hello all I have a '83 Regal that's a daily driver for me. I haven't made up my mind if I want to put the 350, 455, or take on what I assume to big a major endeavor of making it a T-type clone by putting a 3.8 turbo engine in it. I don't know where to start, I guess choosing the engine would be the first thing to do, so if anyone has any recommendations on getting this car to 13's I'm all ears. :laugh: I have a temporary site for my ride right now @ : my regal site I thought I posted this post earlier today, but, when I came back to v8buick to find it, I couldn't find it, so, if there are 2 of these threads running around somewhere on here, let me know and I'll try to fix it. CHEERS ~Eric
Well no definate right or wrong here. I love my GN and it is probably the best choice as far as power/economy/driveability etc with fuel injection & overdrive but its also generally speaking the most difficult & expensive route. Exceptions can be found especially for the long term turbo gearhead. That being said most here would probably and maybe rightfully go for the 455. Its the route I would probably suggest for your goals of 13s driveabilty & money. Unless you fall into a wrecked turbo car for dirt cheap or something. Honestly it probably mostly depends on what your heart wants the most. Taking your heart out of it I would start out looking for an old 225 or something that I can get as a cheap donor car. Build it as you can while you drive the 3.8 and later when its built and you are maybe in a position to pick up another dirt cheap fuel mileage driver you can install your 455. Welcome to the board Eric.
Cheers Vern thanx for the welcome, glad to be here :bglasses: What is a "225"? Also what are the contrasts/comparisons in building a 455 vs 350? Will that 455 bolt up to this THM350 tranny? I'm going into the Army this summer/fall and probally be after I get stationed that I seriously start working on it. I've ruled out the Turbo, because, like you said unless I find one dirt cheap, it is likely that I won't so, I'm contemplating the 455 or 350. I can't wait to get started! :3gears: ~Eric
Hi Eric, Nice looking Regal, lots to work with there. Engine-wise the 455's torque will get you into the 13's for the least money, however the ultimate cheap-out 13-second G-body is to go with any old 350 and a 3.73 gear rear end using drag radials. The 455 or 350 are both fine engines for the Regal and will do what you want. I'd say the 455 give you more room to grow given parts availability and the additional torque, but will be less economical to operate. 25MPG goes out the window with any of these solutions. Is the car going to see a lot of highway or mostly be in town?
CHEERS Leviathan I want to build it strictly to cruise a "strip" or to race. Gas mileage doesn't mean that much to me w/this car, heck, it barely (IF) gets 15mpg as it is. So it would mostly see town driving, not road use, if I had to race it, I'll tow it w/the Dodge I plan on getting. :TU: I know I had a '79Z28 w/the 4speed you had to pull up on to get in reverse, and it had 3:73 posi, it would sit there and still be roasting in 3rd and IMO it was pretty fast, but, it only got like 8mpg :laugh: That's what I'm looking forward to this regal doing. :3gears: G'day Eric
Definitely go 455. Way more race/burnout/strip potential than a 350. 455 is a little easier for aftermarket parts and you'll see bigger torque/HP numbers to start with. Both engines will bolt to a TH350. Hope that helps!
regal I put a stock 350 from a 73 Apollo in a v6 78 Regal about 15 or so years ago and had the most fun with burnouts that I ever had! I currently have an 83 turbo car and an 84GN and both are great power and fuel economy cars and are fun to fool with people. At least put a "bulge" hood on it, It makes them look so much better.(my opinion anyway).
i just bought a 82 regal limited ,to put my hi perf 430 into mine is a factory bucket seat/console car,will be sooo fast in a regal body!!
