This might have been a bad idea, BUT

[HAFROD]

I went to a swap meet this morning. A guy had a fresh from machine shop pair of Vortec 4.3 V6 heads complete with rockers. He had $50 on them but got them for $35. I'm not sure if I'm retaining the 3.8 Buick. I didn't really need them but for the price, I put them in the garage. I'm pretty sure the 4.3 swap with a blow through set up would be a bit easier to mess with than the turbo mounted on intake 3.8 set up. I've been warned the old hot air Buicks are a bit finicky. I know the rarity of the car and putting in a different engine will kill the value but I'm building it for me, not the next guy. Besides that, the car is so far gone, I'm the only person crazy enough to save it

 

[sportriderOK]

How did I miss this? Tuning in for sure.

 

[HAFROD]

So we're supposed to meet up this coming week on the turbo Century. I plan on doing a video of the car where it sits. I'm waiting for a text on a set of Grand National wheels. This is the wheel choice I want for this build. I'm going to do a very subtle resto mod style build just like I did my Salon. I have decided on the color pallet of blue. The car is originally a blue so I will find a modern color with pearl in it that is very close to the shade of original blue. I've never painted a car blue (of my own). Going to do the same bumper treatment as my salon and build a split lower air dam for the front. I want to use a stock 86-87 GN intercooler with scoop in the same location. I have read a LOT of stuff on the net on hot air Buicks. At this point a 4.3 blow through with stock GN turbo will probably be what I use. It will be cheaper and easier to tune. My stock rebuilt GN turbo here has a stock non adjustable wastegate on it and it will probably stay.

 

[UNGN]

My stock rebuilt GN turbo here has a stock non adjustable wastegate on it and it will probably stay.

You can make a non adjustable wastegate adjustable with a $5 1/4-20 threading tool and $2 worth of nuts and a 1/4-20 coupler.

Making the wastegate adjustable is highly recommended for tuning a daily driver. I let most of the boost out on my car during motor/trans break in, and throttle way back on the boost when traveling and buying cheap gas.

 

[clean8485]

Looking forward to the updates on this one.

 

[HAFROD]

You can make a non adjustable wastegate adjustable with a $5 1/4-20 threading tool and $2 worth of nuts and a 1/4-20 coupler.

Making the wastegate adjustable is highly recommended for tuning a daily driver. I let most of the boost out on my car during motor/trans break in, and throttle way back on the boost when traveling and buying cheap gas.

I have an adjustable one here in a box somewhere. I've had four 87s and have lots of experience with them. However, tuning a blow through system is going to be a new experience for me

 

[HAFROD]

I bought the 87 GN wheels and they came with center caps. I cleaned and polished on the one at the back of the row and it looks pretty nice other than the black inlays need re sprayed. While I was there he had a stock down pipe and the two bolts with springs. I gave $350 for all of it which I think is fair. Now I need a stock intercooler with scoop on it. So if you got one laying around and your not real pricey, let me know.

 

[HAFROD]

I've been reading and watching videos of blow through turbo charging related stuff. I think I'd rather buy a blow through carb brand new from Summit but the smallest they offer is a 650cfm in blow through design. This sounds too large for a 4.3 262 cubic inch engine but with a turbo, I'm not sure. On their site with carb selector, I selected supercharged only because they didn't offer turbo and it does list some 650 cfm carbs. I'm aware that the carb number they are showing for supercharger will not be the one I need. I'm just trying to figure out my cfm needed. Anyone got any ideas? I'm not going to be buying one anytime soon just trying to line up the parts I'll be needing

 

[HAFROD]

I have a guy going to his mini storage next weekend for spare GN parts. He has a turbo cover, cracked passengers side header, and possibly an intercooler. Said he has other stuff but hasn't looked there in a few years. I want the cracked header to cut off the turbo mounting flange. He also has an intercooler scoop. I dug in my attic and found the elbow that the down pipe connects to and also the inlet bell for the other side of the turbo. Also located a GN steering wheel horn button assembly for my GN steering wheel.

 

[HAFROD]

I'm supposed to be meeting up with the Century owner today. Waiting to hear back with a time. Going to do a full video of the car to show just how far gone it is