HOME
| BUICK PICS |RPO CODES | DIECAST
PICS | WANTS
This is where you can browse through all the Modifications that are on my Buick.
Please email me at zmods@verizon.net if you have any questions.
All Red X's are for future pictures. Enjoy
Customized Air Intake System Pictures and Info:
I had previously developed a custom air intake system back in 2003 for the Limited. What you see in the first pic (left) is that custom system from 2003. This system was a great advantage vs the stock setup. I was able to straighten the air flow thru 3" aluminum, lightweight ducting and locate the air filter right behind the left headlights. This served me well for a few years but proved to be more of a headache when changing the filter and MAF for maintenance. The MAF sat right in a hole, in the radiator support area, right before the headlight pocket. This air intake system was routed in the straightest way possible while keeping the filter in the cool air stream (out of the engine bay where the heat is). This design left no wiggle room for the system to flex and it was prone to duct chaffing. So, an alternative was needed.
I was able to relocate the Purge Canister to the d/s front frame rail and reroute some electric and air lines, in order to make clearance for the future path of the ductwork. Right under the former Purge Canister location was a recessed 3" circular valley, which was the perfect location for a 3" access hole for the ductwork. I was able to redirect the air intake system to this hole and mount the air filter under this area. This allows it more cool air thru the left ram air scoop. This redesign has been even more efficient in cool air delivery, more flexible and provides easier access to the Mass Airflow sensor, Air Inlet Temp sensor and air filter.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Previous Customized Air Intake System as of 2008 (air coming in from behind left headlight area) | Close up view of the 3" hole cut at the base of where the Purge Canister was located. There was already a 3" circular recessed area here so that served the perfect template to drill. | Purge Canister removed and the 3" hole cut for the pipe to go down to the air filter. Purge Canister will be relocated to the d/s frame rail (to the left of the AC lines) | Here is everything installed, nice and neat. The 2 each black rubber angle ducts are cut down from Ford Mustang 3" pieces | View from d/s fender. Purge Canister mounted on frame rail. MAF connected to 90 degree factory elbow (under AC lines) |
 |
 |
| Air Filter view behind air scoop | Air Filter behind air scoop |
Structural Reinforcement Pictures and Info:
My Limited was experiencing what most cars get when they get older and are driven often; The creeks and squeaks. GRAMPZ was feeling it.....and so was I
I read about adding braces to the Buick to solve the rattles and reinforce the structural integrity of the car. I know there are kits out there but I wanted to engineer my own. I used 1/2" EMT pipe, made my measurements, made the necessary bends, flattened the ends of the pipe, drilled the mounting holes, painted and installed the braces. I built 2 fender braces, 1 rear frame rail brace, the rear seat cross braces and a cowl brace (not shown). I also installed some braces that came with some G-Bodies like the Jounce Bars and the radiator core support brace, to "triangulate" the under carriage support.
I am going to add another brace behind the dash to tighten up that weak point in the body structure. That mod will be posted on this page once I get that project completed.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| View from the trunk area of the installed rear seat braces | Left attachment points of the rear seat braces | Right attachment points of the rear seat braces | View from the back seat area of the braces. I mounted them to the strongest areas of the surrounding structure for maximum strength. | Right fender brace |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Overview of right fender brace | Left fender brace | Overview of left fender brace | Rear frame brace attachment point at right frame | Rear frame brace, installed |
More MODS to come so stay tuned....
HOME | BUICK PICS |RPO CODES | DIECAST PICS | WANTS