V8 or Keep the V6

[5ltretr]

I'm going to start a 1-2 year project this winter.

Either get an alum block V6 or V8......

anyone have info on transplating a V8 turbo into the GN?

I would like to research both options as much as possible.

thanks

 

[MeanBuicks]

Unless you're comtemplating something exotic like turbocharging an aluminum Buick 215 V8 (ala early '60s) or a Buick 350 V8 engine, I don't believe too many folks here at TurboBuick.com will get excited over you yanking the V6.

 

[5ltretr]

I read a magazine once about someone was doing V8 turbo swaps into the GN , very succesfuly. Dont remember who, just want to look at my options......


I think the alum block seems to be a better choice and now that the eagle cranks came out at a good price I might lean more towards that.

 

[scottyb]

Originally posted by MeanBuicks
Unless you're comtemplating something exotic like turbocharging an aluminum Buick 215 V8 (ala early '60s) or a Buick 350 V8 engine, I don't believe too many folks here at TurboBuick.com will get excited over you yanking the V6.

I agree.

If you are going to do something like that, then why not use a standard issue Regal? Save the GN as-is.

 

[kshef]

are you kidding?

 

[Shane]

Personally I always thought that if it's your car, do what you want.

That being said, I would keep a Buick heart in it. I would keep the V6, but a Turbo Buick 350 or Buick 455 would be sweet.

You're going to get a lot of people yelling at you for this.

And don't mention the C word that rhymes with Heavy. People will be downright mean.

 

[5ltretr]

Good point on the Weight issue , didnt even think of that!

Was thinking a 4bolt main would be stronger than the 2 bolt , but now the alum blocks are 6bolts.....

Cost wise I think the alum V6 would be cheaper than the V8

 

[sixgun86gn]

The v-6 would be somewhere even with a v8.The v6 has alot of stuff already laid out for it on these cars.I would think the turbo system for a v8 would have to be custom and pretty costly.You should read up on girdles and such for the stock v6 block.The stock block with a girdle or steel main caps is capable of running mid 9s.How fast do you really want to be.BTW I am having an aluminum v6 (TA) built and it is definitely not cheap.I would rather drive a yugo before I would EVER put a v8 chevy in my ride.kills the coolness factor for me.

 

[TurboBuckeye]

Don't get me started

 

[cwelk87gn]

I would suggest finding a nice Cutlass or Monte if you want to tinker with the turbo V-8 idea. In ten years you'll be glad you left the GN stock(ish).

 

[MistaScott]

Just get a Stage II and get real.

None of this V8 nonsense.

 

[WIKEDV6]

Man stick with the V6, if you want to built a stout one get a stage II block and get all the goodies. If you want to built a V8 turbo use another car like I did, I have that in a 3rd gen TA with Twins on it. The car is not tuned yet so I can't compare.

Good luck
Prasad

 

[n20junkie]

i say it depends on your hp goal and money situation, if i had alot of money and wanted 1200 hp, the ta block would be it, but i don't, and with parts 1/2 the cost of buick ones, my engine rymes with heavy. i can get a 4 bolt block and have it machined of about a grand, give it a short fill of filler and you have a very solid foundation, one that can be replaced for 1/4 the cost of a ta block, and stage blocks are not far behind in price, all the parts to build a sbc are off the shelf parts, no wait for a batch to be paid for then made, and parts are still 1/2 the price, 4340 cranks new can be had for 400 on ebay, rods are about 300, i have pro action heads that flow very close in numbers to a full race set of ported stage II's, the full race stage haev better low lift numbers, but not by much, and imagine the power that a stage engine could have with another 2 cylinders. as far as custom parts, the engines mount holes are in the chassis already, set of off the counter mounts and your set, the rest of the package is no more custom than any other stage setup,4 barrel intake with injector bungs, a pte 90mm adapter elbow, dfi/fast which ever you like, headers are custom pieces, but so are most stage pieces, and still easier to have made, cause every one know the engine, and the rest is what ever you wana run, tranny, rear end, all the same as every other buick. thats how i see it, definatly not the opinion of most on the board, but then again no one else here is building the car, you are, no matter what i or they think, we don't work on it, race it, or pay for it, i knew when i started my project that my car would never be accepted by most in the buick relm, but then again i don't car, cause i still love her, and when the day is over my credit card is not maxed out trying to please someone that will just complain that my shifter isn't buick, or the fiberglass dash, where does it end.
Grant

 

[5ltretr]

Originally posted by cwelk87gn
I would suggest finding a nice Cutlass or Monte if you want to tinker with the turbo V-8 idea. In ten years you'll be glad you left the GN stock(ish).

I wish my car was more stockish..

LT1 Starter
LS1 MAF
B-Body brakes
Impala Alternator
the ramchargers fan ? Dodge?
I'm sure I have more stuff from other cars just cant think of them all.

Most of the stuff around the buick motor is other car parts, doesnt bother me I need these parts......

n20 : I hear what your saying, nice post. I'm not looking for 1200HP though just want something stout that will last for a while....

 

[Dusty Bradford]

I agree with Grant. Do what you want.

I sold my 29,000 mile GN to build something faster without ruining a nice car. I had plans to do a stage 2 but the cost moved me in another direction. A reliable 1300hp motor out of a v6 is expensive and parts are harder to come by. The heads up class I want to run only allows one turbo so imagine trying to spool a single turbo like a 91mm with 274 inches for a pro tree. My new motor is going in a 85 regal body and will be painted like a T-Type. The regals just look better than the monte's and cutlass. 99% of the people on this board will never see it run so it really doesn't matter what they think. Plus if I come across a deal on a stage 2 in the future the car will be done and I can sell the chevy and simply swap motor's. I loved popping the hood and seeing a V6 in there but that little motor can only take you so far.

 

[SinistrV6]

If you're gonna do it, at least build a GN "clone" instead of molesting a real one.

 

[TURBOV6]

remember that you have a grandnational...it has a turbo V6 inside....

that's what makes ours cars unique, that's something to think about

 

['71buickg.s.]

why do yall insist on disrespecting the lil 6's big brother? They arent necessarily slower, and i doubt much heavier to make a difference, atleast its still a buick, and i think itd be so cool to see a turbo 455 in a gn, there is a guy on v8buick.com that has a twin turbo 455 in his gs, so they arent as advanced.. so what? neither was the 6 at one point in time, i vote for the 8 as long as its a buick 8

 

[buickman69]

Originally posted by '71buickg.s.
why do yall insist on disrespecting the lil 6's big brother? They arent necessarily slower, and i doubt much heavier to make a difference, atleast its still a buick, and i think itd be so cool to see a turbo 455 in a gn, there is a guy on v8buick.com that has a twin turbo 455 in his gs, so they arent as advanced.. so what? neither was the 6 at one point in time, i vote for the 8 as long as its a buick 8

AMEN!!!

A Buick 350 would work great! It's lighter than a Chevy 350 and has a longer stroke. I've heard that a Buick 350 is more "durable" than a 430 or 455.

 

[buickman69]

Originally posted by '71buickg.s.
why do yall insist on disrespecting the lil 6's big brother? They arent necessarily slower, and i doubt much heavier to make a difference, atleast its still a buick, and i think itd be so cool to see a turbo 455 in a gn, there is a guy on v8buick.com that has a twin turbo 455 in his gs, so they arent as advanced.. so what? neither was the 6 at one point in time, i vote for the 8 as long as its a buick 8

AMEN!!!

A Buick 350 would work great! It's lighter than a Chevy 350 and has a longer stroke. I've heard that a Buick 350 is more "durable" than a Buick 430 or 455.

I've i'm not mistaken a Buick 455 is lighter than the chebbie 454.