You have up to $5,000 to spend on the driveline, what do you do?

T

TriShield

Buick Turbo Elitist Pr|ck
Joined
Jun 8, 2001
That's right, 5k for the engine, transmission, and driveline for a bone stock and mint condition 1987 Grand National. Runs and drives perfectly.

The goal is it must remain completely streetable, reliable and docile, retain decent gas mileage, and run on 92 octane fuel. 11s is all the faster it needs to be in the quarter.

Basically I'm looking to transform it into a very potent street cruiser, not a drag strip king.

What modifications for performance, durability, etc. should be performed with that kind of budget?

Or is this completely unattainable without giving in on something?
 
heads, big turbo, injectors, chip, teryy houston 3" down pipe w/ dump, intercooler, shift kit, convertor, slicks. that ought to do it.
 
yeah go the bolt on route...all i have done to my car is pure bolt-ons...nothing more...valve covers have never been off the car...and i am capable of easy mid 11's once i get my car tuned again...
 
upgrade the fuel system, TE44-te60 for nice spool up, 50# injectors, stock location stretch intercooler and a TH Downpipe, shift kit, 2800 9/11 or 12" ought to do it. If looking for high 11s on pump gas, port and polish the stock heads and or run alcky or propain injection. Have fun. Oh yeah don't forget box the lower control arms and run some sticky tires
 
Here's a list of items I did for a friend's stocker last year, in 3 stages. This is a 14,000 mile car, just for fun. No crazy boost numbers, just realistic, average times and costs for a street bruiser. ET's are w/ Slicks and race fuel:

Stage 1:
160º Thermostat $10.00
AC R42TS Spark Plugs $15.00
Adj. Fuel Press. Regulator $100.00
Adjustable Wastegate $69.00
Boost Gauge/Pod $55.00
Console Switch Plate $25.00
Engine Tie-Down $29.00
High-Pressure Hoses $35.00
Hooker Exhaust System $300.00
K&N Air Filter $50.00
Quad Air Spark Plug Wires $24.00
Quad Air 93 Chip $75.00
Quad Air Volt Booster $69.00
Quad Air XP+ Fuel Pump $145.00
Stage 1 Parts Total $976.00

ET: 12.14 @ 103

Stage 2:
42# Fuel Injectors $300.00
Quad Air 108 Chip $75.00
Rear Coil Air Bag $50.00
Update Street Chip $25.00
TA-49 Turbo $750.00
Stage 2 Parts Total $1,200.00

ET: 11.76 @ 112

Stage 3:
Houston Downpipe $369.00
Ported Throttle Body/Plenum $125.00
Stretch Intercooler $700.00
TB/Plenum Gaskets $5.00
Stage 3 Parts Total $1,199.00

ET: 11.38 @ 116

All of these add-ons totalled less than $3,500.

Most importantly...have fun. Broken cars suck.
 
Originally posted by QuickWrench
Here's a list of items I did for a friend's stocker last year, in 3 stages. This is a 14,000 mile car, just for fun. No crazy boost numbers, just realistic, average times and costs for a street bruiser. ET's are w/ Slicks and race fuel:

Stage 1:
160º Thermostat $10.00
AC R42TS Spark Plugs $15.00
Adj. Fuel Press. Regulator $100.00
Adjustable Wastegate $69.00
Boost Gauge/Pod $55.00
Console Switch Plate $25.00
Engine Tie-Down $29.00
High-Pressure Hoses $35.00
Hooker Exhaust System $300.00
K&N Air Filter $50.00
Quad Air Spark Plug Wires $24.00
Quad Air 93 Chip $75.00
Quad Air Volt Booster $69.00
Quad Air XP+ Fuel Pump $145.00
Stage 1 Parts Total $976.00

ET: 12.14 @ 103

Stage 2:
42# Fuel Injectors $300.00
Quad Air 108 Chip $75.00
Rear Coil Air Bag $50.00
Update Street Chip $25.00
TA-49 Turbo $750.00
Stage 2 Parts Total $1,200.00

ET: 11.76 @ 112

Stage 3:
Houston Downpipe $369.00
Ported Throttle Body/Plenum $125.00
Stretch Intercooler $700.00
TB/Plenum Gaskets $5.00
Stage 3 Parts Total $1,199.00

ET: 11.38 @ 116

All of these add-ons totalled less than $3,500.

Most importantly...have fun. Broken cars suck.
Click to expand...

On those times after each set of mods, what kind of short times was he cuting and how hard was this car being launched? 11.76 @112 is insane! 11.38@116 looks like a 1.5 60ft or maybe a 1.6 which is a little bit more realistic.
 
Originally posted by QuickWrench
Here's a list of items I did for a friend's stocker last year, in 3 stages. This is a 14,000 mile car, just for fun. No crazy boost numbers, just realistic, average times and costs for a street bruiser. ET's are w/ Slicks and race fuel:

ET: 11.38 @ 116

All of these add-ons totalled less than $3,500.

Most importantly...have fun. Broken cars suck.
Click to expand...

WOW.

That is pretty much what I'm looking to accomplish (on sticky street tires and 93 octane), without opening up the engine. It should still be minty with only 41,000 babied miles on it.

:cool:
 
Originally posted by QuickWrench
Here's a list of items I did for a friend's stocker last year, in 3 stages. This is a 14,000 mile car, just for fun. No crazy boost numbers, just realistic, average times and costs for a street bruiser. ET's are w/ Slicks and race fuel:

Stage 1:
160º Thermostat $10.00
AC R42TS Spark Plugs $15.00
Adj. Fuel Press. Regulator $100.00
Adjustable Wastegate $69.00
Boost Gauge/Pod $55.00
Console Switch Plate $25.00
Engine Tie-Down $29.00
High-Pressure Hoses $35.00
Hooker Exhaust System $300.00
K&N Air Filter $50.00
Quad Air Spark Plug Wires $24.00
Quad Air 93 Chip $75.00
Quad Air Volt Booster $69.00
Quad Air XP+ Fuel Pump $145.00
Stage 1 Parts Total $976.00

ET: 12.14 @ 103

Stage 2:
42# Fuel Injectors $300.00
Quad Air 108 Chip $75.00
Rear Coil Air Bag $50.00
Update Street Chip $25.00
TA-49 Turbo $750.00
Stage 2 Parts Total $1,200.00

ET: 11.76 @ 112

Stage 3:
Houston Downpipe $369.00
Ported Throttle Body/Plenum $125.00
Stretch Intercooler $700.00
TB/Plenum Gaskets $5.00
Stage 3 Parts Total $1,199.00

ET: 11.38 @ 116

All of these add-ons totalled less than $3,500.

Most importantly...have fun. Broken cars suck.
Click to expand...


Those are EXCELLENT times for those mods! As someone else has already asked, what 60' times go with those ETs? I'm guesing high 1.5x's.

-Banning.
 
The car's 60' times [@ Norwalk]:

Stage 1: 1.63 (Best - 8Lb launch)
Stage 2: 1.58 (Best - 12Lb launch)
Stage 3: 1.53 (Best - 12Lb launch)

I know there are better 60's and ETs out there for these parts, but like I said:

Broken Cars Suck.
 
QuickWrench--What type/size drag radials do you run and what was your 60' for the time posted in your sig? Thanks.
 
QuickWrench,

There are lots of things missing from your list that I'd consider necessary to put together a well optioned, reliable, mid-11 second TR. Examples - tires, wheels, loop, roll control, bushings, cushions, braces, scan tool, and on, and on. Also, people "forget" to price in lots of "little things". Also, they "forget" to price in labor for the things they can't do themselves, like building a tranny that isn't going to puke after a couple of passes.

IME, it's closer to a $10K proposition than a $5K proposition.

Yes, you can "get away" with some shenanigans, but for how long?

Now, everybody will write in and say they went mid-11s for $200.

Did you every notice how many mid-11s cars run mid-12s, assuming they're not broken?

:D
 
Originally posted by strikeeagle
QuickWrench,

There are lots of things missing from your list that I'd consider necessary to put together a well optioned, reliable, mid-11 second TR. Examples - tires, wheels, loop, roll control, bushings, cushions, braces, scan tool, and on, and on. Also, people "forget" to price in lots of "little things". Also, they "forget" to price in labor for the things they can't do themselves, like building a tranny that isn't going to puke after a couple of passes.

IME, it's closer to a $10K proposition than a $5K proposition.

Yes, you can "get away" with some shenanigans, but for how long?

Now, everybody will write in and say they went mid-11s for $200.

Did you every notice how many mid-11s cars run mid-12s, assuming they're not broken?

:D
Click to expand...

Well said. I don't think I have ever heard anyone on the internet include the price of labor, while calculating build-up cost on there cars. I guess everyone is Certified Mechanic on the internet.;) :rolleyes: :D
 
Look Quick:
They were 275/50/15 BFG DR's. I was lucky on that pass, and had a 1.59 60'. I had several low 1.6's, as well. 28Lbs of boost.

strikeeagle:
There are lots of things missing from your list that I'd consider necessary to put together a well optioned, reliable, mid-11 second TR.
Click to expand...

Examples - tires, wheels, loop, roll control, bushings, cushions, braces, scan tool, and on, and on. Also, people "forget" to price in lots of "little things".
Click to expand...

You're half-right. Bear in mind that this is a 14,000 mile pampered car, so bushings, cushions, braces, etc. weren't a factor.

Scan tools are like any other racing tool. They aren't bound to a particular vehicle, so I'd hesitate to call that part of putting a car together. Many TR owners are able to share expensive diagnostic equipment, Direct Scans, OTC's, etc., which was the case here.

Ultimately, all of these 3 stages of add-ons were simple, proven bolt-ons, totalling less than $3,500. With the other $1,500, I'm sure you could easily tie up the loose ends.

it's closer to a $10K proposition than a $5K proposition.
Click to expand...

If anyone out there wants to spend $10,000 on an 11-second car, PLEASE call me. ;) (Just kidding)
 
For $5K i'd leave the GN alone and buy another car or save the money. You want a potent street cruiser but the GN is already that. You could spend a little of it on turbo, injectors, DP, and keep the rest.
 
Quick Wrench---That is a fantastic 60' with BFG's on a stock suspension. How are you running 28# boost with a TA-49 and blue tops? What fuel pump are you running? What chip and timing? Thanks again.
 
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