Grand National
The name conjurs up images of the racing series for which the halo model was named. It sounds fast, and it is fast. The acronym GN strikes fear in to the hearts of drag racers everywhere because it is one of the ultimate sleepers in the sordid history of American car manufacturers. Starting from a grassroots effort in the mid-'70's to get a turbo-charged engine in to a Buick mid-size car of all things, the program culminated in the '86-87 models that utilized NASCAR technologies, were intercooled and whose power output was vastly underrated much like their muscular predecessors of the late '60s.
... But not this GN. This one was used, abused and left for dead. It was stolen and recovered. The original VIN is removed... the code plaque is destroyed on the trunk lid. The interior was trashed and is now stripped out. The original black paint and everything else save for the glass is covered very questionably with a metallic dark blue. The one major 'saving grace' for this car is that it is amazingly stock in the engine compartment. To find a GN - not to mention one this abused - with a stock intake system is borderline miraculous. So I feel lucky in that sense. However, it ran like a broken mule so I am in the process of tearing the engine down for inspection. And will most likely have to do the same with the transmission.
I do need basically a complete replacement interior, but am planning on keeping it mostly stock. I will upgrade the stereo and get the basic gauges, Scanmaster, and perhaps even someday a GNX cluster, but for now need to keep it simple.
When I changed the oil for the first time I noticed it was a very murky greenish-brown and after much speculation determined a head gasket probably blew (probably when the scumbag thieves got in to the boost a little too much). I already got the gaskets plus the required upgrades including: Walbro 304 fuel pump, a hotwire kit (to boost amperage to the fuel pump) and a billet adjustable fuel regulator. So while I have it apart, I plan on cleaning and polishing as much as I can, and installing these new parts: 50+ lb injectors, alcohol injection system, RJC intake plate, beehive valve springs, a new intake system with all new pipes and connectors, and hopefully an entirely new exhaust system including; headers, crossover, 3" downpipe, and a cat-back exhaust. My unrealistically long wish list would include: bigger turbo, front-mount intercooler and other expensive items.
So hopefully someday after getting the drivetrain sorted out this broken-spirit GN will get a full body massage ending with a dark gunmetal paint and some 18" wheels. I have MOOG springs that will lower it a bit, Metco rear control arms and will plan on upgrading much of the suspension and brake system at a later date.
Only then can this GN be reconciled.
