1984 Buick Grand National Ignition Upgrade (conversion to 86, 87 system)

Follow along as I make a necessary upgrade from 1984 and 1985 ignition to the 1986 and 1987 style Grand National ignition system. The early "hot air" turbo Buicks are known for being finicky, and my 1984 is no exception. I've spent HOURS troubleshooting issues on this thing, and improved it greatly by refurbishing its ignition system. Unfortunately, there are no 1984 ignition coils being manufactured, so that forced me to upgrade to the later model 86/87 design. That means I had to also replace the ignition module, and install a conversion harness.
I also had to remove a wire from the main engine harness. It's all covered in this video, so follow along. It made a big difference in my car's drivability. This should work for T-Type as well.
#grandnational #ignition #turboregal

[@bcabmac]

Very under appreciated car in the early years. I had found an 1982 Grand National in 1991. It was going to be cut up for a track car. Charcoal and silver, v6 turbo, even the dealerships around didn't know what it was. Turned out it was one of the approx 120 debut cars in 82. You had to be part of a lottery to get one. It's the only Grand National that wasn't all black. Car is gone. But I still have the title. Theres a lot more to the story. Your car brings back memories. And regret. Lol

[@lobmin]

Ouch. So many great cars have suffered the same fate.

[@matthewvarnam4302]

I found one just like that not to sure what year maybe 85. It was two tone charcoal and silver it was a T-type turbo and it has all the details inside and out it even have the stitches on the seat that said T-type...I believe the guy said he would take $4,500 for it... it's still there to rub it up with a car cover on it.

[@bigredracer7848]

2👍's up guys thanks for taking us all along with you

[@jg0909]

That seems to be dielectric grease, you may not want to remove it, or at the least, reapply it to retain waterproofing. It's non conductive, so you'd want it in the base of the box and on the walls. Best bet is probably to just brush it onto the flate faces of the female part of the connector before plugging it in.

[@380.motorsports]

Correct, the grease is there for waterproofing. Back in the era this car was made the industry did not have modern sealed connectors and grease was used to prevent corrosion over the life of the car.

[@gravely1000]

x2 on the O2 sensor, also need to look into the maf. Check that driver side header for a crack where the two rear primaries come together. It can be tig welded with a argon purge to prevent "sugaring" if you find one. Really need to look over the other header too. Next is the vacuum lines. If you touch it and your fingers get black replace that vac line. As old as they all probably are they all probably need attention. I like the silicon hoses but as long as they don't leak you should be good. Great looking car. I had an 84 TType that I traded for my first new car back then. My 1987 WE4. Still have it but a lady ran into the back of it last August so it is getting some "surgery" to include a new(used) quarter. Either way, you have great vids. Loved the 149 mile Cuda. I'm a car guy but love my Buicks(I have a 70 GS455 that was my first car too). Braggin Rights as both were street raced and went to the tracks. M Varner is on point. You cant replace the memories! Keep up the great work. If you need more help with the 84 swing by www.ihadav8.com and check in. Some pretty sharp guy hang out there.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you for the input on the Grand National. I replaced the vacuum lines, but I need to go back over them and make sure they are routed properly. I also need to replace the vacuum line junction block just in case there is a crack that I'm not seeing. I appreciate the tip on the headers...I'll look into that. I replaced the o2 sensors (twice...two different brands) and I replaced the MAF with a confirmed good original (not reproduction). This car has definitely been a challenge, compared to my simple old carbureted V8's. I'm glad you liked the Cuda video...I'm hoping to do more of these videos soon. I post a new video every Friday so stay tuned...thank you again for the feedback!

[@joedyer8824]

It's something that those car's are coming around that they are sout after. Work for gm for 35 years they didn't do anything for me. But to each his own thanks for the video

[@matthewvarnam4302]

I found a Buick T-type turbo the guy said he would take $4,500 for it. It has all the decals inside and out and it's even stitched in on the seats...wish I had the money I would get it. It's in Treutlen County G.A.

[@pro1342]

I'm not familiar with those cars, but my first thought is to do a basic sensor check. If you have a means for plugging into the computer, verify all the sensors are reading sensible numbers without the car running. MAP, coolant temp, O2s, etc. If it were carbureted, I'd say it sounds like you have it pretty rich at idle. It could be a sensor is off, and that's causing it to over fuel the motor at idle. Just my 2 cents. Good Luck!

[@pro1342]

You could do the same with it running, but its easier to compare certain values against ambient conditions.

[@Mainsauce8586]

I have an 1985 Buick gn. Same idling issues as well...finally tried a heated o2 sensor, seemed to clean the idle up even more.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for the info, I'll give that a try!

[@johnmilner7603]

I sold my 87 GN a couple yrs ago still with the orig lacquer paint after buying it in 1990 with 8,000 km. The best was the 6 yr warranty. That ignition module was the same as my 87. I think I went through 2 of them and the worst was the power master. I went through 3 brake accumulator bottles. A real stupid design where a lot of guys just slapped on a power booster and master cyl from a Monte.

[@adamsstep618]

Hi. I am trying to locate the upgrade conversion kit that you used in this video, but I am unable to locate it. Can you please provide the links for these parts?

[@HotRodHoarder]

Here is the wiring adapter: www.casperselectronics.com/cart/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=64&search=ccci The adapter plate: www.casperselectronics.com/cart/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=63&search=102085&description=true Then, you can just run a standard '86/87 Ignition module and coil pack (I think I got mine from Rock Auto)

[@colbyforsberg2360]

Does that have any particular exhaust or other work done? I liked the way it sounded

[@luisalbertorodriguez5459]

Quiero saber en el craan sensor como rompe el tiempo el sensor del dampers no lo e podido conseguir

[@amrikjaswal76]

Thanks for the video!! I am doing this exact upgrade on my 85 Grand National. I purchased the Casper Electronics 102084 CCCI Hotwire ignition module adaptor harness, D1996 module and D552 coil Pack. I just wasn't able to get my hands on the 102085 adaptor plate from anywhere. If I drill out the 3 holes on the mounting bracket, it should still work properly? I mean does the module recieve its Ground from the mounting plate? Thanks alot for the video!

[@HotRodHoarder]

I think you can drill the original bracket without any issue. The adapter piece just makes it a little simpler.

[@amrikjaswal76]

@@HotRodHoarder thanks alot!! What other upgrades if any have you done for the GN?

[@HotRodHoarder]

@@amrikjaswal76 I haven't done many other upgrades...mostly just repairs and sensor replacement. Only modification on the car is removing the catalytic converter and having new exhaust put on it.

[@777motorsports]

hello, at 2:29 you mention chanigng a resistor wire to a solid copper wire what did you mean by that? on the module?

[@luisgonzalezmejia9692]

Does the pink wire end at the box by firewall in 2 pink wires

[@bigredracer7848]

Did you take a look at the oxygen sensors

[@bigredracer7848]

On mine I had random misfires and it was caused by the oxygen sensors

[@luisalbertorodriguez5459]

El mío tiene 3 huellas detrás del dampers

[@ivanrajsel6445]

Yoo, Bro I know the GN ,video you did 2 yearsago ,did you figure out t,he chopy egsost it had , My GN had the same ishue ,it was the EGR circuit ,it is the vacoom control modual ,changed it for a new 1 runs GREAT now ,tought you might want to know ,later Bro ,..

[@omarescamilla6223]

Can you still that conversion kit?

[@ralphanderson5621]

Have the same car are you doing more videos?

[@HotRodHoarder]

I was hoping to do more videos on it, but haven't had a chance to work on it much lately.

[@29687ray]

LS engine!