New to GN's...85 turbo relocation?

[camaro75racer]

Im completely new to these cars and have just purchased an 85 GN. The turbo is right over the intake (right where the scoop is) but i have noticed the 87's have the turbo located diffrently. Is the location of the 87's better? What all would i need and about how much should i expect to spend to relocate it? Also i would like a wastegate that gives off a nice sound with the stock turbo. Any suggestions or price estimates. Thanks....Dale

 

[cool 84]

You would be better off converting to the 86-87 setup than relocating the turbo. The 87 setup is no doubt a more efficient design but the hotair setup isn't that bad either. You would have to spend some serious money and time engineering a different setup for very little gain. I like the idea of having the turbo right on the header for whatever it's worth in faster spoolup.

As for the noise, you're probably talking about a BOV, not a wastegate. Since the throttlebody is before the turbo and there is no intercooler or plumbing, there's no pressure to be released. A BOV would be pointless and won't work. I installed a big intercooler and moved the throttlebody to the pressure side. I now have a BOV but without those two things you can't run a BOV.

You can still find Spearco intercooler kits for sale. These cars do have a lot of potential, you just have to approach them differently.

 

[camaro75racer]

Thats the way i meant to relocate it was like the 87's. Thanks for the info on the BOV's. I really have no experience with these things so im gonna be learning as i go. Any idea how much i might have to shell out for everything to move the turbo. Im seeing some of the Spearco's on ebay for good prices so this project might get started pretty soon.

 

[Michael McCoy]

Let me know when you want to ride over Dale & you can check out some intercooled cars to see how much is involved in the conversion. Just say NO to spearco when it comes to a hot air car. Your $$ can be better spent elsewhere.

 

[turbo2nr]

Anyone ever put on Riviera T-type headers backwards to get turbo in front of motor?

Seems like it would work just by looking at my car. Postons sells a 84-85 intercooler kit, but mounting a bigger turbo on a hot air car is tricky due to clearance. Uses PTE front mount IC.

 

[Drac0nic]

won't work, regretably it's not like an SBC where the bolts are in a straight line on either side of the port, but Buick ports have the bolts diagonal which makes it a pain in the arse. I was thinking about it for a time. Far as the relocation goes, the design for it is more efficient but still the 84/85 turbo is a limiting factor. The wheel on the compressor side is probably 10mm smaller on the major diameter compared to the 86/87, and the exhaust wheel isn't as aggressive as the 86/87 design.

 

[turbo2nr]

i think it will work. the left and right side heads are interchangable, just pull off the whole header assembly, spin, and bolt right back on. think about it. Draw it on paper, i know the cylinders are offset, when you put the right side header on the left side facing forward, and vice/vera....same same.

 

[cool 84]

Mounting a bigger turbo on a hotair is easy. You can get up to a TA62 in the stock housing or a 64 in the 87 housing. I run a TA64 right now with no clearance issues.

I watched my dad to the conversion piece by piece. Trust me, you don't want to do it that way and he'll be the first one to say so. Everything nut, bolt, and bracket is different from the heads up. You have to swap wiring harnesses and get all of the brackets for the front of the motor. Not to mention a different alternator, powersteering pump, AC lines, throttle cable, etc. Get a complete 87 motor and swap everything.

In order to move the turbo, you'll have to find a new home for the alternator, airconditioning, and bracket. The next thing to get in the way would be the coilpack. When all is said and done, it's better just to convert or start modding the hotair.

 

[camaro75racer]

Thanks for the info. I wouldnt mind doing a complete conversion if that would be the easiest way to do it. So a new turbo,piping,intake plenum (86-87), brackets for alt. and ac.,good intercooler,adjustable wastegate,BOV....anything else needed let me know.

 

[turbo2nr]

electric cooling fans, throttle body, headers, downpipe, oil lines to turbo, oil lines from turbo, ECM, chip, IAT sensor, electric fan relays, on, and on, and on. Everything except the motor. Easier to just sell car and buy a 86-87. BIG project!

 

[KevinB]

My TType is an '85. I looked into the conversion but decided to buy an '87 drive train. I did the swap 5 years ago. It was pretty straight forward. I spent about $1800 for the '87 engine and computer. I had to buy the wiring harness from Caspers, about $550. You also have to install a fuel filter somewhere on the car (85 filter is close to the fuel rail, 86-7 are by the gas tank.) I bought a ss fuel line fro Postons $120. Also, the 86-7 uses an electric fan, I bought mine from a local speedshop for around $100. My 85 had the brakes that operated off of the steering pump. I converted to vacuum brakes, about $80 at a local junkyard. If you want A/C, well thats another issue. The 84-5 heater boxes are different than the 86-7. I bought a 86-7 box for $100 but never put it in. All in all, I think I spent about $3000 doing the swap. In hind sight, I would have just sold my car and bought a '86-7. Unless your car is absolutely cherry or has value to you, sell it and buy an intercooled car.


Hope that helps,

Kevin Bolger

 

[tim sewald]

spearco intercooler

So Mike why are down on spearco intercoolers? I think I have one bought that's why I ask. Do you have personal experience with this intercooler on a 84/85? Anybody else have any personal experience with a spearco? I'd like some opinions before I write the check.

 

[tim sewald]

opinions please. If i'm about to screw up somebody tell me. btw Mike in a previous thread on this subject you encouraged me to buy a spearco. What changed your mind? How about you cool84 you seem to be very knowledgable about hot air cars what do you think?

 

[tim sewald]

ttt let's hear some opinions.

 

[85 TR]

ive heard of some guys wiht a little work done to there cars getting about a second drop in the quarter with a spearco

 

[camaro75racer]

Thanks to everyone that replied. I think im going to do my own FMIC using a Mishimoto intercooler. Just wondering if i could get some opinions on the setup im looking at going with. The forementioned intercooler, TA49 Turbo(stock location),fuel pump,cold air system,36# injectors,adj wastegate,BOV,electric fan setup, and a new chip. Also whats the best diagnostic program for the money?