HHR - Buick Bijou Super Progress
05-10-2013, 08:39 PM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: 03-22-2012
Location: Rogers City, Michigan
Posts: 1,012
Ben
Just a thought mind you, just a thought:
Shove a Buick 3800 V-6 down in there. (If I were a younger man I would pick up a worn out HHR and do it).
I think the Buick Grand National had a 3800 turbocharger sitting in it.
In my opinion one of the best V-6s ever built buy GM. It had its roots in the Buick 231 cu V-6 of '62 Special fame?
Buick used the engine for a few years and then put a Chevrolet straight six in the Special. In the 1960s they sold the V-6 to Jeep but bought it back some 10 years later from AMC. They completely re-tooled the block, heads, etc., etc., and made it an even fire rather than an odd fire of '62. I think they are still using a variant of that engine today.
Boydie
Back in the Saddle............
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[QUOTE=Benjiwah;704125]Here is the beginning of the rear spoiler mock up. It will make more visual sense once I refine it and add the side extensions.
Attachment 14625
Just a thought mind you, just a thought:
Shove a Buick 3800 V-6 down in there. (If I were a younger man I would pick up a worn out HHR and do it).I think the Buick Grand National had a 3800 turbocharger sitting in it.
In my opinion one of the best V-6s ever built buy GM. It had its roots in the Buick 231 cu V-6 of '62 Special fame?
Buick used the engine for a few years and then put a Chevrolet straight six in the Special. In the 1960s they sold the V-6 to Jeep but bought it back some 10 years later from AMC. They completely re-tooled the block, heads, etc., etc., and made it an even fire rather than an odd fire of '62. I think they are still using a variant of that engine today.
Boydie
Back in the Saddle............[/FONT]
[/SIZE]
[QUOTE=Benjiwah;704125]Here is the beginning of the rear spoiler mock up. It will make more visual sense once I refine it and add the side extensions.
Attachment 14625
Last edited by Blue Beast (aka Boydie); 05-13-2013 at 10:18 AM. Reason: grammar
05-11-2013, 12:03 AM
#43
Deceased
Join Date: 06-30-2010
Location: Kannapolis NC
Posts: 25,739
Sorry to say Boydie, but the last 3.8 was built in August of 2008. The last off the line were L-26 Series III units for the Buick Lucerne, LaCrosse, and the Pontiac Grand Prix.
The 3.8 was replaced by the L-74 3.5 engine, that engine is now discontinued in favor of the LY-7 DOHC 3.6 unit.
I've had a couple of the odd fire 231's, rougher than a box of rocks, but they can make some serious power when built up right.
The 3.8 was replaced by the L-74 3.5 engine, that engine is now discontinued in favor of the LY-7 DOHC 3.6 unit.
I've had a couple of the odd fire 231's, rougher than a box of rocks, but they can make some serious power when built up right.
05-11-2013, 07:11 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-05-2009
Location: Cahokia IL
Posts: 358
I had a '66 Buick Special...put a Holley 500 on it and muncie 4spd out of a Vette in the JY.....could not break it and we ran the dogpiss out of it!
I'd stick with a modern drivetrain in this though...
Also had a '69 Jeepster Commando with the 225 in it....put GM ignition system back in it and swapped intake manifolds so as to use the GM carb as well.
Then there was the '89 Blazer........
I'd stick with a modern drivetrain in this though...
Also had a '69 Jeepster Commando with the 225 in it....put GM ignition system back in it and swapped intake manifolds so as to use the GM carb as well.
Then there was the '89 Blazer........
05-11-2013, 07:59 AM
#45
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-03-2013
Location: Arcola
Posts: 840
Thanks Everyone for the compliments and words of encouragement!!!
I have started to refine the rear spoiler and can't decide whether or not I want to put the accent raised areas on the outer edges or smooth the whole thing out across the upper surface. Also, the ends are going to have caps that meet the spoiler running along the side above the rear quarter window.
Boydie, I am humbled and honored by your generous offer!!!
And regarding your engine suggestion, my budget won't allow for the V6 swap. I think I would truly miss the stellar gas mileage I get from my 2.2 5 speed I have now.
I have started to refine the rear spoiler and can't decide whether or not I want to put the accent raised areas on the outer edges or smooth the whole thing out across the upper surface. Also, the ends are going to have caps that meet the spoiler running along the side above the rear quarter window.
Boydie, I am humbled and honored by your generous offer!!!
And regarding your engine suggestion, my budget won't allow for the V6 swap. I think I would truly miss the stellar gas mileage I get from my 2.2 5 speed I have now.
Last edited by Benjiwah; 05-11-2013 at 09:02 AM.
05-11-2013, 06:45 PM
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: 03-22-2012
Location: Rogers City, Michigan
Posts: 1,012
I should have known that. My older brother worked 32 years in Buick's engine plant #36 in Flint, Michigan. He remembers when they put the rings on each piston manually. I worked at the Buick too. If you go there now all you will see is concrete and weeds. Its a pity, Buicks were built there for 90 years. The factory ran from just north of Stewart street down to Hamilton Avenue. The factory was so big they had a bus that run from one end to the other 16 hours a day. The driver I talked to back then had driven the bus for 28 years.
Last 3800 built August 2008 means they used that same V-6 block for 46 years.
Boydie Back in the Saddle.................
Last 3800 built August 2008 means they used that same V-6 block for 46 years.
Boydie
Back in the Saddle.................Sorry to say Boydie, but the last 3.8 was built in August of 2008. The last off the line were L-26 Series III units for the Buick Lucerne, LaCrosse, and the Pontiac Grand Prix.
The 3.8 was replaced by the L-74 3.5 engine, that engine is now discontinued in favor of the LY-7 DOHC 3.6 unit.
I've had a couple of the odd fire 231's, rougher than a box of rocks, but they can make some serious power when built up right.
The 3.8 was replaced by the L-74 3.5 engine, that engine is now discontinued in favor of the LY-7 DOHC 3.6 unit.
I've had a couple of the odd fire 231's, rougher than a box of rocks, but they can make some serious power when built up right.
05-12-2013, 09:47 AM
#49
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-03-2013
Location: Arcola
Posts: 840
[Boydie,
The Buick 3.8 V6 is in mine, yours, Wards, and countless other's opinions, one of the best engines ever produced by any company! Those things will run for ever provided you change the oil regularly! And they produce great power in very fuel efficient package. The 3.6 LFX that replaced it (while having great power) hasn't proved to be as fuel efficient or as bullet proof as the old trusty Buick 3.8.
The Buick 3.8 V6 is in mine, yours, Wards, and countless other's opinions, one of the best engines ever produced by any company! Those things will run for ever provided you change the oil regularly! And they produce great power in very fuel efficient package. The 3.6 LFX that replaced it (while having great power) hasn't proved to be as fuel efficient or as bullet proof as the old trusty Buick 3.8.
05-12-2013, 06:38 PM
#50
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-03-2013
Location: Arcola
Posts: 840
Began laying out the side roof rail panels that will help tie the visor and spoiler into the HHuick visually. Also I think it will go a long way in transforming the character of this wagon. I plan on blacking out at least the back two pillars on each side and shaving the back door handles. What do you all think?
