Finally getting around to it

[Blown 87 Limited]

Hello all, new to the forum as a member but I've been reading a lot here for a while. I have a 87 Regal Limited that my mother factory ordered new, as a matter of fact it is the very first car I ever rode in, brought me home from the hospital after I was born.

Anyway, it is a 307 car, the POS 307 let go about 18 years ago and the car has been sitting ever since. The only reason we still have the car is because I've always wanted to build it and am finally getting around to doing so. I pretty much know exactly what I'm going to do, just wanted to get some thoughts from you guys, and introduce myself on here.

I'm going with a 454 swap, I picked the block up several years ago specifically for this car. Block was already bored .030 over when I bought it so I am going to do a 489 stroker. Lunati rotating assembly and AFR heads. Going with a beefed up Turbo 400 trans and am looking at several options for a rear end. Oh yeah, and as my "call sign" states, I'm going to supercharge it. I am aware of the motor mount change that needs to be made, but if there is anything else I should be aware of let me know. One question I do have is the Heater box. I have heard it will clear and that it won't. I would like to still run AC on the car, so let me hear you guys with experience in this area.

I'm going to re do the entire chassis, from control arms all the way to the gas tank. Any suggestions to help me make her hook let me know. I am leaning towards Hotchkis suspension, but if anyone has a better route please speak up.

Glad to be here, there are some sweet rides on here. Suggest away.

 

[565bbchevy]

On my 565 big block I run Moroso solid engine mounts, the engine clears the stock dual diaphragm brake booster with no issues if you have the larger single it might cause problems.
As far as running factory AC that will be a problem since I had to put a large notch in just the factory non ac case to clear the valve covers and for the performance you are talking about you will either be running a stud girdle on your AFR's or a shaft set up so I doubt you can get away with any stock height valve covers.

 

[clean8485]

I'm assuming that when you say you'd like to keep A/C on the car, that you intend to drive it on the street. Are you looking at a traditional Roots type blower, or a centrifugal type supercharger? Do you have plans to reinforce the frame? What is your goal in terms of horsepower?

 

[Blown 87 Limited]

Thanks for your responses, 565BBChevy your setup is sick.

Yes I am going to drive it on the street, and occasionally run it on the track. I have an 1/8th mile track about 40 minutes from my house.

As far as frame upgrades goes I am open to suggestions, the body is going to come off once I get most/all the chassis parts. I've done some reading on frame stuff, but most of my time has been geared toward drive train and suspension so far. That's part of the reason I'm here. I estimate the 489 to make anywhere in the 550-600 range N/A. If I am far off please tell me. I have read many builds from various places and I think those numbers are in close proximity to where it should be. I am going to run an intercooled centri blower, either a Paxton or a Procharger. Not looking to have crazy boost, in the 8-10 range. Compression is going to be in the 9.1 - 9.5.1 range, as i want to keep her on 93 pump gas and if I go higher that won't be possible. I have gone back and forth on "to boost or not to boost" and hell, I want the blower. I've ordered the Lunati bottom end already so it'll hold boost regardless.

All things considered I'd like to be in the 750-800 range when it's all said and done.

Again, hit me with frame suggestions.

 

[Blown 87 Limited]

Oh and on the AC topic.

I would like to run it, but I ain't sacrificing motor for AC. If it can't happen it can't happen.

 

[Blown 87 Limited]

I've looked at these....Fairly cheap and luckily I know a good welder....Worth it?

 

[bob64]

Paxton or Procharger will create alot of heat at 8-10 lbs and you'll eat it up, won't be efficient. You'll want to keep it to 6 or under. Also your compression rate is alittle on the high side for power adders.
Stroked 489 , 4 1/2 to 6 lbs boost should be right in the 700 HP plus mark.
And forget your AC it hits the box by about a inch , then you still need valve covers to be removed now and then.

 

[Injectedcutty]

In regards to suspension goodies....hotchkis is nice, but overpriced in my opinion. I have there drop springs and rear control arm braces, but i bought those years ago before there were more options.
Look into the BMR or UMI stuff. I'm running BMR front upper a arms, tubular rear uppers, boxed lowers, and their sway bars. My 87 cutlass rides pretty stiff, hardly any body roll, and hooks well!
As far as the BBC stuff, i can't help much there....as i had a sbc for the last 13 or 14 years, going boosted LS now. It looks like 565 is on the ball. There are several others here running big blocks, I'm sure they will chime in at some point.

 

[Bar50]

Bigger pistons (compression wise) and e85. It will make the numbers, or close, raw. Roller cam, right?

If you plan on boxing the frame get new body bushings, or even consider solid aluminum versions. Add the GNX bushings along the way....can I interest you in a roll bar?

To make it hook, call Santhuff with body weight with you in it and front and rear weights. Drag shocks. Pinion angle set at 4° down. I run solid lowers at minimum.

28x9 slicks will fit most G-body cars without much grief.

Oh, and a good foot brake converter to match the motor.

3.73 gear will work with that 4.25 stroke crank.

 

[Texas82GP]

Welcome to the site from Houston. Cool project. If you want to keep A/C with a tall valve cover big block, consider going with a Vintage Air type setup. It will relocate the evaporator under the dash which will give you all the room in the world under the hood on the passenger side. You loose some glove box depth and its a bit of a project to put in. I also feel it is a bit lower capacity cooling wise since it is so compact but its way better than no A/C.