Buick Reatta in local Florida Junkyard

[Todd82TA]

Hey guys,

There is a Buick Reatta in the local U-PULL-IT junkyard in Davie, Florida. The junkyard is located on 441 / SR-7, just SOUTH of 5-95 (which is off of I-95 in Broward County in South Florida.

The car is basically totally complete. The only thing it appears to be missing are teh wheels. It's currently supported by a set of 70s rims which are propped under each side like an upside down T. (a set on each side).

It has a beige interior, leather seats, and appears to be totally loaded. It has a tape deck, and a touch screen monitor in the center console. It was there last weekend, and it was PERFECT. However, I just checked on it this weekend again, and someone ripped the fascia on the gauge cluster off, because it appears as though they wanted to get the monitor (in some ghetto fashion). When I got there, the monitor was still in there, so I removed it and bought it (I would hate to see something unique like that get crushed).

It really really kills me to see this car in the yard. It looks really unique, it's loaded, there is no body damage anywhere, just faded paint, and it needs a good cleaning, and new carpet. It's otherwise in really great shape.

I don't know what condition the motor is in, but, it's got to be in the yard for a reason.

Hopefully one of you guys lives down here and can strip it bare of all it's good parts before they crush it... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Seeing that car in the yard has really peaked my interest. I am actively looking to buy a Reatta, though I'd much rather get a "deal" on one. I have a couple of projects of my own that I need to finish, so I'm not overly eager to pick up yet ANOTHER car... hehe...

I think I definitely want an older one... I did some research on this car, and found a couple of images of the touch screen in action. I've got to be honest, that has got to be the coolest friggin thing I've ever seen in an older "unique" GM car. I mean, how cool is that to have a herculese monochromatic monitor with a touchscreen on it. I guess that's also your radio?

My plan would be to buy one, and immediately drop in a 3800 Series-II supercharged motor. I mean, these cars are just BEGGING for a 3800. Or maybe a 4.9 Cadillac V8 (since it's lighter?). Anyway, my ideal Reatta would be just like this one, red, with the beige, late 80s interior. I would keep it 100% stock looking, but hide an MP3 player in the glove box. I'll probably do a 3800 Series-II supercharger install and try to make it look STOCK.

Anyway, just thought I'd hop on here. I really hope one of you guys gets the chance to check out that car in the yard.

Thanks!!!

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Son, a Series II s/c 3800 isn't exactly "drop in". <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Feel free to PM me for some info.

Thanks for pointing this car out, although I'm a little too far out to be able to check it out myself.

[RayS]

it will be on e-bay next week

[Todd82TA]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Son, a Series II s/c 3800 isn't exactly "drop in". <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Feel free to PM me for some info.

Thanks for pointing this car out, although I'm a little too far out to be able to check it out myself. </div></div>

Well, with what you've recently told me about the touchscreen in the other e-mail, I'm really interested now in this swap. However, it looks like I'll need to use the ECM and everything else strictly for THIS car, if I want to keep the functionality of the touchscreen CRT? Or is that ALL housed in the BCM?

Wiring is a HUGE pain, but I have a friend that thrives off that stuff. I'm thrilled just knowing that the motor mounts will bolt up (at least I think so), and it'll bolt to the transmission.

Based on your avatar and name, I assume you've dropped an SC into your Reatta. How do you like it? Does it perform well?

This same friend I mentioned earlier, has two Chevy Citations. One with a 4.9 dropped into it (with the Cadillac Allante intake), and one with a 3800 SC. They're both insane FWD vehicles...

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Aye. In short, yes, the easiest way so far is to reprogram the Reatta's ECM to operate with the L67, which is where my tuner, Ryan of Sinister Performance comes in.

Saerch the forum or google for my thread entitled "Supercharging (this time, it's real)". That's my installation of hardware from a '95 Series 1 L67 onto the stock LN3 block. Its never been done before otherwise, and worked out really well. Lots of power. There's 11 pages of info and tons of pix.

The biggest issue is your transaxle. It's going to blow. Mine did after 20k miles of boost. The best solution is either to pick a '91 with the 4T60-E transaxle from the factory which is already better than the '88-90 transaxles, and can be built up better.

If you can drive a manual, then switching to either a Getrag 5 speed, or my pioneering 6 speed manual project but that's a project in itself which I'm getting into in the next few months, along with a Series II.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

This shoud take you to my thread

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Greg Ross here has been my inspiration for this project. He has a Series 1 L67 and 5 speed manual setup and is giving me some advice on this project. Padgett here assisted in the tuning of his ECM

[Todd82TA]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Aye. In short, yes, the easiest way so far is to reprogram the Reatta's ECM to operate with the L67, which is where my tuner, Ryan of Sinister Performance comes in.

Saerch the forum or google for my thread entitled "Supercharging (this time, it's real)". That's my installation of hardware from a '95 Series 1 L67 onto the stock LN3 block. Its never been done before otherwise, and worked out really well. Lots of power. There's 11 pages of info and tons of pix.

The biggest issue is your transaxle. It's going to blow. Mine did after 20k miles of boost. The best solution is either to pick a '91 with the 4T60-E transaxle from the factory which is already better than the '88-90 transaxles, and can be built up better.

If you can drive a manual, then switching to either a Getrag 5 speed, or my pioneering 6 speed manual project but that's a project in itself which I'm getting into in the next few months, along with a Series II. </div></div>

That sounds really really decent. Honestly, I don't really need a series-II anyway. My goal really is just a very reliable mid 14s in the quarter. And really, keeping it all Series-I is a bit more period correct anyway. Plus, I really like the idea that you have, that I'll be able to keep the stock ECM and everything else.

I know it seems a bit silly to gather the parts ahead of time, even before I have the car, but in case I happen to see one in the junkyard, what should I be looking for? (super charger, years, etc...).

Can you tell me, are there any differences between teh 1988 and 1989 year, at least in terms of improvements? I absolutely am determined to get the one with the touch screen... that is just too cool of a feature to ignore...

Has anyone ever reprogrammed the OS for that entire system? Is that something that can be done? I can program in a variety of languages, including some of the older ones. If there's a way I can get access to it, it would be pretty cool to throw in a game of Pong or something!!! hah.

Thanks!!!

[Guest F14CRAZY]

I haven't quartered mine but I don't think it's in the 14 range. You can mod the Series 1 though with a cam and/or rockers.

The best L67 to get would be a '94-95, cuz they had some improvements to put out 225 hp versus 205 for the '92-93s.

There's a couple other threads on yearly differences. I'm not good at remembering the differences myself. There's nothing bad about an '88 versus an '89 and the other way around, though '89s could have a sunroof, '88s could have the suede seat bolsters, the '88s had the hydraulically dampened glovebox opener and the buttons below the tape deck for the trunk release and gas door, and the glovebox latch. '88s have the smaller hood orniment, and thus I prefer '89s <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

After my project I think it's still easier to swap in the entire engine instead of doing a "top swap"

[Todd82TA]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I haven't quartered mine but I don't think it's in the 14 range. You can mod the Series 1 though with a cam and/or rockers.

The best L67 to get would be a '94-95, cuz they had some improvements to put out 225 hp versus 205 for the '92-93s.

There's a couple other threads on yearly differences. I'm not good at remembering the differences myself. There's nothing bad about an '88 versus an '89 and the other way around, though '89s could have a sunroof, '88s could have the suede seat bolsters, the '88s had the hydraulically dampened glovebox opener and the buttons below the tape deck for the trunk release and gas door, and the glovebox latch. '88s have the smaller hood orniment, and thus I prefer '89s <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

After my project I think it's still easier to swap in the entire engine instead of doing a "top swap" </div></div>

Oh man..!!!! That's it. I'm looking for an 89 with a sunroof!!!

I don't need a convertible, my Solstice is already a convertible. But, I DO love options, and that's part of what a Buick is all about!!! How common are the sunroofs???

Thanks!!!

[Guest CL_Reatta]

I forgot where I read this but about 15% of Reatta's had sunroofs, If you do get one with a sunroof make sure it is working properly, and if possible check for rust on the assembly (would require removal of the headliner) and check for rust on the panel itself. Actual Reatta sunroof's are hard to come by and expensive, but the RX-7 assembly is more common and fits with a little modification. But the RX-7 panel does not fit properly, it would work as a temporary replacement for a Reatta panel but doesn't have the right curvature.

[Guest TommyH]

i personaly think the sunroof in a reatta is ugly when open. i dont like them, nor do i think i would put time into keeping one on a reatta that i own, but i dont own a reatta with a sunroof,which is exactly my piont.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Aw man, I love sunroofs that retract over the top of the roof.

You should be able to spot rust with it open. Look around the edges inside.

[Guest CL_Reatta]

My rust was not visible with the sunroof open, my rust was all below the tracks so you can't see from the top.

[fishbone]

I have a 88 forsale that needs a little bit of work and im in the panhandle of FL if you interested

[Barney Eaton]

Todd........and everyone else, get the vin and other details when you see a Reatta and send it to me to be added to the database.

Someday we may praise those people that send this info on cars that are in wrecking yards, because someone may try and put them back on the road. If we have the car documented on the database, this may save one of use some $$$ when looking for a Reatta.

[55chevy]

Hi from just north of the Florida panhandle, SE bama. I have heard sunroof coupes had limited headroom also. I have an 88 coupe sitting with 268,000 miles on it, am pondering a Series II SC swap with a 98 Riv donor I have, or a possible future convertible. There was a Reatta on craigslist.org in Orlando for $1500, not a lot of info on add but sounded decent.

[Todd82TA]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Todd........and everyone else, get the vin and other details when you see a Reatta and send it to me to be added to the database.

Someday we may praise those people that send this info on cars that are in wrecking yards, because someone may try and put them back on the road. If we have the car documented on the database, this may save one of use some $$$ when looking for a Reatta. </div></div>

Hi Bobby, we have a guy such as you on the Fiero mailing list who collects VINs for teh 1988 Fieros. So, out of pure instinct, I took a picture of the VIN with my cell phone.

The VIN is:

"1G4EC11C4JB904689"

As far as options go, it did NOT have a sunroof. It had a beige interior, huge leather seats, it appeared to have every option. There was not a single button "slot" that didn't have a button in it. I can't think of any other options it might have had???

Hope that's useful to you.

[Guest TommyH]

tod, did the drivers seat have some switches on it? and were they in good condition? im look for an other tan drivers sixteen way seat. and what year did you say it was?

i just checked the vin

its an 88. I MUST HAVE THE CONSOL SWITCH PANEL!! can you get it for me?