The Buick Grand National was one of our favorite cars GM ever produced, and we’re not afraid to admit it. With the top of the line model (GNX) being offered with a 3.8 liter Garrett T-3 turbocharged V6, it was one of the fastest cars available at the time for two years running (1986 & 1987). The car was capable of reaching 60 mph from 0 in just 4.3 seconds, and could achieve a quarter mile pass in only 13.2 seconds, all in factory trim.

Sadly the Grand National’s reign as the high-tech musclecar king of the 1980s was short lived. GM discontinued the model in the late 1980s, leaving enthusiasts to lament the loss of the might turbo-six.

The Grand National in the video above from YouTube user TalonTSi97 Videos reminds us how awesome the Grand National platofrm car really is, even by today’s standards.

This particular Grand National is no longer powered by the original turbocharged 3.8 liter V6. In fact, it’s been swapped with something that has two more cylinders. The new engine is a single 88mm turbocharged 6.0 liter LQ9 V8, and it sounds amazing. From what we’re able to gather, the car is a fully weighted (at 3800 pounds) low 9-second street car.

Currently, the car is turbocharged using the stock block assembly and cylinder heads. This is due to the LQ9’s iron block construction, which makes it suitable for many boosted applications. The combination is tuned to use 93-octane fuel and methanol injection.

Like we’ve said in the past, we’re huge fans of seeing LS swaps into non-LS GM cars, and this Grand National is a perfect example of GM’s capabilities. We’re excited to see what’s in the future for this turbocharged LS swapped Grand National.

What do you think. Is it heresy to LS swap a car like the Grand National, or do you say swap away?