JadeMonkeyStang
TRs on the Brain
- Joined
- May 25, 2001
- Messages
- 557
What I'm looking for:
I'm finally going to dedicate some time and money to the GN again after a fairly long rest (other than the Hydroboost swap). I'd like to have a quick street car that rides and performs well, something I can jump in, drive anywhere, and travel in fairly rapid comfort. I'm not looking for an all-out racecar or to do extremely significant mods (no full engine rebuilds, tubbed rear end, or massive turbo setup). I'd prefer to not tear into engine internals too much or do things that are not reversible in the future.
What I have:
I've got a relatively basically modded 87' GN with 62k miles on it. It's been hibernating for a bit but is started and driven around the block regularly. Of course it leaks oil and needs new valve cover gaskets, rear main seal, and probably valve springs and timing chain. It has a hotwire kit with an upgraded fuel pump, I believe a Walbro 340, 009 42.5 lb. injectors, a Turbonetics Cheetah Stage 4 (from what I was told) turbo, 2800 or 3200 rpm PTS converter (not sure on stall speed), a Scanmaster 2.1, Turbo Tweak chip, Hooker stainless exhaust, rear seat braces, and poly body bushings all around. It has also been converted over to a hydro boost brake setup with a PSC reservoir and will most likely have the power steering pump overhauled and adjusted this winter. There are some other minor mods I'm sure I've forgotten to list. I have done the spring cleaning, replaced the brake combination valve (need to fix the leak now), put on new tires, and covered most of the basic maintenance items.
What I'm considering:
Valve springs
Timing chain set
Valve cover gaskets and rear main seal replacement
Air conditioning system overhaul
Turbo upgrade (very lost here, would like something that matches my setup better and spools faster)
MAF Translator and LS1 MAF
Powerlogger
Scanmaster G
Wideband O2
Electronic boost control
E85 Flexfuel conversion (E85 is widely available near me and the car doesn't normally do long trips)
ECUGN (I know this is a major upgrade but I'm trying to determine if it makes sense to jump into this for the extra features given the cost to do MAF translator, MAF, Powerlogger, Wideband O2, Boost Control, and E85)
Suspension / brake upgrades (Don't need autocross but I do enjoy corners and arriving at the exit of one safely)
Anything else I have missed
I appreciate any thoughts or suggestions on how you think I should proceed based on my goals. Recommendations for general priorities up to specific parts and vendors would be great as I don't know all the details of what's available or what's considered to be good like I used to a decade or so ago (I do know about some companies being under new ownership). I'm really looking for ideas on the best way to build a quick, enjoyable Turbo Buick that's not too far from stock but takes advantage of 35 years of development and refinement. Thanks so much all, it's great to think about driving an improved version of my GN again in the spring and getting to really enjoy it after too many years in the garage.
I'm finally going to dedicate some time and money to the GN again after a fairly long rest (other than the Hydroboost swap). I'd like to have a quick street car that rides and performs well, something I can jump in, drive anywhere, and travel in fairly rapid comfort. I'm not looking for an all-out racecar or to do extremely significant mods (no full engine rebuilds, tubbed rear end, or massive turbo setup). I'd prefer to not tear into engine internals too much or do things that are not reversible in the future.
What I have:
I've got a relatively basically modded 87' GN with 62k miles on it. It's been hibernating for a bit but is started and driven around the block regularly. Of course it leaks oil and needs new valve cover gaskets, rear main seal, and probably valve springs and timing chain. It has a hotwire kit with an upgraded fuel pump, I believe a Walbro 340, 009 42.5 lb. injectors, a Turbonetics Cheetah Stage 4 (from what I was told) turbo, 2800 or 3200 rpm PTS converter (not sure on stall speed), a Scanmaster 2.1, Turbo Tweak chip, Hooker stainless exhaust, rear seat braces, and poly body bushings all around. It has also been converted over to a hydro boost brake setup with a PSC reservoir and will most likely have the power steering pump overhauled and adjusted this winter. There are some other minor mods I'm sure I've forgotten to list. I have done the spring cleaning, replaced the brake combination valve (need to fix the leak now), put on new tires, and covered most of the basic maintenance items.
What I'm considering:
Valve springs
Timing chain set
Valve cover gaskets and rear main seal replacement
Air conditioning system overhaul
Turbo upgrade (very lost here, would like something that matches my setup better and spools faster)
MAF Translator and LS1 MAF
Powerlogger
Scanmaster G
Wideband O2
Electronic boost control
E85 Flexfuel conversion (E85 is widely available near me and the car doesn't normally do long trips)
ECUGN (I know this is a major upgrade but I'm trying to determine if it makes sense to jump into this for the extra features given the cost to do MAF translator, MAF, Powerlogger, Wideband O2, Boost Control, and E85)
Suspension / brake upgrades (Don't need autocross but I do enjoy corners and arriving at the exit of one safely)
Anything else I have missed
I appreciate any thoughts or suggestions on how you think I should proceed based on my goals. Recommendations for general priorities up to specific parts and vendors would be great as I don't know all the details of what's available or what's considered to be good like I used to a decade or so ago (I do know about some companies being under new ownership). I'm really looking for ideas on the best way to build a quick, enjoyable Turbo Buick that's not too far from stock but takes advantage of 35 years of development and refinement. Thanks so much all, it's great to think about driving an improved version of my GN again in the spring and getting to really enjoy it after too many years in the garage.