BUILD THREAD 87 Regal Build

Should I go Olds 350 or Ls

  • Ls engine

    Votes: 9 52.9%
  • Oldsmobile 350

    Votes: 8 47.1%

  • Total voters
    17
  • Poll closed .
Oct 14, 2008
8,818
7,763
113
Melville,Saskatchewan
Thanks, 3.8 v6
The Buick 350 is a direct swap, accessory brackets, mounts etc. If you go Olds 350, find a 76 or older motor, no more money, stronger block with better heads.
 
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scoti

Royal Smart Person
Sep 5, 2019
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Texas
Very nice foundation! This thing is definitely starting out proper.

As for the motor options.... Both are fine. See what becomes available that makes sense & works for your budget.
 
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Northernregal

Sloppy McRodbender
Oct 24, 2017
3,359
12,826
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Red Deer, Northern Montana territory
The Buick 350 is a direct swap, accessory brackets, mounts etc. If you go Olds 350, find a 76 or older motor, no more money, stronger block with better heads.
But why swap out the 7.5 if you're going to put either of those in it?
 
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Oct 14, 2008
8,818
7,763
113
Melville,Saskatchewan
But why swap out the 7.5 if you're going to put either of those in it?
The 7.5" sucks, the stock spider gears would fail under either to start. It isn't hard to sink in a grand in a 7.5" with new parts. Used gears, Torsen and 28 spline axles with a girdle cover would be the only smart investment in a 7.5". With worked iron or aluminum heads, either 350 can easily push 400+ hp and torque, especially the big bore Olds 350. Guys have gone to a 4.185" bore on good gas Olds 350 blocks. Both blocks are strong and light for their time, the Buick especially. I killed a 7.5" way below those power numbers at the track. He can go LS if he likes but it isn't the only motor than can make good power.
 
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RegalRegal

Greasemonkey
Nov 30, 2020
133
362
63
St. Paul, Mn
The 7.5" sucks, the stock spider gears would fail under either to start. It isn't hard to sink in a grand in a 7.5" with new parts. Used gears, Torsen and 28 spline axles with a girdle cover would be the only smart investment in a 7.5". With worked iron or aluminum heads, either 350 can easily push 400+ hp and torque, especially the big bore Olds 350. Guys have gone to a 4.185" bore on good gas Olds 350 blocks. Both blocks are strong and light for their time, the Buick especially. I killed a 7.5" way below those power numbers at the track. He can go LS if he likes, his call.
Agreed, I like to over build. Why spend $$$ on a weak link. Instead I built rear for around 700hp. The Ford 9" is superior in many ways.
 
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Northernregal

Sloppy McRodbender
Oct 24, 2017
3,359
12,826
113
Red Deer, Northern Montana territory
The 7.5" sucks, the stock spider gears would fail under either to start. It isn't hard to sink in a grand in a 7.5" with new parts. Used gears, Torsen and 28 spline axles with a girdle cover would be the only smart investment in a 7.5". With worked iron or aluminum heads, either 350 can easily push 400+ hp and torque, especially the big bore Olds 350. Guys have gone to a 4.185" bore on good gas Olds 350 blocks. Both blocks are strong and light for their time, the Buick especially. I killed a 7.5" way below those power numbers at the track. He can go LS if he likes but it isn't the only motor than can make good power.
Clearly you missed my sarcasm, because ancient olds motors can't make enough power to hurt a 7.5". :LOL:

Austin Powers Movie GIF
 
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RegalRegal

Greasemonkey
Nov 30, 2020
133
362
63
St. Paul, Mn
So with my chassis just about finished, I needed to decide on a power plant. I've wanted an Oldsmobile 350 rocket since high-school when a friend picked me up in a 80's Cutlass with that engine in it. Tearing up the the streets, good times.
Well I aquired a early olds block with intentions of rebuilding. Watched lots of videos and shows about the Olds 350 and had a parts list with build plan. Then found a rebuilt engine on Craigslist, I couldn't build for the price he wanted, so I took a 6 hour road trip after work to pick up in Iowa. It was a stock rebuild except a little bigger cam. Just as this was happening I had a lead on a 6.2 ls3. I picked up the Ls, opened it up and was a perfect candidate for a rebuild. (Decisions decisions) After comparing the weight diffrence of the engines on the stand and the overall limitations with the Olds I decided to go with the Ls.
So out with the old, in with the new.

New gaskets, seals and bearings. Different oil pan, Brian Tooley l7 lifters, Texas speed stage 2 cam, Howard's billet timing set, Melling high volume oil pump and Arp bolts. Used stock pistons, rods and crank. Valve job and new spring on the 823's. Finished off with a set of Holley ls valve covers. They are really nice. I did not dyno this engine, but dynoed same set up with around 575hp. I decided to paint it an aluminum color with an Eastwood 2 part ceramic engine paint. Sprayed with cheap harbor freight hvlp gun. I found a "used for mock up" set of Brp hotrod poly ls engine mounts on eBay for $100. New they sell for $300 which is crazy to me. I am on a budget and try to be conservative where I can. IMG_5949(1).jpg IMG_5958(1).jpg IMG_5959(1).jpg IMG_5960(1).jpg IMG_5961(1).jpg IMG_5962(2).jpg IMG_5964(3).jpg 20210329_161317.jpg 20210329_161320.jpg 20210329_161327.jpg 20210329_161332.jpg 20210329_194125.jpg 20210329_194142.jpg 20210329_194334.jpg 20210329_194405.jpg 20210329_225337.jpg 20210329_230250.jpg 20210331_214136.jpg 20210331_213807.jpg 20210331_213730.jpg 20210331_213648.jpg IMG_6013(1).jpg
 
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Northernregal

Sloppy McRodbender
Oct 24, 2017
3,359
12,826
113
Red Deer, Northern Montana territory
So with my chassis just about finished, I needed to decide on a power plant. I've wanted an Oldsmobile 350 rocket since high-school when a friend picked me up in a 80's Cutlass with that engine in it. Tearing up the the streets, good times.
Well I aquired a early olds block with intentions of rebuilding. Watched lots of videos and shows about the Olds 350 and had a parts list with build plan. Then found a rebuilt engine on Craigslist, I couldn't build for the price he wanted, so I took a 6 hour road trip after work to pick up in Iowa. It was a stock rebuild except a little bigger cam. Just as this was happening I had a lead on a 6.2 ls3. I picked up the Ls, opened it up and was a perfect candidate for a rebuild. (Decisions decisions) After comparing the weight diffrence of the engines on the stand and the overall limitations with the Olds I decided to go with the Ls.
So out with the old, in with the new.

New gaskets, seals and bearings. Different oil pan, Brian Tooley l7 lifters, Texas speed stage 2 cam, Howard's billet timing set, Melling high volume oil pump and Arp bolts. Used stock pistons, rods and crank. Valve job and new spring on the 823's. Finished off with a set of Holley ls valve covers. They are really nice. I did not dyno this engine, but dynoed same set up with around 575hp. I decided to paint it an aluminum color with an Eastwood 2 part ceramic engine paint. Sprayed with cheap harbor freight hvlp gun. I found a "used for mock up" set of Brp hotrod poly ls engine mounts on eBay for $100. New they sell for $300 which is crazy to me. I am on a budget and try to be conservative where I can.
Your engine build disagrees completely with budget. Especially for a carbed N/A build...

I don't understand what's happening now.
2np44y.jpg
 
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scoti

Royal Smart Person
Sep 5, 2019
1,972
3,385
113
Texas
Using the word "budget" is subjective & relevant only to the person trimming the decision tree.
 
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SS_Malibu

Royal Smart Person
Supporting Member
Sep 27, 2021
1,155
2,015
113
Mesa, AZ
Using the word "budget" is subjective & relevant only to the person trimming the decision tree.
El Correct O!
I see some guys on here that used the word "Budget" and I'm thinking not at my house. Budget is relative to disposible income and priorities. There are some budgets on here I'd love to have.
 

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