I know of an 83 Regal T-type with T-tops. I seem to remember reading that these cars dont do well with 455 transplants due to body flex. is this true and if so how do you overcome it? Bob
Since the Turbo 6 was offered in that body style, I wouldn't worry TOO much, but if modified I have heard of the panel behind the opera window cracking. You can buy the X brace that goes behind the rear seat in a GNX and that should help. Try Postons.com.
check your body mounts also ,there was many cars was missing some postons catalog has info on it and the body mounts also there is whats called jounce bars , mostly available on grand prix,monte,and wagons, these will help also add these to the gnx rear seat brace and you should be ok unless your planning a really big powered engine
with all the body mounts and the seat braces it would help. i just sold my t-top regal with the stock 72 455 olds motor and you could see it flex when the tops were off and you got on it a bit. i cant even imagine what my buick 455 would do to it. hell, it made my b pillers crack in a hard top car. if you kept the 455 around stock it should be alright, but id say if your putting something really healthy in there you better do like monkey said and cage it.just my 2 cents.
My thoughts exactly. The T-tops are also difficult to seal and have a tendency to leak, but if you live in the south your going to want to have those babies off anyhow.
we have a few of these cars running around here with built t-v6's. most run in the 11- 10 sec range with decent 60' times, no real problems to speak of. Look over your body mounts and such as mentioned. if you hit 600 trq with trans break you will have many other good problems to deal with!! My guess is you will find other things to tweek prior to your question needing to be addressed.
I havent actually purchased the car yet. I'm trying to decide if it's something i want to tackle. I have a 455 and a switch pitch th400 that could be built for it. the car is rust free and has buckets and console but the guy wants 2500.00 for it. if it had a factory 8.5 rear it would be so much more tempting.
I hear ya. The 8.5 would hold up.... Go for it, you will like the car when finished. Those cars gain more deserved recognition each year.
more than likely an 83 with have a 7.5 rear with 3.42 gears if it was a turbo car but 8.5 is slim chance in an 83 my 455 regal will buckle the 1/4 panels on launch and im not at 600 hp yet and i have a cage and a hardtop so i wouldnt go all out on a t-top car i do have a hardtop body with an 8.5 but no title or doors would let it go for right price but im in illinois
I forgot to mention the Regal guys around here ,with exception to Bobb Makley and Family, are running turbo's and they launch a bit smoother :TU:
Depends on how psycho you want to go with it, for everyday street use you would probably be OK, but I wouldn't make a full racer out of it. In any case the rear seat, front frame braces, and a full body bushing kit would be a definite help. Replacing the bushings alone will give a much smoother ride....
