Topics

1

General Buick Tech / Who is making big numbers and still passing smog? I'm in CA

« on: October 06 2013, 12:00:02 PM »

I've recently started looking into upgrades and sinking some serious money into my GN. But to get the car where I want it and still pass smog is starting to become a gamble. I'm aware of what they look for in the physical inspection so I'm not so much concerned about that. I am worried about the rest of the test. I don't want to spend a bunch of money and not be able to drive it on the street. I guess I'm just wondering if a rebuilt/bored/ported/stroked motor and a functioning cat will pass smog and what the problem areas are?


If it won't pass, I guess its gonna sit in the garage and ill be moving on to a pre 1973 project. What a shame.

2

General Buick Tech / Anyone have a 500+ hp GN?

« on: October 02 2013, 01:34:27 PM »

How did you get there and how much dough are we talking about?


I would love for my GN to be able to compete with the new Camaro ZL1 (580hp), Mustang Shelby GT500 (662hp), and the upcoming Challenger SRT8 "hellcat" (600+hp)..... oh and those damn biturbo AMG mercedes.


My last project was a 2002 Ducati 998 found here, and I think it's time to give the GN some love!

3

Transmissions / Torque Converter recommendations.

« on: April 18 2013, 02:57:40 PM »

I would like to try a new torque converter. I have the stock turbo. The car will chirp the tires going into 2nd gear but i cant get the thing to build boost at the line. Currently, the stall is at like 1600 and a shift kit was installed by the previous owner. Not sure if it is the stock D5 converter. It has some bolt on mods that make it a pretty quick car but has had no major engine work.


What brands and stall speed would you recommend?


Thanks for the input.

4

General Buick Tech / Speedo quit working

« on: January 14 2013, 03:18:51 PM »

My speedometer and odometer stopped working. Scanmaster shows error code 24, which is the speedometer sensor circuit.

When it happened, the needle got very jumpy then i thought i heard something fall either behind the dash or under the car.

Does anyone know if there is a write up somewhere on troubleshootin g this or what i should look at first? I have the service manuals for my car but sometimes they get hard to decipher.

Thought i would check here if its something simple that i can do before i take it to a mechanic.

Thanks.

5

General Buick Tech / New GN owner questions/issues

« on: November 04 2012, 08:52:49 PM »

Recently picked up an 87 GN. You can see some mods and info here. http://www.ihadav8.com/forum/index.php?topic=3778.0


The previous owner gave me a new fuel pressure regulator that i need to have installed. Hopefully that will help with some of the issues im having.


I cant get the car to build boost at the line or spin the tires for that matter. I hold the brake and hit the gas and it wont rev past like 2200 rpm. Sometimes while cruising at 30mph and then going WOT, the thing will stall and sputter, other times, the turbo will spool and away i go. Also, my oil pressure has been all over the place, as low as 20 psi and as high as 80 when WOT. Dunno if thats normal.


It seems like the turbo isn't spooling very fast either. I have it set to 15 psi. When i'm WOT and i get to 15 psi, after a moment it drops to 10 and wont go any higher.


The previous owner also told me that his wife had driven it when he had the boost turned way up (22psi) and well.... it wasn't pretty. He had it turned up for some passes at the strip but his wife took it out on the freeway before he turned it back down. She threw it down to third to pass a vehicle and when the boost maxed out, the stock motor couldn't hang. Since that happened he turned the boost down to 10 psi and kept it there til he sold it to me.


My next step is to take it in for a tune up and get the regulator installed. Being in SoCal, it looks like it will end up in the hands of turbo Lou, unless anyone knows of a capable mechanic closer to Los Angeles. The heads have never been off the motor so if i need to do a serious overhaul then so be it. I want this car to perform like i know it can and last for another 25 years. Im willing to spend some money on it.


Any advice or words of wisdom? What do i need to replace or double check from the unfortunate rattle at 22psi? What would you do?


Thanks!

6

New Member Introductions and Welcomes! / My Very Own GN

« on: November 04 2012, 07:22:49 PM »

Im the 3rd owner. Previous owner had it since 1990. Its got 92k miles and was well cared for.

Mods include hot wire kit, cat back SS exhaust from ATR, green stripe 30# injectors, chip from TT, bigger rear sway bar. You'll notice some other aftermarket things from the pics.