installing a GN turbo v6

[blackwidow]

I was recently talking to a couple of friends and they presented me with the Idea to install a GN turbo 6 in my 1998 firebird. In the firebird right now I have a v6 and understand I need to get a new rear and am going with the stock GN rear. But I am having trouble locating a company to install the engine for me. I hear that there was a guy or company in ohio who would do it but I can't find the name. If anyone has any info about the guy or company it would be greatly appreciated if you could pass the info on to me. Any other idea's would also be appreciated. Maybe putting a TTA motor in?

[Rik]

The guy's name is Steve Kaminski, he's in Pennsylvania. Check the GMHTP archives, I think it's at http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...9gmhtp_byebye/

[slacker69]

you dont want a GN rear
u just would be better getting a 9" ford rear or a GM 12 bolt the GN rear will not work for our cars because our car has to have a tourqe arm setup on it. From what i read atleast What tranny you gonna put in there i would recommend a th400 with a 3800 stall and make sure u buld up the motor so it can handle serious boost.

[OneQuickV6]

Why the Th400? If you ar going to go with serious performance, might as well get the Th350! TH350 with the trans brake, stall, etc would RULE all. Just my opinion.

[toast]

Th 350 will not bolt up to the buick bell housing. You might have to go with a built up 200r4. 200r4 would be the best and logical choice and with the right parts in it can be built to be a very strong trans.

[CHRISB]

I was considering the same swap into my 95 Camaro. For me it's either a 3.8 Grand National Turbo engine or a big block chevy. I aslo saw the ad in GM High Tech. The car supposedly runs 9's in the 1/4 mile under 20lbs boost and some serious traction. I say go for it [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] , if it's what you want. Don't let anyone tell ya it can't be done. If you want it bad enough, then you'll get it.

[Bird_Of_Prey]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by CHRISB:
I was considering the same swap into my 95 Camaro. For me it's either a 3.8 Grand National Turbo engine or a big block chevy. I aslo saw the ad in GM High Tech. The car supposedly runs 9's in the 1/4 mile under 20lbs boost and some serious traction. I say go for it [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] , if it's what you want. Don't let anyone tell ya it can't be done. If you want it bad enough, then you'll get it.<hr></blockquote>

No one said it can't be done, it's been done, there is a shop that does it. It's extremely costly. A used GN drivetrain goes for $3000 easy, then you need performance parts. Engine swaps are not cheap by a long shot, and you usually end up shooting yourself in the foot.

[turbosix]

email the guy who did it and ask him everything he had to do to make it work

once you find out you'll give up most likely, unless you have deep pockets. listen to the guy above me. its not easy and its not cheap. know what youre getting into.

[Skinny]

This may help you save some $$ if you're serious about doing this... The blocks for the turbo 3.8s and N/A 3.8s were cast exactly the same. You can find an N/A 3.8 buick block for dirt cheap at a junkyard. Then you'd need to buy a computer (these are relatively cheap and can be bought NEW.. check the forums at http://www.turbobuick.com), a turbo crank (shouldn't have to spend more than $400 for a used one, they aren't too difficult to find), the heads are the same for n/a and turbo, so grab some for $25 at a junk yard and port 'em, used intake manifolds can also be found fairly easily. You'd also need some pistons, rods, and a cam, but all that stuff you'd probably want to upgrade anyway, look for a good master rebuild kit. As for the accessories like the alternator, power steering pump, etc, I think those are interchangeable from with the n/a engines as well, but I'm not positive on that. Other than that, you'd also have to tap the block in the front for the oil line to the turbo, but that's not much of a problem. BTW: I think I'm going to be building an engine in this fashion for the buildup on my T-type, although I probably won't actually start on the engine for another month or two (working on the chassis and suspension now). However feel free to email me if you think I can help, or post here, as I'll be glad to share my research with everyone.

[ November 13, 2002: Message edited by: 96BeastV6 ]</p>

[blackwidow]

NICE!!!!! Thank you so much for the information it is going to help out a great deal. I never even thought about the n/a blocks. Which would definately be cheaper. I noticed that you have a t-type. My buddy has a 1985 Grand National with an 87 drive train. 42 1/2 pound injectors, 3"down pipe, front mount intercooler, dual fan set up, and is waiting to install a seventh injector set up for alcohol/water. Right now as it sit she runs 12.3 in the 1/4 mile and should run faster once he gets his rear end rebuilt. Also what rear would you suggest me putting in my car.

[Skinny]

As mentioned above by others, I wouldn't reccommend the stock GN rear either. Most swap in a 8.5" rear. As for the rear gears, I would suggest starting with 3.42s (which is stock GN/T-type gear). After you get it all together, if you decide you need more gear then go from there.

[turbosix]

keep the stock rear until you break it

then you can worry about what rear to put in it.

[Skinny]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by turbosix:
keep the stock rear until you break it

then you can worry about what rear to put in it.<hr></blockquote>

From wht I understand, he's gonna be buying a rear end anyway, so there's no sense in buying a rear that he's just gonna break, then buying another rear later. Might as well buy a decent rear now.

[Slow-N-ugly]

If you want a GN turbo 6, then just turbo what you?ve got. Our motors are derived from the Buick GN motor and stock put out nearly as much as the turboed Buick. Those Buick?s running 9?s usually have different turbo's, and are really modified.
Rear ends, I would take the 9 inch any day but plan on spending some BUCKS about 2500.00.
My advise is build up the motor you have and turbo it, you will be better off.

[turbosix]

um, if he uses the stock rear end, he wont be buying something he would break.

and if he could use a gm 8.5" 10 bolt out of a buick he wouldnt break it, cause hes not going to run 10s.