Newbie--86 GN TE 45 Question

Welcome to the "dark side" and purchasing your new beast. The buildup sounds great and it can be used as a daily driver and be totally tame as long as you keep your foot out of it. Most turbos at pump gas level (91 in CA) no matter what the size perform very similar to each other and it isn't until you go to 20psi+ that you will see a big difference. In your case probably 150hp+ vs. running 15psi to 25psi and high timing.

I would not turn up the boost on your car any higher than 15-16psi on 91 octane with a low timing chip to be safe. If you want to run higher boost/timing look into either alchy injection or Propain injection as there are a few kits out.

If you don't have a scantool get one. ScanMaster, TurboLink, DirectScan are all good ways to tune. ScanMaster is a self contained unit about the size of a radar detector, and the TL and DS need a laptop to run the programs that then plug into the service port under your dash/console that finally ties in with the ECM.

With all those mods your car should run some high 10's on 100 octane (unleaded) and 21-22* timing chip with 22-23psi. With 116 leaded race gas and 26* timing chip with 25psi+ you should be able to go mid/low 10's depending upon traction and weight of your car.

If you want to join the NorCal Turbobuick Organization email me: [email protected] and I'll forward your info on the appropriate party to contact to get on our messageboard. They went to Sac Raceway this Saturday and raced. Members with 8 second cars all the way up to 14 second cars. They have meetings 1x month in the SouthBay and BBQ's every few months with racing events every few months also.

-Mark

I reread your post and see that you have alchy and a ScanMaster already..... Car should be a fun street toy. I like to add in a gallon of Xylene (119 octane) or Tuolene (117 octane) from Sherman Williams (Paint Store) to increase octane level for a little more buffer zone if you are running 20psi+ boost levels. You may not need it... but it is cheap insurance vs. melting a piston or blowing a headgasket. Sign up for a free business account and you can get the 5 gallon containers for $30 or so.

7 gallons of 91 octane
3 gallons of Xylene
2 ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil (for lubrication)
yields
99.5 octane

Just adding 1 gallon of Xylene or Tuolene raises the 91 octane level a few points (92/93/94) depending upon how much gas is left in the tank.

It is at least a good idea if you plan to go racing. Also remember that air temperature outside plays a huge role in how the car runs and how much boost you can make before detonation starts to show up. Cool mornings your car will feel insanely fast and warm afternoons it will feel sluggish sometimes.

-GNX7