Buddies Grand National

[tonypeoni]

This has got to be the coolest Buick ever I mean its a part McLaren! He stole this thing too I mean dirt cheap. Its a one owner in near mint shape no bodywork no stories.

[Jays72T]

Sweet, love GNs.

[k9handler]

very cool...what do you mean part McLaren?

[tonypeoni]

Originally posted by k9handler
very cool...what do you mean part McLaren?

"The Darth Vader Car"

With the help of McLaren Engines, the Grand National was transformed in the GNX, one of the quickest cars produced in North America in the 1980s.

The turbocharged V6 of the Grand National was completely reworked by McLaren Engines. The turbo and intercooler were both upgraded and the engine's computer was reprogrammed. The four speed automatic gearbox received its own oil cooler. These modifications resulted in a stunning performance increase, bringing the boxy Regal on par with contemporary sports cars.

The GNX was capable of 0-60 in just 4.7 seconds instead of 5.7 seconds listed in the factory data. Eventually the Grand National and GNX were discontinued, but still are prized today, as a low cost, high performance car for tearing up the quarter mile.

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=2302
http://www.gnxregistry.com/GNX_facts_figures_and_myths.htm

[k9handler]

ok just didn't know that connection...have seen the GN's at the track a few times and yep they are fast!

[widgeon13]

State Police in CT had them when they first came out, that didn't last long but must have been fun, better than a Crown Vic.

[tonypeoni]

A cop in a Grand National. I can only imagine what It must have been like to see one of these in your rear view mirror.

[widgeon13]

They also had tinted windows, pretty Darth Vader. They used them for sleepers.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Pretty damn cool sleepers, most of the modern Fast & Furious crowd would have no idea what a GNX can do. Though my favorite was the Regal T-type, essentially a box stock looking Regal with the GN powertrain. One of the best sleepers of all time.

[tonypeoni]

Looks wise this car definitely is a sleeper. The exhaust system is not think rat motor. I dont know how they got a 3800 do it but its mean.

[89911]

Cool car, but what do you do with it other then smoking tires at redlights? I can't see it being much of a handler.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally posted by 89911
Cool car, but what do you do with it other then smoking tires at redlights? I can't see it being much of a handler.

It's a muscle car, that's what it is supposed to do. 1/4 mile at a time.

[FastCarFan]

McLaren Engines was (is?) a seperate company from McLaren Cars. I don't know, but at one time it may have been part of the same company, but by the time of the GNX they were different companies.

McLaren Engines was part of McLaren Automotive Group, headquartered in the Detroit area. Again, McLaren Automotive Group was a seperate company from the McLaren Cars.

Some may recall the ASC/McLaren Mercuri Capri of the mid-80s.

[CurtEgerer]

McLaren is in Livonia, Michigan. They've been there since the 60's and originally built the McLaren CanAm engines. After that, they became an independent company from McLaren International who runs the F1 team.

Cool cars, but the GNX's performance is more myth than fact - that's what makes them valuable to collectors I suppose. There's no way a GNX runs 0-60 in 4.7! The factory number of 5.5 sounds possible IF you can get the turbo and the tires to somehow hook up (no traction control).

GNX is 276HP @ 3600 pounds. Compare to an e46 M3 with 60 more HP, no turbo to lag, 200 pounds less weight and all the electronic aids needed to use it = 4.8 seconds. Of course, if you read the BMW boards, you'll find guys claiming they can run 4.3 in a stock M3 too ...

[Tobra]

Originally posted by Jays72T
Sweet, love GNs.

yeah man.

You put a good posi rear end with big sticky tires, little better intercooler and increase the boost just a little you can get one of those to run 12's, seen it done.

[TerryH]

I've owned a GN for the last 10 years. Nice shape, but not like the one Tony posted. The car is made for cruising or dragging although some guys have modded them and are very competitive at autoX.

Bolting on a few parts with a stock block, I'm running 11.9's 1/4 mile. This is fully loaded with A/C and electric everything. For the track I change chips, race gas (cp16 118 leaded octane) produces 26 psi boost, and drag radials. Any faster and I'm forced to install a cage, so I'm pretty much done working on performance for now.

The Hurst Lightning Rods come from the mid 80's Hurst Olds.

Here's stats from Car and Driver. The 0-60 times are respectable at 4.9. I believe 4.7 for the GNX is very probable.

[k9handler]

yep that is just one very cool car, not your golfers Buick.

[tonypeoni]

I believe in reality the GNX horsepower was far underrated.
Factory quote of 275 but in reality it was closer to 350.

[kaisen]

The GNX was the only McLaren /ASC Grand National. They easily did mid-four-second 0-60 times. Those who doubt should find someone to take them for a ride in one. Wicked fast.

FWIW, Menard used basically stock turbo 3800 blocks in their Indy cars.

Today is 07/07/07, and the first GNX I ever 'met' was chassis number 777.

[TerryH]

One restriction was the factory limited 14 psi boost. Even with crappy 91 octane, 17-18 psi does not cause knock with a well tuned motor. So I would say those published HP numbers were well understated. Insurance companies never like turbocharged anything and maybe the under-rated hp save some owners from higher premiums.

The 86-87 GN's and GNX's were the fastest US production cars of their day. One rumor is GM made Buick stop production because their flagship Corvette's performance paled in comparison.