Project GSiX It's all Buick

Discussion in 'The "X" bodies' started by HotWired, Oct 4, 2014.

  1. HotWired

    HotWired Well-Known Member

    Ok so after 13 years of sitting around watching everyone else have their fun it was time to find some room in the shop and get started.


    I have been collecting parts and building this in my mind for years. My son is almost driving age and this is an incentive to get of the video games and work and drive/race a real car. Don't think I have lost my mind, this is my car he can build his own.:lol:


    Plan is to get this on the road minus the paint and body work and get all the bugs worked out and then blow it apart and make it nice. Mostly plan to AutoX but won't back down to take it anywhere and open it up.


    GSiX comes from combining GSX and the Turbo 6 the dot the i will be the turbo six logo.


    The plan:
    Buick Turbo 6 from Grand national
    FAST engine controller
    Switch pitch 400
    Updated suspension and braking
    Updated interior with some GN parts
    Drive the crap out of it!




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    engine set in for fittment, BGC intake, ATR stainless headers, 67 turbo, powerstroke intercooler


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    must not weight the same as the weak straight 6 it replaced nose bleed high in front


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    This might help, CPP c5 spindles, SPC upper arms,hotchkis front drop springs, C5 brakes


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    that's looking better
     
  2. ceas350

    ceas350 "THE BURNER"

    Man this is going to turn out really nice :)
     
  3. carmantx

    carmantx Never Surrender

    That should be a fun ride.
    We built our red 72 when my son was 14, finished when he was 16 and he drove it everyday to school and drag raced it every other weekend and it was a great time. I never made a pass in it, always him, same with my convertible. Get him involved and let him drive it!!!
     
  4. HotWired

    HotWired Well-Known Member

    Thanks, I hope it turns out as nice as it is in my mind.:laugh:
     
  5. HotWired

    HotWired Well-Known Member


    Oh he will get to drive it...as long as I am with him! I have to admit some of why I am building it is to stretch my legs, my dd the last 3 years has been a civic hx that makes a 80 mile round trip per day and is killing me. I can't wait to get this on the road!:3gears:
     
  6. Ardeshir

    Ardeshir Well-Known Member

    Great thread!

    Please update us if you do any thing on your ride!:TU:
     
  7. BPDRacing

    BPDRacing Well-Known Member

    Sweet project. Nicely done.

    Josh
     
  8. ancientx

    ancientx horn/antler&bone carver

    Gonna make a hell of a sleeper until you do the paint. :):):):)
     
  9. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    Any update on this? Awesome project, I'd like to see more!
     
  10. SS/GN

    SS/GN Well-Known Member

    I sooo wanted to do this:TU: The Camaroos and Mustangs will never know what hit them. This is the ultimate sleeper. Good luck and keep us posted.

    Kevin
     
  11. GSX10/10

    GSX10/10 Well-Known Member

    Cool project!
     
  12. HotWired

    HotWired Well-Known Member

    Thanks for all the comments, they really help me stay motivated. I have got a lot done since a started the thread. Engine mounts and trans crosmember built. Working on hydroboost braking and steering box. I also decided to sell the CPP spindles and ordered AFX spindles and lower arms and goodies from Mark at sc and c and am waiting on them to be shipped. The plan is to also build the rear suspension with a torque arm and watts link.

    The more I work on this project the clearer my vision becomes. What I really want to create is a phantom muscle car,the "what if"? Lets say maybe Buick was experimenting in 74 and this could have led the way later for the grand national. I see this as first what if buick made a 74 GSiX and then I turned it into a restomod pro touring machine. Tall order I know, but I will do my best.

    Stay tuned, I will try and get some more pics posted.
     
  13. SS/GN

    SS/GN Well-Known Member

    I would put a vac brake booster set up in, works every time.JMHO

    Kevin
     
  14. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    Ummm, It's a TURBOCHARGED engine; basically a Grand National. None of them had vacuum boosters;either hydroboost in 84; or the problematic obsolete powermaster in 85, 86, & 87. Yeah I know the 89 TTA had vacuuum booster. But the Hydroboost is a lot more reliable, and it is available NEW now from various vendors.
     
  15. SS/GN

    SS/GN Well-Known Member


    I have 2 low mile Grand Nationals and took the powermasters off and put vac brakes on both. When the original powermasters failed you had no brakes and trust me it is scary. There was a reason the TTA had vac brakes. I think it would look more stock with the power brakes and is less expensive, just my opinion. Either way it is a cool project

    Kevin
     
  16. HotWired

    HotWired Well-Known Member

    No worries, I decided to go with hydraboost for a couple reasons:

    I plan on tracking this car to it's limits both on auto-x and some track events.

    Hydraboost can be found on many stock vehicles from gns to trucks and even some g-bodies with diesels. I like to think Buick might have experimented with it on this car? I was able to keep cost down and get the look I wanted by using many stock pieces.

    Astrovan hydraboost unit
    C6 vette master cylinder
    85 GN steering box and p/s lines
     
  17. HotWired

    HotWired Well-Known Member

    Ok it's been a little while since I've updated and been getting some work done, just not enough time to keep up with this so I am going to break it down into sections.
    Drivetrain is mounted, and this is what I did for the engine mounts. Since this engine was never offered in this subframe I had to get creative. I also did not want to use stock rubber engine mounts because they are known tot be weak and fail.

    I am very happy with the engine placement even though it was very tight. I can't believe how much real estate this little six takes up. I originally wanted to go the 455 route and decided this would fit better, not so sure now.

    Could not get the stock manifolds to clear the steering box, so I found a set of ATR stainless 4 bolt headers and they fit like they were made for the swap.

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    Crossover pipe to upper a-arm pivot is close, but I have some delrin bushings coming that shoud give just a little more room.

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    Started with the engine mounts, energy suspension bushings

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    Then moved on to the frame pads, they had to extend back from the subframe but this also pushed the engine almost behind the crossmember I like the set back.

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    Also bought a TIG welder and am trying to get it figured out, not the best but...

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    Transmission crossmember also did not work due to set back so I fab one up it will get it posted as well, stay tuned...
     
  18. Mr. Sunset

    Mr. Sunset Platinum Level Contributor

    That was a fun thread to read.
    good work.:TU:
     
  19. TheSilverBuick

    TheSilverBuick In the Middle of No Where

    Oooh, Always a fan of fabrication work.
     
  20. 25yrBuickTECH

    25yrBuickTECH Well-Known Member

    I worked for a Buick dealer when the GN's came out. That dog oughta hunt. Sweet lookin' ride.
     

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