I want to buy a Regal for a daily driver, but I like to have some power too. I am looking for a cheap car that gets good gas mileage and good insurance rates(NOT a GN or Turbo Regal or T-type). I dont have the money to put down $7000 or more on a GN, though I wish I could. How hard and expensive would it be for me to drop a Turbo engine from a GN into a Regal? I've got lots of time and I know how to work on cars, thats not a problem, money is the only problem. If it is going to be over $2000 that may be a problem. Has anyone done this? Anyone with experience. I know I will hear "You might as well buy a car that's already got a turbo" But I dont have the money for that. I can find a Regal for under $1000, but I cant find a decent GN for under $5000. Anyone with useful information, help me out a little. I searched, but the search function wasnt working. I'm looking for involved cost and what all is required to do this. Thanks.
Putting a turbo engine in a non turbo car.
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You cannot do the job right for under $2K. Still better off with a $5K GN as that is what it is worth now and more later if not abused.
Since this is not a Tech subject, will move it to the Lounge where it should draw other opinions.
Maybe it is time we did a "Transplant" forum?
Since this is not a Tech subject, will move it to the Lounge where it should draw other opinions.
Maybe it is time we did a "Transplant" forum?
A decent stock motor and trans will run you over $2k just to get started. Then there's the rear end, ECM, wiring, intercooler and more stuff that'll "nickel and dime" you to death than I can list. It can and has been done but not for less than $2k unless someone gives you the GN donor car.
Nick, it's been suggested before, and I'm all for a "Hybrid/Transplant" forum here. Of course, I'm a little biased
!
Nick, it's been suggested before, and I'm all for a "Hybrid/Transplant" forum here. Of course, I'm a little biased
!Sinistr is right on the money (pardon the pun). To do the job correctly you will just about have to get a whole parts car for all the bits and pieces it will take. Trust me, I'm prepping a 1982 GN for this swap, and the only reason why is because my 87 GN is such a rust-bucket.
b4black
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Wait until you save up enough money to buy a true turbo regal. While I'm always a big fan of projects, the headaches involved will blow your mind. As will the cost to do the job at least to the point where the car will be drivable. Wait a couple years, save your money, and buy one when the time comes. I think many of us on this board did the same. I know I waited 4 years until I finally pulled the trigger on my GN.
HTH.
HTH.
You're getting good advice from Demon as well. In my case going frankenstein with this 82 was more out of necessity. Bought the 87 almost sight unseen, and got HOSED!!! Knew there was some rot issues but only after I crawled up underneath to examine a leaking fuel tank did I see how bad it truly was. (but I digress) To pull this off you need the following:
Time
Patience
Money (or credit cards with high limits)
A thorough knowledge of what makes these cars tick
A couple of friends that you trust enough to help
And did I mention patience??
It can be done, it has been done and while maybe not thatcomplicated it is VERY labor intensive. Bide yout time, the right car will come along.
Oh Richard..How did the brake issues ever work out for you?????
Time
Patience
Money (or credit cards with high limits)
A thorough knowledge of what makes these cars tick
A couple of friends that you trust enough to help
And did I mention patience??
It can be done, it has been done and while maybe not thatcomplicated it is VERY labor intensive. Bide yout time, the right car will come along.
Oh Richard..How did the brake issues ever work out for you?????
I got it worked out. The calipers were (probably) '78 Monte Carlo calipers. Same size as "metric" calipers w/o "Metric" cast on 'em.
Hose outlet is slightly different as well. Thanks for all the help looking up part numbers for me!
11" 4 wheel disc brakes now!
.....been there, done that........
A few years ago I was thinking like you, I figured that I could save on insurance and build a TR cheaper than I could build one. I was lucky, I had a wrecked GN sittin' right next to my project. The motor, tranny, and rearend can be found easily enough, but it's all the little things that kill you. New fuel lines, all the little brackets that are TR specific, sensors...it adds up in a hurry. If I were you, I would find me a TR that was all there, no matter the paint condition, and use that as your project. Intieror parts are the hardesr to come by so be sure you get one that is complete....Good Luck
A few years ago I was thinking like you, I figured that I could save on insurance and build a TR cheaper than I could build one. I was lucky, I had a wrecked GN sittin' right next to my project. The motor, tranny, and rearend can be found easily enough, but it's all the little things that kill you. New fuel lines, all the little brackets that are TR specific, sensors...it adds up in a hurry. If I were you, I would find me a TR that was all there, no matter the paint condition, and use that as your project. Intieror parts are the hardesr to come by so be sure you get one that is complete....Good Luck
SilverSleeper
Senior Member
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BTDT myself...
You cant do this for $2,000. Probably not even for $4000.
My Regal was my grandpas and was handed down to me when he passed on. The V8 307 was okay, but I wanted to do the swap after the motor got tired.
Swapping a LC2 is extremely hard. Why? Probably because there arent a lot of motors like them, they are very unique. Hence, unique=expensive to find parts for. You cant just go to the junkyard and pick up a LC2 specific part that you are missing.
I can tell you, my motor came out of a wrecked GN, and had about 40k on it. It plus the trans cost me 2000! Then you have to worry about the rear, the gas tank (baffled), fuel lines, ECM, wiring harness, changing the exhaust, among other things. I was lucky, my swap was done with the donor GN right beside it.
And if after all that you really want to daily drive it as your only car, youre brave.
Coming from where you are right now, I would suggest getting something cheap and reliable as a daily driver (not a 17 year old Regal), and save for the nicest GN you can afford. Heck, the GNs probably got the best gas mileage out of all Regal motors. Its FI, the others are both carbed motors. And they are 17 year old cars!! You would probably be better off with something newer, would be more reliable and better on gas than what you are looking at anyway. Money you save on gas buying something more economical can go to your GN project.
You cant do this for $2,000. Probably not even for $4000.
My Regal was my grandpas and was handed down to me when he passed on. The V8 307 was okay, but I wanted to do the swap after the motor got tired.
Swapping a LC2 is extremely hard. Why? Probably because there arent a lot of motors like them, they are very unique. Hence, unique=expensive to find parts for. You cant just go to the junkyard and pick up a LC2 specific part that you are missing.
I can tell you, my motor came out of a wrecked GN, and had about 40k on it. It plus the trans cost me 2000! Then you have to worry about the rear, the gas tank (baffled), fuel lines, ECM, wiring harness, changing the exhaust, among other things. I was lucky, my swap was done with the donor GN right beside it.
And if after all that you really want to daily drive it as your only car, youre brave.
Coming from where you are right now, I would suggest getting something cheap and reliable as a daily driver (not a 17 year old Regal), and save for the nicest GN you can afford. Heck, the GNs probably got the best gas mileage out of all Regal motors. Its FI, the others are both carbed motors. And they are 17 year old cars!! You would probably be better off with something newer, would be more reliable and better on gas than what you are looking at anyway. Money you save on gas buying something more economical can go to your GN project.
