1978 Regal Turbo

[FreeBird]

Hi guys (and gals?), this is my first post here, so I thought I'd introduce myself a little. I'm Hans from The Netherlands, 21 years old and I own a 1975 Buick Century with the 'normal' non-turbo 231 (and a 1974 Monte Carlo)
My plane-jane bonestock 'odd-fire' 231 is still doing fine after almost 33 years, but the thing is, I'm kinda playing with the idea of dropping in a tubro charged 231. I'm not going to try to convert my existing engine to a turbo engine (already read an article on that, a lot of hassle and probably not satisfying results).
Overhere I know a 1978 Regal with a turbo 231 that's for sale. The add says that the engine is broken, but it is still able to run. I have to contact the owner, I want to know more about this, and find out what is really wrong. Anyway, I'm thinking of buying the engine (and trans maybe) alone, if the seller is okay with that. Maybe I need to buy the entire thing. The car is decent looking by the way, but I have no idea what to do with it. I only need the engine.
I want to rebuild that engine. I know all about these old American V8 en V6 engines, and the rebuilt process. But I'm not too familliar with eniges that have a turbo. I have some questions that hopefully some of you can answer for me.

For one, I have a Holley 390 carb laying around can I use it on that engine? It will probably have a Quadrajet (4 barrel), if it's still any good I might stick with that.

I also have a Holley Street Dominator 4 barrel intake for the 231 laying around, can I use that? I should fit the later style heads (79 and up) and the early ones. But I read something about a knock sensor, I don't think my intake has a provision for it. Would it make a big difference in performance anyway? The Holly intake of the stock one?

How much 'electric' stuff is on these 1978 engines? I mean, things that control the engine. Vacuum control, knock sensor, and other sensors maybe? That kind of stuff. My other two (older) cars, are not that 'high-tech' yet lol.
I'm familliar with working around more modern cars, with all the computer controled stuff and sensors for everthing. But I'm asking this because my '75 Buick doesn't have any of that stuff now. I kinda need to know which things really need to be swapped along with the engine and what is really important (like the knock sensor for example).

On the performance side, when I'm going to rebuild it I want to sqeeze some more power out. Can these heads be milled? And if so, how much? I'm just wondering, on the normal 231 it can be done. But with this turbo stuff I'm not sure. I don't want the compression to go dangerously high. And how about a mild port job? A mild performance cam? I'm really not sure how far you can push this engine (I know you can take the normal 231 a long way!)

How about the exhaust, does it need a lot of modification? I just built me my own stainless steel dual exhaust with glasspacks (my car came with a single exhaust). I read that one of the exhaust manifolds is different. Any other major changes? I read something about a downpipe? What is that exactly?


There's a normal TH-350 tranny behind these turbo engines right? Or is some modified stronger built version? In that case it might be a smart thing to use the tranny from the Regal too.

Oh, this is the Regal by the way:



And this is my pride and joy:
http://i30.tinypic.com/vo4pxs.jpg
http://i32.tinypic.com/2ljs65e.jpg
this is still with the old exhaust. It's a Gran Sport, by te way (but by 1975 that only meant a heavy duty suspension package, no 455's or anything).
But I have to say that these 231's run strong! Mine is still going strong and is really bonestock. And it moves this fairly heavy 'boat' just fine. No jet off-take or rubber burning, but it is fine. Not at all slow. I think these Century's must be one of the heaviest cars (if not THE heaviest) that ever came with the 231 V6.

I hope it is not too much to read (long post ). New to the turbo world

Hans

[B4turbo]

Not trying to be mean or anything, but if you part out the 78 you'd be stupid. You can find alot of the parts to convert your odfire to turbo and the only electronics you need is the distributor and the knock box that's mounted to the fan shroud. I wouldn't use the odfire though. You'd have to find the 78 only intake. It's the only one that will fit. Get the turbo coupe and restore it and modify the odfire with the Holly intake. Much easier and less expensive.

[tony moore]

i agree fix the regal. it's lighter and will make a better car for the carb/turbo engine!

[FreeBird]

Haha, I should have known, true Turbo Regal fans here But to be honest I'm more into pre-78 American cars. You know, before the downsizing. And I really don't need to have 3 cars hehe. Don't want to sound mean either, I think the late 70's en early 80's Regals are neat cars (and boy, did they look good on the NASCAR track! not to mention succesful too). But like I said, I'm more in the older big boats, and I'll stick with my '75 Century for now, and my '74 Monte Carlo project car. I don't have space for 3 cars really.
I just want some more power for my heavy Century. And since Holland is one of the most expensive countries in the world when it comes to gas (we pay about 3 times as much as you guys in America, for the same amount of gas. I sh*t you not!), I like sticking with a V6 because of the better mileage. And it's something different too, it's ususally a V8. And a Turbo would be even cooler of course.

If I would buy this car (I say if, not at all sure as of now, haven't even contact the owner yet), I will defenetly not just ditch the Regal. Or let it sit and rot away. These are neat cars, and this one is still looking decent enough to be safed. Actually I was thinking of getting it repainted (white) and put some nice wheels on it (Centerline Auto Drag or AR Outlaws I, that kind of style, with white letter tires). Seen pictures of such a combo on Car Domain, looks really sweet! Drop in the non-turbo 231 oddfire, give it a good tune-up and just own it for a while and drive it, enjoying it. The new paint and wheels will be great for the looks, and therefor good when it comes to selling it again.
I work at a big truck service station. Besides the normal service area we also have a paint and body shop (we paint them in company colors, and/or fix damage to trucks and trailers) and we have an engine rebuild shop. So, it would be easy and fairly cheap to get some stuff done at work. Got all the tools and equipment.

Anyway, I can see why you guys would like to see this original Turbo equiped Regal safed. I'm not sure what I'm going to do right now. I don't even know what exactly the deal is with that engine (or the rest of the car for that matter, only seen the pics). I already have a nice 'power recipe' for my odd-fire V6. Already figured all that stuff out and got the right partnumbers (how much milling, porting heads, other cam, going from 2 to 4 barrel, installing bigger valves etc). But that would take a lot of time and money too. I was thinking I would already have a power advantage over the normal 231 with a Turbo equiped one. And pretty much use that recipe on a Turbo 231. That would make it fairly easy to leave some rubber behind on the asphalt wouldn't it Turbo 231's aren't exactly easy to find overhere. I came across this Regal by accident, somehow just can't let it sit there...(checked the license, turns out it hasn't been registered since 2003, it's been sitting for 5 years already!)

[turbofish38]

I'd also try to save that 78 SC. Hey it's got the rare turn signal indicators on top of the fenders. That 78 just looks too nice to butcher up for parts.

As far as electronics go, can you use the factory ESC on an oddfire? I dont think so anyway. You're going to have to turbo it the old fashion way. Sounds like a good way to melt the tops off the pistons anyway. Good luck.

[FreeBird]

If I woubd buy the Regal, I quess you could consider it safed. I would take could care of it, and make sure some kind of engine, and a good running one will be in there again. And get it back on the road. Now it's just sitting there (outside).

I will defenetly not try to convert my odd-fire V6 that I have now into a turbo engine. It doesn't have the right crank either. And I don't think you can use the ESC on that engine either. For my century it's either gettting an original turbo 231, hot rodding my stock 231 the old fashioned way, or dropping in a Buick 350.

[B4turbo]

The holly street dominator will fit 75 and up heads but make shre to check gasket fit and port match the intake. Cams for the odd fire are hard to come by but if you check with delta cams in the NW US they custom grind cams and should be able to help you. Odd fires have a stronger crank (slightly) than even fires but the firing order of 12 to 90 degrees are a bit agrivating.

[Starfire]

I had an odd fire in my 77 Starfire and the previous owner had added 79 or newer even fire heads and Edelbrock intake, carb and headers. It really woke the odd fire up. (this motor is now for sale)

I just put in a 78 Turbo Regal motor but got rid of all the really bad old technology turbo stuff and went high compression 10.1:1 with 80 heads and Edelbrock Intake & carb plus headers. A good strong engine - I think you would be happy with either one. Power wise with the later high flow heads both even fire and odd fire will make the same power.

Jeff