What to put in my Regal?

[86RegalLimited]

Hello,
I have a 86 Regal with a 307 and a 4 speed trans. I need advice on what engine to put in and what transmission to accompany it. I am looking for an engine that will be easy enough to put it (not too much modification) and pretty easy to find. I want an engine that puts out as much or more power than a Camaro or a Mustang or something. I am trying to build the ultimate sleeper. Fuel economy is somewhat of a concern but is not my greatest. As for the trans, I would prefer one with overdrive but most importantly it must be able to handle the power the engine puts out.
Thank you

 

[86RegalLimited]

350

I have a guy near me selling a GMGoodwrench 350 engine and a GMGoodwrench transmission together for $525. They have less than 40K miles. Is this a good engine and would it fit my criteria? Also, is it a good deal?
Thank you

 

[G_Body_Enthusiast]

well what has been done to this 350 they're trying to sell? i wouldnt bother with their transmission unless you're willing to give up OD and i wouldnt, i have a TH-350 and i wish i had a 2004r instead.

if its stock the 2004r you have will hold up fine to it though you may want to consider a rebuild with stronger parts in the future, better to be safe than sorry.

525 for both isnt a bad price but if they're selling them both for that little i have to ask WHY? with only 40K mile that's not much in terms of mileage unless he needs fast cash and doesnt have the room for storing them.

find out info about the engine, what they've done to it, what they had it in, how they used it. ask a lot of questions. you can get a gm 350 crate motor for 1200 new and its a new long block. it also comes with a warranty. so if you arent too sure about their engine you can always get one from GM OR...try to get it as cheap as possible and rebuild it and stab in a better cam. if its the same engine im thinking of it could use a better cam for sure and a pair of vortec heads, again fairly cheap but i dont know what you're budget is.

of course if you take his transmission you'll need to replace the transmission mount with a 3 speed crossmember and a different driveshaft, 2004rs are longer and mount further back than the TH-350 does. both can be found on any g-body for cheap at a junkyard. i'd rather stick with the OD though personally.

 

[joe_padavano]

The absolute easiest swap will be another small block Olds, say a 350 or 403. Everything you currently have bolts right up. Next easiest is a big block Olds (425 or 455) which also pretty much bolts up except for minor differences like exhaust manifolds (the big block and small block Olds motors are almost identical externally except for the deck height and resulting differences in intake and exhaust manifolds).

Virtually every other GM V8 of the time can be bolted in with different motor mounts and accessory brackets, but you need to chase down all the parts.

 

[86RegalLimited]

Thanks for your replys

well what has been done to this 350 they're trying to sell? i wouldnt bother with their transmission unless you're willing to give up OD and i wouldnt, i have a TH-350 and i wish i had a 2004r instead.

if its stock the 2004r you have will hold up fine to it though you may want to consider a rebuild with stronger parts in the future, better to be safe than sorry.

525 for both isnt a bad price but if they're selling them both for that little i have to ask WHY? with only 40K mile that's not much in terms of mileage unless he needs fast cash and doesnt have the room for storing them.

find out info about the engine, what they've done to it, what they had it in, how they used it. ask a lot of questions. you can get a gm 350 crate motor for 1200 new and its a new long block. it also comes with a warranty. so if you arent too sure about their engine you can always get one from GM OR...try to get it as cheap as possible and rebuild it and stab in a better cam. if its the same engine im thinking of it could use a better cam for sure and a pair of vortec heads, again fairly cheap but i dont know what you're budget is.

of course if you take his transmission you'll need to replace the transmission mount with a 3 speed crossmember and a different driveshaft, 2004rs are longer and mount further back than the TH-350 does. both can be found on any g-body for cheap at a junkyard. i'd rather stick with the OD though personally.

If I did get a used engine I would be rebuilding in no matter what. I was not aware that buying a new one was so cheap though. How do I know what transmission I have in my car now? How difficult is it to rebuild a transmission in relation to rebuilding an engine? It seems like it would be a lot harder. What would be a good price to pay for an engine?

The absolute easiest swap will be another small block Olds, say a 350 or 403. Everything you currently have bolts right up. Next easiest is a big block Olds (425 or 455) which also pretty much bolts up except for minor differences like exhaust manifolds (the big block and small block Olds motors are almost identical externally except for the deck height and resulting differences in intake and exhaust manifolds).

Virtually every other GM V8 of the time can be bolted in with different motor mounts and accessory brackets, but you need to chase down all the parts.

How hard are these engines to find? How hard is it to find parts for these engines? What is the gas millage difference between a small block and a big block? How much power do these engines put out? I am 17 and pretty new to the world of rear wheel drive v8 cars so please excuse my inexperience. My last car was a Honda and before that, a Ford Escort. I am mechanically inclined though and not afraid to take on a project like rebuilding an engine.

 

[82355supreme]

Go with the Chevy 350 & trans. Paying $1200 for a low compression (8:1) weak tit (240-260 horse) 350 is stupid. You'd be very dissapointed with the power in a hurry & be sinking tons of coin into it in a hurry. 🙁

If the engine you're talking about has less than 40K, I'd leave the bottom end alone. Look up aeroheadracing.com for some really good heads at a really good price, 64cc chambers to bump up the compression. Also a cam with around .500 lift & 230-240* duration, roller timing chain, roller rockers, a dual-plane intake of your choice, a double-pump Holley 650, a good HEI distributor and you're set for $1500 OR LESS!! This combo should be in the 375 HP & 425 FT LB range & make your regal scoot.

As far as the trans., a TH350 is alright as long as you stay under 3.73 gearing. A TH350 & 3.73's is turning 2,700 at 60MPH

Oh, and the stay with Olds engine theory...... whatever. Compare parts avalibility to small Chevy parts, you'll see my point.

 

[86RegalLimited]

Thanks for your reply

Go with the Chevy 350 & trans. Paying $1200 for a low compression (8:1) weak tit (240-260 horse) 350 is stupid. You'd be very dissapointed with the power in a hurry & be sinking tons of coin into it in a hurry. 🙁

If the engine you're talking about has less than 40K, I'd leave the bottom end alone. Look up aeroheadracing.com for some really good heads at a really good price, 64cc chambers to bump up the compression. Also a cam with around .500 lift & 230-240* duration, roller timing chain, roller rockers, a dual-plane intake of your choice, a double-pump Holley 650, a good HEI distributor and you're set for $1500 OR LESS!! This combo should be in the 375 HP & 425 FT LB range & make your regal scoot.

As far as the trans., a TH350 is alright as long as you stay under 3.73 gearing. A TH350 & 3.73's is turning 2,700 at 60MPH

Oh, and the stay with Olds engine theory...... whatever. Compare parts avalibility to small Chevy parts, you'll see my point.

If it's an Olds engine or a Chevy engine it doesn't bother me as long as it doesn't require any major modification (i.e. welding or cutting) and gets me the power i'm looking for because the 307 i have in my car right now is WEAK. How is the engine i'm looking at (the GMGoodwrench 350) different from the "low compression (8:1) weak tit (240-260 horse) 350". Will the transmission that is in my car bolt up to the 350 or will i need a new one because I rather not let go of the overdrive. Is $525 a good deal?

 

[illregal82]

theres no welding to put a chevy 350 in i did it motor mounts should be under 20 for the ones that mount to the frame i dont know about the ones mount to the motor mine came with it

 

[86RegalLimited]

Well it turns out that the 350 that I was interested in is sold. On with my search!

 

[illregal82]

try www.craigslist.com