TurboBuicks.com Technical Articles:

Orlando_87GN · 10-21-2004, 01:07 AM

Here you can find a collection of technical articles.

If you have an article that you would like to author please contact us; webmaster@TurboBuicks.com.

Thanks for looking!

chrisgarrett46 · 10-21-2004, 07:40 AM

Wow! Great articles. You know I really love the old gntttype website but the one thing it lacked was good pictures to go along with the articles. Thanks a lot. Keep them coming.

Hissin' Buford · 10-21-2004, 10:30 AM

Excellent article and graphics! I printed these for future use.

chrisgarrett46 · 10-21-2004, 10:48 AM

A used, dirty tube of Loctite-what realism!

brandon87gta · 10-21-2004, 07:45 PM

Mike,

Great write up on the 4.1L, I will definitely be on the lookout for one to build in the future. Thanks.

Brandon

87natty · 10-21-2004, 09:39 PM

I'm digging this. Good work Orlando.

Zap · 10-22-2004, 10:59 PM

How about an article on transmissions? I heard there is a guy in Sacramento, California who really knows his stuff! Maybe you could convince him to write an article for turbobuicks.com!!

:

me making a quick getaway --->

Scottie-GNZ · 10-23-2004, 08:28 AM

My cabobulator spits out 456RWHP for a 3800# beast running 11.69 @ 115.5. Considering the TA49 on the 4.1L is like a stocker on a 109, I wonder what some Champion irons, matched intake and 26# from a TE45 would add? I rode in the car at 17# and the torque gets your attention.
....and that growl

Just a Six?? · 10-23-2004, 10:15 AM

Great Reading there! Thanks!!

b4black · 10-25-2004, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Orlando_87GN
Build A Budget 4.1 Motor

Thanks! I plan on a 4.1 in the near future.

But one thing - don't throw away those 4.1 intakes and quadrajets. They bolt on to 3.8 2-barrel cars and work with the stock ECM. Great way for those with NA's to get an easy 10-15 HP! Should be worth $50 mininum if the carb's OK.

Kendall Frederick · 10-31-2004, 06:41 PM

Mike,

Is there an easy way to navigate to these articles that I'm missing? Maybe put a link under "Resources"?

SNEARING · 11-02-2004, 06:50 PM

Nice!

turbo heaven · 11-03-2004, 12:54 PM

Great article, I was wondering if there was a lot of difference between this 4.1 and a stage 2 4.1 I assume its not the same???

GASOLINE · 11-03-2004, 01:04 PM

Great article, especially the smokey tire picture! Great photographer!

Noticed the stock bottom end 4.1 and wondered at what point do you start being concerned?

Any noticeable differences between the 4.1 and 3.8 on the bottom end?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Kendall Frederick · 11-03-2004, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by turbo heaven
Great article, I was wondering if there was a lot of difference between this 4.1 and a stage 2 4.1 I assume its not the same???

Nope. Mike's using a good ol' $50 U-pull-it production 4.1 in the GN.

I'll give a quick block history; see www.gnttype.org for pictures:

The production 4.1 was made along with the 3.8 from 1980 through 1984. It resembles the 3.8 from these years and is about as strong (8 bolt heads, 2 bolt mains, open lifter valley, non-recessed head bolt holes like the 3.8s).

The Stage I and II motors were available in either 3.8 or 4.1 bore sizes (3.8 and 3.965", respectively), and they feature a bunch of improvements. They were made from the same beefed up, high nickel castings, but Stage 1s were machined basically like the stock blocks (2 bolt main caps, wet sump, 8 bolt heads).

The Stage IIs featured additional race machining, things like 4 bolt mains, deck modifications for 14 bolt heads, priority main oiling, etc. There were incremental improvements as Stage II block production went along including moving the bore centers to allow "on center" rods (rods that weren't offset in the bore), 6 bolt crossbolted mains, dry sump oiling, and a BBC rear main seal.

Quote:

Originally posted by GASOLINE
Great article, especially the smokey tire picture! Great photographer!

Noticed the stock bottom end 4.1 and wondered at what point do you start being concerned?

Any noticeable differences between the 4.1 and 3.8 on the bottom end?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Maybe Mike can give you photo credit?

As for being concerned, I'm not worried yet..dunno about Mike. Did he mention the crank is .030/.030?

There are a fair number of people in the 10s with stock bottom ends and a careful tune. See above for the 4.1 vs. 3.8; they have about the same thickness main webbing and the same caps.

10-21-2004, 01:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
Orlando_87GN Resident Idiot Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 10,372	TurboBuicks.com Technical Articles: Here you can find a collection of technical articles. Upgrade To The F-Boby Radiator How To Install Head Studs That Don't Leak! Build A Budget 4.1 Motor! How To Rebuild Your Alternator Fix Your Seats! DIY Cold Air Intake System How To Build a Front Cover/Oil Pump If you have an article that you would like to author please contact us; webmaster@TurboBuicks.com. Thanks for looking! __________________ Check Out MikesStuff4Sale.com to view my used parts! ------------------------------------------------ 1987 Buick Grand National Budget 4.1, 204/214 cam, TA-49 Turbo, Stockish Heads, V4, MSD50's, TH DP, JayJackson 62mm TB, Translator plus Extender powered. 3680# with pilot ------------------------------------------------ 1993 Mazda RX-7 4.1 Buick Powered 11.20 @ 128mph (2.4 60')!

10-21-2004, 07:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
chrisgarrett46 Out, damned knock Join Date: May 2004 Location: Highland Park, ILLinois Posts: 5,588	Wow! Great articles. You know I really love the old gntttype website but the one thing it lacked was good pictures to go along with the articles. Thanks a lot. Keep them coming. __________________ Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. 2008 rebuild, Comp roller cam, Cat stroker, RJC gridle, CPT66BB, PTE Stock Location IC, Champion iron, T&D roller rockers, 60# Mototron injectors w/Turbotweak chip, Monroe-ported throttlebody, RJC Power Plate, Jimmy-built trans w/Precision Vigilante converter, ATR SS dual exhaust, ATR rear sway, BMR upper and lower control arms, Edelbrock Performance shocks, Razor alky, Tinman cold air intake, MT street radials. Oh, and Russ Merritt spark plug wires.

10-21-2004, 10:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Hissin' Buford Boost Addict? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NC Foothills Posts: 1,850	Excellent article and graphics! I printed these for future use. __________________ 86 T-Type .40 over stock bottom end with forged pistons, ARP hardware top and bottom, 205-205 Reed's, Champion irons, Precision plenum,60/ 65 lb Motrons, Alky Controll, Pump and hotwire,Translator and LS-1 maf, TurboTweak chip, Magnecor wires, Champion billet fuel rails,Accufab afpr, PTE turbosaver,Champion billet a/c delete and alternator bracket, RJC billet pulleys,Limit Engineering TE45a,Cotton's front mount, 3" ssTHDP and cutout,3"single shot, CK Stage 2 w/brake and deep pan, 3200 pro torque,UMI LCA's, Global West rear sway, Eaton posi,Scanmaster, AR 23 wheels, Glass bumpers front and rear(yeah yeah Grumpy I know..)Tbs.com mini starter,Coming soon HR motor mounts.. blah blah blah. Vanity:JUSTASIX

10-21-2004, 10:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
chrisgarrett46 Out, damned knock Join Date: May 2004 Location: Highland Park, ILLinois Posts: 5,588	A used, dirty tube of Loctite-what realism! __________________ Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. 2008 rebuild, Comp roller cam, Cat stroker, RJC gridle, CPT66BB, PTE Stock Location IC, Champion iron, T&D roller rockers, 60# Mototron injectors w/Turbotweak chip, Monroe-ported throttlebody, RJC Power Plate, Jimmy-built trans w/Precision Vigilante converter, ATR SS dual exhaust, ATR rear sway, BMR upper and lower control arms, Edelbrock Performance shocks, Razor alky, Tinman cold air intake, MT street radials. Oh, and Russ Merritt spark plug wires.

10-21-2004, 09:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
87natty Register Boozer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South San Diego Posts: 3,733	I'm digging this. Good work Orlando. __________________ 'What do you know about surfing? You're from G*ddamn New Jersey!'

10-21-2004, 07:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
brandon87gta Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 223	Mike, Great write up on the 4.1L, I will definitely be on the lookout for one to build in the future. Thanks. Brandon

10-22-2004, 10:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
Zap Boorn Looser Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 21,257	How about an article on transmissions? I heard there is a guy in Sacramento, California who really knows his stuff! Maybe you could convince him to write an article for turbobuicks.com!! : me making a quick getaway ---> __________________ In 1970, Dr. John Goodfellow astounded the Scientific community with his incredible invention, the "Idiot Magnet". Unfortunately, just as he was about to leave the USA for a European tour, he stopped over in Washington D.C. for a brief demonstration. The magnet has been stuck there, immovable, ever since Join the NRA

10-23-2004, 08:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
Scottie-GNZ Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Orlando, FL, USA Posts: 1,568	My cabobulator spits out 456RWHP for a 3800# beast running 11.69 @ 115.5. Considering the TA49 on the 4.1L is like a stocker on a 109, I wonder what some Champion irons, matched intake and 26# from a TE45 would add? I rode in the car at 17# and the torque gets your attention. ....and that growl __________________

10-23-2004, 10:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
Just a Six?? I Buried Beachbum Here! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 10,628	Great Reading there! Thanks!! __________________ 87 LTD. Purchased May 88 Doeskin leather, coach lites, moonroof & carpeted trunk. No Factory Hood Ornament! Special order by the VP of GM Canada! Not another like it! Lots of Go Fast goodies! 11.5 is as Fast as I go! Thats what the track told me! It's a Small World, but I wouldn't want to Paint It!! PS: My name is David & I have One screen name everywhere!

10-31-2004, 06:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
Kendall Frederick Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Orange Park, FL Posts: 1,107	Mike, Is there an easy way to navigate to these articles that I'm missing? Maybe put a link under "Resources"? __________________ Kendall Frederick Orange Park, FL "More miles on the bike than in a Buick in 2005-6" SecondHand Six Racing

11-02-2004, 06:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
SNEARING Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Colonial Heights, VA Posts: 26	Nice! __________________ 87 GN 10.26@134 S2 in progress 05 GTO 13.002@107.99, stock with nittos

11-03-2004, 12:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
turbo heaven Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oshawa Posts: 951	Great article, I was wondering if there was a lot of difference between this 4.1 and a stage 2 4.1 I assume its not the same??? __________________ 87 Hard Top Grand National Steel main caps Stage one ported heads with 1.77 valves Ported intake with 62 mm throttle body TE 45 Turbo with 66 impeller Terry Houston Downpipe Modified ECM with 55# injectors 210/205 cam Best time of 11.7 @ 118.5 and 1.8 60' Second ride 68 Camaro With Stage 2 Buick Motor lots of stuff on it..........

11-03-2004, 01:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
GASOLINE Experimental Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 16	Great article, especially the smokey tire picture! Great photographer! Noticed the stock bottom end 4.1 and wondered at what point do you start being concerned? Any noticeable differences between the 4.1 and 3.8 on the bottom end? Thanks for your thoughts! __________________ Tom Willisford 1969 GS400 Convertible 1972 464 Custom - Montana Blue! Last edited by GASOLINE : 11-03-2004 at 01:23 PM.

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