Which vendor wants/deserves my money?

[pikespeakregal]

it's been awhile since i've thought about my buick; several years in fact. it's been slowly decaying exposed to the elements.

but... i have newfound interest to revive it, starting with rebuilding the motor. here are the limitations of the build:

1) stock 87 GN block
2) stock intake
3) solid 2800 stall converter
4) 3" elbow/downpipe in place

here are the pieces i'm interested in upgrading:

1) turbo
2) intercooler
3) injectors
4) prom
5) maybe heads (aluminum) if the deal is right
6) [edit] might as well do a cam as well

so, who is the man these days for good deals on combo packages like this? as important as price, who can i trust to recommend the right pieces for a solid street build?

 

[SGRIM]

Basically all of the main page vendors can hook you up. Check out the sites and then call them.

Jay at BWR can handle all that:smile:

 

[Timbuick]

I.m still new to these cars, but have had very good service recently from Kirbans and Turbo Tweaks. Communication was very good and considering i'm over here in the UK, that counts.

 

[bmackinnon]

it's been awhile since i've thought about my buick; several years in fact. it's been slowly decaying exposed to the elements.

but... i have newfound interest to revive it, starting with rebuilding the motor. here are the limitations of the build:

1) stock 87 GN block
2) stock intake
3) solid 2800 stall converter
4) 3" elbow/downpipe in place

here are the pieces i'm interested in upgrading:

1) turbo
2) intercooler
3) injectors
4) prom
5) maybe heads (aluminum) if the deal is right
6) [edit] might as well do a cam as well

so, who is the man these days for good deals on combo packages like this? as important as price, who can i trust to recommend the right pieces for a solid street build?

Come on Eddie.... you're no newby!!!:smile: it hasn't changed that much since the good old gnttype days.... :wink:.... a nice newer-tech turbo (bb maybe?), 60 lb. mototrons (/whoever else markets them), decent slic or fm, and a TurboTweak chip (by far, the bomb... waaayyy better than the 'old' chips as we knew 'em), and your back up to date.... probably want to go with a maf translator and lt1/ls1 maf setup as well.... for further adjustability and reliability.... cam/heads???? well.... that tech hasn't really changed much for the most part... your's are probably fine.... pike's peak spec.... :wink: :smile: good to see you after all this time.... regards...

 

[pikespeakregal]

Come on Eddie.... you're no newby!!!:smile: it hasn't changed that much since the good old gnttype days.... :wink:.... a nice newer-tech turbo (bb maybe?), 60 lb. mototrons (/whoever else markets them), decent slic or fm, and a TurboTweak chip (by far, the bomb... waaayyy better than the 'old' chips as we knew 'em), and your back up to date.... probably want to go with a maf translator and lt1/ls1 maf setup as well.... for further adjustability and reliability.... cam/heads???? well.... that tech hasn't really changed much for the most part... your's are probably fine.... pike's peak spec.... :wink: :smile: good to see you after all this time.... regards...

it seems like ages... in a lot of ways, i do feel like a newby. time and a new career have seemed to erase what little knowledge i had back then! :smile:

btw - i went over to the for-mentioned site and it seems desolate.

thanks for the tips though, definitely bb turbo (not sure which model though) is in the mix and translator/maf upgrade is still in place, alky injection too. i was noticing full throttle has fm's for ~$600.00. are these delivering good performance? i'll chalk up the turbotweak chip as a "must have".

is cottons still active with gn's? any other recommended vendors? (pm if necessary to keep the board opinion-free)

it took a second, but i remember you now bmack. thanks for remembering!

 

[Fuelie600]

Jack Cotton is going strong, and very much on top of the BUICK game. RPE does his motors, and Brian and Adam take care of the rest. He's a bit far from you though.

 

[Phoneguy]

Jack is a bit far from me as well but that didn't stop me. Almost everthing in my sig came from Jack Cotton. Awesome to deal with.

Bryan

 

[marleyskater420]

RJC racing
Bigwood racing
Cottons performance
Hartline performance

I've bought something off all of them except bigwood, at one time or another.

They are all really friendly and helpful. I think RJC won't be able to help with heads though (at least he doesn't list them on his site).

Honestly these guys all made a name for themselves for a good reason. I try to spread my money around to all the vendors if I can, but if I were in your shoes (and I just was) I would shop around and see who you felt most comfortable with. I've spent extra money on parts before just because a shop was willing to help me and go the extra mile. Customer service is completely worth the extra few $ to me.

 

[DailyDrifter]

Gbodyparts.com can help you out. FWIW I would get a downpipe and get rid of the stock elbow.

 

[pikespeakregal]

appreciate all the comments/recommendations so far, keep them coming if possible. really interested in feedback on full throttle fm's and cam/turbo combinations that others have had good results with.

aside from the first mentioned build prerequisites, so far the 60 lb. motos and turbotweak prom have been decided.

DailyDrifter, the elbow has been modded, so it's not stock any longer. i can't remember specifically what i did to it, but remember that welding and grinding was involved.

 

[DailyDrifter]

Good choice on the injectors, and chip. I would still find a THDP or a external gated downpipe, they have a smoother transition instead of being dumped out of the housing into a 90 degree bend. .02

 

[Dr.drivability]

appreciate all the comments/recommendations so far, keep them coming if possible. really interested in feedback on full throttle fm's and cam/turbo combinations that others have had good results with.

aside from the first mentioned build prerequisites, so far the 60 lb. motos and turbotweak prom have been decided.

DailyDrifter, the elbow has been modded, so it's not stock any longer. i can't remember specifically what i did to it, but remember that welding and grinding was involved.

I think you are on the right track! Look up Mike at Full Throttle!!!