'87 Regal with T option (non turbo)

[86TR]

Does anyone have one of these, that came with the Olds 307 engine? Back in the late '80s and early '90s, I'd occasionally see what looked like a T-Type, but upon getting closer, I'd realize it was an '87 with the T option and no turbo. From what I've read, there weren't that many built, and I haven't seen any around for a long time. These cars still aren't worth much more than a regular Regal, are they (even though they're fairly rare)?

I've been curious about whether it would be worth upgrading one of those to a similar performance level of an '86-'87 turbo, while keeping the car a V8. Perhaps a Chevy 350 high performance crate motor from GM with a 4 barrel Quadrajet? I figure that would overstress a 200-4R, so how about a THM 350 or 400 transmission? Taller gearing could compensate for the lack of overdrive, if the motor produced a lot of torque and horsepower.

This way, one wouldn't be destroying the originality of a turbo T-Type or GN, but would have the smoother operating characteristics of a V8, without the slight turbo lag of the Buick V6. Could the ECM be bypassed and still meet '87 emission standards?

Don't get me wrong. I love what Buick was able to do with the 3.8 V6, using sophisticated electronics that didn't appear on other cars until many years later. But -- wouldn't it be fun to have a V8 in a TR lookalike that could actually run with a TR?

[Gnat352]

I HAVE ONE!!!!!!!!!!!! , It's undergoing a conversion as we speak

[chicozregal]

Yup got 1 myself and shes silver..even gota slap stick in it too..Honestly went a similar route with 373 and would swap em out to 410 in the evenings ...anyway got a smallblock in it...BUICK of course..lemme leave u on this note..there great weekend warriors if your into that kind of thing..no Chebby keep it true dont get me wrong does get a lil costly

[Gnat352]

I honestly don't give a $hit if the car came turbo or not. Yea, they may be rare, but just cause it's rare don't mean it's worth a lot. The 307 is a very reliable motor...but is slow as a F*ckin slug

I was gonna put a buick 350 in it, but decided to put the Turbo 6 in it. Again, I could care less what the car is worth, as long as it runs what i want it to run

[teamgn87]

Friend of mine has a 406 with a 700 r4 in his 84 limited. Runs as good as a turbo for a lot less.

[86TR]

Originally Posted by Gnat352

Yea, they may be rare, but just cause it's rare don't mean it's worth a lot.

That's why I've often wondered why the 1982 Grand Nationals are worth much. They're not the best performing, particularly if they didn't get the turbo, and just got the 4.1 V6 instead.

The 307 is a very reliable motor...but is slow as a F*ckin slug

Thus, the 4.1 V6 with its factory rated 125 horsepower was better than the NA 3.8, but slower than the 307. So why are those 215 GNs supposedly collectible?

[Gnat352]

First of it's kind

[Buick Runner]

Originally Posted by 86TR

Does anyone have one of these, that came with the Olds 307 engine? Back in the late '80s and early '90s, I'd occasionally see what looked like a T-Type, but upon getting closer, I'd realize it was an '87 with the T option and no turbo. From what I've read, there weren't that many built, and I haven't seen any around for a long time. These cars still aren't worth much more than a regular Regal, are they (even though they're fairly rare)?

I've been curious about whether it would be worth upgrading one of those to a similar performance level of an '86-'87 turbo, while keeping the car a V8. Perhaps a Chevy 350 high performance crate motor from GM with a 4 barrel Quadrajet? I figure that would overstress a 200-4R, so how about a THM 350 or 400 transmission? Taller gearing could compensate for the lack of overdrive, if the motor produced a lot of torque and horsepower.

This way, one wouldn't be destroying the originality of a turbo T-Type or GN, but would have the smoother operating characteristics of a V8, without the slight turbo lag of the Buick V6. Could the ECM be bypassed and still meet '87 emission standards?

Don't get me wrong. I love what Buick was able to do with the 3.8 V6, using sophisticated electronics that didn't appear on other cars until many years later. But -- wouldn't it be fun to have a V8 in a TR lookalike that could actually run with a TR?

To meet emission standards for 87 you need to swap in a ECM system from a 1987 or later V8. But that would depend on if the emission testers in your area look under your hood or not. You can get by the snifter without a ECM, but you will still need many of the smog parts and a good tune. But if the testers in your area still look under the hoods of 80s cars, then you are gonig to need the ECM because they will fail it if they see that it is missing. I think you may have more luck talking about engine swaps in Before black and The Waiting Room.

[b4black]

Originally Posted by 86TR

That's why I've often wondered why the 1982 Grand Nationals are worth much. They're not the best performing, particularly if they didn't get the turbo, and just got the 4.1 V6 instead.



Thus, the 4.1 V6 with its factory rated 125 horsepower was better than the NA 3.8, but slower than the 307. So why are those 215 GNs supposedly collectible?

Cause the look really f'n cool.



It's not always about performance. Look at how many people want '65 Mustangs - no power there either.

I don't know if they are much slower than a 307. The '82 GN came with 3.23 gears behind the 4.1 V6. In 1982, they weren't too shabby.

[Ormand]

I bought one for my wife (now my ex-wife) back in 1987. White, with a gray interior, and the 60/40 front seat. She wanted chrome on it, so I got the chrome trim, may have been the Limited, can't remember now. The 307 is a DOG! But it can easily be replaced by another Olds engine, with more cubic inches and better heads. If you keep a computer controlled carb on it, it should pass the emmissions requirements in most states- but prob'ly not Calif.