No track times yet for my car. Maybe when I get the posi in, I'll be more inclined to run it. Been sort of a chicken since it's my daily driver too. p Have a friend with a TR similarly equipped to mine that's had seat time in mine and he feel's mine may be a mid to high 12 sec car.
I'd rather have my 455 Skylark for those special days and for a daily driver... a GN with an EFI small block buick V8 with a 6 speed manuel and road race handling and brakes. I bet I could build it to get 20 mpg and while I'm at it I might throw on a procharger as well! Hey, you asked.
Best (or worst) of both worlds Bet you guys didn't think to include these guys: the guys with both -- how about a 65 skylark with an 87 turbo motor?
I built a carbureted 82 Regal with 350 buick. got 20 MPG with lockup th350. I think the turbo v-6 is a better move for performance with ecomomy.
I think that would last longer than a stock block turbo'd 455. By the way, I didn't get the T-Type It was my fault as I couln't get there in a reasonable amount of time and the guy sold it.) Just as well, I can't keep up with the junk I have now! A lesson I repeatedly have to learn.
Adam, Well since you didn't get it why not buy my 68 Skylark.....it's no turbo car but it sure is a great driver :grin:
Veeery Funny! I wanted the T pretty bad too. I decided to do a little more to the stuff I have since I perpetually work on them anyway. Ya know, somebody once told me that these cars are fun to DRIVE. I gotta quit taking stuff apart.
wheres the dinosaur gang? the guys with the twin turbo, efi, green gs? now thats a car! i love turbos so much...even my friends 2000 civic si w/ turbo on it is fun just cause of the sounds it makes daniel
Both cars have something to offer.I enjoy both my GS and GN immensely and these are truly outstanding cars.
BOTH Have owned both !! 87 GN and two BBB,and two nailheads! TORQUE TORQUE TORQUE.What else can you say that hasn't been said on this post??:grin: :grin: :3gears:
GS or GN I hope the day never comes when I have to decide which one to give up. They are like night and day. Each has a unique sound , each has a unique feel. The contrast is even greater when comparing an automatic GN to the 4 speed big block. The GN is smooth and quiet and you need to look at the speedo to know how fast you are going. The big block 4 speed is louder and jumps with each shift. The GN whistles. The GS rumbles. I consider myself very lucky to have the choice. If I was forced to choose one , it would be the GS :ball: only because my GN is 1 of 20,000 or so while my GS Stage 1 4 speed is one of, I think, 664:3gears:
I just got rid of an 86 GN that I truly loved. I recently picked up a 72 Skylark and plan on doing a big block swap eventually. At this stage I'm more interested in the older cars, but I think that's a phase. I don't have much money in the skylark so hopefully I can get it going and pick up another GN or T-type eventually. GN's are a pain in the can to work on! I'm kind of a novice mechanic and that car could be very frustrating. I'm looking forward to learning on a simpiler platform and figuring out the basic ways to build power.
Since my knowledge on cars has increased greatly from the time I first posted on this thread, and now, I must say, both are equally good choices. I would have to retract the first post. I must say, I really can't choose between the two. If someone gave me a choice of a free 1970 Buick GS Stage 1 and a 1987 Buick GN, I probably would have to do the "enee-menee-miney-mo" method, because when you compare the two, they both share good numbers/good looks/and good power. The GN and GS are so much alike, you can tell they are related to each other. :TU:
Although I've never owned a BBB car, I will some day. I've had a number of turbo cars and several brand X big block-powered cars, though, and here are a few observations: The GN has more 'street cred' than almost any other car, even the ricers respect 'em. The non-black T's and T-Types are less recognizable, and like the GS's, only the more knowledgeable onlookers truly understand the appeal of the car. Advantage - turbo car It's not unusual for a perfectly-streetable turbo car to produce 450-500 ft/lbs of torque. A car with a properly-sized turbo along and the right tune could easily fool the uninitiated passenger into thinking there's 500+ cubes under the hood. Only cars with the wrong turbos have problems with lag and poor throttle response. Another related point is that under power, a turbo car feels as if it pulls harder and harder as you stay in it. It gives the impression that there's no limit to the power available. By comparison, the 500 ft/lb 460 BBC in my Monte SS provides a very linear torqe curve - when you hit it, it pulls immediately and steadily. The rate of acceleration, while strong, does not feel like it's growing exponentially like it does in a turbo car. Advantage - turbo car The turbo cars don't make the right go-fast noises. Start one up and no crowd gathers to listen to the lumpy cam and the high compression cackle. Even uncapped, the turbo cars sound unimpressive. Consider the typical big-cammed 455 blowing through 3" exhaust and there's no comparison. Just the sound of a healthy big inch Buick breathing through big pipes is enough to make me want to own one. The sound will get anyone's blood pumping. Advantage - BBB As stated previously - ease of maintenance. While some turbo Buicks will run 11.50's for years without ever taking a valve cover off, most require an owner with some understanding of the engine and engine management system and a willingness to tinker, tune and repair. I suspect a well-built BBB requires much less attention. Advantage - BBB There's definitely something to be said about the streetability of the turbo cars. Having the capability to drive to the track with the AC on, your favorite CD in the player, wife in the front and your grandmother in the backseat is nice. It's also nice to be able to unload passengers, roll up the power windows, do a quick burnout (yes - turbo cars can do burnouts), and trailer a number of tubbed, tin-interiored open-piped 'race cars' before heading home. 500 ft/lbs, 20+ MPG, and some degree of emissions-compliance is pretty impressive for one package. Advantage - turbo car I've read about and seen many BBB cars that retain good streetability and reliability and still run into the 11's. I have tremendous respect for these cars and their owners. One day I hope to be one. And I hope to become an owner soon because as soon as the right GS or GSX rolls across the stage at Barret-Jackson they'll be outta reach. ...just my 02... Rick
Having had both, here goes: GN: Unique car, everyone likes/respects it (around here...), potential is unlimited as long as your checkbook is, too. But... cops will get you everytime, and car owner must be able to understand and solve various issues the car has along the way. There are a lot of people who claim they can work on these cars but cost the owner more in the end.... ( Been there, done that) GS/Skylark: Nostalgic era everyone loves, can be made fast for a reasonable sum of money, not everyone on your block has one. But: Many "needed" parts are too costly or are not available, cars are undervalued compared to other GM "A" body cars, and they guzzle gas. (So what...) I have the V8 Skylark now, but miss the GN. Maybe one day I'll get another one. Russ Waters 1970 Skylark Convertible 455 :3gears:
