buick 400 transplant for my 84 regal

Discussion in 'V-8 Buick Powered Regals' started by 84 regal satx, Sep 27, 2010.

  1. 84 regal satx

    84 regal satx New Member

    hello everyone,

    i am somewhat new here, i have been a member for awhile and have been reading posts on here for awhile and never had a need for any input till now. i have an 84 regal and have wanted to locate a buick 350 (68-70), along the way of my search i have found a 1968 sportwagon that has the buick 400 and th400 tranny for 300$. should i just go this route or wait until i find my 350? my only thought and concern is that if i went with the 400 it would be to much engine, i dont want a drag car, it is and will be a daily driver, but i do want everything that a 68 buick 350 has to offer, not to much more Hp than that. any comments or input would be greatly appriciated, thanks and have a good one!

    -adrian
     
  2. v8regalowner

    v8regalowner Silver level contributor

    adrian, i just said hi to you on your other post. now to answer this one for you the 231 to a 350 swap is really easy because you use the same frame mounts and can use your trans and everything, even the accesory brackets for the most part will work. now to go up the the 400 you will be doing alot of extra work to get it to fit. you have to change the frame pads and the front springs will more then likely have to be upgraded to the springs that came in the 307 cars. now if your leaving the 400 stock and useing the exhaust manifolds instead of headers its not as bad. headers complicate things when it comes to adding a big block. also with the 350 you will not have to do anything with the heater box, the 400 is usually a little tight but sometimes will fit. when is comes to using the 400 trans you have to change out the transmission cross member too which you dont need to do if you use a th350 or keep the 200 that is more then likely in the car. so im sure this will make your decision even harder but it might help. oh and think of it this way, the 350 will be easier and use a little less gas, but the 400 is more fun and has alot more upgrades in the future.
     
  3. 84 regal satx

    84 regal satx New Member

    thanks dan, i really appriciate all of your input. today i actually located a 68 and a 69 buick 350. i think this is the route i will be going, i want to make this as easy as possible on my mechanic, as i said this is my daily driver. also i already have the th350 tranny, i upgraded when the metric 200 went out as i knew i wanted the v8 down the road. is 300$ reasonable for the '68 350 engine? i will still have a beast won't i? can i smoke the neighborhood kids in their mustangs?

    -adrian
     
  4. v8regalowner

    v8regalowner Silver level contributor

    it should run pretty well as long as its a 4 bbl motor if it is tooned well and the timing is adjusted well.300 is a good price for a running 68 4bbl motor for sure. little things like dual exhaust and maybe a little more cam down the road would be good too.watch it alot of those kids in there mustangs buy alot of bolt on power adders lol.the rear end gears can make alot of difference too, i think most of the v6 regals had low rear end gears. keep your eyes peeled for a rear end out of a grand national or a monte ss. or even alot of the early 80s 4 dr cutlass supremes actually came with posi's too that you can just change out the gears in.keep us posted with your progress.:beer
     
  5. Running

    Running Midwest Buick Mafia

    I think the 350 would be the best choice for simplicity. My old roomate popped one in his 84 and it took a long weekend to do it, like you he had the v-6 to start with. Read through my link below on how a 455 goes in, it takes a bit longer and requires a few more :dollar: It would be the same for the 400ci as mentioned by Mr. Dan.

    $300 is a bit steep for a 350. But I guess that depends on your location and how many your neighborhood has lying around. People give them away around here (west Michigan)...

    Good luck and go for it!
     

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