Grand National engine and trans in a 75.....

[ItsNotABlazer]

I was thinking about possibly getting a 87 Grand National engine and trans from a friend and installing it in my 75 2wd Jimmy. Any thoughts on how this would perform. I already know the obvious....lots of fabrication, heavier vehicle etc etc. I was just curious as to whether anyone has seen a GN engine in one of these body style trucks and just thoughts in general regarding this swap. And yes I would be getting everything ...engine, trans, computer, wiring, intercooler, accessories.....everything!!

[tvblazer78]

That would be so cool, I have allways love the Buicks. My Dad has an 87 GN with 14,000 miles on it and it just sits.

I have seen one in a S10 and in 280Z, it looks like it would be easy to do. And you may need to do some work on the rear end too.

You have to do this man that would be so sweet..

Originally Posted by ItsNotABlazer

I was thinking about possibly getting a 87 Grand National engine and trans from a friend and installing it in my 75 2wd Jimmy. Any thoughts on how this would perform. I already know the obvious....lots of fabrication, heavier vehicle etc etc. I was just curious as to whether anyone has seen a GN engine in one of these body style trucks and just thoughts in general regarding this swap. And yes I would be getting everything ...engine, trans, computer, wiring, intercooler, accessories.....everything!!

[streetstar]

is your friend's car totalled or something?

I think that would be a kick ass project if you didnt have to sacrifice a T type or GN to the Gods to do it


The weight difference is probably not as great as you think --- the GN was probably a 4000 lb car

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by streetstar

The weight difference is probably not as great as you think --- the GN was probably a 4000 lb car

Its been a while but my '86 T-top GN was either 3650 or 3850lbs. The hardtops were about 100lbs lighter.
I thought the trucks/Blazer were around 4500lbs (or more?).
Personally I would look for something lighter to put that drive train in. I always wanted to put something like that into a '65 Skylark. I read that they were around 3050lbs with a 401 Big Block.

[ItsNotABlazer]

The engine was bought off Evilbay a while back. He was going to replace he 350 in his 76 280 with the GN engine but decided he did not have the time to do it anytime soon. The 87 GN I had if I recall was around 3500 lbs or so. I definitely wouldn't cut up a running driving GN to do this. Still thinking about whether I want to try it or not.

[Ron 586]

I think it would make a great swap. But the key to this has nothing to do with the engine or transmission. Do some research and gear the rear end for what you will use it most for. If you do that you will have a great running truck that will get a crowd at any cruise in.

[Jonboy]

I think the only fab work would be the engine mounts. Put the trans crossmember where you could use your existing driveshaft, mark and drill the engine crossmember where they land, and wire it up. I would guess a 3.40 geared 12 bolt would be about perfect.

[ItsNotABlazer]

The fabrication I was thinking about mainly would be the headers, downpipe, and intercooler tubing. I would love to have something like that to take on the Power Tour someday. My plans are to make the truck basically a roadster and not even have provisions for a solid roof. Maybe rig up some way to put up a bikini top on it for any long drives in the sun. Maybe even go as far as to copy the interior color scheme of the GN on the seats and such. The other options I had thought about were using it in my 64 C10 but I think I will keep that more original since dad bought it new or possibly using it in this 83 ext cab S10 I am going to pick up this weekend........but leaning more to doing the Jimmy just cause with it being full convertible and possibly having a GN heart it would be way more of an eye catcher at a car show......and a blast to drive tooo.

[sixbangr]

I know of a couple guys on the Buick boards that have made the swap useing the '67-'72 pu. Go to turbobuick.com go down to the hybrid section and ask there.

[Pyrotechnic]

Get a Buick 350 V8 and turbocharge it. These are the perfect truck motor with a 3.8 bore and 3.85 stroke and good rod/stroke ratio.

[streetstar]

Originally Posted by kevinr1970

Its been a while but my '86 T-top GN was either 3650 or 3850lbs. The hardtops were about 100lbs lighter.
I thought the trucks/Blazer were around 4500lbs (or more?).
Personally I would look for something lighter to put that drive train in. I always wanted to put something like that into a '65 Skylark. I read that they were around 3050lbs with a 401 Big Block.

The 2wd Blazers were around 4000 lbs according to the specs i read in a nother thread about 86 Blazers just now

The older they were, the lighter they were too, it seems (but not all the time)

[jdurant]

Just came across this. Sounds kindof interesting. Anything ever come of this? I might be of some help maybe.

[FlatBrokeRacing]

Look up the Chevy Cyclone or the Typhoon. They had torbo 4.3 motors with turbos and intercoolers.

[tvblazer78]

My dad has had both Typhoon and GN, he has the GN but sold the Typhoon. They are very fast. I would drive them some in hight school, I was the S###. Well that was what i was thinking then..

[jdurant]

Due to recent inactivity, I have been forced to hijack this thread.
Here is the last car that I "finished". I bought this car in early 2000 in fair shape and turned it into this over those years and sold it in April of 2007. The one I still own is a solid roof car that needs paint, but is very solid. As it is it should be a high eleven second car--but would like it to be a solid low ten second car, possibly a high nine--would be nice. The car that you see should have been a high eleven second car by the time it was sold, but it's best was a 12.3. It was pretty stock.

[tvblazer78]

Originally Posted by jdurant

Due to recent inactivity, I have been forced to hijack this thread.
Here is the last car that I "finished". I bought this car in early 2000 in fair shape and turned it into this over those years and sold it in April of 2007. The one I still own is a solid roof car that needs paint, but is very solid. As it is it should be a high eleven second car--but would like it to be a solid low ten second car, possibly a high nine--would be nice. The car that you see should have been a high eleven second car by the time it was sold, but it's best was a 12.3. It was pretty stock.

Is that a T-type and what wheels are on that one. They look like 18".

[jdurant]

Yes, but, technically it is an '87 Turbo T. The name badge changed for 87. Technically there is no 87 T-Type. And the wheels are 17s made by rondell--a German co--they make wheels for BMWs. They are very reasonably priced and TUV approved. 10" rear and 8.5" front.

[68Timber]

The meats make it look like a GNX except for being a little high in the rear. Beautiful car, bro.