GRAND NATIONAL

[Toomey Banshee]

Thinking about buying a Grand National. Anyone have one? Someone told me they're alot like Banshees. Always tinkering. All input is appreciated.

 

Thanks.

 

Bob

[So Cal Suspension]

Thinking about buying a Grand National. Anyone have one? Someone told me they're alot like Banshees. Always tinkering. All input is appreciated.

 

Thanks.

 

Bob

 

My cousin has two matching ones. He keeps one around for a parts car, if that gives you an idea... TONS of fun to drive though. GN's are one of those cars that you pull up to the line with, and they don't expect anything. VERY cheap to mod, also. With a few mods to the turbo, and a front mount... those things will run in the deep 12's.

[Toomey Banshee]

Thanks Matt. I've always wanted one. Have some extra funds available, gonna start the search process soon. T-Tops are a must.

[So Cal Suspension]

Thanks Matt. I've always wanted one. Have some extra funds available, gonna start the search process soon. T-Tops are a must.

 

The t-tops are nice, but a PAIN IN THE ASS to take on and off... The car should come with a mini ratchet in the center console, and there is one bolt in the outside rear corner that holds them on. If that bolt strips out... goodbye quiet ride. The car my cousin drives has one bolt stripped out. It's noisy as hell now... But still fun to drive, nonetheless.

[So Cal Suspension]

Just thought about another car that is fun as hell to drive. A Thunderbird SC. You can pick them up for a dime a dozen. Supercharged 3.8l v6. There's quite a big aftermarket for them. I used to have a 1990 35th anniversary SC. (hence the matt SC esc). Go check SCCOA.com, there's quite a bit of info on there about them.

[Toomey Banshee]

I've narrowed it down to the GN or a new Camaro. Was thinking about an 02 Ram air Trans am, too gaudy for my taste. Nice ride though. I've had an 80 Vette, 79 Trans Am, 85 Z-28, and an old Plymouth Fury with a 440 police interceptor. Probably the fastest ride I've had. I've read GM may come out with a new Z-28. Gonna take my time.

[Phelps]

i took my first ride in one the other day. it had been setting for 5 years and needed a fuel pump, tank, and a tune up. fired up sputtered for about a mile then hello power! i was used to driving a 455rwhp mustang and i still had respect for the GN after driving it.

 

as far as dependability i don't have a clue, but what is better than seeing a car pull up that you cant hear and when the tree drops it lifts the front wheels?

 

YEAH!!!!!!

[wesw]

used to own a we4 87 model loved that car

 

put a bigger turbo on it after stock one went out

 

full shift kit boiled the tires grabbing sec was a true blast adn that fucker got 22 mpg if you keep your foot out of it

 

 

www.turbobuick.com is a site to read up on them

 

you can make them scream just have to have the wallet

[Toomey Banshee]

Thanks for the replies. I've been lurking on the turbo buick website for a few years now Wes. Just made my first post the other day. Very informative site as well. Any tips on what I should look for as problem areas on these cars?

 

Thanks again.

 

Bob

[wesw]

well shit they are old cars so body rust will be an issuse

 

tranny probably will need rebuilt especially if you going to put power to it.

full shift kit and new stall convertor.

 

the 87s are the best model to get.

 

its all in what you can get.

 

different chips can cause issues by adding to much timing othere are way to safe its hard to keep up with all the bs.

 

just basically have to drive the car and see how it acts.

 

most of them are good solid cars just its all in how they were taken care of.

[KickStartMyHeart]

My boss has a grand national that he bought brand new. Im not sure of the year, but Ive ridden in it and it is a sick car. I just saw it in his garage last weekend actually. It has super low miles on it. I think less than 20k actually. All original and untouched. I had an 04 GTO. Yeah I know they were plain jane, but they were easy to make really fast. Mine was a high eleven low 12 second car. Easy to mod and relativley cheap to mod.