New to me 86 GN

[kornball426]

It definitely has potential. Whats your plan with it? return to stock?

Basically I plan to get it running right, redo the seats (rear seats are fine, front are shot), carpet (faded out) and headliner (sagging) and then have my good friend who's a body man fix the dings and small rust issues, paint it so it looks good, then just drive it.

I always wanted one of these since I was a kid, and that to me doesn't mean show car or garage queen... 😁 Plan is to have it running strong enough not to get embarrassed by new mustangs/challengers etc. And show no quarter to the local import boys.

Need to find a nice pair of weld pro stars for the front to match the rear... Already have the rears and I like them, so I'll roll with it. I'd like a set of those sweet aluminum reproduction GN wheels, or some GNX replica wheels, but I'd rather spend a grand+ on something more important than a nice set of wheels. Think if I can find some 6 inch wheels for the front it would look better than the 4 inch ones most people are running.

 

[Pronto-]

With the stock ecm you can get a simple adjustable chip which I know guys that run low 10s with, you go to a O2 tracking chip which I ran 11 flat with and then you go all the way to the SD chip which is very similar in tuning to an aftermarket ecm. Go to Turbotweak.com and check out the chips and forum. Since you are new to TBs I would start with the 5.7 chip and get all the systems running correctly before going the the gusto.

 

[Lukeoforcas]

Make sure the pcv system is operational. (Good vacuum at idle). If it is clogged or has a soft hose it will most certainly cause excessive moisture and vapor release from valve covers.

 

[kornball426]

With the stock ecm you can get a simple adjustable chip which I know guys that run low 10s with, you go to a O2 tracking chip which I ran 11 flat with and then you go all the way to the SD chip which is very similar in tuning to an aftermarket ecm. Go to Turbotweak.com and check out the chips and forum. Since you are new to TBs I would start with the 5.7 chip and get all the systems running correctly before going the the gusto.

Thanks for the advice, I'll probably do that. My Jeep just sold so I've got a bit of disposable money on hand. Thinking about ordering the gauge style scanmaster and a power logger. The fueling and timing can be adjusted through the scan master right? I'm not entirely sure how the thing works other than turns computer signals into legible readable data.

 

[kornball426]

Make sure the pcv system is operational. (Good vacuum at idle). If it is clogged or has a soft hose it will most certainly cause excessive moisture and vapor release from valve covers.

I don't think it has a PCV valve... Has four breathers (crappy breathers I might add) on aftermarket (kenne bell) valve covers.

 

[kornball426]

If I take pics of the chips I have on hand, you guys think you can decipher what I've got. I don't have any idea what the markings on them mean, have two turbo tweak chips and like 5 or 6 kenne bell chips. One currently in the car is turbo tweak, plus a second one loose.

 

[BOXCARS]

Thanks for the advice, I'll probably do that. My Jeep just sold so I've got a bit of disposable money on hand. Thinking about ordering the gauge style scanmaster and a power logger. The fueling and timing can be adjusted through the scan master right? I'm not entirely sure how the thing works other than turns computer signals into legible readable data.

Go to turbo tweak's site and there are instructions for increasing or decreasing fueling and timing.

 

[fastNYsix]

If I take pics of the chips I have on hand, you guys think you can decipher what I've got. I don't have any idea what the markings on them mean, have two turbo tweak chips and like 5 or 6 kenne bell chips. One currently in the car is turbo tweak, plus a second one loose.

Yes we should be able to figure out the chip. It should be labeled with injector size, timing, intended boost level, and whether its an alcohol or race chip. Yes you can change timing and fuel trims with scan master. You don't need a power logger. You will need a wideband, and aftermarket boost gauge, you can't rely on the stock one.

 

[kornball426]

Yes we should be able to figure out the chip. It should be labeled with injector size, timing, intended boost level, and whether its an alcohol or race chip. Yes you can change timing and fuel trims with scan master. You don't need a power logger. You will need a wideband, and aftermarket boost gauge, you can't rely on the stock one.

Car has an auto meter 0-30 psi boost gauge installed in an A pillar pod. I don't know if it works or is accurate though. Is it worth sending it out to be calibrated or can I test it's accuracy myself? Is it worth fixing, or just get a new one if it's not working?

I'll get a few pics of the chips. They have #60 written on them which I assumed was 60 pound fuel injectors. I don't think the car has 60 lbs injectors in it though they look stock to me.

 

[Turbo Zach]

As long as the gauge reads I would not worry too much about it. Remember boost is just a number. Each engine will tolerate a different amount of boost. Detonation (knock) is what you don't want. That is what will destroy your engine. We add as much timing and boost we can with keeping the knock down. That is the game we play. Lot of veritables though, like fuel type, compression.