88ZNX

Hey guys, I'm Alan. I have a 1988 IROC Z with a Buick 3.8 SFI Turbo V6, th400, 9" with 3.27's. Still tuning this beast, but its a blast. My web page is www.aaperformance.org. check it out! Hope to talk to lots of you.

Alan

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Hey Alan, welcome aboard! Just posted some pics of another 3.8 Buick swap in an '86 Firebird over in the Power Adder section. Was gonna link it, but then I figured, ahh I'll just post it up for you guys here. I seriously was going to go the same exact route as you, but the L98 w/Turbo concept far out weighed it (literally) lol....

88ZNX

Dude! Thats BAAD! I must know more about this car, and i wanted to be the first in the 8s maybe I'll be first in a camaro. I was trying to get there last Nov at Renalds GA. When my stock GN module went haywire and blew the K1 rods out both sides of my stage 2 virgin block. I switch over to MSD dist. and Crane HI 6 box, no more glitches for me and the car cranks and runs better and is easier to tune now, without the waste spark.

KrisW

iTrader: (5)

Awesome cars, both!

I love it!!!

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

I'm really liking your Camaro Alan, and I'm looking forward to seeing some sub nine second video of it hauling @ss down the track. I've never seen a Buick 3.8 Turbo in a Camaro before, freaking awesome idea man....

I recently found out who the owner of that Black TTA was myself, and I'm hoping to get a glimpse of the car making it's way either down Atco, Cecil or Englishtown very very soon. Gotta love those turbo Buick engine's....

-Rob

TheRealBlkBird

How hard of a swap was it to put the v6 in the Camaro. Im assuming the motor bolts right in but what about the electronics? Id love to have a real TTA but they're priced out of my range maybe a swap would be a cheaper way to go since I already have the car to put it in and its only a 305 so it would'nt be a big loss.

One of my all time "wish builds" is to put a GN motor in an '80 or '81 Turbo T/A since they dont have that great a rap, and then go blow some doors off. The power of a GN in a beautiful 2nd gen T/A would be hard to beat.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

What about an '80 Trans Am, w/turbo charged 455....

TheRealBlkBird

Nah, at over $3 a gallon for 87 octane, part of the appeal is the 6cyl's better mileage. The last thing I need is another car I cant afford to drive, been down that road enough to have thoroughly gotten over it. If it were strictly a show or race car that would be one thing but Im also tired of cars that I cant just get in and drive whenever and where ever I want.

88ZNX

It wasn't a walk in the park that's for sure. Caspers Electronics made the wiring harness. It was plug-n-play, I was running headers so I had to notch the frame, and cut some of the car up for the intercooler. If you check out the website, it tells step by step about the swap. But it was worth it IMO.

TheRealBlkBird

I was wondering if you had problems around the heads since Pontiac used a different head than the GNs to solve their fit problem. I very briefly looked at the site, I plan on checking it out more thoroughly a little later. It looks like a fun car for sure!

Rich2279

iTrader: (7)

That Camaro with the Buick motor is awesome. I would love to do that swap. Is there a "How to" posted anywhere on that?

TheRealBlkBird

Rich2279

iTrader: (7)

Thanks, I'll take a look at the site.

88ZNX

Guys, you can call me any time, I'll do my best to answer any questions about the swap, after you have read the article about ALANS 88 ZNX. It should cover most everything but I know there's allways something you leave out or forget when writing stories
www.aaperformance.org

chikn305

iTrader: (2)

I have seen alans car in person and he did an excelent job with the conversion. I was also at Reynolds when he blew it up what a shame. I have an 87 formula with a turbo buick in it what a great swap.

88ZNX

Hi guys! I've been away for a while. I'll give some updates. We have been trying all kinds of different combos with this car, so every other week things were changed like cam,heads,inj,fast programs,converters, ect... The combo in it at this time is a standerd bore 3.8 ported iron head by us @ A&A, TnD roller rockers, comp 224 hyd roller, 75lb inj. 70mm tb ,74GTQ turbo, Razors Alky,GER 3800stall, th400, ford 9", 3.50gears. Best ET with this combo on 93 pump gas and alky with 21psi max boost, leaving on transbrake at 10psi, 60ft 1.55 shifting at 6100 it ran 10.42 at 133. The cool thing is this combo gets 19mpg with the cruse set at 70 mph, engine rpms @3000. The things we've learned that weeked on those 9 passes with out any big problems for a change was, numbers 3 and 4 cyl were very lean, it even melted an electrod on number 3 on one pass. So were already changing it up a bit. New changes egt probs on all cyl for cyl correction tunning. A 1" spacer and RJC power plate to correct most of the turbulent air. With my old set of GN1 alum heads, maybe we can get a 10.0 out of it before we turn up the boost to 25psi We'll keep you posted.

88ZNX

Here is a few pics

88ZNX

A few more

KrisW

iTrader: (5)

I am sooo glad that you are continuing on with mods and still keeping mpg in mind! Awesome!!

Keep up the good work!

Rich2279

iTrader: (7)

I love that setup. Super sweet! If I didn't decide on the LT1 swap, I would've went the Buick turbo route.

88ZNX

Thanks guys!! Here is my little brother's 87 Limited. its been 11.14's @ 120 mph

Rich2279

iTrader: (7)

Wow, those engines are amazing.

88ZNX

Yes, they are and I can say these things, because Ive been there done that meaning, with these little V6's you catch your self talking to other buick owners and saying things like, this one only making 750hp the other one was 900hp and when I'im done at the track today, I'll just turn the boost back down and get 20mpg on the way back home. I never would say things like that when I was racing the 412cid, super ram Intake, AFR headed motor making around 430hp, that wouldnt go faster than 12.19s @ 112mph, or my blown 454cid engine in my 67 camaro making around 800hp getting 0 mpg, Oh! make that less than 0 mpg, and its loud, smells like gas and only runs low 10s. But it will melt a set of 29x 11.5 slicks.
No chicks! Want to ride in it, and you can't hear the radio. Thats why we switched to the turbo Buick V6's. They make mega streetable hp and they get good gas milage. What else can you ask for in a street car. Besides, have you ever seen the face of a guy with a $100,000 modded Z06, that you just beat with a turbo V6 IROC. (ITS PRICELESS).
We just helped a customer tune hi 86 GN, that he bought on ebay. We installed basic mods such as turbo, chip, inj, downpipe, ect... He went out and picked on a 2006 KB supercharged Cobra and beat him on his 20'' tires and wheels.

88ZNX

Oh yea that GN had 127,000 miles on it before our mods.

UR50SLO

iTrader: (1)

:
Very well said... That's why I dropped small blocks and the bottle. No driveablity.. poor MPG and loud.
Now I've got dependabiillty... Great MPG and it's stupid quiet!
What more can you ask for?

bigstack10

Man, You Guys have convinced me!!!!!

i was in a vice, because i have a v6 and i love the mpg but i also wan't to dust some fast cars

Good Stuff Here

bigstack10

just found a low mile 3.8 on craigslist for $350
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/pts/1132170882.html


just a quick question, since im on a budget. if i turbo this engine would, id be able to adjust the boost to get that great mileage?

if so, i'ma buy this engine start making plans

UR50SLO

iTrader: (1)

Wrong year and setup... IF you doing a GN engine it'll be 86/7 only. And only from a GN.

You could do a 98 up firebird/Camaro 3.8L and turbo those. Edit ECM wiht HPTuners. I've done two of those now with great results.
One's at 12.70's@108mph. Stock engine/trans.
~Scott

bigstack10

Ok makes sense, The guy never got back with me anyway
it should be easy finding one of those engines

RED_DRAGON_85

you can turbo any engine and get similar results. it doesnt have to be a buick 3.8, although they are great engines.
you have to build the engine to last though.
you cant use cast parts and expect it to take boost.
same rule applies as if you are using nitrous.
build the engine as if it was going to be making the power NA or you will be sorry and start blowing up parts.

SolarGoldRaptor

That's my plan with my '79 Esprit. She was originally a V6 car, so the I think it would be awesome to stay in that configuration. She'll stay as an Esprit on the outside, but will beat all the stock T/As on the road (not planning to race or drag though).
But to do this, I have to find a complete Turbo assembly that I can fit on the original block and heads, or better an 84-87 GN motor but I have next to zero chance to find this in France.
I've never seen anyone do this to a 2nd Gen, I think it's too "simple" to just go the V8 way.

88ZNX

Thanks for jumping in there for me Scott, I've been working so much lately, that I havent had time to post anything. We've been trying so many things with this set up. I killed my GN1 alum. heads. So now I am running some 8441 iron heads, that I ported and a new 224 solid comp roller. But with the new Scorpion hyd roller lifters & 150lb springs, it idles like a stock Buick Centry! It is so smooth & the only way to tell its running is to see the belt turning. It builds boost much faster now. Haven't had a chance to check fuel milage yet, because I can't keep my foot out of it long enough!!

Oh yeah, the 127k mile GN broke the crank the other day...due to lack of fuel pressure. The 8 yr old fuel pump retired without notice! But its back together with all the usual suspects =)

88ZNX

Hi Guys, I'm thinking of changing all of my frontend parts to the Spon tubular chrome molly parts. Coil overs and rack and pinion. How much weight can I really shave off doing that? I have seen a carbon fiber hood on ebay but there is no weight numbers. My 2" Harwood flew off by mistake, it was very light and 10 years old. I got the new 3" cowl hood and it is blown fiberglass. I would bet it is as heavy as the stock steel hood. I'm taking the rear seats, seat belts and speakers out now, and i found out there worth 65lbs. My goal is to get it back down to 3300 race weight it is 3650 know. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Alan

UR50SLO

iTrader: (1)

Hi ....

I used PA Racing for the tubular K Member and rack under mine. I realy liked how it fit.

I used the coil over conversion they offer as well. The K-member is 65lbs lighter

The rack conversion is 45lbs.

If it's a real carbon fiber hood it'd be at least 15lbs savings.

Hope that helps!
Scott~

88ZNX

I put all the pieces of my old Harwood 2" cowl hood together on a scale and it weighed 20lbs. I knew it was light. So we weighed the new Harwood 3" cowl, it weighed 45lbs. I called about those carbon fibor hoods and they said they were 35lbs. I think thats to heavy for $700. I will keep looking for an old 2" cowl.

88ZNX

Its been a while and a few engines since I posted here last. So here are some up dates, my detiort locker gave way last weekend at the track. I over nighted a new one and it looked simaler, but not the same. After calling the Detiort 800 # I found out that mine was a Chinese knock off, it even had EATON/DETIORT LOCKER on it, but it was a fake. I've had it in the car for about three years, but just started using the transbrake lately. It lasted about 15 passes then the gutts crumbled. I have seen alot of this fake crap in the automotive industry lately and a lot of good engines have died due to it.

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

just put a pin on hood on there, they weigh 13-15 pounds total

KrisW

iTrader: (5)

Where did you get your knock off? I would like to know so that I don't buy one from them!

Thanks!

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Well, if it was spelled "Detiort", that should have been your first clue. . .

I put 15 passes on my 9" Detroit True Trac behind the LS1/T56 this past Saturday. I keep hearing you need to hit it (and the locker version) immediately and hard when you start the burn-out - no easing into it. I have video of most of my passes, and it locked immediately and completely each time. And, it was fine on the drive to work this morning.

I didn't buy this one, the shop that put the center section together ordered it (not sure of their source).

88ZNX

Crap my bad. It was spelled correctly (detroit). I bought the Mosser 9" from a guy on another web site. The locker came with it I dont know if he knew about it or not. It has been three years and I didn't think there was any reason to bother him about it.

88ZNX

The car has gone through a lot of changes this past month, we stumbled on to some key go fast info with these turbos, bigger is not always better. We made three changes, and not including the turbo and the car picked up 10 mph and 1sec. Last pass at the track was 10.33 132 Nov.7.09
Here is the link to the new 9.44 @ 146mph @ only 24psi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkShxLLKkog

88ZNX

Oh yea! and nothing I have changed has hurt the gas milage. It gets better than my wife's new 2010 C6.3 AMG 450hp. That car sucks gas it only gets around 12 to 15 in the city, but it is fast and fun to smoke the tires. People look at you funny cause Merc's arn't suppose to do that.

UR50SLO

iTrader: (1)

Great Job!!!!!!!

What turbo did you change from/to ect....

Was it the transbrake that was tearing up parts or somthing else?

I've been to worried about breaking stuff to use the T-brake.

I'm having the used transmission I bought 4yrs ago freshened up.. it's done a

couple quirky things this summer and Who knows how long it was used before

I got it Lol.

Hope to switch over to XFI this winter too.

Glad you've got some of the bugs worked out and it's scoot'n now!
~Scott

88ZNX

Well this is the latest version GN1s not ported and not R's. Went to stronger valve springs, new TnD Jessel style rockers to handle the new spring psi, the scorpion style would not handle it or the rpms. We are turning this motor 6800 rpm. The new smaller turbo is a new billet ball bearing 71 from Precision. Took off the PTE 74GTQ they make the same power, but the new 71 makes it a lot faster and I mean faster. Made some tuning in the spool up part witch helped. The turbo didn't make the biggest diffrence we still only ran 6.50 @ 104 in the 8th still taking for ever to spool up. The biggest diffrence, was springs, rpms, spoolup tune and going from 21psi to 25psi. It wouldnt do that with the old springs. With only those changes we went 6.08 @116 I think the transbrake just weeded out all the week links in the drive line that needed beefing up anyway. Haven't broken anything latley and I always use TB cause it sets off the XFI data logger. All the new tricks took some getting use to cause on one staging were I was use to how slow it would spool, I could controll the boost on the line around 10psi. When I red lighted and it logged that I left on 21psi @5600 I wasnt ready for how fast it spooled up. Now we are adding an AMS 1000.

UR50SLO

iTrader: (1)

Early this year Jason (RJC) and I were talking about that exact turbo 71ball bearing.

Nice... My Turbo is too big for my combo but the deal was in my budget. Lol..

I've only left the line with 8psi. I couldn't imagine leaving with that kind of power. wow!

What are you doing with the XFI? I need one .. my Classic Fast is past it's experation

Date!

Glad your combo is getting dialed in..!!!
~Scott

88ZNX

I love the XFI it will do everything you can think of. Every time I think of something else to control or monitor the FXI can do it, and you can remove all the vacume hob switches that used to do everything for you. After you in stall the egt probes, you can now add or take out fuel or timing in each cly. At one time I was removing 8 degreas timing out and add 13 percent fuel to # 3cyl to keep from blowing the headgasket. Speaking of RJC and headgaskets I have blown his new ones two times. I'm running Cometics right now and they are holding so far. We use RJCs on another car with no problemes. Go figure. Had to get a new RJC lower crank pulley mine cracked all up. He said it was only made for a stock belt tenisioner. I have a Champion adjuster and had to keep tightning it to stop the belt from squilling. I did see that RJC has come out with a new style, about a month ago, go figure. I like Jason @ RJC and we run most of his stuff, sometimes it fails sometimes it dosen't. I am running low 9s with a stock style waste gate and a RJC $45 boots valve. I have the head clamps that have been ground up all over to fit ATR headers and they work great. I took the RJC restrictor plate (just kidding) power plate, off and didnt see any improvement or loss at our power level. Go figure. Andre just got a new RJC trans mount. It bolted to the back of the block and comes over to the Regal frame rail and dose away with the engine strap or turn buckel from the alt, bracket. He loves it, sayes it picks up on the car and takes the presure off the mount.

UR50SLO

iTrader: (1)

I have a XFI on the wife's Typhoon.. it took hardly any tuning for that to drive like a stock truck.. it is amazing.
Made me that much more ready to switch to XFI in the Camaro. I really need more information in order to put more power in it.
The adjustable fuel map tables were what I was most intersted in... I drive my car daily in the summer and get about 18mpg.. but there is much room for improvement there if I had more adjustability in the fuel tables that Classic FAST just can't do.
I had the RJC plate in my car too.. I removed it and made my own stainless steel screen to ballance the air. I felt the plate was too restrictive.
With the smaller turbo did you see your IAT's go up?
Thanks for sharing your info for myself and others!
~Scott

88ZNX

Can't really tell about the, IATs our weather changes so much down here and my Alky sprays so close to it that it cools off so quick. All I can tell is this summer we where at the track and it was about 8:30 pm out side temp was 92 humidity was 86 we were pouring swet, the turbo wouldnt spool for nothing. I left the line and the IAT was 105 by second grear it was 68. On a 60 degree day I've logged IATs on the line at 80 and by second it was 48 thats cool.
I know what you mean about the Classic Fast. We just tuned a new customers T Type Ed Means go check it out on the site, anyway it has a old Fast and every time we tryed to do something that would be so basic and easy and convenient on the XFI it was very frustrating what it wouldn't do. If you need help with the Fuel Tables call Brian 601 497 6608 he loves to help, NOT like some other people. Brian tuned the IROC all weekend when it went 9s.
Im not putting the Classic down, lots of guys have gone very fast on one but I started out on the XFI and can see how bad your hands are tied trying to tune and I noticed how slow it up dated, it was like 7 fps and the XFI up dates like 40 fps.
Something I've been forgetting to tell. I finally found a 4" round cone style air filter for my inlet pipe . I got it at Orileys auto parts. It is made with just a fine wire mesh. No paper or foam. It flows air as if no air filter was on there. Now I only run it at the track for quick spool up. I wouldn't use it for every day use, small dust will get through. Think it was about $35.

88ZNX

It's been a while but i had some time to put the new time up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkShxLLKkog
New 9.44 pass and is still so streetable it just doesen't make since.

KrisW

iTrader: (5)

It makes PERFECT sense.

And I love it!

Keep it up.