Interested in pro-touring my 86 Grand National

[xxxturbo6]

I'm kicking around the idea of pro-touring my 86 GN. iv'e seen them set up for racing, iv'e seen them set up stock but iv'e never seen them set up for pro-touring at this stage i'm totally new to this and would have no idea on where to start to look or talk to. Id love to hear all your ideas and comments or suggestions I think this would look awsome DONE RIGHT!! so please let me know any info. thank you, scot w.

[yody]

I keep trying to convince my friend to do it with his 87 Turbo T limited, but he doesn't have the money. IT is pretty easy to get the basics down, but if you wanted to go all out it woudl be another story, the swaybars, control arms, springs and bushings, and links are all available, so are the big brakes, wouldnt' be very hard at all.

[MuscleRodz]

That is what I thought the real GNX's were, PT's GN Buicks. I would call Marcus at SC&C or visit his website. Good person to help you out. He is a member of this board.

Mike

[xxxturbo6]

[QUOTE=MuscleRodz]That is what I thought the real GNX's were, PT's GN Buicks. I would call Marcus at SC&C or visit his website. Good person to help you out. He is a member of this board.

Mike[/QUOTE} Yea the GNX was definatly a step up from the GN but all that stuff is old hat now. I would like to go more high-tech than the GNX set up. that stuff is available at a few aftermarket vendors. if possible could anyone posting a site leave a link for me to go to? thanks, scot w.

[xxxturbo6]

Come on guy's, help me out here i'm going to be putting the car up for the winter soon and I would like to get some research in asap. thanks, scot w.

[Bill Howell]

Whatever you do, don't use Torque Thrust II's-LOL
I wouldn't worry about the engine being protouring, I think you are already there. I would consentrate on the susension and brakes. Several manufacters for both areas. However, you need to decide just how much you want to spend and how far you want to go. I can tell you, it gets expensive very quickly. One issue you face like all us G-body guys is the lack of space for real meat under the rear. Only so much you can really do unless you want to minitub. I can give you a few pointers, but what do I know, I am a Poser.

[Steve Chryssos]

Great cars. I took a drive in this car:
https://www.pro-touring.com/events/Track_Day/Parking%20Lot/Misc_Cam_Douglass_Silver_Chevelle_Buick.jpg
https://www.pro-touring.com/events/Track_Day/Parking%20Lot/Misc_Cam_Douglass_Silver_chevelle_Buick_2.jpg

I believe the major suppliers were: Hotchkis, Wilwood, Kenne Bell and Weld Racing. Ditch the 80's seats and maybe try to swap in a moe modern dashboard.

[datsbad]

go for it . i always wanted to do one of those cars .

[Damn True]

Go for it. I think it would be sweet. Like Bill said, the motor is probably cool as-is though stuff is out there for those little Buicks to make the absurd into the ridiculous. Get after the suspension, brakes and rolling stock.
What kind of tranny do you have? If it's electronic it might be just the thing for one of those Shrifter gizmos.

[yody]

they have a GN 2004R shrifter won't work.

[WS6]

actually there have been a number of turbo regals set up to handle. Stan Davis' Turbo T makes me drool the most. of course its set up on the extreme side seeing as its a open road racer that goes over 200 mph. i know GMHTP had two TRs on the cover one time that were meant to handle and brake versus straight line. this was a year or two ago.

hot damn i knew i kept these magazines around for a reason. i found the issue im referring to. i feel old now because its an Nov 01 issue. anyway both these cars were set to be canyon runners since they are out in the west. Pheonix to be exact.

all the same protouring is what you make of it. if you want to go hard core then youll need to dig deep and learn or pay the big bucks and let someone else build it for you. there are a lot of parts availible for these cars that will make it handle and brake much much better than it does now. youve got to ask yourself how far do you want to go with though.

so how far do you want to go?

[myclone]

How bout this?
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Thats my old car that is now owned by Kendall from turbobuicks.com and he has put a TON of work into it. Super nice guy that is usually more than happy to help someone out if they have questions. His web page is http://www.secondhandsix.com/ttype/main.htm

[white79bu]

Somebody needs to put a six speed in one of those cars. That would be a BLAST!

[Steve Chryssos]

How bout this?
Thats my old car that is now owned by Kendall from turbobuicks.com and he has put a TON of work into it. Super nice guy that is usually more than happy to help someone out if they have questions. His web page is [/url]

HOLY BLOW-OFF VALVE! That thing's cool.

[xxxturbo6]

WOW, now this is awesome you guy's, from two reply's to this, "killer" well as to how far I would like to go is still a good question?? that t-type is exactly how I would like it to look. I don't plan on running any road courses with it just driving around back and forth to work and some shows that would be it.so I guess I would want to upgrade the suspension to get the stance and then go for some good brakes. I'll try to get a hold of the guy with the t-type and see what he recommends. Keep the info coming guys i'm going to need all I can get to finish this by next summer. Thank you very much...

[suh weet]

I don't know who's cars these are, but I have always liked them, I got a few more, but I need to dump some of my old pics:

[Buick Motorsports]

THe silver and red car was built by Heath Elmer of Phoenix. It is also the car being referred to earlier in the thread in the magazine. If you Google "g-whiz buick", you will get the article from the mag.


I have just started tuning my 85 Buick regal to handle better and Marcus at SC&C has been a great source of info. If you want, you can PM me and I'll share what info I have.

[wickedmotorhead]

Also if you haven't already check out the GN forums:

http://www.turbobuick.com
http://www.t6p.com

Look in the suspension sections and you will find some hidden goodies including an in depth article on "How to make your GN handle" or something like that.

Here's a link to someone that did an LS1 swap which is pretty interesting:

http://www.hotrodlane.cc/Buick%20Regal/ls1grandnationalpg1.htm

Heres a link to someones mini tub job:

http://home.woh.rr.com/brucesgn/minitubs/

Here's some info for springs in G-Bodies with multiple links to a TON of suspension tech info:

http://www.show-n-go.net/gfiles/g_spring.html

And I agree talk to Marcus at SC&C(http://www.scandc.com/ ) he is full of knowledge on this chassis and makes a killer proven setup for them. Also we will be working on a package for these as well that will use a version of our AFX spindle as food for thought.

I would really like to do a T56 install on mine, but you gotta leave the squirrel inhabited V6 in there or it just wouldn't be right in my opinion. BTW Stan Davis' 87 T Type (can be found featured in Tony Huntimer's Pro-Touring book) is one of sweetest G-Bodies I have ever seen!

[wickedmotorhead]

Here's some cool pics too of a couple GNs:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img294.imageshack.us/my.php?image=175vp.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img294.imageshack.us/my.php?image=86grandn558nm.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img294.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2829088full9xc.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img294.imageshack.us/my.php?image=204543258amytbnph0uh.jpg)

Bill this one is for you:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img294.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jay0ez.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://img294.imageshack.us/my.php?image=simmonsfrgroup8ts.jpg)

[WELTERRACER]

Ive seen several PT Gns.. i have a couple of friends with GNs.. one has has a 1300hp stage 3 engine if you want.. its only $23,000 without the turbo!

Things i would do... get rid of bench seat.. add 18' billet wheels.. add a big turbo.. headers.. etc..

[BB69]

If you're not going racing as you said, then don't spend huge dollars on racing parts. My buddy here at work has an 87 that is very similar to what you are describing. He has a Baer kit on it (all 4 wheels) with the drilled and coated rotors; lowering springs; and some great 5 spoke rims. Other than that, and some bigger injectors, his car is stock. I don't have any pics, but send me a message, and I can get you in touch with him. His car gets looks everywhere it goes.

Ken

[Damn True]

Those motors are sooooo cool.

[xxxturbo6]

I already have a built motor look at my sig. I'm going from a te-44 turbo with a 44mm wheel to a TE-45a with a 67mm wheel and a .63 p-trim exhaust housing. very soon it should be here at the end of Sept. the car right now with street tires and only 15lbs boost and a bad MAF went a 8.70 in the 1/8th. the MAF was only reading 188grams of air per sec. and it should be at 255grms. now it's got a new one and it's a world of difference and i'm also at 23lbs boost w/ race gas. no new times, but now with slicks it should be a 7.60 car in the 1/8th. no problem. Awesome pic's you guy's that is definitely what i'm after. really like the black one with the writing under the tire's, exactly what I want it to look like. please keep the pic's and any info coming. it's very helpful and I appreciate it very much!!. Thank you..

[suh weet]

Here's a couple more for ya.

[xxxturbo6]

THe silver and red car was built by Heath Elmer of Phoenix. It is also the car being referred to earlier in the thread in the magazine. If you Google "g-whiz buick", you will get the article from the mag.


I have just started tuning my 85 Buick regal to handle better and Marcus at SC&C has been a great source of info. If you want, you can PM me and I'll share what info I have. I could'nt find it ???? help!! lol

[yody]

you should look at razors alcohol injection system, my friend is running 22 ilbs of boost on 91 octane, works great, he is running an ATR front mount though

[Buick Motorsports]

I could'nt find it ???? help!! lol



Here's the link http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/features/0111gmhtp_gwhiz/

[xxxturbo6]

you should look at razors alcohol injection system, my friend is running 22 ilbs of boost on 91 octane, works great, he is running an ATR front mount though Yody, my P.T.E stock location inter-cooler is massive it will handle 800hp, and I thought about the alky injection, and I see a lot of pump problems with them and a buddy of mine has the translator plus w/ls1 MAF and a extender chip and hes running 22lbs on 93 only!! no alky! but i'm getting cam2 112 race gas at $4.99gal and I set mine at full race set up and I don't drive it every day so the gas will last a long time plus let's not forget that awesome smell !! lol

[xxxturbo6]

Here's the link http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/features/0111gmhtp_gwhiz/ Thank you Jason, the artical was cool. what I would like is to find out what that black one's complete set up is exactly, the one with the writing under the tires explaining the size. that is what i'm looking for. I would like to find out who owns it and how to contact him.. ??

[yody]

hes had his for a year, pump is fine? the only reason he is only running 22ilbs is he has a TA49, and it really doesnt' do much with any more boost. Alky is the way to go, if you want pump gas, do you have the 87 front grill etc...?

[Buick Motorsports]

Thank you jason, the artical was cool. what I would like is to find out what that black one's complete set up is exactly, the one with the writing under the tires explaining the size. that is what i'm looking for. I would like to find out who own's it and how to contact him.. ??
Then this would also be the look you are after.....https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


I'm getting closer, but not quite there....
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[xxxturbo6]

yody, yes I have the 87 grille and my turbo is a te-44 it has the exact same specs as the ta-49. Jason, yes that is the look that i'm after "ALL BLACKED OUT" If you guy's come across a GN or T-TYPE and can get info on their set up please post it for me. Thanks again guy's you got the ball rolling!!!

[Buick Motorsports]

yody, yes I have the 87 grille and my turbo is a te-44 it has the exact same specs as the ta-49. Jason, yes that is the look that i'm after "ALL BLACKED OUT" If you guy's come accross a GN or T-TYPE and can get info on their set up please post it for me. Thanks agian guy's you got the ball rolling!!!


Here is all the info posted by the builder, that I have:

Wheels. They're hand built Simmons FR17" Forged 3 piece custom wheels built for the car. No, I do not have the orig wheels.

Front-17x8.5 Simmons FR 3 piece, Nitto 555R 245/45/17

Rear- 17x9.5 Simmons FR 3 piece, Nitto 555R 285/40/17

This wheel & tire package retails for $3500.



It is lowered. It was done with 2" drop spindles and Eibach Pro Kit progressive rate springs.

The engine and suspension are clean enough to eat off.

Suspension & chassis mods

Bell Tech 2" drop spindles

Eibach Pro Kit

Hotchkis front swaybar

Hotchkis lower RCAs

GNX suspension

Koni adjustable SPA1 shocks

Eaton posi

Moser axles

stock 3.42 gear

fresh synthetic gear lube

new axle seals



Brakes. Baer Racing This is the same kit I use on all my projects.

Front- Baer 13" track kit with 2 piece rotors, slotted, drilled and zinced . PBR 2 piston calipers

Rear- Baer 12" touring kit with 2 piece rotors, slotted, drilled and zinced. PBR calipers

Baer proporting valve

* This kit retails for $3000



Paint. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, NO STORIES HERE! It had some minor door dings and chips in the orig paint and I'm very picky. I went to great lengths so that the paint was better than new. It was dis-assembled prior to paint. I also removed the nasty looking rock guard and straightened the door bottoms and rockers. GM put this crap on to cover up how bad these cars looked on the bottom. The paint job was professionally done in base/clear. I've built 11 Turbo Regals and a TTA, I know what I'm doing and how they go back together. The paint job cost me $5000. and I did all the R & R. I have pictures of it before it was painted and while it was apart that go with the car.



The bumpers have been smoothed (I removed the bump strip and guards) for a cleaner look, I dislike the stock trim on the bumpers and its easier to clean without it. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN CRASHED. Stock ones are easily found if you choose to change them back. They are not specific to a GNX. The original aluminum inserts are still there. Included in the sale are the bumper parts I removed. You could drill the holes back in them and put the trim back on easily.



Interior is 100% stock and 99% flawless, no spots or stains, never smoked in, the clear wrappers are still on the dash pieces. It has new floor mats and a 9 piece trunk kit. I changed the boost gauge in the dash to an Autometer that had a 30lb boost reading. I do have the guage I took out. The 1% is the plastic dash top has a 1/4" crack on each side by the speakers (they all crack and new ones are available for about 100 bucks) Also theres a new Scanmaster 2.1 tuning tool.



How's that??

[xxxturbo6]

Here is all the info posted by the builder, that I have:

Wheels. They're hand built Simmons FR17" Forged 3 piece custom wheels built for the car. No, I do not have the orig wheels.

Front-17x8.5 Simmons FR 3 piece, Nitto 555R 245/45/17

Rear- 17x9.5 Simmons FR 3 piece, Nitto 555R 285/40/17

This wheel & tire package retails for $3500.



It is lowered. It was done with 2" drop spindles and Eibach Pro Kit progressive rate springs.

The engine and suspension are clean enough to eat off.

Suspension & chassis mods

Bell Tech 2" drop spindles

Eibach Pro Kit

Hotchkis front swaybar

Hotchkis lower RCAs

GNX suspension

Koni adjustable SPA1 shocks

Eaton posi

Moser axles

stock 3.42 gear

fresh synthetic gear lube

new axle seals



Brakes. Baer Racing This is the same kit I use on all my projects.

Front- Baer 13" track kit with 2 piece rotors, slotted, drilled and zinced . PBR 2 piston calipers

Rear- Baer 12" touring kit with 2 piece rotors, slotted, drilled and zinced. PBR calipers

Baer proporting valve

* This kit retails for $3000



Paint. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, NO STORIES HERE! It had some minor door dings and chips in the orig paint and I'm very picky. I went to great lengths so that the paint was better than new. It was dis-assembled prior to paint. I also removed the nasty looking rock guard and straightened the door bottoms and rockers. GM put this crap on to cover up how bad these cars looked on the bottom. The paint job was professionally done in base/clear. I've built 11 Turbo Regals and a TTA, I know what I'm doing and how they go back together. The paint job cost me $5000. and I did all the R & R. I have pictures of it before it was painted and while it was apart that go with the car.



The bumpers have been smoothed (I removed the bump strip and guards) for a cleaner look, I dislike the stock trim on the bumpers and its easier to clean without it. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN CRASHED. Stock ones are easily found if you choose to change them back. They are not specific to a GNX. The original aluminum inserts are still there. Included in the sale are the bumper parts I removed. You could drill the holes back in them and put the trim back on easily.



Interior is 100% stock and 99% flawless, no spots or stains, never smoked in, the clear wrappers are still on the dash pieces. It has new floor mats and a 9 piece trunk kit. I changed the boost gauge in the dash to an Autometer that had a 30lb boost reading. I do have the guage I took out. The 1% is the plastic dash top has a 1/4" crack on each side by the speakers (they all crack and new ones are available for about 100 bucks) Also theres a new Scanmaster 2.1 tuning tool.



How's that??
Nice! is this the gold one?

[Buick Motorsports]

Nice! is this the gold one?
Nope that's for the GNX......the gold one is my work in progress. The GNX was built by the same guy who built the black & silver one in the g-whiz article.

[xxxturbo6]

Nope that's for the GNX......the gold one is my work in progress. The GNX was built by the same guy who built the black & silver one in the g-whiz article. WOW! that is a beautiful car, yes that is what I'm wanting it to look like and I'm looking at the Simmons om 18" but was that you who said the 17" ride better than the 18"?? that info you gave sure is going to help out a lot. if there is any way to go "not so radical" let me know what to go with. here's what i'm wanting out of the car and maybe you can tell me what to get. I'm wanting the pro-tour look, a decent handling car, I want to get my whole family in the car and not bottom out or anything or have anything rub, and I would like to do the good brake set-up.

[xxxturbo6]

Are you selling the black one?

[Buick Motorsports]

WOW! that is a beautifull car, yes that is what i'm wanting it to look like and i'm looking at the simmons om 18" but was that you who said the 17" ride better than the 18"?? that info you gave shure is going to help out alot. if there is any way to go "not so radical" let me know what to go with. here's what i'm wanting out of the car and maybe you can tell me what to get. I'm wanting the pro-tour look, a decent handeling car, I want to get my whole family in the car and not bottom out or anything or have anything rub, and I would like to do the good brake set-up. Thanks, scot w.



Hey Scot,

I'm running the Suspension Techniques springs in my car. They lowered it 1 inch at all 4 corners. I upgraded my rear upper and lower control arms to the tubular ones offered by UMI Performance(these were the most affordable). I suggest running either Bilstein or QA1 shocks. I chose the QA1's b ecause they offer some adjustability. This will allow you to tune the car a little more to your liking. Your car already has the F41 sway bar package...so your good there.

On the front you should consider swapping out the upper control arms in favor of the ones offered by Marcus @ SC&C. you can get away from some of the positive camber inherent in the g bodies by having the camber on your car adjusted to -1.0 and keeping your stock control arms.

For brakes, all my research points to Baer brakes having the best bolt on kits for the GN.

Can't go wrong with the Simmons wheels. Contact Jeff at Group A Wheels, he will help you establish the proper offset based on your brake upgrade.

Based on all the homework I've done...this amounts to a reasonable set up for a mostly street driven car. My car rides and handles far better and I have no problems with any bottoming out.

[xxxturbo6]

Jason? can you give me a call tomorrow?

[xxxturbo6]

Any more ideas guy's this has been very helpful so far.

[JP87GN]

Hey guys, Been to this site years ago but didn't think it had forums back then, Anyways, Scot W. here e-mailed me asking some questions about my car and he mentioned it had been discussed some over here. So I figured I would check it out and I flattered to see pictures of it on a site of car with such high caliber in mind. Here's another pic of it!

[BLWN1]

Sorry have to bump this. Found this in a google search and fell in love.....

[xxxturbo6]

WOW! This is bringing back a Very Old thread but it's pretty cool to see my thoughts back then and peoples recommendations. LOL

Since this thread was started by me 7 years ago and my plans to build a nice handling car I thought it would be cool to show you where the car is today and what it looks like..

I put together sort of a timeline thread of the whole build process - https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?78431-Project-quot-XXX-XXX-quot-Buick-Regal&highlight=

It now has the following:

* Complete (Front & Rear) DSE suspension with DSE frame braces. Build thread here -> https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?72478-Complete-G-Body-DSE-suspension-upgrade&highlight=
* BAER Brakes - Front) 4-piston calipers, Drilled,slotted, zinc 13" rotors / Rear) 4-piston calipers, 12" drilled,slotted,zinc coated rotors & BAER prop valve.

*Custom interior with suede inserts and Pro-Car Elite 1100 seats, Shroth harness'
* Custom GNX inspired dash
* Built 2004r trans with a Huge B&M cooler with 12" "S" blade fan.
* 2012 Freshly balanced & blue printed Turbo V6 engine, New turbo..
* 18" CCW 3-piece racing wheels..... Front) 18"x 9.5" with 255/30/18 / Rear) 18"x 10" with 285/40/18

So far at the RTTH events it has placed mid pack out of about 80+ cars and placed in the top 10 at the last BAER brake Speed/Stop challenge..

I accomplished my goal and planing on painting the car myself this winter with the help of a great friend & body man, then possibly some coil over shocks and it should be complete!

Here it is featured in the May 2011 GM High Tech Performance mag...and a few others. The last one was before the brakes were done.

60877
60878
60879
60880
60881

[SicMonte]

drool..................................

[xxxturbo6]

drool.................................. Thanks Doug! I feel the same towards "Pepper" LOL

[Randy67]

Very Nice, I really like the white, not the same old black color seen on so many. Great job.