Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Linctex
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Neat. Love these kinds of stories, though at this point I can't imagine spending that much money for a car from that era that a midsize v6 sedan will likely outperform in 2017.
Wrong.
Other than good slicks, very little was needed to get these cars into the 12's.
A little bigger turbo, a higher stall speed torque converter, bigger fuel pump & injectors, and a good free-flowing intake/exhaust systems (about $2000-$2500) would get you a car that ran in the high 10's!!
It takes $15,000+ to get a subi WRX or Mitsu Lancer EVO into the 10's
Wrong?
Per car and driver, for a Honda Accord v6 coupe 6MT:
0-60: 5.8s
1/4: 14.2s @ 102
Skidpad: 0.84g
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2016-honda-accord-coupe-v-6-manual-test-review
Per Motor Trend for the GN:
0-60: 6.1s
1/4: 14.7s @ 95.1
Skidpad: 0.79
http://www.motortrend.com/news/1987-buick-regal-grand-national-first-drive/amp/
Ok, assume the GN has traction issues and put better rubber and it will likely be faster. Put better rubber on the accord and you'll probably at least improve on the skidpad. Road and track put the GNX at 5.6-5.7 for 0-60 and 13.8s for the 1/4.
Im in no way denying that the GN/GNX was a great machine, or that it had more in it if modded. But it still has out of the box performance on par with a midsize v6.
If you're going to start talking modifications or spending $100k, then lots of even faster options come up. Things like a mid-90s Toyota Supra.
I really like the old classic body style and the performance of those cars. My point isn't to speak poorly. But the price commanded was a ton of money all the same... I love 80's cars, own two. Not trying to detract from that era's tech or design. It just strikes me that most any of the 60s-80s John performance domestics, while nostalgic and awesome for a whole lot of other reasons, really didn't perform all that well in a modern sense.
Doesn't make the find less awesome.
Apparently Motor Trend nor Road and Track didn't have any good test drivers...bone stock T-Types and GNs (not the GNX) would run high 4s to low 5s 0-60, and high 13 second 1/4 miles...the GNX was good for low to mid 4s 0-60, and 13 flat in the 1/4...why they even bothered testing them on the skidpad is a joke, the Regal obviously wasn't made to go around corners fast...