buick question

[MikeE24]

Just wondering if anyone knows what is different about buick t-types and grand nationals of the 84-87 years?

[Joe 1320]

Yes.

[MikeE24]

Sorry to be vauge but just wonderin if there was any difference in the motor/tranny setup or if it was just a name/body style difference?

[Joe 1320]

84-85 are non intercooled, 86-87 had a better motor and were intercooled. 86-87 are the most desired from a performance standpoint.

The T-types could be optioned out many different ways in color and trim, the Grand nationals were all black with blacked out trim.

[MikeE24]

Thanks Joe. helpful as always

[Wild Willy]

T-type was a Buick designation for high-performance. They made T-type LeSabres, FWD, and other cars that I wouldn't have considered "performance"- The T-types had some blacked-out trim, usually alloy wheels, maybe bucket seats. Buick got a little confused as to who their market was, although I have to admit that they made some serious performance cars in the late 60's and early 70's, based on the mid-sized Skylark body- look up some of the GSX's with big blocks, 455 with a 4-speed. Similar to the Olds Hurst/Cutlass/4-4-2 of the era- I think BPO (Buick-Pontiac-Olds) was the performance arm of General Motors- they were all upmarket of Chevy.

I had a heavily modded '79 Century, similar to a Regal with a bobbed tail. RWD, originally a 3.8 V-6, that became a Buick V-8 350, then 4Bbl, duals, shift kit, nitrous- eventually had 16' IROC wheels on it, really quite a sleeper, with the Buick "business man" 2-tone paint and quiet exhaust- It would beat any SS Monte, and most Camaros of the era- my friends used to refer to it as the "stealth"

GM refered to that platform as a G-body, lots of good speed parts still available- active clubs and aftermarket support- If I stumbled across one I would probably go for it!

[Steel2686]

The Grand National is just so much more sinister looking than it's T-Type counterpart in my opinion. I'm sure it's the blacked out trim.

[Joe 1320]

Keep in mind a T-Type can be had in blacked out trim. It is entirely possible to have ordered a Black T-type with blacked out trim, yet it's still a T-Type. Some T-Types came with aluminum radiator supports, and aluminum rear brake drums. Both save some pounds off the weight of a GN. The lightweight stripper version would be a T-Type with the aluminum parts mentioned above, and a hardtop. They contain the same powertrain, just a weight savings and different badges and trim makeup. There's also the fun of getting a regular looking T-type with chrome trim and bench seats that blows the doors off most performance cars out there. Talk about stealth.

[MikeE24]

The T-type i have found is similar to the ones Joe is talkin about. Looks to be in good shape, frame rails are solid and body and interior look good. I was confused tho because it had the appearance of a GN (everything blacked out) but didn't know the differences.