Woody Beach Cruiser or Grand National?

[1evilregal]

I agree with 565 and tuff, throw the coupe nose on it, turbo hood, and woody it! I really love the look of it as is, but the final call is ultimately yours...

as for power, I'd say olds or buick 350 to start, and an o/d trans....

 

[Clutch]

I agree with 565 and tuff, throw the coupe nose on it, turbo hood, and woody it! I really love the look of it as is, but the final call is ultimately yours...

as for power, I'd say olds or buick 350 to start, and an o/d trans....

That would be cool but he has those California rules to follow

 

[fleming442]

Without knowing Kalifornia's rules exactly, I do know they permit newer engines in older chassis. That pretty much points to an LS based combo. I've lost track of the hot lick these days; I don't know much beyond the LT4 supercharged Camaro(?).

 

[Texas82GP]

The GN wagon is cool, but it's been done before. I would leave it largely like it is cosmetically. I would focus on cleaning it up and making it run/handle/drive/stop the best I could. In other words make it perform well and fun to drive. I would only do subtle mods to the appearance like the wheel you showed to get 17's on it but still look like it belongs on there. Maybe slight lowering. A GN style side exit dual exhaust, etc.

 

[CaliWagon83]

fleming442 the rules are basically newer engine in older chassis. Of course, California being California, that also means you have to transfer over all the smog equipment from the new engine. So yeah, basically anything 1984+ is allowable. Engines didn't start getting good again until the early '90s, IMHO. My wish is still a turbo six of some sort, but may ultimately go LS. We'll see. First step is to get it where it runs, drives & stops reliably. Hopefully won't take too much. It's been a runner most of its life.

 

[fleming442]

Engines didn't start getting good again until the early '90s

I'd go late 90s as I wouldn't wish an Optispark on my worst enemy. 😉

 

[CaliWagon83]

I'd go late 90s as I wouldn't wish an Optispark on my worst enemy. 😉

Yeah, but aren't there aftermarket fixes to Optispark? All else being equal, I think I'd probably go with an LS-based engine, but I'd consider a Gen-II SBC.

 

[Blake442]

That car looks far too nice as-is, I wouldn't change a thing on the outside, except maybe the rims you mentioned...
Oh, and the '78-'80 turbo coupe hood will fit your wagon... a nice addition if you can find one in your area.
Since you're a hostage to CA emissions, an LS swap is going to be your best option.

If you really want to build a GN wagon, the only way to do it is with an '86-'87 turbo 6 and coupe front end.
The Buick I have for sale would be a perfect candidate to swap its homely nose for GN parts!

 

[melloelky]

run it!! another black car?? yawn..when was the last time you saw another car like that? not likely.freshen it up a bit and drive the wheels off it.it'd be a shame to change that car..

 

[ItsnotaGN]

I'd go late 90s as I wouldn't wish an Optispark on my worst enemy. 😉

Hey! My optispark hasn't given me a lick of problems.....Oh wait, it's never been run in the Monte....🙂