A lot of very wise and sage advice has been given in this thread. Here's a few things that come to my mind after living the Turbo Buick lifestyle since "87.
I believe it was Mr. Eastwood that said in a famous movie, "Man's got to know his limitations."
This one really rings true when you start seriously pushing these cars to their limits, no matter what the combo is. If you're not comfortable launching the car hard, or turning the boost up high enough to make the power needed for 10's from the beginning, it's gonna be a tough meeting your goal without over building the combo.
Let me explain...
With the limited power and torque we have with a simple bolt on combo, (sans built engine) the phrase "Drive it like you stole it" becomes, "Launch it like it owes you money." That is the only way to hit high 10's with those limitations, without putting a 150+ shot of engine coke on it.
Now, when you broaden the combo's shoulders with these parts: 9 second capable engine built by a reputable Turbo Buick v6 engine builder, built trans, built rearend, quality suspension, correct converter for the combo, correct turbo for the combo, electronic boost controller, complete front to back fuel system and engine management system, the leather whip you've used in the past to launch the car with, can be retired. Meaning, you go from high boost launches with high boost through out the run, to low boost launches with insta-spool tune and moderate boost through out the run to run in the 10's. An excellent example of this would be comparing my combo, to others with 9 second capable builds that turn them down to run the same numbers I do. Because mine is hp and torque limited and at full weight with a heavy driver, (me) I've got to literally whip mine to run a high 10. This will eventually lead to failure of one part or another. So I've kept my goal a realistic one this 4th time around.
You've got to ask yourself, are you prepared to turn a wrench or three when it breaks? And trust me, it's gonna break. Do you have the disposable income to maintain the pace? IE: Keep it reliable at the power level needed for your goal. This is why you hear guys say, "Build it for 9's and de-tune it for reliable 10's." Those guys know what it takes and have more times that not, BTDT and bought the t-shirt at the Nats. These cars can be a lot of fun in the mid to high 10's, tuned for zero KR, well maintained and not gutted of creature comforts. But that level comes at a price. On the flip side, they become money sucking pigs when you start chasing an un-realistic number or competing in a Heads Up Class with limited funds, while steadily turning it into a racecar. That's just sheer insanity and straight up blood, sweat and tears work. If you got the cheddar, more power to ya and have at it. IMO, at this point in the game, I say keep it fun. Comfortable and enjoy the rarity of ownership, vs robbing Peter to pay Paul just to keep fixing it and hoping it makes it down the track next time.
One last thing and I'll get off the turbo box.
Reliability with a 30+ year old platform and 21st century technology, while making 600-650 rear wheel hp and 700+ ft lbs of torque, requires extreme levels of tuning and monitoring capabilities and zero KR. With attention to detail preventative maintenance as well as diagnosing and trouble shooting skills. If you don't have any of those in spades, you better have a really good friend who does and works cheap. Otherwise you'll go broke paying for that hard earned expertise and keyboard clicking knowledge. As was previously said, the days of slapping some bolt ons on a stock car and dominating everything on the streets, died in the early 2000's. And anyone who's just bought their first one last week and thinks they can, is delusional. If you can't hard launch and hook the power that you make with your current combo, the learning curve will take a lot of patience and time to figure out. Sorry to get so long winded. I've just seen this happen so many times, to so many owners over the years. Only to see them get frustrated and sell the car and seriously regret it later in life. Hell it happened to me! And I got very lucky this time. Sometimes life gets in the way and you're lucky enough to get back into one later down the road. One things for sure, each year there are fewer and fewer of us still racing and having fun with these cars. Owning and playing with one, is a disease. Those of us who are addicted to the Buick turbo v6 and Turbo Regals, have a huge mission. And that is to keep these Legends alive and well. And if you're just now getting into racing one hard, vs taking it to the track and making a few "street tune" passes on the street tires, it's a huge wake up call. But if you've been at it for a long time, I say good deal, you're my fam. Stick with it. Never give up on your goals with the car. We're all in this together.
And my biggest life lesson I've learned with these cars since day one, has and will continue to be, "Plan your work. Work your plan."
Hope some of it helps and carry on.
-Patrick-
