Buick Grand National Street & Strip Upgrades - Part 4

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for the kind words! I don't have that much info, but I recently picked up a VBOX Sport, which will allow me to record and document this before/after info for my videos. I do have an 1/8 mile run on my channel before I made this round of mods, but it pushed through the lights and hurting the E.T badly.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for the kind words and will do!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for the support Christopher and best of luck on your search!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you! These cars didn't come with one and this is an age old debate in the Turbo Buick community. I knew everyone would want an explanation on this. I have read countless discussion on this topic and the majority of the turbo Buick folks say they are unnecessary. I had a BOV on this car and it rarely ever opened. My turbo Mitsu, Miata, etc were venting all the time. I still have the Tial and will likely add it later.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hi there and yes, I did re-use it. There was no mention of deleting it in the instruction manual and I would imagine that it would dramatically help cool the charge.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you sir! It's a long standing debate in the turbo Buick crowd. Both sides have good points and I must say, 99% of the time, my old BOV never made a peep, unlike my turbo mitsus.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I've always wondered about that too. Many special trims of T-Types are far more limited than the Grand National, which most casual car folks would probably be surprised to hear.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hi Julian, I knew everyone would want an explanation on this. I have read countless discussion on this topic and the majority of the turbo Buick folks say they are unnecessary. I had a BOV on this car and it rarely ever opened. My turbo Mitsu, Miata, etc were venting all the time.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hello Canada! Thank you for the great support!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hi Brandon, yes this is true. That said, there are guys on the turbobuick forums that have been running without one (the factory configuration, might I add) since 1987 with no adverse effects. I chalk it up to the engine/trans/turbo combo, because even with a BOV, it rarely ever vented.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Haha, thanks Justin! Good luck with your car and enjoy it!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

It's bound to happen! Just gotta nod and say thanks!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hi and thank you Robert! Regarding the BOV, I can't add links in here, but if you are interested in the topic just search for it on the turbobuick forums and you will be flooded with umpteen years of discussion on the subject. I had a BOV on the car and it rarely ever made a peep, unlike my higher-strung, manual trans imports.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for the heads up on the pump, I appreciate it! I hope it will run somewhere in that neighborhood. See ya!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Yes. It just barely rubs the hood insulator. I imagine if I just loosen the coupler and push the pipe a little further in there it will take care of it.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Good to hear my friend! I agree, heck of a great car and people love them!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you Scott, will do!

[@greenrolaids]

I love toms turbo garage.. and when i click on his videos, i always thumbs up before i even watch his intro.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Ha! That's awesome man, thank you for the support!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Ken. Innovate includes this 1" bung and specifies in the instruction manual that the bung be surface mounted to the exhaust pipe to prolong sensor life.

[@doubletapm4]

Tom you NEED your own show!!!!! this stuff is GREAT!!!!!!!!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I agree, they are cool looking cars!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for the suggestions, I appreciate it!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Well that's a great compliment and I appreciate that!

[@unknownuser1987]

I know someone who took a small plastic garbage can ,cut the bottom off, and attached it under the bumper where the intercooler air scoops are. This may actually be a good addition to your upgraded intercooler since it will allow a lot more outside air will flow through it. Another way to lower the air temperature would be the addition of GNX fender vents. They also look cool too.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Haha! Thanks I think? :-D They are great cars and if you take your time looking, there are some great deals to be had out there.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hey there! It's a Hallman ES. Very simple and can be found at a good discount online.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks and I absolutely have! Someday- it's inevitable really, especially seeing as to how much they love turbos.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Yes, I've seen fast cars with unimpressive dyno sheets and vice versa. I just love the honesty of the track. It's where the BS typically ends right quick! Funny how many folks I've talked to with big dyno numbers who refuse to hit the track. They are a worthwhile tool in the right hands though, no doubt.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

You're welcome and I am glad you feel that way!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for the suggestion, I appreciate that!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Chester!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

That's a good question and I'm sure it has been covered on the turbo buick forums. The supercharged Cobra is an awesome car with tons of potential!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Mishka, will do!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you Kyle!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you sir, it is a really strong piece of equipment for sure!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks fellas, it will be the next video out. Life is really crazy right now, so it will be a couple weeks or so.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man, they are great cars. There are lots of good deals on them out there, just gotta be patient in your search. Good luck!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Sorry to hear that, converter choice is always a tricky proposition. Good luck and I hope it turns out well.

[@MrDjh66]

Loving my GN Tom never had so much fun with a car great on gas quiet and quick and alot of conversations when I stop

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Wow, thanks man, glad you feel that way!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you, will do!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Congrats on your car! I love a clean, well put together F-Body like yours. Great to hear about your son, I hope mine takes an interest like that when he gets a little older.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Sean!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Haha! Steve is a master of the subtle insult. He really knows how to hit you where it hurts.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

As long as you weren't running race fuel (that will destroy most of the sensors) it could be that it was mounted too close to the turbine outlet. The heatsink is a good idea and I'll likely add one to mine. It's a very simple mod.

[@NUNYABIZNNAAAZZZ]

Good work Tom. As a former GN '87 owner I can tell you, you rock. I did all my work in the same manner, correctly or not at all. I am in the market for a GN again and looking across the country. Once I have her, I will be referencing your videos!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks and I'm glad!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Jordan, I appreciate that!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you! I'm going to sound like a broken record on this here in the comments and I knew everyone would want an explanation on this. I have read countless discussion on this topic and the majority of the turbo Buick folks say they are unnecessary. I had a BOV on this car and it rarely ever opened. My turbo Mitsu, Miata, etc were venting all the time. I still have the Tial and will likely add it later.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Cesar!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you Levi, I appreciate the kind words!

[@BassManBobBassCovers]

That down pipe is massive! Super smart wrapping it because of the turbo keep the heat and knock down. I have a 3" DP on L67 my Regal. I'm running cool temps from the heat range cooler Autolite 605 spark plugs, so don't have DP wrapped. Switching to the 60LB injectors on a turbo 3800 setup is crucial as well as your fuel pump/regulator MAF and wideband O2 setups you did.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you sir, I appreciate the kind words!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

You can see my setup in the video after this one. I run an alkycontol kit that came with the car when I bought it.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Cool Felix, enjoy it!

[@BobbyTucker]

Hello Tom, I just subscribed to your channel. I'm a retired "wrench turner", 64 years old and a fan of the Grand National and GNX, i have enjoyed watching your video's on the GN. It looks like you've covered everything i would have but if there's anything i can help with don't hesitate to ask me. Thanks for sharing your videos.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hi Bobby, great to meet you thank you for the kind words! I greatly appreciate the offer and Happy New Year!

[@BobbyTucker]

Thank you Tom, Happy New Year to you too. I'll be over to your channel shortly.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hi there, a single turbo allows you to use the factory plumbing and keeps the setup simple. Going twin turbos on a Grand National adds lots of complexity and cost unfortunately, which is why it isn't a popular option.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

It's not made of asbestos, nor is it toxic. It is made of a fiberglass composite material and is not harmful.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

No, Precision Turbo has updated their lineup since then. Check their website and/or give them a call. They are GN experts!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Dude, Germany makes awesome stuff!! My Fanatec racing simulator is from Germany and I love it!

[@SIRICKO]

Every time I watch your videos I don't want then to end.

[@JoesMechanic]

That wide band bung looks awfully tall. Almost so much that the wideband A/F sensor might not be fully into the exhaust stream the way it should.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man! I likely will, but I honestly prefer track results. Dynos are all over the place and can be easily manipulated.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

You're welcome and thanks for the suggestion my friend, I honestly appreciate it. I suppose these videos are mostly an extension of my personality. When I'm alone wrenching in the garage for hours, things can get a little weird. :-)

[@estewar03]

Oh, that torch, what an odd fellow. Another great vid Tom, thank you for these.

[@michaelhaywood1305]

you should swap the chambered hooker mufflers for a set of straight thru magnaflows or dynomax ultraflows, youll pick up some serious power on the butt-dyno!

[@willizm]

Yes it was. Thank you for the compliment. The car is a blast and was my first project car. Makes good power so far but I'm out of injector so it's limited to 17psi on e85 right now. I get a kick out of watching your GN stuff. FWIW my 9 year old sons favorite car is a GN and I may do project ttype with him as his first car when he gets a little older. Kid shocks alot of GN owners when he comes up and asks them stuff about their Buick. I'm getting him black air for his birthday. :)

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I couldn't tell ya, I would check with one of the popular GN parts vendors, they may be able to add one for you.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I knew that Steve would upstage me on my own video! Currently he's thinking about starting a channel, but he's kinda wary of folks on the Internet in general. He's got a pretty short fuse and one negative comment on here might just send him on a rampage. :-)

[@mrreklezz2275]

I really want a Grand National after watching your videos.

[@taketheredpill1452]

dude the look of that intercooler inlet from the front is badass!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hey there, soon I hope. Life has been incredibly busy and I've had very little time to work on video stuff. Hang in there!

[@tonymunn]

You can star in Zoolander 4. The summer collection rocks!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I know man, it seems counterintuitive. I have read countless discussion on this topic and the majority of the turbo Buick folks say they are unnecessary. I had a BOV on this car and it rarely ever opened. My turbo Mitsu, Miata, etc were venting all the time.

[@ArcadeDude44]

This is an awesome series! Thanks so much for showing these mods. I'm digging the humor is well. I need to get one of these awesome cars!

[@YGSpider]

It takes a lot of development to create a whole new powertrain for a car that virtual is the same. Why break what is not broken. And besides I love the fact people don't know what my T Type is. It just adds more to the lore when your talking to people.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Heat will definitely kill them. Make sure you've calibrated it and make sure your wiring is perfect as they are sensitive to proper grounds.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

The IS-F will definitely be featured in a future video!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you sir!

[@SandBoxSession]

Great video per usual. Always excited to see the newest episode in my subscription feed!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Indeed!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Soon I hope! Been too dang busy to even finish it, let alone go to the track. :-/

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks!

[@LRCVWDude]

Judging by the mulleted character i take it you've been to Pittsburgh, PA a few times in your life ;) Keep up the good work Tom, i know this is an older video but it's still awesome to watch, given how many Grand Nationals i've gone up against at drag strips up this way. Nice to see what makes them ticket ;)

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man!

[@leirch]

You should do a video write up on the Blazer brake conversion on the GN. The brake upgrade is cheap to do and works wonders. Those bigger brakes have saved me from a few idiots pulling out in front of me.

[@chandler49]

Love your videos Tom! The clean editing, funny narrative, and awesome projects keep me coming back for more. Thank you for making these, and please keep it up!

[@levi0091]

Awesome man I love the work you do almost better than watching powerblock. Keep up the sweet work man have a good day.

[@rambow70]

Yea ik i have been researching it for a long time, i can set it up so i have to shift the automatic manually (like L 2 3 drive) i really love the way my 98 sl looks like, i dont think i would want anything else besides a dsm or s13 with sr20, i am prepared to dump a ton of money into the SL, ha but thanks for the help

[@greenrolaids]

Loved the Stuffing out of this video... but after i watched it im very very sad. Sad that i have to wait 2 weeks before you put out another video. Thanks for giving us freaking awesome free videos.

[@supersportrsz28]

awesome video can't wait till the next one is available...

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Haha! Minnesota!?! It sounds cold! :-D

[@woodysdrums8083]

Great show Tom and very nice car. I own an 86 t type.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I use a much, much better microphone when I do my voiceovers. Also, I think most people's reading inflections are different than there conversational ones.

[@Jsalrulz]

Always wondered what John Elway did after football. Seriously,though,I have always loved GN's. At my age when they came out,I could not afford insurance. Maybe someday!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Really? I've used it in various cars for many years with nothing but good results. Maybe they have some quality control problems?

[@4G63addict]

This stuff is great! Well done again sir.