BUILD THREAD JRP's '87 Regal Thread

[TURNA]

I though it was old ladies.

Old fat ladies?

 

[DRIVEN]

Now you're squarely in my demographic.

 

[MrSony]

Considering the Buick 350 is a strong, skirted block I am also surprised it weighs so little. It must be its compact size. Of course the Olds 350 weighs the same or less than the sbc 350 and Olds is much bigger in every way.

plus the nickle content. block, heads, crank, all high nickle.

 

[Texas82GP]

Joe, you have a nice plan coming together. Are you sure you don't want to upgrade to the Blazer brakes while you have it apart? You aren't looking at much difference in cost, I would think, over going back with all new stock stuff. Wait, you're running 14" wheels aren't you? I don't think that would work, and the wheels look great on the car.

 

[Texas82GP]

Also, I restored the stock A-arms on my car. It's a lot of work stripping them, painting them and replacing all the bushings. I'm not sure I wouldn't buy aftermarket arms if I did it again. Also, if I had it to do over again, I would do the coilover conversion for the ride height adjustability. Expensive, but awesome.

 

[1evilregal]

Glad to see you back at it again! You’ve got a good plan going forward, and your standards are a lot higher than before, so everything will come out as beautiful as the rest of the car. I agree with Sony about going with the stock front setup, but maybe add the tall ball joints, then go from there after you get a before feel, and decide what level of performance you want out of it. I also agree with Jared on the blazer upgrade on the front. I put them on my regal (haven’t driven it yet), and on the Chief, and can honestly say that it’s a night and day difference! On the regal, I had 14” stock steel wheels for rollers, and didn’t hit the calipers, but unsure about how they’ll work with your rallies.

 

[joesregalproject]

Thanks everyone for the replies and for following along!

I don't know anything about old fat ladies but if these two are old and fat then I'm a cougar loving chubby chaser-

Zach I'm glad I'm going through and doing this stuff now. I could've installed the Buick engine with the used th350 I have laying around and been up and driving already, but I wouldn't have been happy with it. Bob and Mike poured their heart and soul into that Buick engine and I don't want to drop it into a half assed engine bay. So it's not the most fun work, but it'll pay off once its done.

My reason for not going with the Blazer brakes right now is that I already have brand new original calipers and rotors. I may change my mind once I get it build out to the spindles, not sure though. Those Buick rally wheels are 15s btw, and even though I like them, I'd trade 'em in a heartbeat for a set of T type wheels.

As for the stock a arms, I just don't want to do this again later on. I've thrown away enough money by doing things twice, and I'd rather not do that again. The hard part is justifying the cost of the tubular arms. They are sooo nice looking though, and they are ready to bolt on 🤔

 

[DRIVEN]

Biggest question is, how will you be using it?
My vote for an occasional cruiser; I'd probably replace wear items with Moog and forget about it. Probably go tall balljoints too since you'redoing them anyway. If you haven't already, a fatty front swaybar.
Poly bushings are stiff and sometimes squeaky. Stiff springs are harsh around town. Stock brakes are okay -- not great.
Your tires are kind of the limiting factor now anyway. I love the look of those rallys and whitewalls, BTW.
I'd save expensive performance parts and dash rattles for a track day toy.

 

[joesregalproject]

Biggest question is, how will you be using it?
My vote for an occasional cruiser; I'd probably replace wear items with Moog and forget about it. Probably go tall balljoints too since you'redoing them anyway. If you haven't already, a fatty front swaybar.
Poly bushings are stiff and sometimes squeaky. Stiff springs are harsh around town. Stock brakes are okay -- not great.
Your tires are kind of the limiting factor now anyway. I love the look of those rallys and whitewalls, BTW.
I'd save expensive performance parts and dash rattles for a track day toy.

Very good points. The car will be mostly a cruiser, but it will see a quarter mile once or twice a year. I'm definitely staying away from stiff springs. I have a few fillings in my mouth and I'd like them to stay there. Any lowering will come from spindles in the front, it'll have to come from springs in the rear. Stock brakes are easy to stick with for now since I already have them, they are easy to upgrade later.

You are definitely right about poly bushings. I went with poly body bushings on this car because the factory style ones are junk. My BMW 323is had poly control arm bushings, I don't mind the ride of them as much but the squeaking is maddening. I do have F41 sway bars front and rear already. I haven't driven the car so I can't say if I'm happy with them, but they have to be better than what I had.

As for the wheels and tires, thanks. I bought the Buick rallies off of Craigslist, and the tires were free from a friend who took them off of his Olds 88. The tires are small but they make good rollers. Initially I wanted white letters but the whitewalls have grown on me. They give it a sleeper element. When I actually buy tires for this car I'm thinking 255s for the rear and 235s for the front.

 

[DRIVEN]

You'll like the F41 bars. Made a dramatic improvement on mine.