Thoughts on 86/87 Buicks

[Ron Sutton]

G-Bodys were one of the last body on frame V8 cars built, that's why I like them. And they can be built to handle.

Some of the hard core Buick guys get bent when they see one modded up, especially if done with non-Buick parts. I say screw 'em, I'd mod it up just to mess with them.

[J-440]

Didn't they also make a limited edition GNX for the last year? It was a $30,000 car back then in 87...quite expensive for the day!! If you want a badass example of a Pro-Tourer, check out the 200mph Regal in Tony Huntimer's How To Pro-Touring book. That thing is modded to the max. Nice score by the way!!

[reedld]

Buick GN is on my bucket list......I'd love to find one and do a LS swap!

[novaderrik]

if you have a few hours, scroll thru this thread to see what can be done with an 87 GN... this car is probably the best example of a Pro Touring style build that i've ever seen done to any G body, even if he did get a little carried away on some parts:

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/thr...und-up.351277/

[epeterson]

Picked up the car last night and it is fantastic. Zero rust anywhere. This car has been baby'd. Only problem is the headliner is in bad shape, and the speedometer hasn't been hooked up after the engine swap. These problems are minor but I'd like to definetly have thag spedometer done now. How much do you guys think it would cost to hook it up? Or is it easy enough to do without a lift?

[alocker]

Sounds like you got a good deal.

Speedo depends on a few things. If it was as easy as connecting the cable it would probably work already. First determine if it has a cable and go from there.

[PT Sportwagon]

Coming from a Buick Purest. I will say. The 86-87 Regals did come from the factory with the Small block Chevy, my parents has an 86 Regal limited with the SBC. To make a correction, no authentic T-type regal came with anything other than the 3.8 Buick Turbo motor. In 86-87 it was intercooled. As far a getting out of shape for building one. I for one will not. I have seen meny G bodys that have been great handling cars, and look wicked in the process. I say go for it and enjoy. especially with the aftermarket suspension parts already on it.

Tim

[novaderrik]

Coming from a Buick Purest. I will say. The 86-87 Regals did come from the factory with the Small block Chevy, my parents has an 86 Regal limited with the SBC. To make a correction, no authentic T-type regal came with anything other than the 3.8 Buick Turbo motor. In 86-87 it was intercooled. As far a getting out of shape for building one. I for one will not. I have seen meny G bodys that have been great handling cars, and look wicked in the process. I say go for it and enjoy. especially with the aftermarket suspension parts already on it.

Tim

in 87, the T Type didn't exist any more, and the "T" was a suspension package that was available with any trim level and drivetrain- there are "T" cars out there with the mighty Olds 307 and the non turbo 231.. they are slow, but they handle awesome... you could also get the turbo drivetrain with any trim package that year, too..

[nekkidhillbilly]

ive seen this car i think before. id still rather have the turbo engine and od trans.

[epeterson]

You live around the midwest? And I'm not a big numbers matching guy. I love this chevy motor, its got gobs of power, decent mpg, and it handles well so I'll take it out to the track soon

[Anthony k]

Hey guys I thought I'd start a thread about 1986/87 Buick Grand Nationals and Regals. The car that packed mote horsepower under the hood then GM's sports car, the corvette. I'd like to know your guys thought on these cars. Especially Buick aficionados. Do you like them as pro touring cars? Could they be viewed as a car turning into a classic. Ultimately this is what i'm trying to gauge, when you see one at a car show, what thoughts come to mind? I just sold my 1971 Buick Skylark and am in the market for a new car, I found a sweet looking black 1987 Buick Regal in mint condition. Its got its original paint in pristine condition. All orginal no tear interior. Perfect pans. It has hotchkis suspension all around. With a built Chevy 383 Stroker. And turbo 400 transmission. All in all it looks like a fantastic car and I'm thinking about buying it. What are your thoughts? I've only owned cars from the 70's and it was kind of weird eing attracted to this being an 87. This is also a proven Buick Regal Type T we4 edition. It was slightly faster than the grand national and there were only 2500 of this type ever made. It is rare. So just pop your thoughts in and let me know! Thanks for reading guys

The T type was no faster than a gn than a we4. All the exact same drive train. Your information is incorrect

[epeterson]

My we4 edition came factory with the same drivetrain as the grand national, but the we4 was lighter than the stander grand national. With it being lighter than the grand national it was faster.

[Anthony k]

My we4 edition came factory with the same drivetrain as the grand national, but the we4 was lighter than the stander grand national. With it being lighter than the grand national it was faster.

Since I've owned quite a few of them. Where was the weight savings?

Bench seat..... Nope heavier.

Where is the weight savings.......

There wasn't..... Is the answer.

It might make you feel better to think that, but facts don't back it up.

Unless black paint is heavier. Ahahahahahaha

[epeterson]

Mine has buckets not a bench, from factory is had aluminum bumper braces, different lighter wheels than the grand nationals wheels, and no rear spoiler. Where are the weight savings? Right there.

[nekkidhillbilly]

You live around the midwest? And I'm not a big numbers matching guy. I love this chevy motor, its got gobs of power, decent mpg, and it handles well so I'll take it out to the track soon

it was brought down to a car show her in the south a few years back. im not a numbers guy really just like brand to be brand powered more or less. that said id hate no overdrive and the turbo engine has so much more potential.

[uxojerry]

If you ever want to put a 3.8 turbo back in TA performance has a complete line of aftermarket stuff to build one, even a 4L aluminum block. Hot Rod built one that did 700hp on the dyno.

[T-CHRGD]

Picked up the car last night and it is fantastic. Zero rust anywhere. This car has been baby'd. Only problem is the headliner is in bad shape, and the speedometer hasn't been hooked up after the engine swap. These problems are minor but I'd like to definetly have thag spedometer done now. How much do you guys think it would cost to hook it up? Or is it easy enough to do without a lift?

You can get a new ABS headliner at GBodyParts.com
And, Yes, you can make these cars handle.

[nekkidhillbilly]

i didnt find them bad even when they where stock even