Hemmings article: Did GM Really Sell Specially Equipped Buick Grand Nationals to the FBI?
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It's not so much that it's isn't plausible, but in this case you don't have to "prove" that it did not happen. The onus is on the presenter. In this case, it's the guy writing the article bringing up the folklore. Without any credible proof...again.
The feds and law enforcement bought LOTS of performance cars over the years, along with all the vanilla stuff. They did modifications for extra law enforcement and surveillance equipment to be added, but to enhance performance as described in the article? Never seen it. Never seen evidence of such stuff. So to buy a TR and use it in law enforcement doesn't even flip the radar up. But to go that deep in the speculation without any shred of proof that it happened is nothing but "I wanna believe" stuff.
It's just that there's no proof that the FBI was buying GNX's and modifying them to go 200 mph. Stupid junk like that which has never, ever, been proven. Bring out some irrefutable evidence and change minds. Until then- Wives' tails...or tales...whatev.
The feds and law enforcement bought LOTS of performance cars over the years, along with all the vanilla stuff. They did modifications for extra law enforcement and surveillance equipment to be added, but to enhance performance as described in the article? Never seen it. Never seen evidence of such stuff. So to buy a TR and use it in law enforcement doesn't even flip the radar up. But to go that deep in the speculation without any shred of proof that it happened is nothing but "I wanna believe" stuff.
It's just that there's no proof that the FBI was buying GNX's and modifying them to go 200 mph. Stupid junk like that which has never, ever, been proven. Bring out some irrefutable evidence and change minds. Until then- Wives' tails...or tales...whatev.
This is the one I recall hearing about, I'm not saying I agree it's valid but I assumed likely accurate although it could of been a seized vehicle turned into law enforcement vehicle: https://code3garage.com/federal-bureau-of-investigation-fbi-1986-buick-regal-t-type/
The Hawaii thing I recall over the years, back in the 80's, I'm sure earlier and maybe later, officers used their own personal cars for patrol vehicles. Some had MCSS's but had to remove the spoiler, so the story goes. Not sure if they got to pick whatever car and it was paid for or partially covered by their department, to find out the details and truth on that would be interesting.
The Hawaii thing I recall over the years, back in the 80's, I'm sure earlier and maybe later, officers used their own personal cars for patrol vehicles. Some had MCSS's but had to remove the spoiler, so the story goes. Not sure if they got to pick whatever car and it was paid for or partially covered by their department, to find out the details and truth on that would be interesting.
GM supposedly did have police chips for the GN digital dash to remove the display governor at 85 mph. Here is a link to a posted PDF showing the "cop chip."
https://www.turbobuick.com/threads/they-had-fbi-chips-too.460334/#post-3836199
http://www.installationinstructions.com/FYI/digitaldash-police.pdf
At most, any special package turbo Buicks likely only had some tuning tweaks in the computer systems, and probably not much.
https://www.turbobuick.com/threads/they-had-fbi-chips-too.460334/#post-3836199
http://www.installationinstructions.com/FYI/digitaldash-police.pdf
At most, any special package turbo Buicks likely only had some tuning tweaks in the computer systems, and probably not much.
I was a salesman and eventually sales manager for a Buick-GMC Dealer in the 80's thru 2008 and had both Buick GN's as well as GMC Syclones & Typhoons as company cars. The alleged "FBI Chip" was a reality. According to our Buick Service rep, who drag raced his personal GN (did high 11's on street tires before he got serious) and had the reconfigured PROM, all it did was raise the top speed before the boost and timing parameters would throttle back. The limit on the normal civilian GN's was there due to the tire speed rating, which was true of the Syclone / Typhoon also.
I've taken all of them to the limit back then and it just leveled out, nothing dramatic. A Saab Turbo from the same era reacted quite dramatic with its rev limiter; It would slow down so drastically, you'd swear the engine quit.
Bill
That is what I figured. Wonder how well turbo Buicks held up to harsh LE use?
One of the main differences police package cars usually have are more powerful alternators and extra power circuits for powering police equipment. Other common police upgrades are HD cooling, trans and oil coolers, higher idle speeds, more HP, steeper rear gears, stiffer and taller springs, upgraded brakes, etc. It varies a lot from model to model.
Hey now, that IS different from the one to which I referred. I mean it's the exact same poster, but the other one wasn't framed.
You've almost got me believing PART of the story, anyway ....
I framed this one, I remember the thread on turbobuick, I think I was one of the very few that actually got a poster
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