slowly but surely coming along...

 

here's a shot of my mufflex exhaust and 3" downpipe for comparison. Next is the the front mount intercooler. I moved the plastic airdam forward using fabricated brackets, so it fits under the intercooler rather than behind it.

This project has been a little bit more involved than I wanted. But, I can't really complain as everything thus far has come together fairly easily. I've got an issue with fuel lines, but I think I should be able to find some fittings if I hunt hard enough, and make my own lines from the chassis to the rail, and back. The wiring "should" come together as I'm using a custom dash harness from Casper's electronics. She oughta go mid 10s without even breaking a sweat. Any faster, and I'll need to address the old 9 bolt posi out back. Hope ya'll like it!

 

that is amazing and the bird looks clean.

 

Nice work! Seeing that you had a V8 before, I'm guessing your using a gen I 3.8 and using your (90 degree) stock tranny? I'm adopting the Buick GN set-up to my 3.1, and v-mounting my intercooler betweeen the radiator and serpintine belt. Although I'll probably use an electric fan rather than one mounted to the water pump or crank.
If you click on my signature or garage you can check out my science project...

 

sweet keep us updated on the project

 

Would you have any specifics on your set up?

 

87 Buick Grand National 3.8 liter bored .020 girdled and steel caps
Forged JE pistons
stock shot-peened rods
62 lb./hr injectors
high volume intank Walbro fuel pump
Accufab afpr
custom ductile iron roller camshaft - Comp Cams
1.60 ratio roller lifters
chromolly pushrods
Big valves, springs, titanium locks and retainers
ported/polished heads
ARP fasteners throughout
port matched stock intake
precision high volume upper plenum
70 mm throttle body
Precision TE-45a large shaft turbocharger
Tial 38mm external wastegate
stock - remapped ECM (Turbo Tweak)
stock crank
big front mount 4" core 3" pipes
Precision Industries 10" multi disk lockup torque converter
Fully built 200 4R tranny
big exhaust
tons and tons of suspension goodies
4th gen TA leather interior
lots of other stuff I'm sure I forgot...

I bought the car here off the board back in the spring of 2005. I went through my old emails, but can't find any of the ones pertaining to the purchase. I thought the previous owner might be interested in the transformation. He was a great guy from Jersey. I flew from Knoxville, TN and drove the car back in one day - 11 hrs back. I've owned Buicks and 3rd gens for years. Now I have the best of both.

 

Thats a nice set up whats the power that thing puts out

 

should make 450 hp on pump gas at the wheels, and close to 600 on race fuel with lots of boost and timing. I've personally seen these Buick motors make over 400 horses with a turbo and injectors alone - stock unopend motors! Believe it or not, even more impressive than the hp is the torque of the Buick V6s. It should put down some ridiculous numbers - probably 600 to 700 range. The combo in my car is identical to a friend's 86 T-type here in town. He can't keep the rear end under it at any speeds slower than 60 mph. I can't wait to get her back on the road.

 

I love the fact that your going to a V6 (although I'm slightly partial). And yes the buick motors are monsters, my friend has an 87GN with 9300miles on it, it even smells like a new car still (actually how new cars smelled in the 80's, can you say polyester LOL). It even has the fact. tires on it that have probably been siliconed one too many times.
Studying his car made me decide to adopt the v-mount intercooler so I didn't have to relocate batt/charcoal etc. Not to mention we have a ton of room in front of the 6er.

 

I've owned an 86 Z28, and a 91 Formula years ago. Then I got into Buicks, and I've had 3 T-types, and loved them, just missed the handling and braking of the F-body. I know the TTA is the most logical alternative, but I just wanted something a little different, and a car I could run hard and not feel bad about it. I'll keep you all updated as to the progress. Should have her running shortly.

 

Hey power6, are those GN Manifolds? I was wondering if they would fit in the 3d gen. I hear you gotta get rid of the AC system to use the GN heads, is all this your case? Also, what pulley setup are you using on the engine? GN style? Im looking into a swap that would involve no major cutting of my car!! Oh well, let me know what you got. Thanks!!

 

Yep, GN heads and exhaust manifolds. I removed the AC and installed a 1LE heater box, which frees up a bunch of room. I think you can retain your AC with the GN heads and headers, but it makes the downpipe clearance an issue. Also makes changing the back spark plug very difficult. If you want to make sure your stuff fits with AC, just go with TTA heads and headers. It will just take some searching, as the TTA headers are out of production, and you'll have to find a used set. The heads are plentiful, as they are the same as the 3.0 liter front drive motors.

So far, I haven't cut anything other than some small holes in the front crash bar for increased air flow to the intercooler. My biggest problem is the wiring. I've got a "plug and play" harness from Caspers, but wiring is not my strong suit. I'll need some fabricating done to my downpipe, and a new driveshaft made. The fuel lines are giving me fits too. I am trying to retain the stock hard lines on the F-body, and jump over to the rail and regulator with braided line, but no one in town wants to mess with factory style O-ring fittings. Other than that, it is pretty much done. I've gotten to the point now where the stuff left is all stuff I don't know how to do, or never done before. So I feel like I'm getting bogged down, and not making any progress.

 

Wow. Your swap is pretty much verbatim to mine except I went with the 700r4 w/ 3500 stall (CK Performance custom tc), 212/212 roller cam w/ T&D Rockers, 72lb injectors, ported/polished gn heads, and a Dana 60 w/ 3.54's. You will have to let me know how that works for you. I went with the alkycontrol kit also.

Have you ran the car yet? I should have mine running again in a couple weeks and on the dyno for tuning.

 

Not running yet. If I were on schedule, it would have been running last month. I ran into a snaffoo with the fuel lines. Got that worked out now. Unfortunately, I am having some problems with my engine wiring harness. Turns out, the old factory harness out of the 87 GN isn't in as good of shape as I'd hoped. Its been hacked on pretty severly, and is going to be more work that it is worth to correct it. Looks like my budget is completely shot, as I'll need to get a Casper's full engine harness. I'd rather spend the money and know it is going to be right than spend who knows how long trying to fix the one I've got, not knowing if it will work.

I need a drive shaft, and some welding/fabricating on the down pipe and rest of the exhaust, plus finishing the wiring. I need a shifter and cable for the 200 4R, since the factory Firebird 700R4 shifter cable won't bolt up. I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting, hopefully they will be small things. Now that the weather is getting nice, I am dying to get her on the road.

 

Yeah, I have someone trying to figure out how to get the 89 TTA wiring harness to work with a 91 stock gauge cluster. He got it to work with a 92 camaro gauge cluster so it should work. After that I just need a good tune and some DR's and than I got to get my *** to the track to practice launching.

Good luck with the rest of your swap...this sort of engine swap is not as easy as it sounds and definitely not as cheap.

 

Power 6????

91 Bird305????

How's the wiring coming? I am waiting with baited breath to see how it turns out...

 

Should be ready around Saturday or Monday. I will post video / pictures when it is finished. I plan on hitting the drag strip on April 7th if everything is a go.

 

I have a 1989 2.8 Firebird right now, I just stumbled across a complete drivetrain out of a 1987 Grand National. Looking at my setup it might be a little easier since the fuel lines are all on the same side. Can one of you all sort of give me a run down on what is required for the swap? I'm trying to decide if this is a good idea or if I should just keep driving the car lol!

Thanks in advance, your project looks great. I'm following it on turbobuick too!

 

Wow, that's a real nice looking 'bird. I've been toying with the idea of swapping the GNX drivetrain into my '90 RS 305.

 

Why just the drivetrain?

 

Very nice ride power6. Ive always been a big fan of the 91-92 Formulas. I have an 87 with a TTA motor in it. Its definitely alot more fun than the tpi. The long block is stock with a ta-62 and 65lb injectors. The car has went 11.4's with a 1.6 60ft. I am in the process of putting on Champion irons, champion intake, and custom roller cam.

 

Wow!

That Formula is just awesome...

Great car!!!!!!

 

Nice swap cikn305! How do you like those tires in the rear? What kind of suspension work do you have done?

 

Thanks guys. The tires are freat they hook really well. This is my second set I had them when I had the nitrous small block too. The only suspension stuff I have are lca relocation brackets, 1-1/2 drop springs, and I made a mount that bolts the torque arm to the crossmember.

 

Cool, thanks.

 

Any status updates?? I am tying up loose ends on mine as well. I think I found the fuel fittings to connect to the body rail. What did you do/use? I am getting anxious as well to get mine rolling. I got a bunch of little stuff to do and am running out of money.

I cant seem to get my headlights working again, but I havent hooked up C207(Firebird) to C437(GN Harness) I also have a couple loose wires from C100. All I get is that "you left your key in ignition" buzz I gotta do some tranny stuff(mod shifter linkage) to fit a TH400, Trans Cooler & Temp Gauge, I got my DS being made. I think it is approx $130 for all the fuel fittings. I'll make a post w/ my progress.

 

Yes!

Definitely keep us posted! I am getting anxious to do my Buick V6 swap as well. I have to get my garage first, though!!

 

I've been slacking bigtime on the project. Wife and I had a baby in May, and I also bought this:

I'm getting geared back up to finish the Formula. I only lack some exhaust fabricating, a drive shaft and shifter. Bought a complete custom wiring harness from Casper's electronics - expensive but should be a huge time savings. My fuel fittings are done, just need to get the lines made. I bought a new 70mm throttle body and precision upper plenum too. Sorry to take so long...

 

Just don't forget the pictures!!!

We all want to see the finished product so that we will also know what ours will look like afterward!!

 

earl's makes the adapter fittings for your O-ringed factory fuel lines to convert to -6AN lines. FYI.

 

Well mine is done (or was done) for about a week and then my oil pump went. SO I have to replace that now. But it seems to move pretty good. Once the oil pump is replaced, I will get it on the dyno and the track and post some numbers. Here are some pictures so far though.
Motor

Interior (yes, I am putting my computer back)

 

oil pump gone?

Did you pull the oil filter adapter cover and prime it with vaseline? That's how you prime it!

 

No I did not and didn't know that is how you prime an oil pump. I just figured a few turn overs on the motor and then I could start it.

 

91bird sorry to hear about the oil pump. Its good to see some of these projects finally getting on the street. Im currently replacing the rear in mine. I broke my mini spool in the 7.5 so now Im going to out a 8.5 in out of a GN in it.

 

You should still try to prime the pump before you do anything else; it can't hurt.

You can disconnect the fuel or ignition to keep it from running and just crank it until you have oil pressure (after priming the pump)... then run it.

Even if you have to replace the pump, the kit is cheap and it's easy to do; JUST DON'T FORGET THE VASELINE THIS TIME!!!!!!

 

I just finished my 3.8L Firebird last weekend, got it totally broken in now. This thing pulls harder than my LS1 Formula, and it is only boosting 13lbs at the moment. I havent started to tune it yet whatsoever.

 

I am breaking mine in right now. Just got it up and running.

My 1991 Pontiac Firebird w/ an 87 Grand National motor starting up.

 

Oil pressure is good????

 

Yup. Working great. Just gotta put some miles on it now. I will probably post more videos soon with me getting into the boost.

 

Congrats to getting it all ironed out. Get that beast on the streets and get some timeslips!!! I did a best of 12.20@112.14 mph in mine last weekend. Backed it up with a 12.29 also! Its alot of fun sneaking up on people without the V8 Sound!! Good luck!

 

More conversions around here than I thought, nice work

 

Nice work! Can't wait to see numbers.

 

question for ya! I'm having the same troubles with the fuel lines with my swap, What did you end up doing to get everything connected? What size of braided lines did you use ...I'm running 8AN. And did you upgrade your fuel pump?

thanks and good luck with the project!

 

Are you running the Buick ECM? The Buick specs (and turbo T/A) require a higher pressure pump. It really depends on what ECM/injector combo you are running. If you are running the pump from a 2.8 (as your profile suggests) then that is inadequate for flow and pressure. You can still get the proper pump for a Turbo Trans Am from the auto parts store, it's the same one used in later Vortec V8 trucks. It's only about 5 bucks more than the stock replacement for your V6.