thinking of getting a 85 GN with 87 drivetrain, good for a First GN?

bpjr07 · 09-02-2007, 12:34 PM

yeah im a noob at turbo buicks and just wanted to get your advice on a car im gettin.
Its a 85 GN with an 87 engine Camed and Girtled everything else on the engine is stock.
and whats are thee differnce between a 85 and 86 or 87 GN is it just the drive train.
just wanted to know if i will have a lot of troubles because it is a different engine?
This car will be used as a daily driver, imma go see it today please give me your advice.
Thanks

CUTLASS85 · 09-02-2007, 02:41 PM

many will nail you to the cross for wanting it as a daily beater....

as far as the swap goes it has no potential problems.. what kind of "documented" miles are on the engine, trans, and car??

Turbo Regal Web Site = your new best friend

The Turbo Regal Buyer's Guide should be helpful for the checkout and testdrive

bpjr07 · 09-02-2007, 04:15 PM

yeah it is my bf already read pretty much all the website and the test drve section been lookin for a gn for 3 months now

CUTLASS85 · 09-02-2007, 04:29 PM

do you two have a car to share when it breaks??

I shouldnt talk I bought one as my driver and it was my only car... what better way to learn how to fix something when you need the car to get to work to pay for it...

a few more would chime in if we knew any further details about the car

bpjr07 · 09-02-2007, 08:41 PM

yeah I have backups well it I'm gonna pay 6500 and nice paint and registration is good don't know any more info interiors good too
also what kind of difference will the cammed and girdle engine make? gussle more Gas?

ES · 09-02-2007, 08:56 PM

My Q would be why did someone cam & girdle a stock car?
Was this a race car returned to stock so it would sell?

The value of this car [IMO] will not go up because it is a clone but if the swap was done correctly the price does not sound bad.
This would be a better car for a DD as you are not worried about devaluation.
That's why I like my salvage titled car, I don't worry about the devaluation.

boostfreak · 09-02-2007, 09:52 PM

I have an "85" with an "87" engine. No diference whatsoever. I would make sure they used the wiring harness from the 87, though. Make sure the tranny is from the 87, too. Mine still had the trans from the 85, which has a lower performance valve body in it. "Jimmy" from Mundelein, Ill. fixed mine up to shift hard.

Another thing, the 85 GN has the fuel filter in a completely different place than the 87. Whoever did the swap in my car never put one in at all!

bpjr07 · 09-03-2007, 12:25 AM

yeah so ill check on that I might go see it tommorow but how do I figure out that it is a 87 wire harness or 85 trnny? just checking if there is any was any way yup its gonna be my first car too I'm thinking of just rebuilding the engine and making it stock and starting from there. since I saving a few grand by getting a clone.

jt-type · 09-03-2007, 01:23 AM

as stated above if the conversion is done right, it would be a great car to learn how to fix

boostfreak · 09-03-2007, 09:53 AM

87 tranny will have "BRF" on the tag. There are a few extra sensors on the intercooled harness. One I know for sure the hot air harness didn't have was a sensor mounted in the air filter box or directly in the air filter neck if it has a K&N. I believe it is an intake air temp sensor. If it has one, you're good to go.

MR Buick · 09-03-2007, 10:07 AM

Also, the 85 harness doesn't have the relays or plug for the electric fan.The 85 used a clutch fan.

bpjr07 · 09-03-2007, 12:13 PM

alright guys thanks so im going to try and see it before work ill keep all of this in mind.
still wondering whys it cammed but if its runs nice passes the Turbo Regals buyers guide ill buy it.

CanGN · 09-03-2007, 12:21 PM

i have an 87 conversion as well, and the fuel filter problem that was mentioned is the case with mine as well, none was put in, i will be replacing the lines to 87 ones this year, other than that i would say it is not a bad way to go for a car you want to drive and don't care about how much you drive it, isnt that the reason to buy one of these cars for most of us, to drive, i wouldnt worry about the resale value, just drive and enjoy.

bpjr07 · 09-03-2007, 06:17 PM

FUGE!!!

i went to go see it today and the guys telling me that its his daily driver and that is fast. Earlier i emailed him that if really was an LC2 with SFI turbo he said yes.
well i get there pop the hood and its a 85 engine

!!!
the guy was plying it off like he took it to a place and the converted the engine to an 86!!!!!!

D U M B A S S!
so he said he'll sell it for 6,000 i laughed and left.
thanks for all the help though and i might just want to find a nice clone instead of a real one. less i need to worry.

tony moore · 09-03-2007, 08:19 PM

where are you at? i have a solid 85 i need to sale!

09-02-2007, 12:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
bpjr07 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 29	thinking of getting a 85 GN with 87 drivetrain, good for a First GN? yeah im a noob at turbo buicks and just wanted to get your advice on a car im gettin. Its a 85 GN with an 87 engine Camed and Girtled everything else on the engine is stock. and whats are thee differnce between a 85 and 86 or 87 GN is it just the drive train. just wanted to know if i will have a lot of troubles because it is a different engine? This car will be used as a daily driver, imma go see it today please give me your advice. Thanks

09-02-2007, 02:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
CUTLASS85 weather jock Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Charles Town WV Posts: 1,076	many will nail you to the cross for wanting it as a daily beater.... as far as the swap goes it has no potential problems.. what kind of "documented" miles are on the engine, trans, and car?? Turbo Regal Web Site = your new best friend The Turbo Regal Buyer's Guide should be helpful for the checkout and testdrive __________________ 07 Legacy Spec.B -- DP, UTEC w/ "stage 2" map, K&N....shopping for next best mod 86 T-type god i love turbo regals...Te 44, Kb big boy fmic, blue tops, power plate, big mouth cold air, 3 Inch tourqe tech exhuast with ultra flows,hotwired walboro 307, smc alky,MT DRs, LT1 MAF w/trans, stage 2 CK performance trans w/protorque 3000 D5 restall, SM, DS, Extender Chip... waiting for UMI uppers and lowers, mortron 60#'s, SS 3" DP, and some other stuff in boxes sitting in the garage to go on My webshots

09-02-2007, 04:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
CUTLASS85 weather jock Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Charles Town WV Posts: 1,076	do you two have a car to share when it breaks?? I shouldnt talk I bought one as my driver and it was my only car... what better way to learn how to fix something when you need the car to get to work to pay for it... a few more would chime in if we knew any further details about the car __________________ 07 Legacy Spec.B -- DP, UTEC w/ "stage 2" map, K&N....shopping for next best mod 86 T-type god i love turbo regals...Te 44, Kb big boy fmic, blue tops, power plate, big mouth cold air, 3 Inch tourqe tech exhuast with ultra flows,hotwired walboro 307, smc alky,MT DRs, LT1 MAF w/trans, stage 2 CK performance trans w/protorque 3000 D5 restall, SM, DS, Extender Chip... waiting for UMI uppers and lowers, mortron 60#'s, SS 3" DP, and some other stuff in boxes sitting in the garage to go on My webshots

09-02-2007, 08:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
bpjr07 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 29	yeah I have backups well it I'm gonna pay 6500 and nice paint and registration is good don't know any more info interiors good too also what kind of difference will the cammed and girdle engine make? gussle more Gas? Last edited by bpjr07 : 09-02-2007 at 08:56 PM.

09-02-2007, 08:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
ES Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: tx Posts: 1,452	My Q would be why did someone cam & girdle a stock car? Was this a race car returned to stock so it would sell? The value of this car [IMO] will not go up because it is a clone but if the swap was done correctly the price does not sound bad. This would be a better car for a DD as you are not worried about devaluation. That's why I like my salvage titled car, I don't worry about the devaluation. __________________ 86 GN 98 - Regal GS 69 - 442

09-02-2007, 04:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
bpjr07 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 29	yeah it is my bf already read pretty much all the website and the test drve section been lookin for a gn for 3 months now

09-02-2007, 09:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
boostfreak Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West Allis WI. Posts: 31	I have an "85" with an "87" engine. No diference whatsoever. I would make sure they used the wiring harness from the 87, though. Make sure the tranny is from the 87, too. Mine still had the trans from the 85, which has a lower performance valve body in it. "Jimmy" from Mundelein, Ill. fixed mine up to shift hard. Another thing, the 85 GN has the fuel filter in a completely different place than the 87. Whoever did the swap in my car never put one in at all! __________________ Te-60, gn1 front mount, 60lb mototrons, ported 8445's with bigger valves, TT chip, volt booster, 10" 3300 stall lockup. Last edited by boostfreak : 09-02-2007 at 09:54 PM.

09-03-2007, 12:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
bpjr07 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 29	yeah so ill check on that I might go see it tommorow but how do I figure out that it is a 87 wire harness or 85 trnny? just checking if there is any was any way yup its gonna be my first car too I'm thinking of just rebuilding the engine and making it stock and starting from there. since I saving a few grand by getting a clone.

09-03-2007, 01:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
jt-type only a six Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 52	as stated above if the conversion is done right, it would be a great car to learn how to fix __________________ 1985 Buick Regal T-Type with 87 engine bored .30 over, forged pistons, Redone heads, eibach lowering springs, . Brakes not workin 1997 Chevy silverado stock with flowmasters. Daily Driver

09-03-2007, 09:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
boostfreak Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West Allis WI. Posts: 31	87 tranny will have "BRF" on the tag. There are a few extra sensors on the intercooled harness. One I know for sure the hot air harness didn't have was a sensor mounted in the air filter box or directly in the air filter neck if it has a K&N. I believe it is an intake air temp sensor. If it has one, you're good to go. __________________ Te-60, gn1 front mount, 60lb mototrons, ported 8445's with bigger valves, TT chip, volt booster, 10" 3300 stall lockup.

09-03-2007, 10:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
MR Buick Post Ho Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: ME Posts: 3,500	Also, the 85 harness doesn't have the relays or plug for the electric fan.The 85 used a clutch fan. __________________ My GNs

09-03-2007, 12:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
bpjr07 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 29	alright guys thanks so im going to try and see it before work ill keep all of this in mind. still wondering whys it cammed but if its runs nice passes the Turbo Regals buyers guide ill buy it.

09-03-2007, 12:21 PM	#13 (permalink)
CanGN Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: BC Canada Posts: 16	i have an 87 conversion as well, and the fuel filter problem that was mentioned is the case with mine as well, none was put in, i will be replacing the lines to 87 ones this year, other than that i would say it is not a bad way to go for a car you want to drive and don't care about how much you drive it, isnt that the reason to buy one of these cars for most of us, to drive, i wouldnt worry about the resale value, just drive and enjoy. __________________ 87GN ta49, 009, razors alky,tt chip.., hooker exhaust with cutout, gbodyparts stock loc ic, thdp, MT drag radials

09-03-2007, 06:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
bpjr07 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 29	FUGE!!! i went to go see it today and the guys telling me that its his daily driver and that is fast. Earlier i emailed him that if really was an LC2 with SFI turbo he said yes. well i get there pop the hood and its a 85 engine!!! the guy was plying it off like he took it to a place and the converted the engine to an 86!!!!!! D U M B A S S! so he said he'll sell it for 6,000 i laughed and left. thanks for all the help though and i might just want to find a nice clone instead of a real one. less i need to worry.

09-03-2007, 08:19 PM	#15 (permalink)
tony moore old skool Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: South carolina Posts: 3,718	where are you at? i have a solid 85 i need to sale! __________________ 86 grand national 2nd owner t tops, digital dash and few other options. bone stock no mods(yet!!) brought back from the dead. new paint and interior 85 regal t type clone, blue in and out , carb. turbo stock engine , no ecm, msd btm,holley blue fuel pump, 650 holley double pump carb. 3.73 gear with mini spool,all the gauges, stock trans and conv. slow but fun!!

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