Stewart's Roadmaster "Gran Sport" - GM Performance Tuning

RoadMonster · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 10:56 PM

This is my 1994 Buick Roadmaster Gran Sport project.

The goal of this project is to build a Gran Sport Roadmaster...
like Buick could have built in 1994, when GM reintroduced the Impala SS back in '94.

I have tried to make all of the mods appear factory.

This car was originally purchased for my wife, as a daily driver. She is really more of a truck person, so when I had the chance to get her a truck, I took this car as my daily driver. The car grew on me. My first car was a 1964 Impala w/ 327 & powerglide. My next was a '66 Olds 442, with a 455. The Olds went when our daughter was born 18 years ago. I did buy a '41 Chevy Master Deluxe Sport Sedan, and started a frame off street rod project. I soon got in way over my head, and gave the car to a buddy. I had no intentions of having a project until the kids were out of the house...

However, once I took the RM on a road trip, I was hooked on this car. It seemed to me that since I already owned the car, I could do something with it. I like the fact that it reminds me of my '60's GM full size RWD's, but with a nice leather interior, climate control, power everything, etc. I found the NAISSO and ISSCA Forums, because my window rollers broke on one of the windows. Once on those Forums, I saw what my car could be cabable of, and what was available for it.

I started modding this car in the fall of '03, and it was my daily driver until January '06. I have focused on the Gran Sport theme, upgrading the suspension, and generally re-doing things that were worn or damaged by the original owners.

Here is what I have done so far:

Exterior:
-flat hood ornament.
-front license plate delete.
-ROADMONSTER, Gran Sport, and Holden 5.7 Liter High Output emblems.
-modified the trunk lock.
-new grille that does not say "Buick".

Interior:
-modded drivers seat for center console.
-Olds Bravada center console w/ floor shifter.
-column shifter delete.
-(The gear indicator in the gauge cluster works in tandem with the floor shifter).
-GS headrest logos.
-GS dash emblem and LT1 specification plate.
-new steering wheel & airbag, with red/gray leather cover.
-compass mirror.
-Mallory Billet products pedals.

The interior is gray leather, and is flawless.
I have replaced ANYTHING that showed any signs of wear at all. If it didn't look brand new, it's been replaced.

Suspension:
-Eibach springs.
-Bilstein shocks.
-Energy Suspension poly-urethane replaced all rubber.
-red powdercoated SS sway bars.
-SSBC Force 10 calipers.
-Baer Decelarotors.
-Goodridge G-Stop stainless brake lines.
-UMI Performance upper and lower rear control arms.
-Moog Problem Solver parts.
-O-Z Racing "Nova ST" 18" wheels.
-Pirelli Assimetrico tires: 285 40 18.

Engine:
-RAISS ram air intake, w/ dual filters.
-3.5" F-Body MAF with Composite Granatelli MAF ends.
-52mm BBK TB.
-Meziere electric water pump.
-Corvette fuel rail covers.
-Goodyear Hi-Miler hoses.
-MSD opti-spark cap and rotors.
-Hooker cat-back exhaust.

Transmission:
-performance built w/ 2200 stall.

Misc.
-Innovative wiring products:
--headlight harness w/ 80-100 watt bulbs.
--electric water pump harness.
--battery cables.
-Bradley Salemie's fuel gauge calibration kit.
-custom trunk kit.

I have many more mods planned for this car. Next week, I will receive my custom embroidered under hood insulator from Car Motorsports. Along with the UHI, I ordered matching embroidered floor mats, and a spare tire cover. All will have the matching red "GS" logos.

I also have a bunch of powdercoated parts yet to install. Intake, accessory bracket, etc. Everything on the engine and suspension will mostly be powdercoated in red, if it isn't already.

Performance plans:
GMPP 845 camshaft, Crane gold 1.5/1.6 roller rockers, new valve springs, Corvette composite valve covers, Clear Image Automotive Tri-Y headers w/ random tech cats, Edge 3000 stall TC, Eaton Posi w/ 3.73's, etc...

Thanks for looking at my RoadMonster.

It's been a lot of fun showing her this summer. I love peoples faces when they first see the LT1 in the engine bay. It catches them by suprise! Usually, people will be confused, then look at the engine. After that initial suprise, they will then read my car-show-sign, and then give the car a second look.

I keep her VERY clean. Takes a lot of time, especially on a car of this size, but it's well worth it when people see it in person, and tell me what they think. This car is definitely a conversation starter!

Hope you enjoy the pics!

Stewart

a pic at a show this summer, before plate delete, and intake mod.

RoadMonster · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 11:11 PM

Thought I'd add one of my favorite pics from a cruise-in....

This is my first cruise-in I've ever been to.

When we drove up, we were swarmed by people. I got out, opened the hood, and started answering questions. When the crowd dispersed a bit, some import guys came up, wearing red Honda t-shirts. They liked the car...

I love this pic:

That's me in the black RAISS t-shirt. The guy in the white shirt had just finished a 60's Hemi Mopar, and came over to welcome me.

Stewart

RoadMonster · #3 (**permalink**) 10-21-2006, 01:41 PM

I thought you'd like to see what I started with...

well almost.

At this point I had done a lot of detailing and cleaning, and removed the white wall tires. Just a lot of cleaning and small stuff.

Exterior March '04:

Engine:

Interior:

This was after owning the car for about 7 months. I wish I had pics of the car when I brought it home. Engine really dirty. White walls. The original owners lived on a farm. They took good care of her, but there was a lot of dirt everywhere, simply from where the car lived. It was kept in a car port, so dust and dirt was everywhere.

I spent the better part of a day just detailing door jams....

Anyway, thought you might like to see the RoadMonster's humble beginnings.

Let me know what you think.

Stewart

ROKTMAN · #4 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 11:19 PM

That is aweSSome Stew.THE best looking and complete RM I have ever seen.

RoadMonster · #5 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 11:59 PM

Thanks Dave!

I still have a lot of work to do,
but she's coming along!

Stewart

RoadMonster · #6 (**permalink**) 11-25-2006, 05:26 PM

Hi Guys.

I submitted some photos of my car for the 2007 NAISSO Forum Calander.

The RoadMonster made it!

Here's a preview pic:

There are some really nice B and D bodys represented.

If you are interested, here's the link to purchase one:

http://www.lulu.com/browse/book_view.php?fCID=515083

Thought I'd share.

Also, I'm still waiting for my underhood insulator, carpet mats, and spare tire cover from Car Motorsports. They are making me a custom underhood insulator, which will have red "GS" embroidery. The RM Sedan has a unique hood insulator, so they had to get a stock one to make a template. The carpet mats and spare tire cover will also have the same red GS embroidery.

I am using the GS logo from the late model Regal Gran Sports, and not the 60's and 70's GS. This will match the GS emblems and head rest logos I already have on the car.

Hope to have pics to show you soon.

Thanks for looking!!!

Stewart

RoadMonster · #7 (**permalink**) 11-25-2006, 05:50 PM

Forgot to add,

If anyone wants to see more pics, here is my Cardomain page:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/732699/1

As of today, I have 13 pages, over 500 photos, and 63,000 hits.

I have tried to document everything I've done to my RM.

Thanks again!

Stewart

Slammed_am · #8 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 10:53 PM

I saw the title of the thread I had t ocheck it out. I expected to see something with wire wheels, white walls and hydrolics, but wow. I really Like it! Way to be different!