If you’re a fan of classic muscle cars, you probably know the Buick Grand National. It was one of the fastest and most powerful cars of the 1980s, with a turbocharged V6 engine that could outrun many V8s. But what if you want to take your Grand National to the next level? What if you want to make it a pro touring machine that can handle any road or track with ease? That’s what this article is all about. We’ll show you how to build a pro touring Grand National that will blow your mind.
What is Pro Touring?
Pro touring is a style of modifying cars that combines performance, handling, and aesthetics. The goal is to create a car that can perform well in any situation, whether it’s cruising on the highway, carving corners on a twisty road, or racing on a track. Pro touring cars are not just fast, they are also agile, responsive, and comfortable. They are the ultimate expression of automotive engineering and art.
Why Choose a Grand National?
The Buick Grand National is a perfect candidate for pro touring because it already has a lot of potential. It has a strong and lightweight body, a powerful and reliable engine, and a unique and iconic look. It also has a loyal and passionate fan base that appreciates its history and heritage. However, the Grand National also has some drawbacks that can be improved with pro touring modifications. For example, the stock suspension is soft and outdated, the brakes are weak and prone to fading, and the interior is cramped and dated. By upgrading these aspects, you can transform your Grand National into a modern and versatile beast.
How to Build a Pro Touring Grand National
There are many ways to build a pro touring Grand National, depending on your budget, preferences, and goals. However, there are some common elements that most pro touring builds share. Here are some of the main steps and components that you’ll need to consider:
Engine
The engine is the heart of any pro touring car, and the Grand National has a great one. The 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 engine can produce up to 245 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque in stock form, which is impressive for its time. However, with some modifications, you can easily boost those numbers to over 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Some of the engine upgrades that you can do include:
- Replacing the pistons, rods, crankshaft, camshaft, valves, springs, and rockers with stronger and lighter parts
- Installing a larger and more efficient turbocharger, intercooler, wastegate, and blow-off valve
- Upgrading the fuel injectors, pump, regulator, filter, and lines
- Installing a high-performance intake manifold, throttle body, air filter, and mass airflow sensor
- Installing a custom exhaust system with headers, downpipe, catalytic converter, muffler, and tips
- Tuning the engine management system with a programmable computer chip or standalone unit
Suspension
The suspension is the key to improving the handling and ride quality of your pro touring car. The stock suspension of the Grand National is soft and bouncy, which makes it unstable and unpredictable at high speeds and tight turns. To fix this problem, you’ll need to upgrade the suspension with stiffer and more adjustable parts. Some of the suspension upgrades that you can do include:
- Replacing the springs, shocks, struts, bushings, sway bars, control arms, and steering box with performance-oriented parts
- Installing coilovers or airbags for better height and damping control
- Installing a subframe connector or roll cage for increased rigidity and safety
- Installing a panhard bar or watts link for better rear axle alignment
- Installing tubular or boxed frame rails for added strength and weight reduction
Brakes
The brakes are essential for stopping your pro touring car safely and effectively. The stock brakes of the Grand National are inadequate for its power and weight, which makes them prone to overheating and fading. To solve this issue,
you’ll need to upgrade the brakes with bigger and better parts. Some of the brake upgrades that you can do include:
- Replacing the rotors, calipers, pads, hoses, master cylinder, booster, proportioning valve,
and fluid with high-performance parts - Installing larger rotors (at least 13 inches) and calipers (at least four pistons) for more braking power
and heat dissipation - Installing slotted or drilled rotors for better cooling and dust removal
- Installing braided stainless steel hoses for better pedal feel and pressure
- Installing an anti-lock braking system (ABS) for better traction and stability
Wheels and Tires
The wheels and tires are important for enhancing the appearance and grip of your pro touring car. The stock wheels and tires of the Grand National are outdated and undersized, which makes them look dull and perform poorly. To change this, you’ll need to upgrade the wheels and tires with bigger and better parts. Some of the wheel and tire upgrades that you can do include:
- Replacing the wheels with larger and lighter ones (at least 17 inches) for more style and performance
- Replacing the tires with wider and lower-profile ones (at least 245/40R17) for more traction and handling
- Choosing wheels and tires that match the color and theme of your car
- Choosing wheels and tires that have a good balance of performance, comfort, and durability
Interior
The interior is the place where you spend most of your time in your pro touring car, so you want it to be comfortable and functional. The stock interior of the Grand National is cramped and dated, which makes it unpleasant and inconvenient. To improve this, you’ll need to upgrade the interior with more modern and ergonomic parts. Some of the interior upgrades that you can do include:
- Replacing the seats, steering wheel, shifter, pedals, gauges, dash, console, carpet, headliner, door panels, and trim with newer and nicer parts
- Installing bucket seats or racing seats for more support and comfort
- Installing a leather or suede steering wheel for more grip and style
- Installing a short shifter or paddle shifter for more control and fun
- Installing a digital or analog gauge cluster for more information and accuracy
- Installing a custom dash or console for more storage and convenience
- Installing a sound system with speakers, amplifier, subwoofer, radio, CD player, MP3 player, or Bluetooth for more entertainment and quality
Exterior
The exterior is the first thing that people see when they look at your pro touring car, so you want it to be stunning and unique. The stock exterior of the Grand National is sleek and menacing, which makes it stand out from the crowd. However, you can still enhance it with some subtle and tasteful modifications. Some of the exterior upgrades that you can do include:
- Repainting or wrapping the car with a different color or pattern for more personality and flair
- Installing a body kit with a front spoiler, rear spoiler, side skirts, hood scoop, or fender flares for more aerodynamics and attitude
- Installing a grille or bumper with a different design or material for more airflow and contrast
- Installing headlights or taillights with LED or HID bulbs for more visibility and style
- Installing a sunroof or T-top for more light and air
Conclusion
Building a pro touring Grand National is not an easy or cheap task, but it’s definitely worth it. You’ll end up with a car that can do it all: speed, handling, comfort, and looks. You’ll also have a car that is rare and special, as not many people have done this kind of project before. You’ll be able to enjoy your car in any situation, whether it’s cruising on the highway, carving corners on a twisty road, or racing on a track. You’ll also be able to impress your friends, family, and strangers with your awesome creation.
If you’re interested in building a pro touring Grand National, we hope this article has given you some inspiration and guidance. Of course, you don’t have to follow everything we’ve suggested here; you can customize your car according to your own vision and preferences. The most important thing is to have fun and be creative.
Thank you for reading this article. We hope you’ve enjoyed it and learned something new. If you have any questions or comments about pro touring Grand Nationals, please feel free to leave them below. We’d love to hear from you.
Main keyword: Pro Touring Grand National
Derivative keywords: turbocharged V6 engine, suspension upgrades, brake upgrades
Relevant tags: muscle cars, pro touring cars, Buick Grand National
