My 86 Grand National T76 5.3 Swap Thread
#1
My 86 Grand National T76 5.3 Swap Thread
So I do not expect this to be a quick procedure but I decided I need to focus my extra energy on the car that I have put off for five years now. The car has previously run a best of 11.5 @ 126 w/ the 3.8 until I blew my engine being stupid on the highway w/ a viper. The block has previously already been bored oversize so I really do not want to do a build w/ this block. I picked up a 07+ brand new 5.3 iron block for $99 so I decided to build it for this car instead of my Camaro. I plan to also test my body and painting skills that I have learned at the same time which I figure will be perfect as it is mostly labor in prep while I am waiting for funds to do the engine build. The car currently has a built 200-4r from Las Vegas Performance Transmission w/ 3200 stall converter which I plan to make work behind the new engine and from what I know the stock differential which are supposed to be one of the only good rear ends GM did from what I have heard. My goal will be to do a truck manifold turbo setup which I see myself setting up following the factory GN turbo hot side routing (Driver side manifold facing rear w/ crossover under the engine to the passenger side w/ manifold facing forward and downpipe exiting along passenger side. I would like to place the turbo as close as I can to the factory location to simplify my setup because I already have a decent front mount w/piping that I can cut and reweld to fit. I also am going to attempt to fabricate a downpipe or modify my current one that will reconnect to the exhaust I already have on the car. I plan to build the engine w/ the mindset that a turbo can make any engine fast as long as the engine has good internals and the right octane (e85) for my application. I will use a stock crank, forged rods+pistons, mild cam likely stock ls6 and either 243 or 6.0 heads w/ stainless+inconel valves and I am unsure on what intake because I want to not have to use a cowl hood.
#4
Looks like a nice start.
any intake but the truck intake should fit with no problems. I will post pictures of my project soon.
twin turbo 6.0L truck manifolds flipped forward. Plenty of room. Might be an easier solution for you to flip them both forward then merge them.
I am running the Edelbrock pro flo XT intake and it fits with about an inch to spare or so. I am running a high quality fiberglass reproduction hood, not a cowl.
any intake but the truck intake should fit with no problems. I will post pictures of my project soon.
twin turbo 6.0L truck manifolds flipped forward. Plenty of room. Might be an easier solution for you to flip them both forward then merge them.
I am running the Edelbrock pro flo XT intake and it fits with about an inch to spare or so. I am running a high quality fiberglass reproduction hood, not a cowl.
#5
I have always preferred the look of a big single. Plus with two turbos you need more $$. A single t76 is good for around 800 horsepower and with the right setup that is good for low 9's which is my goal for the car. Turbonetics makes there hurricane series which are only 850 dollars so I am going to go that route.
#7
Its already got a transbrake and is built but if it breaks down the road I will go with a th400. I really just want to get the car moving a transmission is easy to change later on if necessary.
Trending Topics
#13
Its already built with a transbrake and a 3200 stall I see no reason to give it a shot. The car launches so hard off the brake with just the te44 and 3.8. A 5.3 with a bigger turbo is going to snap necks.
#16
I am amazed though my bumper fillers are still able to be reused. I was sure they would crumble but they are actually in good shape. It is looking like the car is really straight I already fixed the few rust spots previously with patch panels so I just need to get a Harbor Freight Soda Media Blaster and go piece by piece and hope for no horrible surprises.
#19
I just met a guy that builds lots of GN's and he said the guy who built my transmission is one of the best. He told me the guy is currently the fastest turbo 6 with 1/4 miles in the 6's. That makes me feel better about my build with this transmission. I think I am going to roll the dice w/ stock rods w/ arp bolts and some keith black or speed pro hyper pistons because of the major lack of piston selection for 5.3 bore size. I should be able to build my longblock for around 1000 dollarsw/ 317 heads.