GN Un-build?

[Mike E]

I don't know what to call this. I feel like I have been un-building the car for the last few months, but it's slowly but surely going back together. See the old build thread. http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/threads/stage-2-gn-build.384220/

So for a multitude of reasons, I decided to change the car up less than a year after it was "finished". Mostly I wanted something more fun to drive on the street. I didn't have a big vision in mind. I mostly had issues with the suspension. The front had very little travel and it just wasn't very comfortable. So I started there. Out with the old drag stuff, in with the new.

 

[Mike E]

With all that work up front, I couldn't leave the rear alone. I didn't especially like the old anti-roll bar on the rear. It hung down too low, but the car had some bars above the rearend that prevented it going up there. And it was a bit stiff for street driving. Soo, off came the sway bar.

Anyone that has ever pushed a car with a spool knows how much it sucks. Since I seem to spend more time pushing it in and out of the garage, I decided to put a 35 spline truetrac in it. I can probably push it all the way to the mailbox now.

Since the drivetrain is under construction so often, I needed a parking brake to hold the car still. So, I bought the matching rear Baer brakes.

 

[Mike E]

I needed some shiny new wheels to show off those big brakes. I went back and forth with this for a while. I wanted fikse or forgeline, but after realizing that $1500 was for one wheel and not 4, I changed my mind. Weld did a sale on the 18" RTS this summer and that helped me decide. I'm not usually a fan of black centers on wheels, but these look much better than I thought they would.

I wanted a more street friendly tire, but after waiting for weeks for 315 BFG's to come off backorder, I bit the bullet on some M/T 305/35/18 drag radials. That's all the money I had left to my name after buying the wheels and tires.

tbone87 painted a new passenger fender for me.

 

[Mike E]

I ditched the fuel cell for a new stock tank with racetronix twin 340's. I had to cut a bunch of bars out of the rear of the car to do it, boy was that fun.

 

[Lil Truck]

Nice work !!!

 

[Mike E]

At this point, the car is almost back together and could have been running in a few weeks of tying up loose ends. Can't have that, what else can I mess with.

When I got my first turbo buick project car from a friend a few years ago, he said it would be really cool to see a 6 speed in a GN. I said, that's stupid, why would I do that. He has a blown cutlass with a 6 speed that is fun to drive. I should have taken note. But now I know that the manual trans does add something. So, off I went in search of how to do it.

 

[Mike E]

I wanted to add power steering and brakes back to the car.

That power steering pump created a problem. I couldn't fit the power steering pump back on the car with the belt drive distributor. I actually attempted to make my own bracket, but got frustrated with it. The MSD box and coil was likely going to be a problem on long trips, so I decided to remove it and swap to the Hartline Coil on plug setup. That allowed me to take the distributor off and use a champion power steering and alternator bracket. See the new (reman) vacuum brake booster and master also.

I had to make mounts for the new coils.

 

[Mike E]

Last weekend I finished putting the parking brake back on the car. It didn't have any of the parts in it when I bought it. Now I don't have to worry about it rolling out of my garage on accident.

Three pedals in a GN. What?

 

[Mike E]

So, this is where I'm at. I need to finish installing the trans, do some wiring and plumbing. It's pretty much turned into a "pro-touring" car. But, I have no intentions of auto-crossing or road racing the car. I want to drive it and have fun. I'll still go to the drag strip, but I'll be driving it instead of trailering it. Pretty much the only thing I haven't changed is the motor and interior. It still makes enough power to make me crap my pants. I might add a radio and down the road a/c.

 

[trixdout]

I would love to be taken for a ride in the GN once the 6speed is put in.

 

[TexasT]

Love me a driver, don't need no stinkin trailer.
Looking good.

Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app

 

[Nascar83Fan]

It'll be unique when you're done, there will be a bunch of confused people seeing you shifting and scratching their heads.
Hopefully all goes well on the Fun build project and it stays together for a bit.


Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app

 

[Chris Hogeland]

Your killing me! : ) looks nice buddy!

 

[REAPER231]

Looks like Christmas came early .All kinds of billet bling bling . Pro touring Gn here she comes

 

[Mike T]

Mike your making me feel like a slacker! You must be going 24/7.

 

[Mike E]

I used to work in the garage every night, but this is about 6 months of progress. I pretty much burnt myself out a few months ago and work has been killing me lately. I worked on it last weekend for the first time in a long time.

 

[6APPEAL]

Nice.

 

[ZNix]

Bad ass build! Love the weheels!

 

[NyBlankets]

If this is/was accomplished while married with children, you are my idol. You have a car to be envied Mike!

 

[trixdout]

If this is/was accomplished while married with children, you are my idol. You have a car to be envied Mike!

Which was a great tv show in its day!!!!!