New Car worth hopping up?

Frambo · 06-29-2008, 12:41 AM

Hello,

I have been a very big fan of the Grand Nationals for years. I do plan on purchasing a GN in the near future but came across what I think was a fairly good deal. It is a 1980 Firebird with the 3.8 V6. The car only have 33k original miles. My question is: is this the same block that was in some of the Grand Nationals? I think it could be a pretty cool sleeper car with a turbo, heads, etc.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Jim

Zap's Master and Superior · 06-29-2008, 12:53 AM

That idea is so bad that it sounds like some sort of joke.

Please forgive me if you were being serious.

Frambo · 06-29-2008, 01:00 AM

Really no joke! Sorry, I just do not know the difference between the motor in the car currently and a motor from a GN. I do understand the basics such as no turbo, different heads, cam, valves, etc. Basically curious if the block is the same. I have built several SBC and BBC Chevy but honestly have no idea about the Buick 3.8. The more ridiculous it is, the more I want to do it. The "off the wall" cars are the coolest in my opinion.

earlbrown · 06-29-2008, 01:11 AM

Chevy 3.8 and BOP 3.8's aren't anywhere near the same thing. Completely different engines.

Frambo · 06-29-2008, 02:01 AM

Thanks! I really appreciate the information! I will most likely search for a GN motor and tranny. OR maybe before the GN motor try a very large amount of Nitro to push the limits of the current 110 HP to 200 HP and watch it blow!

Zap's Master and Superior · 06-29-2008, 05:36 AM

Video it. I wanna see. For future reference the easy way to tell if its a Buick 3.8 engine is there will be either a cam sensor or distributor mounted in the top of the front timing cover.

ULYCYC · 06-29-2008, 08:55 AM

Sounds like a nice daily driver. Keep it that way and save for the GN you always' wanted

tony moore · 06-29-2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ULYCYC

Sounds like a nice daily driver. Keep it that way and save for the GN you always' wanted

now thats some good advice right thar!!

beachbum · 06-29-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony moore

now thats some good advice right thar!!

"Hopped up" any 2.8 S-10's lately?

tony moore · 06-29-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachbum

"Hopped up" any 2.8 S-10's lately?

NO!! i got up to 55mph and ''Hopped'' out!!

i still like my little 89 mustang convertable 4 banger though!!

Frambo · 06-29-2008, 01:47 PM

i may just keep it as a daily driver. I purchased the car for $600. the car had been sitting under a tree in the mountains for over 10 years! The body is perfect with the exception of the paint. even the paint is not too bad considering the time it has been sitting. The strange think is that the #2 rod bearing is bad. i am in the process today of replacing the bearing and hopefully taking it for a spin!

thanks for all of the responses!

jim

Frambo · 06-29-2008, 03:29 PM

According to all history records this model of Firebird was equipped with a 3.8 Buick V6 motor. The distributor is mounted on the front oil pump/timing cover.

BLACK6PACK · 06-29-2008, 03:42 PM

Maybe turbofish will come in and confirm it is a buick motor. Even still you're looking at $2000 worth of stuff to convert it to a turbo car, and a lot of work, and that's not including the trans back. All the electronics will have to be swapped over, fuel lines, gas tank, transmission, rear end etc.

ULYCYC · 06-29-2008, 04:11 PM

Should be eng code A = Buick 3.8

Frambo · 06-29-2008, 04:45 PM

I located this number on the sticker under the hood. It is 25506765. Is this a engine ID? Head ID?
Also, how do I locate the Code "A"? Is this in the VIN? Or the engine block?
I am getting ready to crawl under the car a little later today to locate the stamped number on the block.

06-29-2008, 12:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Frambo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7	New Car worth hopping up? Hello, I have been a very big fan of the Grand Nationals for years. I do plan on purchasing a GN in the near future but came across what I think was a fairly good deal. It is a 1980 Firebird with the 3.8 V6. The car only have 33k original miles. My question is: is this the same block that was in some of the Grand Nationals? I think it could be a pretty cool sleeper car with a turbo, heads, etc. Thoughts? Thanks, Jim

06-29-2008, 12:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
Zap's Master and Superior Spiritual Advisor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: 147 MLK blvd. The Great Wall Of China Suburbs : Section 8 Posts: 3,232	That idea is so bad that it sounds like some sort of joke. Please forgive me if you were being serious. __________________ Yao Min-Wood ♦ DSR's Minister of Foreign Affairs Member #69 The Gayest statement made on the internet EVER. TBS.com most memorable quote EVER.

06-29-2008, 01:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
Frambo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7	NO Joke Really no joke! Sorry, I just do not know the difference between the motor in the car currently and a motor from a GN. I do understand the basics such as no turbo, different heads, cam, valves, etc. Basically curious if the block is the same. I have built several SBC and BBC Chevy but honestly have no idea about the Buick 3.8. The more ridiculous it is, the more I want to do it. The "off the wall" cars are the coolest in my opinion.

06-29-2008, 01:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
earlbrown Iheartporn Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: lagrange ga Posts: 3,477	Chevy 3.8 and BOP 3.8's aren't anywhere near the same thing. Completely different engines. __________________ PORN: It's not just for breakfast, lunch, and dinner anymore

06-29-2008, 02:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
Frambo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7	thanks for the info! Thanks! I really appreciate the information! I will most likely search for a GN motor and tranny. OR maybe before the GN motor try a very large amount of Nitro to push the limits of the current 110 HP to 200 HP and watch it blow!

06-29-2008, 05:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
Zap's Master and Superior Spiritual Advisor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: 147 MLK blvd. The Great Wall Of China Suburbs : Section 8 Posts: 3,232	Video it. I wanna see. For future reference the easy way to tell if its a Buick 3.8 engine is there will be either a cam sensor or distributor mounted in the top of the front timing cover. __________________ Yao Min-Wood ♦ DSR's Minister of Foreign Affairs Member #69 The Gayest statement made on the internet EVER. TBS.com most memorable quote EVER.

06-29-2008, 08:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
ULYCYC Fuhgeddaboudit Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 16,500	Sounds like a nice daily driver. Keep it that way and save for the GN you always' wanted __________________ ED BAKER 87-T, Maplight equipped rear view mirror.. 93 PARK AVE"SUPERCHARGED" BPG#1458 My Photo Page buickperformancegroup.com "As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."---H.L. Mencken 1927

06-29-2008, 01:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
Frambo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7	may keep it as a daily driver i may just keep it as a daily driver. I purchased the car for $600. the car had been sitting under a tree in the mountains for over 10 years! The body is perfect with the exception of the paint. even the paint is not too bad considering the time it has been sitting. The strange think is that the #2 rod bearing is bad. i am in the process today of replacing the bearing and hopefully taking it for a spin! thanks for all of the responses! jim

06-29-2008, 03:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
Frambo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7	I think it is a Buick motor? According to all history records this model of Firebird was equipped with a 3.8 Buick V6 motor. The distributor is mounted on the front oil pump/timing cover.

06-29-2008, 03:42 PM	#13 (permalink)
BLACK6PACK Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,018	Maybe turbofish will come in and confirm it is a buick motor. Even still you're looking at $2000 worth of stuff to convert it to a turbo car, and a lot of work, and that's not including the trans back. All the electronics will have to be swapped over, fuel lines, gas tank, transmission, rear end etc.

06-29-2008, 04:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
ULYCYC Fuhgeddaboudit Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 16,500	Should be eng code A = Buick 3.8 __________________ ED BAKER 87-T, Maplight equipped rear view mirror.. 93 PARK AVE"SUPERCHARGED" BPG#1458 My Photo Page buickperformancegroup.com "As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."---H.L. Mencken 1927

06-29-2008, 04:45 PM	#15 (permalink)
Frambo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7	Engine ID?? I located this number on the sticker under the hood. It is 25506765. Is this a engine ID? Head ID? Also, how do I locate the Code "A"? Is this in the VIN? Or the engine block? I am getting ready to crawl under the car a little later today to locate the stamped number on the block.

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