new TN member-87 Grand National

[KDS87GN]

Hello. I guess my first post as a new member should include a little about me and my car. I live in a small town in west Tennessee near the Mississippi state line. Last summer I bought an 87 GN. Unfortunately, the motor didn't last very long. This is the first car I've bought that was already modified. It has a Lee Howie built 4.1 with a 67mm turbo, 60lb injectors, a F.A.S.T ECU and a knock in the bottom end. Since I was in the middle of the latest round of modifications on my 2006 GTO when I heard the knock, the GN had to sit in my shop until I could replenish my "car fund".
This is my first GN, but it isn't my first turbo Buick. My first car (in 1988) was a 1984 Skyhawk T-Type turbo. It wasn't exactly fast, but 150hp in a 2500lb car wasn't bad for the 1980s. I've owned a few "performance" cars since then including a '85 Trans Am TPI 305 automatic, a '88 Trans Am GTA TPI 305 5-speed, and a 6-speed '95 Trans Am with a supercharged 383. I still own a 2006 GTO that I bought almost 10 years ago. It has too many modifications to list including a 402ci stroker motor with nitrous.
I'm finally ready to start working on the GN. Step 1 is to rebuild the motor. Then it needs some cosmetic work such as front bumper fillers, the headliner is sagging and the power windows are slow. I'm sure I'll learn a lot from this site.

 

[Boost231]

Welcome

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[Dialtone76]

Oh man she is a beauty!!!!!! Before you do the motor and cosmetics, you need to get some garage swag to make her feel at home next to your GTO!!! haha.

An article came out not too long ago about those Skyhawks http://www.cheatsheet.com/automobil...-americas-forgotten-hot-hatch.html/?a=viewall

Oh how I miss the 80's.

Sounds like you have some go fast parts, and from the sound of your history of cars, you are no stranger to performance. The only advice someone like me can offer is something you probably don't need me to tell ya..... take your time. For every story of a guy getting his car to do something amazing, there are several stories of guy blowing up their motors trying to do things too quickly and in the wrong order. Lots of good guys on this board, and lots more with unequaled knowledge on these cars. Odds are, if you hit a problem, someone else has beat it up before.

Don't be bashful with your plans, and we LOVE pics of your progress as you sort your car out. It's like our porn haha! Even more so it helps us keep our motivation or gives us new ideas on things we can do to our own cars. Cause I mean what good fun is a full wallet if we aren't buying car parts!

Welcome!!

 

[KDS87GN]

An article came out not too long ago about those Skyhawks http://www.cheatsheet.com/automobil...-americas-forgotten-hot-hatch.html/?a=viewall

Oh how I miss the 80's.!

Welcome!!

Thanks.

Funny story... I had the Skyhawk and the '85 Trans Am at the same time. One day, my best friend and I were in the TA and my Dad was in front of us in the Skyhawk. Keep in mind that the TA had the "top dog" tuned port fuel injected V8. I looked over at my buddy and said "Watch this"...as I pulled into the other lane (rural two lane road) to pass the Skyhawk... of course I had it floored. About the time that my front bumper was even with the rear bumper of the Skyhawk, Dad realized what I was doing and he floored it. Since I had momentum, I kept pulling until my front bumper was at the Skyhawk's front wheel.... and that's where it stayed. After a few seconds, I realized that I couldn't get around him before the next curve and I had to back off and get back behind him. My buddy made fun of me for years because my Trans Am couldn't pass a 4cyl Buick.

Yes, that's me around 23 years and 80 pounds ago. Lol. Ahh, the good oil' days.

 

[Dialtone76]

Awesome Story!!!! Yeah I feel bad for the V8 cars of that era. So restricted.

I tell ya though, the Two tone/Paint schemes on the 85-86 Trans Ams were the Zenith of the of their looks in my opinion. And those signature Pontiac Rims. Mix in the T-Tops and those were glorious days!

And boy i hear ya about the years and 80 pounds... *looks in mirror* Geeze, where does time go?

 

[Mark T-TB]

Welcome aboard, great story.

FWIW, I think that the power windows are supposed to be really slow

 

[Buckshot G/N]

Welcome My Fellow Tennessean to this great T/B Forum, Lots of knowledgeable folks on this board. With our advice an Vendors,
that G/N might be cruising very soon .Good Luck !!

 

[Turbo Keith]

Hello friend , I live in north Ms . Where in Tenn are you ? Need any help? Just give me a call (662) 419-0626.

 

[KDS87GN]

Hello friend , I live in north Ms . Where in Tenn are you ? Need any help? Just give me a call (662) 419-0626.

Thanks man, I appreciate the offer. I live in the small town of Michie. It's just across the state line from Corinth, MS. I work in Corinth so I'm in MIssissippi every day.

 

[Turbo Keith]

Thanks man, I appreciate the offer. I live in the small town of Michie. It's just across the state line from Corinth, MS. I work in Corinth so I'm in MIssissippi every day.

I live in New Albany and work in Tupelo , not to far away

 

[SPOOLFOOL2]

A super clean GN that needs bumper fillers? What's not to like?
Seriously though. Congrats of a great looking hot rod. You have two things to fix.

#1: The engine.
#2: The reason that the engine ate the rod bearings.

The most likely scenario is that the engine detonated because of too much timing, boost, or not enough fuel.
These engines can make huge power with a small CID. Things need to be in good working order and tune. This ain't a SBC. The biggest speed secret to making them go fast and live a long life is knowledge. We give that away for free here. For those that are willing to take the time to learn, the reward is HUGE.
Here's some evening reading to get you up to speed. http://www.turbobuick.com/threads/info-for-new-turbo-regal-owners.380856/

Let us know if you have any questions.
Welcome to the site. Congrats on a great looking hot rod and happy spooling.

Mike Barnard

 

[KDS87GN]

A super clean GN that needs bumper fillers? What's not to like?

Let us know if you have any questions.
Welcome to the site. Congrats on a great looking hot rod and happy spooling.

Mike Barnard

Thanks. I was hoping to get the motor out of the car this week, but I've been busy at work. When I get it out, I'm going to take it to Twisted 6 Racing. I've heard good things about them and they are only an hour away. Once I get it running, I'll be in the market for a set front bumper fillers... maybe they will be on sale.

 

[Turbo Keith]

Thanks. I was hoping to get the motor out of the car this week, but I've been busy at work. When I get it out, I'm going to take it to Twisted 6 Racing. I've heard good things about them and they are only an hour away. Once I get it running, I'll be in the market for a set front bumper fillers... maybe they will be on sale.

Where is Twisted 6 Racing located ?

 

[KDS87GN]

Where is Twisted 6 Racing located ?

Tuscumbia, Alabama