Topics

1

General Buick Tech / 1985 Grand National Update

« on: September 06 2022, 01:25:42 AM »

Hi again, Its been almost a year since i posted any updates, here is what i have done so far and few things that i have lined up.

I have done a lot of small upgrades to the 85 in the past year. After getting the exhaust all buttoned up,  I upgraded the ECU to the 87 setup, the Ignition was upgraded to 86-87, Scanmaster was installed, fuel pump hotwire kit, fuel pump upgrade to a 340lph, installed a set of rear Digi-tails lights, installed 87 GN grill and Wheels, also upgraded all of the speakers and stereo to a Pioneer DIN that fits the stock space ( found a Bluetooth plug for it on Amazon that plugs into the disc changer plug in) I also got a trunk kit off of Rockauto as well. I also mounted 3 AutoMeter gauges on a Pillar Pod ( Coolant Temp, Boost and Oil Pressure). I made a cold air intake with some leftover parts as well, installed the MAF translator and LS1 MAF.

The powermaster failed ( I knew it was going to, as it had been making some whining noises since i first fired it up). I replaced it with the power booster and MC that came with the V8 Regals. I removed the rad shroud and mechanical fan along with the stock radiator and replaced it with an aluminum 3 core radiator with dual electric fans. There is so much space in the engine bay now!

I also upgraded the Alternator to a 150amp and replaced the AC compressor and drier/accumulator and had the system upgraded to R134.

I also got my hands on a New Bison Performance Turbo (almost identical to TA33-C),  T04e 57 trim compressor wheel and t31 stage 3 turbine. I was blown away as a buddy of mine found the add on Facebook, and it was OBO...i got a really good deal.
I just ordered a 3"downpipe and a dump pipe from Gbodyparts and a Big Mouth cold air intake as well from BuickGN ( this will  be my winter project). I can finally remove my homemade ColdAir setup. Just waiting for the parts to arrive. While I am upgrading the turbo I am going to remove the stock headers and clean up some oil that has leaked over the last 37 years. I had managed to replace the drivers side valve cover gasket, but couldn't get to the passenger side unless I removed the entire top end. This will all be taken care of when I tackle the turbo, Injectors and the pipes..... also weld up a crack on the driver side header at the same time. 


Actually now looking back i have upgraded quite a bit of things in the 85....it has all been worth it. I have the car insured in BC with Collector status year round now....alot of fun.

2

General Buick Tech / Exhaust upgrade questions for the 85 GN

« on: September 12 2021, 07:39:08 PM »

Okay here goes,

I just received my new Magnaflow exhaust Kit#16884  for the 85 GN. I unpacked it all and went through all the parts  I hoisted my car up and it looks as if the previous owner had put in a quick fix from a shop. The pipe does jot have the correct flanges on either end, the side closest to the front has a 2 bolt flange bolted in on an angle to somewhat work on a 4 bolt flange which is 3.25" square. As you see in the picture,  the new y-pipe in the kit looks to be a 3 inch with a 4 bolt flange.

My question is where can I get the "test pipe" that goes between the 2 sides. I am sure the 86 - 87 had cats there, correct?

I will post a picture of the kit, the flange end on the y pipe, and also have picture of the part that I need circled in red in one of the pictures. Hooker sells an exhaust kit for the buick turbo cars that has the test pipe in the kit. Also I will post a picture of the mickey mouse pipe that  is under my car as well.

If anyone has a spare pipe kicking around  please let me know, or knows where to get one, Pypes, Walker Etc.

Thank you.
 Am

3

General Buick Tech / 1985 Grand National will not start.

« on: September 18 2020, 11:22:49 AM »

Hi everyone,

Okay here goes. I picked up my 85 Grand National after sitting for over 16 years.

I knew the gas tank and fuel lines needed to either get replaced or cleaned out. So i went ahead and replaced the Gas tank and fuel sender/pump with the Spectra replacements. I cleaned out the fuel line and return lines as well and replaced the fuel filter. I primed and it and got all the air out of the system and had fresh clean fuel at the rails and shrader valve.

After doing all this the car still did not fire up, just cranked and turned over.

So I decided to do a spark plug and spark plug wire replacement along with an oil filter and oil change. I even took the coil pack off and did the ohm meter test and all the ohms were between 11.2 - 11.6. I watched a YouTube video that a member on the site did where he tested the coil pack with the ohm meter and thats what I did. I just don't know if it would be different ohm numbers between a 85 and 87 GN.

After this the car still did not fire up....so i went ahead and changed out the O2 sensor  and air filter and cleaned out the MAF sensor with CRC Sensorcleen. And also changed out the Crank position sensor last night.

The car still hasn't fired up. I am a bit stumped on what to check or look for next.

I have ordered a 86-87 coil pack and ignition module along with the 86-87 hotwire adaptor from Caspers and will be upgrading the i85 gnition system next.

Also I have checked all the fuses and they all are in working order, I also hooked up a OBD1 reader and did not see any error codes at all.

I notice the oil/choke light is almost always lit up on the dash along with the check engine light when I am trying to fire it up.

Anyone know what else I am missing? Or take a look at to narrow this issue down?

Thanks a bunch guys.

4

New Member Introductions and Welcomes! / New Grand National Owner From Coquitlam BC Canada

« on: September 18 2020, 01:49:59 AM »

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to introduce myself. Name is Am, just picked up a 1985 Grand National last month. Had been parked for over 16 years. Has 148000km's. The car is very clean and 99% rust free, has some surface rust on frame which will clean up.

I will be very busy on this site, so please bare with me if I have alot of questions, and ask for help.

Also wondering if there are any other members on here from British Columbia on the site.

Take care and be safe!!