C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

GN turbo

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Old May 31, 2008 | 10:56 AM
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Default GN turbo

A friend owns a GN repair shop, and I was talking to him about replacing the valve seals on my 87. He told me he had a built up V6 turbo, sitting in his shop, and I should install it in my 87. He also told me he has done about 6 of these. Has anyone here done this swap, if so any problems. He showed me time slips from a 90 Vette he done, it was running mid 11's. I'm not a racer , just a cruiser. Purists stay out, Jim.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 11:06 AM
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Just stick a turbo on your B8 and be that much farther ahead.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 11:26 AM
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well I need some motor work done, so just thinking, Jim.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Just stick a turbo on your B8 and be that much farther ahead.
yes a turbo V6 will make more power than the stock NA V8 but turbo said V8 and I bet you'll be making about 100 more HP than the V6.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 11:46 AM
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There was a video one time of a guy auto-crossing a C4 with a GN engine. It was sick. The engine is lighter, and is positioned more towards the center of the car allowing a better weight distribution. The car was really quick. I'd say do it.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 12:30 PM
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Do a search for "rougevette". Its a turbo 6 conversion that's a beast. If I recall it ran 9s in the 1/4.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 02:58 PM
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Can a V6 handle the 700R4?

The GN and GNX came with a 200R4

Now I wonder, any tranny Gurus? Can you explain the diference 700R4 Vs. 200R4?

Pontiac installed the Buick V6 Turbo in the Trans Am, it was for one year only. I cant remember the year.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 03:10 PM
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I believe it was 1989.
Built properly either transmission will hold up to a fair amount of power and abuse.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 03:59 PM
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if you don't want that engine, p.m. me the price your friend is asking for it. i have an 87 GN in need of a replacment motor.

eddie
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Old May 31, 2008 | 04:43 PM
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Originally Posted by 96 lt-4
I believe it was 1989.
Built properly either transmission will hold up to a fair amount of power and abuse.
There were 1500 1989 Turbo Trans Am's built. All White. All tan interior. All autos.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 05:53 PM
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GO for it! If I had a GN motor laying around like that dude has, I would totally stick it in my new 87 before doing this old 5.3L swap.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 06:38 PM
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Originally Posted by PLRX
Pontiac installed the Buick V6 Turbo in the Trans Am, it was for one year only. I cant remember the year.
1989 model year.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Aurora40
1989 model year.
Yes, I remember those cars - don't know if any of them were available from GM Canada? Seem to remember there was some discussion at the time(1988/99) of Chev/Corvette installing some of the GN turbo motors in a Special Edition C4 Vette? Don't believe anything ever came of it, tho?!
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Old May 31, 2008 | 08:58 PM
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As far as the engines go, stock for stock, the LC2 (turbo 3.8 L V6) runs on premium gas and gets worse gas mileage than the vette. Just another thing to think about. I had a friend who owned one and he complained that it barely got 20 mpg on the highway.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Jim D
well I need some motor work done, so just thinking, Jim.
If you ever turn up the wick on the GN motor youll need to upgrade the bottom end also., namely the rods.
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Old May 31, 2008 | 10:05 PM
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Those little buick v6 turbo motors make good power with not a lot of work. The cars they are in are not very light either, and go in the 10 and 11,s with minimal work. I say go for it.
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 10:23 AM
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Absolutely go for it

It will be worth it just to see the looks on faces when you pop the clamshell. Just make sure you post progress
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Iroc57
Absolutely go for it

It will be worth it just to see the looks on faces when you pop the clamshell. Just make sure you post progress
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 10:38 AM
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From experience of currently owning both an 86 GN and an 88 C4, I wouldn't do the swap. The turbo lag would drive a C4 owner nuts, and yes it would get worse mileage. I can't pull down 20 mpg with mine, and it's mostly stock. Not to say that I don't enjoy the car, it just kind of belongs in a Buick.

The GN motor isn't as kind to the driver as a TPI motor, you have to kind of time the throttle just right, too much at the wrong time and it'll respond slower, it's finicky like that.
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 10:48 AM
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Here's a pic of one:


Here's a video of another:
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