1987 Buick Turbo T & Other Project Vehicles

I get many queries regarding GMHTP's project vehicles, so this month I'll catch you all up on what we currently have at the magazine and where we're headed with them.

LS1 F-BodyMy personal LS1 Z is a 2001 1SC stripper. I was supposed to get some baseline numbers with it last summer at E-Town, but the slipping, swapped-in 4L60E wasn't having any of it. This wasn't going to do, so a project buildup had to wait a few months as I compiled the parts needed to swap the T56 back in. Check out the swap elsewhere in this issue-and get ready for the project introduction and some hardcore LS1 tech. Lucky for this Z's 10-bolt, Strange has thrown its massive new S60 at us-so rear-related carnage should be kept to a minimum. I'll be bolting that sucker up soon.

Power Trip BuickFresh off of its 559-rear-wheel horsepower performance on SLP's Superflow dyno, this 1987 Turbo-T's V-6 engine was ready for E-Town. However, the drivetrain wasn't. So, I mustered up some self-control and waited for the goodies to arrive. Next up for this T is a trip to Cotton's Performance Center to install them. After logging a few hundred street miles, I'm starting to get a good feel for this combo and the little tweaks it needs. The most important driveability upgrades are: moving the air intake temp sensor to the upper plenum to zero in the XFI; getting the VSS sensor fixed so I can start to lock up the converter at the strip and while cruising; and deciding on which wastegate to ultimately use for quick street spool and the widest range of adjustability.

LT1 FormulaParker's LT1 'Bird started out strong, and he's added over 50 rear-wheel horsepower to the 224-horse baseline printed back in the September 2006 issue. But the misfire that began occurring most severely during the last bolt-on install has yet to be totally amended; a miss at 4200 rpm and up still prevents the Formula from producing a smooth dyno graph or accurate results. (Imagine that. An LT1 with a high-rpm miss ...) However, he has a few more tricks up his sleeve. Final dyno numbers are on the way from the LTCC ignition, MSD MSC LS1 coils, ZEX spark plugs, PaceSetter mid-length headers, Y-pipe, high flow cat, FastChip tune, and Comp Cams 1.6 ratio rocker arms. And look for a high-performance 4L60E and converter upgrade next.

My First Stroker Trans AmChris Werner is hoping to bolt a good rear end into this monster soon, as the beefy 383 is just aching for a hit of juice. Still, she went 12.35 at 116 granny-shifting on hockey pucks.

C6 CorvetteWerner's C6 goes 12.5s and is in the midst of a header and tune story as we speak. Future goodies include a new clutch and a DTE differential strut for some drivetrain strength. However, a damaged header bolt will complicate matters and may mean a cam/head swap sooner than expected.

2005 GTOYou last saw this LS2 Goat on Speed Inc's dyno, when a heads/cam package rolled 432 horses naturally aspirated, and 490 on a very lean 75-shot. The trip to Chicago dovetailed with returning this rocket to its rightful owner, Wisconsinite Bruce Corcoran. We still have a couple of stories in the bag with this car, including final brake testing numbers so we can run a Wilwood 4-disc upgrade story, and an 18-inch wheels/tires swap and g-test.

Blown SilveradoJohn Ulaszek's 5.3 truck is for sale after he was seduced by the dark side and bought a WRX. This thing was a blast with the Magnacharger blower and all-wheel drive.

LT1-Swap Third-GenUlaszek's F-body is currently in bodyshop hell, awaiting some body repairs before getting finished up. Let it out John!