Tune up for 87 Buick Grand National

[John T.]

I'm debating on either tuning up my 87 GN myself or having my mechanic do it. I would rather do it myself so I can get a better feel for this car.

What do you Pro's recommend to do for a good tune up of this car besides changing spark plugs.

Thanks

[tman]

generally. plugs, wires, it's fuel injected, right? so no distributer cap and rotor. fresh oil, a new filter, new tranny filter and fluid, new differential fluid, new fuel filter, and maybe a new air filter.

[Hypsi87]

yes plugs wires all that good stuff. another thing to do is to take the intercooler out. like 3 10MM bolts and go and buy your self alike 3 or 4 cans of carb cleaner and spray it all in the intercooler. block off the ends and shake like a SOB for a while. then pour out and notice the black stuff all come out. let air dry long enough to get all the cleaner evaporated and reinstall. What you just cleaned out is oil residew. It comes form the turbo. Thoes seals in the turbo don't exacty seal 100% and a very tiny small ammount gets out into the compressor side. Don't go cheap on your plug wires. the more boost you run the harder it is to get your spark plugs to fire. I got 10MM race wire that I bought in bulk and made my own lengths and stuff. As for spark plugs don't buy any of that boch platnuim or splitfire stuff. Alot of guys that run 10 secondGN's use AC delco spark plugs I think they are R42TS, but if your are running stock boost levels get the R43TS. Also if you want to it's always a good idea to get a 160* thermostat. Use synthetic oil, it will not break down under the high heat that it is subjected to buy the turbo. It gets all sorts of hot in there . Depending on the mileage of the car and your knowledge of cars changing your valve springs is always a good idea. my motor had 81,000 miles on it and it would float the valves at 4,300 RPM not good at all. I also picked up 4 tenths of a second on my 1/4 mile time. Be good to your GN and it will be good to you. Treat it bad and it will treat you like a red headed step child.

[Integrity]

Originally Posted by Hypsi87

Also if you want to it's always a good idea to get a 160* thermostat.

I have a friend with a 86 Buick T-Type and he just bought a 160* thermostat and asked if I knew where in the engine bay it goes. I told him I don't, but I'd ask around. I did a search and found this post. Hypsi87, could you tell me where to find the thermostat?

[tman]

The thermostat is usually on most cars in a small housing on the intake manifold, where the upper radiator hose connects to the intake.

[Integrity]

Originally Posted by tman2093

The thermostat is usually on most cars in a small housing on the intake manifold, where the upper radiator hose connects to the intake.

Thanks Tman

[gnfreak]

just follow the upper hose to the engine. it's held down by a plate with 1 or 2 bolts (been awhile since i have done one) sometimes they are in there pretty tight. i just reinstall the hose and use it for leverage as im pulling and twisting. buick vendors sell a stainless replacement for pretty cheap. keith