87 Park Avenue...what can i do with this?

[87buick]

I got this 1987 Buick Park Avenue as my first car for $500, its in pretty good shape has a small dent, the worse thing about it was that the previous owners were smokers, but im taking it to a detailer for that so what i really want to know is what can i do with this?

It has a 3.8L V6 and is front wheel drive so the engine is sideways( its probably called sumthin else, but im not very uh mechanical) and i want to upgrade it performance wise, but i dont really know what i can do with it.

Its been really well taken car off the previous owner babied it and changed the oil and replaced everything when it needed it, so i was wondering if anyone had any suggestions...

[wrightz28]

Originally Posted by 87buick

what i really want to know is what can i do with this?

You could hand it over this way

Realisticaly, this car is not intended to be a performer, just an all around reliable vehicle with decent power for the size. The introduction of the Ultra took care of the aspect of a little more go fast needed in the Electra Park Ave.

I have to say after owning my 87 for closer to 8 years now, it's the best car I've had because it's just so reliable. I rebuilt the motor and trans When we first bought it at 72k on the clock, and truely had to do nothing since to it but change oil and deal with the common electrical issues here and there. Now at almost 120k, the motor and trans are still humming away, body is still holding, but the suspension and steering is in trouble. All and all, I can't complain, 400 to buy, 500 ti fix, I got my money's worth out of it.

[Alibi]

Welcome to AF! Be sure to check out the LeSabre forums, the Olds 88/98 forums, and the Pontiac Bonneville forums too. You have a GM C body (like an olds 98, I believe) and the others I listed are GM H Body cars, very very similar to each other. Your syle of car ran from 86 to 90 (maybe 91, cant remember) so you have lots of parts to choose from at a junkyard

Series I 3800's are hard to upgrade, unless you wanna go crazy with it. Generally, the best power boosts are gained from opening up the exhaust (hi-flow cat, hi-flow muffler), and opening up the intake (ram air tube in a cold air induction box is best). Other mods include adding a strut tower brace (I have a spare if you wanna PM me for more info), Delco-Style coils (http://www.thejmfc.com/autos/delcoignition.html), sporty tires, larger sway bars, fog lights, CD player, and a set of SilverStars headlights.

Holy crap, I just named most of what is in my car (Lesabre, very similar body style)....dang...I'm going to run out of projects soon

Anyway, it is great, reliable car with an almost indestructible engine that will undoubtedly outlive the body. If you have an 87, you have either a Vin B or a VIN 3 (8th digit in VIN) engine, FYI. The transaxle (tranny) is sideways because it is front wheel drive