... so if I wanted to build a streetable 8-second GN ...

[treynor]

> Unless you have driven a TR capable of 130+MPH in the 1/4 and have experienced the unexpected loss of traction at any given time [..]

Heh. To put this all in context, my RT/10 runs the 1/4 mile at 150-152 MPH, and I've spun both rear tires on it at 120 MPH in a straight line (and that was off the bottle). Further, I used to roadrace a graves YZF-R1 (150 RWHP, 400 lbs) so I do understand the basics of throttle control. I certainly realize that putting this power level to the ground will not happen on the street - but it can/is still fun to drive at part throttle.

 

[86brick]

Originally posted by treynor
> Unless you have driven a TR capable of 130+MPH in the 1/4 and have experienced the unexpected loss of traction at any given time [..]

Heh. To put this all in context, my RT/10 runs the 1/4 mile at 150-152 MPH, and I've spun both rear tires on it at 120 MPH in a straight line (and that was off the bottle). Further, I used to roadrace a graves YZF-R1 (150 RWHP, 400 lbs) so I do understand the basics of throttle control. I certainly realize that putting this power level to the ground will not happen on the street - but it can/is still fun to drive at part throttle.

I saw your yellow RT/10 Viper down here at the local car show (Tower shops) about a week or so ago and have also seen it at another car show (Fudds in Fort Lauderdale a while back) when Doug has had it down here.......... It truely is a badass machine and it gets a LOT of attention!!!

 

[.38 special]

I think the key would be the TA aluminum block and some huge ball bearing turbos, which would allow you to run less of a stall, in theory-because they spool quicker- making it more streetable. Maybe i just want to see what happens though. I would love to see a 8second truly streetable gn the v6 would make it all the more beautiful.

 

[KendallF]

Originally posted by treynor
[BHeh. To put this all in context, my RT/10 runs the 1/4 mile at 150-152 MPH, and I've spun both rear tires on it at 120 MPH in a straight line (and that was off the bottle). Further, I used to roadrace a graves YZF-R1 (150 RWHP, 400 lbs) so I do understand the basics of throttle control. I certainly realize that putting this power level to the ground will not happen on the street - but it can/is still fun to drive at part throttle. [/B]

Are you wanting a car that could run the mph for 8s...or are you wanting a car with the chassis, drivetrain, and safety gear to really run 8s? That's the question.

One point up front: you will never get an 8 second turbo Regal to pass smog in CA unless you flat out bribe someone for a certificate. A car with the parts to run 8s, even if it's a single turbo car, will be obviously non-stock enough to fail the visual.

I am building a car similar to what you're after (twin turbo S2, S2 heads, stock style suspension). I love the V6s but if you want a car that can see some street duty, I think I would build a twin or big single turbo SBC. The parts for the SBC are cheaper, you won't have to wind it as hard or run as much boost, and if you go to Duttweiler, he's done a bunch already. A recent car in his shop had a 400+ ci small block, small twin turbos, and full accessories including A/C. It didn't have the chassis or safety gear to run 8s, but it had the motor, anyway.

Good luck!

 

[turbo buicks]

Originally posted by treynor
> I can't imagine a huge single turbo V6 being much fun below 5000rpm.

Yah, that was pretty much the problem with my Supra. It had a 6-speed and didn't make real power until 4800 RPM. I had assumed the larger displacement of the Buick V6 would make the powerband more tractable.

the more displacement may make it more streetable but the Supra has a 4 valve head and probably outflows even the best GN heads.

 

[86brick]

Originally posted by turbo buicks
the more displacement may make it more streetable but the Supra has a 4 valve head and probably outflows even the best GN heads.

Supra 4 valve heads won't outflow ported Stage II heads............

 

[turbo buicks]

crap, forgot about S2 heads. do they make any Supra head, stock ported, aftermarket ported, etc, that could outflow the ported S2 heads?

 

[86brick]

Originally posted by turbo buicks
crap, forgot about S2 heads. do they make any Supra head, stock ported, aftermarket ported, etc, that could outflow the ported S2 heads?

Nope.

 

[turbo buicks]

cool.

 

[John Purdom]

Just like to say welcome, Ben, and kudos for pushing the envelope. The great thing about extreme projects like this are the innovations that trickle down to the rest of us.

If you do this, please keep us posted on your progress.

Good luck.

 

[Taffy]

Out of state cars....

Treynor, if you buy an out of state car and want to get it registered in Ca, you have to take it to either the DMV or a referee. They will check that the car has atleast 2 forms of VIN info. One is the cowl, the other is usually the trunk. If there are not atleast 2 #s that match, they will move onto the engine, the trans and the frame.

They have to check all of the #s to make sure you are not getting a stolen car. Not to say this car is stolen, just letting you know how much of a pain it might be. If they have to check the engine and trans for #s, I can only imagine what they will have to do to register this particular car.

I have been going through a battle of getting my GN registered in Ca for 4 years. It turns out that my car was stolen about 10 years ago in Florida, but only California checks #s other than what is on the cowl. Florida, and New York did not seem to care that the car was stolen as I have registered the car there before.

Good luck with the 8 second car!

 

[2 QK 4 U]

Like .38 Special posted. The TA All Aluminum V6 should be considered.

http://www.taperformance.com/v6_block_flyer.htm

 

[treynor]

> If you do this, please keep us posted on your progress.

You can count on it I'm still in research stage right now, but it's certainly looking like a fun project...

A common trick for the Supras was a small shot of spray to get the turbos spooling at lower RPMs. Has that been tried successfully on big-turbo street GNs?

 

[turbo buicks]

"NOS" on GNs doesnt really seem to be a common thing but check the alky/NOS section, there are a few that use it. they say its like INSTA-SPOOL

 

[86brick]

Originally posted by treynor


A common trick for the Supras was a small shot of spray to get the turbos spooling at lower RPMs. Has that been tried successfully on big-turbo street GNs?

It has been done by a few and I know for a fact with a nice aftermarket engine management system like a FAST, DFI Gen7, or a Motec it could be very safe with the proper fuel/timing adjustments!

 

[geno]

A high 9 sec 266 CID V6 flat tappet hyd cam ,stock gears ,200 trans and 3000-3200 stall converter is as far as i would go and say its really streetable. Checking valve lash and replacing springs would be a PITA to me at least. There are guys that do it with a V6 (Cal,Brian Burnside), but they dont go on 1000 mile trips like i can without even opening the hood. Just because it has tags doesnt mean you can drive it accross the country What some people call streetable is just not practicle in the real world when you just want to go for a ride with the wife. I can say my wife still goes to the store im my car and its no big deal. I really think it can be done and has been done but at what price?
You give some to get some as far as driving comfort VS perfomance and thats why i stopped before it was no fun on the street. Im on the edge of that fine line for what i will put up with in a qoute (Street Car) I had to laugh last time i was at the track and it rained.I helped dry the track and asked the guys racing in Real Street if they wanted something at the store when i was done. The fastest Real Street car only went 3 tenths faster than my REAL STREET CAR LOL Im going to tease them again this weekend and ask if they want anything at the store while im there LOL...

 

[.38 special]

I agree with geno
You give some to get some as far as driving comfort vs. perfomance
but anything that fast has got to be fun to drive on the street and you have to sacrifice some things for speed. What would I know, I've never driven a ten second car on the street, and he's got the mercedes or who knows what for the cross country trips.
My main concern though is the number of smilies you just used.

 

[geno]

I guess im just a happy guy LOL

 

[.38 special]

Man, you went back and took them out. Now I just look like a jacka$$. I swear he had like 6 in there. HaHa

 

[John Purdom]

I think age has some bearing on this. I just turned 50, and have had hot rods/muscle cars and ridden crotch rockets all my life. Where do you go but faster? My GN is a toy. I get it out and drive it on the street for maybe an hour or two at a time, or maybe to a car show, and put it away. I think I understand Ben's definition of streetable, and it's not gettin' groceries. Ask any "normal citizen", and they would think we're all nuts. Let's face it, I'll bet many of us here have race cars with license plates. My car doesn't even have windshield wipers. So is it a real street car? Nah. And I don't get out in traffic and nail it w/22# of boost, or race pimply faced teenagers in SS Camaros down mainstreet. I usually head out into the country for some fun on a deserted 2 lane, or down to a deserted industrial park on a Sunday. My only trips to the drag strip anymore are just to see what the last improvement equates to in tenths instead of seat of the pants. Don't need to prove anything to anyone. Just addicted to that rush...


So Ben has the funds to take that up a few notches. I say, Whoo Hoo! Just wish I could be around to see this thing run when he's done.