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1987 Buick Grand National

GN at drag strip


       As noted on the previous page, the car ran 14.6 second standing start ¼ mile times in 90+°F weather with 92 octane gas and the original Goodyear Eagle GT tires (no traction) in stock form. I started to tinker with it around 9/88. Many changes were performed using tips from Red Armstrong of Quad Air. The various modifications brought the ¼ mile times down to a best of 12.19 seconds at 110.4 mph. The changes I did on my car are similar to the ones presented on the Buick Turbo Regal Recipe Page. Up to that point, the engine was not subjected to any internal modifications.

       After a few years, it was time to enhance the overall performance of the vehicle even further. The car received extensive modifications. The engine, transmission, rear axle, & brakes were all addressed. At this point the engine was outfitted with a 206° duration (@0.050" lift) Comp Cams roller hydraulic cam, a CAS stock location intercooler, Siemens #3102 55 lb/hr fuel injectors, Vigilante 5 disk lockup torque convertor with a #0 pump (~2800 rpm stall), and unfortunately, only 26" diameter slicks. A trip to the drag strip yielded a standing start ¼ mi. time of 11.203 sec. and a trap speed of 121.9 mph. That was with minor traction issues, running out of gear due to inadequate tire size, and operator error. The 60' time was a somewhat leisurely 1.64 sec.

      The setup was reevaluated and a few more changes were introduced. Obviously, the first thing was to acquire taller 28"D slicks. An HRpartsNstuff rear antisway bar was installed to ensure a straight launch. To improve the 60' time the torque convertor was restalled with a #6 pump (~3200 rpm stall). A slightly hotter 214° duration (@0.050" lift) Comp Cams roller hydraulic cam was installed. A liquid cooled intercooler was acquired. Lastly, Siemens #3145 72 lb/hr fuel injectors were installed to ensure an adequate fuel supply. To summarize the following tables present components and modifications the car has, at this time, to improve the ¼ mi. performance and overall handling. More to follow next year.

Engine
Transmission
Rear Axle
Wheels, Suspension, & Brakes
Body, Interior, Exhaust, Etc.

Engine
Vendor Components or Modifications
Quad Air Inc.
(Red Armstrong)
7161 Fitch Rd.
Olmsted Twp., OH 44138
(440) 235-3232
Turbo 6 logo Champion ported cast iron heads w/Manley 1.77"D intake valves #11504, Manley 1.50"D exhaust valves #11503, springs, retainers, locks, & seals
Turbo 6 logo Champion cast aluminum rocker arm covers
Turbo 6 logo Harland Sharp roller rocker arms (1.6:1 ratio) with shafts #6003
Turbo 6 logo volt booster
Turbo 6 logo Siemens fuel injectors, 72 lb/hr @ 3 bar #3145
Turbo 6 logo replace injector drivers in ECM w/peak-hold drivers
Turbo 6 logo fuel pump, XP plus double pumper w/hanger & sender, hot-wired with 10 Ga. wire from alternator with relay controlled by original fuel pump circuit for primary pump and 10 Ga. wire  from alternator with pressure switch for the secondary pump
Turbo 6 logo Terry Houston 3" stainless steel downpipe & wastegate
Turbo 6 logo turbocharger, TE-45A w/0.63 A/R ratio turbine
Turbo 6 logo R108 strip chip
Turbo 6 logo R93 street chip
Weber Racing Equipment
N. Ridgeville, OH
Turbo 6 logo Competition Cams hydraulic roller cam (steel billet) w/214° dur. (@0.050" lift), 0.353" tappet lift (0.565" valve lift w/1.6:1 rocker arms), ser. no. F5016-05
Turbo 6 logo Competition Cams hydraulic roller lifters #853-12
Turbo 6 logo Competition Cams valve springs #941-12
Turbo 6 logo Manley pushrods #25745
Turbo 6 logo Rollmaster timing chain #1013-2TB
Turbo 6 logo distributor drive gear, spacer, needle bearing thrust button, woodruff key, retainer (large washer)
Turbo 6 logo Pro-Gram Engineering steel main bearing caps #B4.1V6C & align hone/bore
Turbo 6 logo spot face rear main bearing cap for oil pan clearance w/ARP stud
Turbo 6 logo hone cylinders w/torque plate
Turbo 6 logo polish crankshaft
Turbo 6 logo Speed-Pro forged aluminum pistons #L2481F
Turbo 6 logo Ohio Piston & Pin piston pins #P426
Turbo 6 logo shorten piston pins
Turbo 6 logo Sealed Power rings w/moly top ring #E-434K
Turbo 6 logo recondition connecting rods incl./chamfer bolt holes for ARP bolts
Turbo 6 logo O-ring heads
Turbo 6 logo machine pedestals for roller rocker arms
Turbo 6 logo port intake manifold
Turbo 6 logo port match intake manifold and exhaust headers to heads, pin headers
Turbo 6 logo balance crankshaft assembly
Turbo 6 logo ARP main studs #123-5401 & rod bolts #123-6002
Turbo 6 logo Sealed Power A-Series aluminum main bearings #7144MA 10 (0.010" under)
Turbo 6 logo Sealed Power A-Series aluminum connecting rod bearings #6-3755AP10 (0.010" under)
Turbo 6 logo machine timing cover for cam button,  press in seal, & port oil passages
Turbo 6 logo machine Champion rocker arm covers for stock breathers
Turbo 6 logo BOP Engineering composite distributer gear 0.500"ID #BDG104
Turbo 6 logo Victor Reinz engine gasket kit
Summit
Racing Equipment
Turbo 6 logo ARP head studs #123-4003 sealed with Permatex No. 2 (after ARP sealer leaked twice)
VanDevere Oldsmobile
(formerly with Dal Slabaugh)
Turbo 6 logo light weight starter #10465293, bolts #12338064 & #14037733
Turbo 6 logo water pump #25527536
Turbo 6 logo oil pump pickup #25505644
Turbo 6 logo spark plug wires (for 1989 Turbo Trans Am) #12073997
ATR
(no longer in business)
Turbo 6 logo 160°F thermostat
Turbo 6 logo adjustable fuel pressure regulator #RP377-06
Turbo 6 logo PCV valve #CV101 converted to inline check valve (added hose fitting and removed spring & rubber restriction)
Turbo 6 logo intercooler: liquid cooled #RP374B
Turbo Regal
Custom Parts
Turbo 6 logo Big Mouth cold air kit w/chrome steel tube
HRpartsNstuff Turbo 6 logo polyurethane engine mounts
Dennis Kirban
GTOs, Inc.
Turbo 6 logo stainless steel thermostat housing
Turbo 6 logo aluminum vacuum block
Turbo 6 logo oil filter adaptor for larger oil filter (AC PF24)
King Automotive Supply
N. Olmsted, OH
(no longer in business)
Turbo 6 logo Sealed Power oil pump rebuild kit #224-518
Turbo 6 logo Sealed Power oil pump gear thrust plate #224-518TP
Miscellaneous Turbo 6 logo custom stainless steel 3" test pipe with cutout, outlet matches ATR exhaust
Turbo 6 logo block coolant line to throttle body
Turbo 6 logo remove both screens from MAF
Turbo 6 logo bell mouthed throttle body
Turbo 6 logo bell mouthed intercooler inlet
Turbo 6 logo AC R42T spark plugs, GM #5613353
Turbo 6 logo VP C16 116 octane [(R+M)/2] leaded racing fuel, strip
Turbo 6 logo Sunoco 94 Ultra unleaded gas, street
Turbo 6 logo launch at 10 psig boost
Turbo 6 logo 28 to 30 psig peak boost (formerly 20 psig), strip
Turbo 6 logo 17 psig peak boost, street
Turbo 6 logo test pipe with cutout, open at strip
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Transmission
Quad Air Inc.
(Red Armstrong)
7161 Fitch Rd.
Olmsted Twp., OH 44138
(440) 235-3232
Turbo 6 logo Precision Industries Vigilante 5 disk lock up torque convertor #239628-5 (formerly #239028-5, restalled by Precision Industries)
Turbo 6 logo Precision Industries transmission pump kit
Art Carr
Performance Products
Turbo 6 logo 10 vane pump
Janis Automotive Transmissions
1507 Kenmore Blvd.
Akron, OH
(330) 753-6609
Turbo 6 logo install pump kit for Vigilante torque convertor
Turbo 6 logo blueprint front pump assembly
Turbo 6 logo 0.471-0.500 boost valve & 0.296 inter boost valve
Turbo 6 logo heavier pressure regulator spring, hardened ring, & hardened stator support shaft
Turbo 6 logo cut overdrive piston to accept 3 friction disks
Turbo 6 logo new overdrive sprag
Turbo 6 logo center support hot loaded w/new rings
Turbo 6 logo PTS forward drum assembly
Turbo 6 logo PTS billet input shaft
Turbo 6 logo direct drum clearanced w/6 Raybestos blue & Kolene steel disks
Turbo 6 logo stock Borg Warner band assembly
Turbo 6 logo stock GN BRF servo
Turbo 6 logo Borg Warner bands
Turbo 6 logo low and reverse clutch setup tighter for better holding
 ability when launching
Turbo 6 logo separator plate modified to Janis specs.
Turbo 6 logo valve body (BR3) assembled to Janis specs.
Turbo 6 logo 700-R4 filter
Turbo 6 logo replace journal bearings w/roller bearings at overdrive center support, overdrive rear center support, & rear ring gear
Turbo 6 logo Alto 2 5/8" band
Turbo 6 logo PTS band anchor
Turbo 6 logo Kolene steel plates
DRW Transmission
Specialties, Inc.
Turbo 6 logo transmission deep aluminum oil pan
King Automotive Supply
N. Olmsted, OH
(no longer in business)
Turbo 6 logo transmission oil cooler
Dennis Kirban
GTOs, Inc.
Turbo 6 logo shifter cable GM #25537476
Miscellaneous Turbo 6 logo switch for locking up torque convertor through ALDL connector
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Rear Axle
Nationwide Performance Driveline Products Turbo 6 logo Eaton limited slip differential, 30 spline
Turbo 6 logo bearing kit
Moser Engineering Turbo 6 logo C-clip axle, 30 spline, 28 7/16" #A2721
TA Performance Products, Inc. Turbo 6 logo rear end girdle #TA1807
Turbo 6 logo ARP studs for bearing caps
Summit
Racing Equipment
Turbo 6 logo ARP wheel studs 12mm-1.50mmx50mm, no. 100-7708
Turbo 6 logo Gorilla lug nuts 12mm-1.50mm acorn, no. 90037
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Wheels, Suspension, & Brakes
Dennis Kirban
GTOs, Inc.
Turbo 6 logo Bilstein shocks
Turbo 6 logo 16"x8" GNX style aluminum wheels (American Racing Equipment series #192)
HRpartsNstuff
Turbo 6 logo rear antisway bar #0450
ATR
(no longer in business)
Turbo 6 logo front stabilizer bar polyurethane clamps #SU207 and end links #SU206
Tire Rack
(formerly Fastire)
Turbo 6 logo Michelin Pilot Sport radials 245/50ZR16 & 255/50ZR16
Turbo 6 logo Prime 15x8.5 aluminum wheels (no. 292, GNX style) for the slicks
Summit
Racing Equipment
Turbo 6 logo Hurst line lock #174 5000, in rear brake line, lock out rear brakes for burnout and have full control of front brakes to ease out of water
Turbo 6 logo Mopar Performance adjustable brake proportioning valve #P4120999
McCormack Racing
Turbo 6 logo Mickey Thompson ET Drags, 28x10.5-15 #3055, strip
Torque Tech, Inc. Turbo 6 logo Air Lift Polyair air bag for right rear spring
Turbo 6 logo polyurethane rear control arm bushings, upper arms @ axle end
Global West Turbo 6 logo rear lower control arms, #TBC-2
Turbo 6 logo front upper control arms, #CNR-88-CB
Turbo 6 logo GM tubular tie rod sleeve, #ADJ-5
VanDevere Oldsmobile
(formerly with Dal Slabaugh)
Turbo 6 logo B-body stearing knuckles #18021052 & 18016024
Turbo 6 logo 12" brake rotors #18027886
Turbo 6 logo dust shields #344023 & 344024
Turbo 6 logo B-body brake calipers #18015427 & 18015428
Turbo 6 logo center caps #14003444
Turbo 6 logo washer #457707
Turbo 6 logo nut #378137
Turbo 6 logo caliper retaining bolts #18022601
Jeg's High Performance
Turbo 6 logo Russell steel braided brake line kit #692100
King Automotive Supply
N. Olmsted, OH
(no longer in business)
Turbo 6 logo Moog replacement front (#5606) & rear (#5379) coil springs
Genuine Hotrod Hardware, Inc.
Turbo 6 logo The Vintage Group Logo Caps skull valve stem caps #5030155
Miscellaneous Turbo 6 logo rear aluminum brake drums #1255496
Turbo 6 logo S-10 rear brake cylinders (S-10 with manual brakes), 7/8" bore
Turbo 6 logo Mobil 1 differential fluid & chassis lube
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Body, Interior, Exhaust, etc.
ATR
(no longer in business)
Turbo 6 logo 2.5" stainless steel dual exhaust system #HP116D
Turbo 6 logo turbo 6 floor mats #AA700
John's Performance Products Turbo 6 logo ground kit
Adaptive Technologies, Inc.
(no longer in business)
Turbo 6 logo Prompaq EEPROM selector, modified with faster GAL & 74000 series chip, DB37 connector replaced with DB24 connector, EEPROM cable lengthened.
Summit
Racing Equipment
Turbo 6 logo Autometer vacuum/pressure gage, 30" Hg vacuum to 30 psig pressure, no. 2614
Turbo 6 logo Autometer Single Gauge Pod, #10401
Dennis Kirban
GTOs, Inc.
Turbo 6 logo trunk liner kit
Turbo 6 logo machined billet aluminum horn ring
Turbo 6 logo under hood brace kit
Turbo 6 logo driver's side relay cover
Jax Seat
Cover Co.
Turbo 6 logo headliner kit
Turbo 6 logo spare tire cover
PST - Performance Suspension Technology Turbo 6 logo polyurethane body bushings
Kenne-Bell Turbo 6 logo diagnol brace behind rear seat #KB82070
Crutchfield Turbo 6 logo Pioneer DEH-P47DH CD receiver (for GM dash opening)
Turbo 6 logo Polk EX Series II 6"x9" 2-way rear speakers
B&B Appliance Turbo 6 logo Alpine 3½" dash speakers
Audio Craft Turbo 6 logo Alpine 5¼" door speakers, mounted in concert sound housing
Genuine Hotrod Hardware, Inc.
Turbo 6 logo The Vintage Group license frame skull logo caps #4030155
InjectionX
Turbo 6 logo Turbo-Regal LED tail light kit
Turbo 6 logo Turbo-Regal LED third tail light kit
Spaghetti Engineering
Turbo 6 logo electronic LED flasher
V-LEDs
Turbo 6 logo LED for taillight side marker 194 red LED 27
Turbo 6 logo LED for interior light 561 white dome light 3
SuperBrightLEDs
Turbo 6 logo LED for driver footwell 921-NW12
Turbo 6 logo LED for passenger footwell 1156-W12-WV
Turbo 6 logo LED for glove compartment 921-W9-WV
Miscellaneous Turbo 6 logo aluminum bumper reinforcements, #25523558 front & #25505111 rear
Turbo 6 logo battery in trunk w/switch, empty original case up front
Turbo 6 logo auto shift 1 to 2, manual shift 2 to 3 with flashing Service-Engine-Soon light (EEPROM feature, 5300 rpm)
Turbo 6 logo remove spare tire and jack from trunk
Turbo 6 logo driveshaft safety loop
Turbo 6 logo low fuel warning circuit board, #6432974
Turbo 6 logo headlight retaining ring, black, #5973455
Turbo 6 logo door assembly, license plate, stay down #14083879

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