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Calico

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Starting in 2011 im gonna try to build a all around weekend warrior/doubled w/ daily driver duties. The choices came down to the Z31, s130 & Turbo Buick regal. The candidate has to be an all around capable car; drivability, decent gas mileage, tune ability, comfort, handling, straight line performance, decent handling, aerodynamics, good braking system, decent after market support & a sleeper. What ever I pick will be automatic Trans. 4l60e, 700r4 or 200r3.

 

I. Option 1

Finish building the Turbo RegalIt needs the interior put back in it, Rear bumper, ebrake cables & exhaust. Id do some bolt ons to get it into the low 12s easy.

*Pros: Decent drivability, decent gas mileage, tune ability, extremely comfort, , straight line performance, decent after market support & a sleeper, easy parts accessibility + many types of swap kits.

*Cons: poor handling, aerodynamics, anemic braking system, kinda old, no one wrenches on em & Problem is that the more you push turbo Buicks the more prone they are to reliability issues.

 

A. I would also build a turbo LSX for it on the side.

B. Build a 4.1 turbo motor.

 

II. Option2

S130 (280zx)Chassis

The pros: 280zxs are relative cheap since they are over looked plus are a sleeper, if someone pulled up on a turbo one they would assume its stock & slow. They are light(2800lbs+/-) and can be pretty competent with a closer to stock motor (than the heavier turbo regal + Z31) & would get decent gas mileage. While a little old, they still have competent suspension, can provide decent straight line performance ,looks are decent, relatively aerodynamics, good braking + decent after market support. +can support skyline, Z31 & s13/14 suspension parts.

The cons: old a lot are rusty, parts arent as accessible, not as beautiful as the other gen Zs. Limited swap kits aside the SBC JTR, which wont let it be a quiet sleeper.

 

Motor options would be

A. TPI swapped SBC- Sbc are cheap but the TPI isn’t, there are kits out for the swap but idk how much power can JTR mounts can take? This would be the simplest route because it’s a common & simple swap, So all id have to do is get turbo exhaust manis made. Unfortunately there is no mistaking the sound of a v8=no mo sleeper.

 

B 3.8 Series II swap-Would be ideal, they are commonly found, cheap (+/-300), reliable, efficient & relatively unknown. Downside everything will have to be custom, turbo exhaust manis, mounts, down pipe, ect. & twalton is the only guy I know who did the swap. He said its not a hard swap tho.

http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php/topic/68027-3800t5-swap-started/page__p__639813__fromsearch__1#entry639813

 

C. Grand national 3.8 swap- Would be the 2nd easiest, I wouldn’t have to fab up exhaust manis & I already have a complete drive train to work with, The car would be lethal fast & would have lots of aftermarket support. Id have to get the fuel system up to par & get a custom down pipe &,driveshaft but that would mostly be it, aside from mounts. Problem is the Gn’s engine is getting old in comparison to some of the new drive trains out there. There is an conversion page about it but only for the s30 chassis, im curious if there are any major differences in the engine bays?

http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/buick-v6-turbo-hybrid-cars/19425-so-you-want-3-8-turbo-z-car-long-i-mean-really-long.html

 

III. Option 3

Z31 Chassis

Please compare the Z31(3100lbs) vs. the 280zx(2800lbs).

 

Pros: The z31 is a little newer & usually easier to find in good shape. Has a lot of the new car amenities, 5 lug disk brakes, more aerodynamics, reportedly superior handling. Cheap. If I can find a Z31 w/a SBC V8 already swapped in it then all ill have to do is build the turbo system. This would be ideal.

 

Cons are no kits exists to swap anything in the Z31, so the s130 has the advantage.

Motor options:

A. 3.8 Series II swap

B. Grand national 3.8 swap

C. SBC V8

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