Hello to everyone at the turbo regal web site. I hope this is not to long of a message. I love this web site and have been looking at it for a month now. Ok to the point, i bought a 85 GN just got it on Jan 30th. It has 92k orginal miles and the engine has been rebuilt for whatever reason about 8k miles ago. I got it from a dealer and he got it on a trade in and did not know much about the performance mods on her. Here they go, from what I have seen and discovered(i am still very new to this turbo stuff, but it is great)it has a spearco intercooler on the front, k&n system, two different computer chips, air bag pass. side, aftermarket exhaust or not stock, has a smaller cat then stock i believe, k&n breather cap on after market valve covers, boost gauge on piller and a knock gauge. The chip in the car I have not checked yet but from reciepts i believe to be a kenne bell chip and its a mild chip. the other chip I have is a poston thumbwheel ultrachip. which chip is better and what octane of gas should I be running. On the way home I had to put some gas in her and without even thinking I put in unleaded and relized I probably should have put in premium. But she drove home like a dream. The air bag I am unfamilar with. I am use to my old 89 Camaro that had no power. What should that air bag be set at when just cruisin? At what should I set it at when I possibly want to race it? From looking around I found someone had their air bag set at 5psi for racing. I am a car freak but not a very educated on GN's. I love this car and is a blast to drive. I also noticed on the way home I gave her nuts and the boost gauge was reading right up around 20 -21psi. I know I should not be playing with my new toy to much before I get a Scan Tool, but they sure are tempting. With that amount of boost what kind of other mods might it have. I am trying to get a hold of the owner that did all the mods. I have reciepts(mostly odds and ends and rebuilt reciepts) with his name on them. Hopefully he can shed some light on her that you guys might not be able to because of not being able to see my car. First thing I plan on doing to her is a spring cleaning and a fuel gauge, oil pres., temp. gauge, and of course some sort of scan tool. Thanks agian this site is unreal. I have always been facinated with TR's I have only personally seen two or three and I am know proud to say I own one. Cant wait to get her out this summer and enjoy her.
Nick Schromen, 85 buick gn
OK, couple things:
- Octane- run as much octane as you can ... premium pump gas is usually around 92 octane, which is fine for up to 15-16 psi boost. If you add alchohol injection or race gas, you can run more boost.
- 20-21 psi of boost without any scan tool or monitoring device is a BAD idea You'll get familar with all the shiny parts inside if you continue doing it!
- Air Bag - it's used to help plant the right rear on a hard launch. On the street, I wouldn't run any more than 5-8 psi or you'll get "jounce". At the strip, I'd maybe put 15 or so in it. It's a function of traction and the way the car launches, and you'll have to play around a bit.
- Chips - I'd try the Ultrachip and maybe ask John Spina what it might have in it. More adjustability.
Thanks for the advice Ken I will definitly have to purchase a scan tool of some sort. I have her parked for the winter so I will not be playing with her for a little while time to learn some stuff about her first. The Ultrachip is something I definitly want to try to hook up and run because of the security feature. Thanks agian for you help. Nick
Red Armstrong has had some good luck with chips but you would need to have the 86/87 ecm, which most of us upgrade to for that reason. Chips for the 84 - 85 are hard to find. ATR burns chips for the 85 ECM as well, most folks aren't aware of this. I think the kenne bell is old school. You may want to see what you have first for an ecm before buying any chips. There is a id # of this site that can let you know. Good luck and welcome to HOT AIR Haven.
Just a thought you might want to investigate and make sure that the fuel pump has been upgraded, the stocker can not supply enough fuel to support that kind of boost. And I would have to say the turbo has been upgraded if you saw that kind of boost. This was on the aftermarket guage correct?
Yes Jamie it was an aftermarket guage. VDO. I have since found out that it has a fuel pressure regulator and a adjustable wastegate. I have the a knock gauge that I am not sure were you get them from. I have only seen knock guages that look like regular guages. This knock guage looks like a little box with the lights going across it. One green and a few yellow and then a red. It seems to work fine it is in the green all the time. I have not been able to drive her lately because of Wisconsin winter. I have reciepts of previous owners and i got the name of the guy who seems to have done most of the work. I am planning on giving him a call before spring. I just got a fuel pressure guage for the hood and a hood bracket from Cotton Performance. It looks nice and cant wait to get it on the beast. I will definitly look into the ECM. If i have a 85 ECM still i plan on throwing the Ultra Chip in her. One quick question were is the fuel rail? I know that must sound dumb. I believe it to be the black rail that is running to the injectors and to the FPR. Do i hook up my guage right to the end of the rail there. There seems to be a nozzle i can hook into it seems to have like a valve cap looking thing on it. Is that the right spot? The car is very quick and at sometimes scary and i hate not knowing what is going on with her. So i will be calling the old owner who did all the supping up to her. And i will then post that hope to get a picture into you guys as well. Thanks for all you help once agian this site is awesome and i would be lost with out it. It is better then any manual!!!!Sorry for the long post.
Nick '85 Grand National