what mods are good to start off with???

[Chatmanboy]

Hi guys. Very new to this 3.8 Turbo engine. Got mine last may and engine blew due to sorry mechanics in Fresno CA. Which grand national are so foreign to them. So its almost up and back running finally. So was wondering What mods I should go with first? Thanks

 

[Buickforlife]

Boost gauge. And the big mouth cold air kit. Back when I had my hotair car, this was the first thing I got, and it really seemed to help it out.

http://buickgn.com/hotairbigmouthkits.htm

 

[Boost231]

whats done to it right now? good start would be a fuel pump and adjustable regulator as well as adjustable wastegate rod. also a good scan tool and spring cleaning.

 

[ZNix]

New valve springs! Get comp-980s. The extra 20lbs help out a lot. I would also go with spring cleaning, and a cold air kit. The boost guage, scan tool, fuel pump, hotwire kit, adjustable regulators (fuel and boost) are also very good starts.

 

[Chatmanboy]

As of now I have the LT1 mad and mad translator. The big mouth cold air kit. High flow fuel pump and hotwire. Ordered the gauge pod so I need to know what gauges to go with

 

[Boost231]

As for gauges I like boost ,oil pressure, water temp

 

[Chatmanboy]

OK thanks guys going to purchase the items and get back yo u when there in and running.

 

[Chatmanboy]

Also Where can I get a scantool for an 85? I only found them for an 86/87

 

[turbo nasty]

As of now I have the LT1 mad and mad translator. The big mouth cold air kit. High flow fuel pump and hotwire. Ordered the gauge pod so I need to know what gauges to go with

Just a FYI

Its MAF as in Mass Air Flow sensor not MAD

 

[Chatmanboy]

Yea was an accident typing on my phone bbut Thanks

 

[ZNix]

You need an 86 87 ECM Im pretty sure for the scan tools to work.

 

[Boost231]

yup, converter to an 87 ecm and you will be golden for a powerlogger.

 

[charlief1]

Just make sure to get a TT chip for it. That is one of the most effective things you can do for the system.

 

[Chatmanboy]

Found The 86/87 ecm it does fit right in place of the 85 one correct? or is there something else i need?

 

[Chatmanboy]

You need an 86 87 ECM Im pretty sure for the scan tools to work.

where did you get your valve springs from?

 

[Boost231]

87 ecm will plug right in. you will need a chip from TT (hotair with 87ecm) and a MAT sensor or have TT program and over write for it. as for valve springs most vendors can get them for you. just chose one that you like

 

[ZNix]

Get them from Comp-Cams website, Kirban, Cotton, Ive even had luck from Jegs I think.

 

[Boostnitup]

Things to do...

'87 ecm swap, scan master-2, Walbro 340 fuel pump, Adjustable fuel pressure regulator and guage, adjustible wastegate rod modification so you can add boost, and a set of drag radials (I suggest Nitto's because they can be daily driven awhile).

Start there and you will be surprised at the night and day difference.

 

[Chatmanboy]

Is an 86 ecm OK?

 

[Boost231]

yes, its the same as an 87