even though the brakes functioned properly, they scared me and their inability to slow down the vehicle. Turbo Regals use a very similiar brake setup. I also did some suspension upgrades and turbo regals have even softer suspension than my Syclone.
 
+1 for Full Throttle and TurboTweak.

These cars are very street friendly but can be a mean a$$hole to those who feel the need to test its medal. You will get a whole hell of a lot more looks from civilians in the GN than the C5.

Go throught the "spring cleaning" section of GNTTYPE.org. Hell, print some of it out and take it with you when test driving.

If anyone tells you it's a stock car, never raced, be skeptical. Those are few and far between.
 
Mid 12's is do-able on a relatively stock, well tuned, GN. Fairly reliable as a DD, but handling and braking is 80's quality. Fun car for cruising in and be prepared for lots of looks, not the cookie cutter muscle car that is seen at most cruise-ins. Still instilling fear and awe after 20+ years of street duty.
 
I believe 84 they went solely to a coil pack design; 83 and before (carbureted turbo hot air cars) used a distributor. I know my 87 T has coil packs.
 
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