1st time I will be TRYING to attempt something different for my 88 Firebird. I have had the L03 stock motor in it, 350 TBI and a 400..I want something different so I have decided on a 3.8 Turbo motor...GN style.
I know TA Performance has their new Aluminum block out there, anyone know how good they are, assuming that the block should be good since they make nice Olds motors. Also I am looking at their Aluminum heads or the Champion GN1 heads...anyone have experiance with either heads?
Intake manifold...who would you all reccomend for this? 70MM TB I am assuming is the correct candiate for my build.
Turbo..looking for mid 10's-low 11's@3900+ft. Was looking at the CPT-66..any suggestions?
Intercooler...only thing I am not to sure about. A stock Turbo T/A one won't fit the bill, so I was looking at the RJC Megacooler but unsure of fitment.
RJC makes a nice little BC that is on their 9 sec GN, should be good on that front.
3 bar map...and FAST injection setup might be a good way to go.
Would a used GN, T Type or Turbo T/A motor used be easier on me since it will be my 1st time at attempting this or not? I have time to take my time on this build.
Thanks in advance.
Paul L.

 

I thought they had to use the front wheel drive 3.8 head on the TTA for manifold clearance issues,something you might want to check before any GN heads are bought .
Joe

 

You dont need to spend all that money on the TA stuff to meet your performance goals. The gn heads and manifolds will work fine as long as you dont want ac. You will need a custom down pipe. You can meet your goals with a set of ported iron heads a small roller cam around 214 duration, champion ported intake, atleast 60lb injectors, the cpt66 or similar turbo like precision 6776 bb is well proven, around a 3500 stall, and a nice front mount intercooler. That should give you a general idea. You can also look on turbobuick.com plenty of fast turbo buicks there.

 

Yeah, I am going to look for a 109 block and forget about the TA block. Don't need A/C for this for now. I'll look into that head issue, never thought or heard about it so thanks for the heads up. I signed up on Turbo Buicks a couple of weeks ago and got some advice. I wanted to hit Thirdgen.org up first though.
I still am unsure on what to do about an intercooler, I can just have one made I guess.

 

s far as an intercooler you could use a stock location one as long as your car isnt too low. Precision makes a really nice one thats been in the 9's on a few buicks.