So a lot of you already know me from way back and a lot of you know that I’ve had this Grand Ntional forever and a day now (actually 7 years but I’m only 24 now). I’ve wanted to do something with this car forever, but for some reason never did. Now she’s in a state that I never thought would or could happen. It’s time to play catchup on nearly 7 years of not doing anything but changing the oil…
Here’s the specs on the car:
1985 Buick Regal Grand National
Displacement: 3.8 Litres
Aspiration: FI Turbo
Transmission: 2004R
Rear End Ratio: 3.42
Weight: ~3300 lbs.
Current Modifications:
Kirban Performance Adjustable FPR
Kirban Performance Rear Seat Reinforcement
Aftermarket Exhaust (I believe it’s A Midas special from the 90s)
Gauges for most of the important stuff (Oil Pressure, WaterTemp. , Boost/Vac, Trans. Temp., and Narrow Band A/F)
Aftermarket Factory-style radiator
The Problems:
-Well, the car doesn’t run because of a bad sensor somewhere… Where, I don’t know, but when it goes back together I’ll slap the Solus on there to see if I can find the problem.
-The mufflers have both rotted out
-There is still a catalyic converter on there for some reason…
-Broken exhaust hanger
-Bad/Dryrotted vacuum lines… everywhere
-Bad Fuel pump with poor voltage
-No Posi/LSD (or it’s broken but I believe the VIN code said it didn’t have one)
-No Floor Mats
-25 Y/O NYLON TIMING GEAR FTMFL - Sounds like a bunch of bent valves waiting to happen
The Plan:
Well, I admit I have already started on this, but I can put up pics of what I have done so far. I am dismantling the obvios fail on the car, which is basically the maze of vacuum lines and such as well as removing the nylon timing gear out of the equation and freshening up the TC gaskets. The turbo charger is off and the lovely GM Fuel Filter fitting had seized onto the line so I twisted it up like a twizzler… I have since replaced it with a stainless braided AN piece to hopefully combat that from ever happening as well as add some style under there. I have also taken the liberty of replacing all the 5/32 and 7/32 vac lines that so eloquently fit under and around everything just so you can’t get to them. Now to the real list:
-Replace Fuel Pump - Holley 190 LPH
-Kirban Performance Fuel Pump Hotwire Kit (this actually raises the voltage to the pump from like 10 to 13 volts)
-Edelbrock Single Roller timing set - Has 2 metal gears and not just 1!
-Replace Factory Temp Sending unit - Only because it sucks to have a 10 dollar part fail that’s hard to get to.
-Add Posi Rear - Lock Right 10 Bolt Drop In.
-Mufflers - Not too sure who to go with for those
-Snow Performance Water Methanol Injection (An interesting fact about these cars of this year range - They were designed to have this type of system on there, but I assume they lost faith in people actually refilling the tanks so the chemical intercooling was scrapped and these went out as a non intercooled car.)
-Art-Carr Shift Kit
-Aluminum Differential Cover - My father in-law actually got this for me for X-mas
There will be more to come, but I’ve limited myself to a budget for now.
