Turbo advice for a new guy

[Dvanman81]

Hello all,
Just picked up an 87 GN 69k in need of a turbo. Car is all stock, and I just wanted to get some input on what is a good turbo for the street. Dont plan on racing the car, just maybe building a solid sleeper. Are there any other things I might want to look out for when buying a turbo? Any suggestions?

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

well, the most inexpensive turbos are of course the stock ones. And, if you dont really plan on racing the car (we all said that at one point) I would just throw a stock one back in. The pros of stock are: easy to find parts for, inexpensive, as everybody is always ditching theirs in favor of bigger ones, quick spool up due to the smallish size, no question as to whether or not itll work out with your present combination, and it helps keep the originality, in case you want to sell the car.
Cons: Only flows soo much air (good for 12's) and starts to get really inefficient at around 20 lbs of boost already. The way I see it, the stocker has more pros than cons anyday. Plus, if you were to basically get any other turbo but stock, you may need to change some other things around. More hassle than anything. Just stick to the stock arrangement for now, and tune what ya got, till you get a bit more knowlegeable, then you can start throwin parts all over the garage later. Remember, if ya change one thing, youre going to have to change another to accomodate it..... Hope that helps.

Oh yea, one more thing.. Theres no such thing as a sleeper grand national... there was only ever one trim level that came with the GN's.. It was called "fast as fuk"... There's no chance in hell of hiding that, unless you changed the wheels out to the stock fake wire rims, painted the car sky blue, and let some small rust spots start to form on the doors....

 

[Dvanman81]

Hahaha, thanks for throwing the B.S. flag on me! I appreciate the info, I was looking into getting a TA49, I have heard that they are pretty nice for a stock set up. Can I purchase a new "stock" turbo or would the Precision TA49 be alright on a stock set up? I would be perfectly happy with 12's, but I really dont want to get into the re-decorate the garage with Buick parts, haha! I was looking into to some of the simple mods, maybe a cold air intake, hotwire kit, little things like that. Are those types of small mods still alright with the stock turbo?

 

[t3intercooled]

Hahaha, thanks for throwing the B.S. flag on me! I appreciate the info, I was looking into getting a TA49, I have heard that they are pretty nice for a stock set up. Can I purchase a new "stock" turbo or would the Precision TA49 be alright on a stock set up? I would be perfectly happy with 12's, but I really dont want to get into the re-decorate the garage with Buick parts, haha! I was looking into to some of the simple mods, maybe a cold air intake, hotwire kit, little things like that. Are those types of small mods still alright with the stock turbo?

Those are always good for a stock turbo and it won't hurt it. Below is a list of simple mods that could help ya out.

*scanmaster (most important)
*knock gauge (second most important
*fuel pump walbro 340 with hotwire
*cold air intake setup 4" x 9" K & N cone filter
*boost bleeder vavle if you want to go up near 20 lbs of boost
*I would just buy a stock turbo unles your gonna buy new injectors interocoler, etc.

Those are a few mods I would reccomend that won't hurt you and will help out a stock GN a lot. Ho[pe that helps.

 

[PowerKraus]

<<Oh yea, one more thing.. Theres no such thing as a sleeper grand national... there was only ever one trim level that came with the GN's.. It was called "fast as fuk"... There's no chance in hell of hiding that, unless you changed the wheels out to the stock fake wire rims, painted the car sky blue, and let some small rust spots start to form on the doors....[/QUOTE]>>

NO kidding, just got mine running after a long long sleep in the weeds. The GN gets just as much attention if not more than my bright red Viper GTS. And all the old rumors still existing. Comments like:

Wow, that thing has a twin turbo V8 right?
That's a bad azz monte carlo!
Doesn't that car go 200 mph?
They only made a couple hundred of those.

What ever.Like they say, bad press, good press,,,,,any press is good.

Consider what your goals are and add the proper turbo, monitors (like scanmaster, fueling....and do alot of reading.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

yea, even with a stock turbo, or ANY turbo for that matter, a good scanmaster, boost, oil pressure, water temp, and tach guages are always a necessity, as is a hotwire kit and better fuel pump. even with the air the stock turbo flows, your stock pump/wiring cant handle it. yank that crap immediately. remember, RELIABILITY mods come first. engine tie down strap, the 4 frame brace kits, rear air bags/sway bar, better tires, maybe some new springs all the way around. maybe box the control arms. block the throttle body preheat. block the turbo oil hose runnin to the turbo inlet bell. better quality hoses/clamps. things like this. get the car really solid mechanically. cuz if you dont, youre going to start boltin on horsepower adders, and youre going to involuntarily redecorate your garage, with buick parts. maybe even decorate the street too.

 

[forcefed3.8's]

Get a TA49. It sounds likw you are not going to run alot of boost. The TA49 will make alittle more power than stock at 17lbs of boost. Get a scanmaster for tuning, 160 stat, open filter, walbro 340 and a hotwire kit, a 3" downpipe with ported elbow (TH style if you have the money), and a good exhaust like the Hooker. You will have a high 12sec car that acts just like stock, and is still very quiet reliable. Stock injectors will handle a TA49 at low boost.

 

[SVORay]

NO kidding, just got mine running after a long long sleep in the weeds. The GN gets just as much attention if not more than my bright red Viper GTS. And all the old rumors still existing. Comments like:

Wow, that thing has a twin turbo V8 right?
That's a bad azz monte carlo!
Doesn't that car go 200 mph?
They only made a couple hundred of those.

I get tons of questions about whats under the hood when they see my drag radials. I simply say It's a V6...231 cubes and the tires are for looks There is one night when I first got it that I actually got on it at 23psi. There is to this day some people who sware I have a turbocharged V8 with a bottle LOL. They get pissed when I don't open the trunk or the hood

 

[QUIP'6']

Hello all,
Just picked up an 87 GN 69k in need of a turbo. Car is all stock, and I just wanted to get some input on what is a good turbo for the street. Dont plan on racing the car, just maybe building a solid sleeper. Are there any other things I might want to look out for when buying a turbo? Any suggestions?

get a ta-49 its a great proven turbo i ran a 12.98 with pump gas no alky with an easy launch and mine is pretty much a basic setup

 

[Brer Rabbit]

Yeah right!

Hahaha, thanks for throwing the B.S. flag on me! I appreciate the info, I was looking into getting a TA49, I have heard that they are pretty nice for a stock set up. Can I purchase a new "stock" turbo or would the Precision TA49 be alright on a stock set up? I would be perfectly happy with 12's, but I really dont want to get into the re-decorate the garage with Buick parts, haha! I was looking into to some of the simple mods, maybe a cold air intake, hotwire kit, little things like that. Are those types of small mods still alright with the stock turbo?

Thats what they all say--12s will be just fine----Right! Brother these cars are like crack cocaine. One hit and ur hooked, and a lil is never enough. In a year U will be posting things like "Check out the times on my new Combo" and "How fast can I go on 93 and alchy?" Welcome to Hell!

 

[NEWCHAPTER]

welcome to the money pit, open up the wallet and watch as it gets all sucked up into the turbo

 

[SVORay]

Thats what they all say--12s will be just fine----Right! Brother these cars are like crack cocaine. One hit and ur hooked, and a lil is never enough. In a year U will be posting things like "Check out the times on my new Combo" and "How fast can I go on 93 and alchy?" Welcome to Hell!

Thats no lie.


Just take a spin in a car thats set at 23psi

 

[PowerKraus]

<< They get pissed when I don't open the trunk or the hood >>

I like to add to the mystery. ""I don't open the hood, and I could care less what you are running. Ready?" Then the talk really starts!

As for this thread, you've got some great advice here. Read a little more and do some searches on 'upgraded turbo' on 'stock combinations' and you'll hace plenty of information from which to render a decision. THINK it through and build proper combinations.

Again, goodluck, you are on the right track!

 

[UNDER-PRESSURE]

If you have to buy a turbo You can't go wrong with a TA49. Stock appearing, plenty of turbo to get you in the 11's, works great with the stock D5 converter & does not require a list of supporting parts. Keep it simple & basic & enjoy your car.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

"welcome to the money pit, open up the wallet and watch as it gets all sucked up into the turbo "

Tell me about it. Some was involuntary (timing chain/turbo) some was voluntary (look good parts) But I have buick parts splayed to 4 corners of this house. Everytime I go out there to INSTALL one of these parts I either fixed or painted, I end up coming back OUT with another part in my hand, to improve, or paint again.... ugh...

Example.. went in to check on what this dude was talkin about, with a 'stock maf bracket', to see where it could have possibly mounted to, and then, i decided, (im weird) that i never really put enough high heat antiseize on my new O2 sensor. So i grabbed the sensor, and no lie, the entire pipe it was connected to, came right off in my hand. whole pipe and all.. So immediately, my mind started to "hmmm can I coat this too? should I just wire wheel it and forget about it? hmmmm" its never ending man lol.

 

[tntdiablo]

welcome to the money pit, open up the wallet and watch as it gets all sucked up into the turbo

lol,thats the truth

 

[87NAT]

Back in 1994 I went 12.25 with a ta-49, 36#inj, cold air kit, gutted cat, pump gas, 18 psi. Of course I attribute the ET to a 1.60 sixty foot time. Very worn out suspensions makes for great launches sometimes.

 

[six slinger]

my advice, 60 turbo,42lb inj,hot wire,single walbro 340 255lph. if you could afford it put a front mount intercooler!! makes for a very streetable package,with good fuel economy,and much more power! and if you have patience could be had for less than 2500! i ran a similiar combo 9 years ago on 92 and drag radials t toped car weighing 3645lbs on 20 lbs of boost and good tuning { most important for power and safety} 11.60 @ 114mph with un touched heads! and was only family car for me and my wife driven between 30-50 miles every freaking day!!