![]() ![]() An ATR rear sway bar and Air Lift airbags (set to 5 psi driver, 18 psi passenger side) keep the lengthy G-body under control during hard launches on Nitto drag radials. QA1 adjustable shocks were used at all four corners with clipped stock front springs and variable rate rear springs slamming the Grand Camino two inches closer to earth. The front sway bar was removed to try and put some air under a set of skinnies at the dragstrip, as Metco upper and lower control arms plant the rear. Restoring and strengthening the chassis required a bit of custom work, however, the universality of the G-body architecture still made things fairly simple. Country Club Exhaust in Cape Coral, Florida, lengthened the tailpipes to accommodate the longer body, placing the tips just behind the rear tires. ATR got the nod for a set of stainless turbo headers, 3-inch downpipe, and 2.5-inch exhaust. The stock GN ignition was used with GM Type II individual coils and Magnecor spark plug wires. Al tuned a stock GN computer for use with an LT1 MAF and pump gas, which is supplemented by methanol with Razor's GN Alky Control kit to prevent detonation, for use in the Grand Camino. Lucas 42.5-lb/hr injectors and a Red Armstrong Double Pumper were needed to keep up with the turbo's increased volume and 21 pounds of boost. A Jay Jackson 62mm throttle body was used to inhale pressurized air direct from a Bowling Green Customs stretch stock location intercooler. Al ported the stock intake and added an RJC power plate and. "I had no idea I would be grafting fenders."Īfter Al assembled the long-block himself with the know-how acquired as a former Buick service technician, the intake and fuel system were buttoned up before installation. The transformation, though, would not be complete without the GN front end and hood, which did require quite a bit of finessing. "Everything just bolted right in." In fact the only fabrication required was the exhaust system, which had to be lengthened to accommodate the longer body. The LC2's light weight, power and efficiency was deemed better suited, or more easily transplanted, however, in another GM G-body-the El Camino. I thought that I could do a little at a time, rebuild the engine and tranny, repaint the car, it would be complete for under $10,000, and I'd have something a little different." The idea for transplanting the turbo 3.8-liter mill into an El Camino spawned from a comment a friend made about remedying the power deficiency in Al's Jeep. Instead, I found a 1984 Choo Choo El Camino and purchased it for $2,400, and I purchased an engine and transmission for $1,500. ![]() The guy was asking $15,500 and there was no way I was able to afford it at that time. "I fell in love with this '87 Grand National with 42,000 original miles that went 11.29 in the quarter-mile, which was for sale. ![]()
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