I recently purchased a 1985 hot air motor complete. It has 17,000 miles on it and it has set since 1988(engineering motor from GM). I was wondering what am I in for. I realize I need to completely overhaul the engine but what are the little things that i could get to make this motor more stout and produce a few more horses.
Newbie in your buick world
- Thread starter daheflin
- Start date
Welcome!
By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.
buickpower
polytetrafluoroethylene
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2003
- Messages
- 1,079
Welcome aboard,
How many horses is a few? It's good to come up with power goals if you plan on modding the car, because speed is addictive. Is this going to be a toy or a daily driver? If you are going to go ahead and have the engine rebuilt, make sure to take it to a builder who is experienced in these engines, because they have different (tighter) specifications/clearances than your garden variety smallblock.
That being said, The stock crank, rods, and pistons are pretty stout in these cars, as long as they are in good shape.
The very first things you should do are put in an upgraded fuel pump and hotwire kit, both are available from one of the buick vendors. This is because the stock fuel pump is very inadequate. Next be sure to get a scan tool like a scanmaster, which you can use to both diagnose problems, and tune the car. An adjustable fuel pressure regulator is a wise investment as well.
If you want to do typical stuff with a stock internal rebuild, you can do things like a cold air intake kit, free flowing exhaust, bigger downpipe, headers. Exhaust mods wake these cars up. A custom chip burned for your particular combo can be had for ~75 bucks as well. If you are going to have it apart anyway, its not that hard to port the stock intake either if you have access to a die grinder.
After that comes bigger, pricier stuff like ported heads, bigger turbo and injectors, cam, etc.
Read all that you can on this site and on http://gnttype.org/, which is a goldmine of information with these cars.
How many horses is a few? It's good to come up with power goals if you plan on modding the car, because speed is addictive. Is this going to be a toy or a daily driver? If you are going to go ahead and have the engine rebuilt, make sure to take it to a builder who is experienced in these engines, because they have different (tighter) specifications/clearances than your garden variety smallblock.
That being said, The stock crank, rods, and pistons are pretty stout in these cars, as long as they are in good shape.
The very first things you should do are put in an upgraded fuel pump and hotwire kit, both are available from one of the buick vendors. This is because the stock fuel pump is very inadequate. Next be sure to get a scan tool like a scanmaster, which you can use to both diagnose problems, and tune the car. An adjustable fuel pressure regulator is a wise investment as well.
If you want to do typical stuff with a stock internal rebuild, you can do things like a cold air intake kit, free flowing exhaust, bigger downpipe, headers. Exhaust mods wake these cars up. A custom chip burned for your particular combo can be had for ~75 bucks as well. If you are going to have it apart anyway, its not that hard to port the stock intake either if you have access to a die grinder.
After that comes bigger, pricier stuff like ported heads, bigger turbo and injectors, cam, etc.
Read all that you can on this site and on http://gnttype.org/, which is a goldmine of information with these cars.
racemybuick
Hot Air Teacher/Student
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2003
- Messages
- 1,174
Welcome to the Hot Air!!! lol...You picked a tough underdog, but like Buickpower stated, set your goals now,a nd it may cost less in the long run. I have very high hopes for my car, and as such, it has sat 5 years now and counting! Also stated before, exhaust! You need it bad!! THe very basic mods are always:
Exhaust-Headers, downpipe, cat-back, or not cat...Mease has a very nice 3" downpipe avail....and ATR still sells an entire system for the hot air cars including up-pipe and downpipe.
COMPUTER- and eletrical up-grades: go with an 87 computer, and caspers will take care of the rest-Ugrading the computer and components offers a huge chip selection, and more information from the comp for better tune-ability.
Also adding electric fans, upgraded MAF sensor and so on can only help.
PORTING-With the motor apart, gasket matching should be the first priority, aside from the basic rebuild. Forged pistons are the only way to go, I have TRW's in my hot air. The porting should be done by the same machinist, so that he can closely match the heads and intake...felpro MS9033's I believe are the gaskets you'll need. Opening up the intake ports and head ports will maximise flow from whatever turbo will reside ontop of your intake. If you remain stock, consider porting the exhaust elbow (where the downpipe connects to the turbo). Opening that piece up will help to eliminate restrictions as that exhaust tries to escape.
Turbo-Injectors-Fuel Pump-Wastegate-Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator (ADJ FPR)-
These are all otehr parts that should be looked at, replaced or upgraded.
You most likely have a non adjustable FPR, and so that must be changed out as soon as you upgrade the fuel pump and possiby the injectors. The turbo should also be rebuilt, or replaced with a John Craig TA33c unit....
As per boost and all that to get ur car up to snuff-ALKY!!!!!!! Always keep this option in the back of your mind-Alcohol will broaden that boost band, to where you can put pump gas in and run 20+ lbs of boost,a nd experience no knock.....THe other alternative....I hate to say it...An intercooler. Many people opt for an intercooler for the big bang for the buck....Although far from stock, it can bring huge performance gains to a hot air buick motor. Good luck, always ask, and we can help!!!
John
Exhaust-Headers, downpipe, cat-back, or not cat...Mease has a very nice 3" downpipe avail....and ATR still sells an entire system for the hot air cars including up-pipe and downpipe.
COMPUTER- and eletrical up-grades: go with an 87 computer, and caspers will take care of the rest-Ugrading the computer and components offers a huge chip selection, and more information from the comp for better tune-ability.
Also adding electric fans, upgraded MAF sensor and so on can only help.
PORTING-With the motor apart, gasket matching should be the first priority, aside from the basic rebuild. Forged pistons are the only way to go, I have TRW's in my hot air. The porting should be done by the same machinist, so that he can closely match the heads and intake...felpro MS9033's I believe are the gaskets you'll need. Opening up the intake ports and head ports will maximise flow from whatever turbo will reside ontop of your intake. If you remain stock, consider porting the exhaust elbow (where the downpipe connects to the turbo). Opening that piece up will help to eliminate restrictions as that exhaust tries to escape.
Turbo-Injectors-Fuel Pump-Wastegate-Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator (ADJ FPR)-
These are all otehr parts that should be looked at, replaced or upgraded.
You most likely have a non adjustable FPR, and so that must be changed out as soon as you upgrade the fuel pump and possiby the injectors. The turbo should also be rebuilt, or replaced with a John Craig TA33c unit....
As per boost and all that to get ur car up to snuff-ALKY!!!!!!! Always keep this option in the back of your mind-Alcohol will broaden that boost band, to where you can put pump gas in and run 20+ lbs of boost,a nd experience no knock.....THe other alternative....I hate to say it...An intercooler. Many people opt for an intercooler for the big bang for the buck....Although far from stock, it can bring huge performance gains to a hot air buick motor. Good luck, always ask, and we can help!!!
John
Welcome to the family! The only thing I have to add to this is that if you do decide to go through the motor, some billet steel mains would be a very good investment. Also switching to a roller cam, although a little pricey, is IMHO a really good way to go. Goog luck!
Jerryl
Tall Unvaccinated Chinese Guy
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2004
- Messages
- 9,644
Welcome.
As stated by Racemybuick, be CLEAR about your goals and see how realistic it is from there. Many VERY good people on this board and quite a few “Been there done that” experts. DANG there is a LOT of knowledge on this board!
As stated by Racemybuick, be CLEAR about your goals and see how realistic it is from there. Many VERY good people on this board and quite a few “Been there done that” experts. DANG there is a LOT of knowledge on this board!
Jerryl
Tall Unvaccinated Chinese Guy
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2004
- Messages
- 9,644
turbo6x2 said:And Jerryl can tell you where all the good post are...
LOL
I followed the advice from the experts on the board; "Read EVERYTHING!"
Well, I took it to heart and actually have been, but, at my speed I have a few years left just to "break even". :biggrin:
The other great idea is to print all the important information, get a three hole punch and binder then you have something right at your finger tips for reference. We have two one says hot air the other is for the intercooled cars. Just a thought.
Similar threads
