[dezldave961]

I've been posting this on the TurboBuick forum (Grand National guys), but it's more appropriate here.

This spring, I decided to overhaul my 11-sec grandpa car Buick that I originally built in 2009 with a Z7 T66 2.5" turbo kit, and go with a full Stattama T67 3" setup. The shutdown helped & hurt this project, as it's given me time to do extra things at a slower pace, but delays when parts may be available.

Car Profile link (same as in my signature): https://sites.google.com/view/efistreetperformance/home/gm-3800-cars/dave-04-regal-gsx
Best 2009 1/4mi: 11.46 @ 122, 1.87 60ft - YouTube Video (with 1998 Regal commercial theme music... didn't realize Top Gear, too, never watched it)

2009 collage of build pics from profile page:

Mock-up of Stattama kit while I waited for Holden intake to arrive from Australia this summer:

Holden intake mock-up (more info will be in videos):

2020 Upgrades - Part 1... (1st attempt at a video edit in 10yrs)

2020 Upgrades - Part 2... (tried to keep it short, and still working bugs out of my editing)

I'll post more updates for this build here when I get a chance. The engine is almost ready, once a few more small pieces arrive to bring it together.

- Dave

 

[Fredss]

Looks like a awesome ride. I can't wait to see it run. I have a 04 Impala ss I'm gonna play with soon

 

[dezldave961]

Cool, feel free to make a post with updates if you dig into it.

"Should" only be a couple weeks. I miss ripping it around for fun before parking last winter to start this.

Ordering AN lines to plumb to firewall hard-lines while the transmission is out of the way. Also degreased the whole bay, and will do harness clean-up after engine goes in.

 

[dezldave961]

Changed the layout of the ZZP Gen1 fuel rails from what was shown above, since the new intake/alternator layout forced some adjustments. Also, have fittings/hose coming from Summit to run all the way to the hard-lines at the frame rail, before I put the transmission back in.

Second pic is after 3/4" NPT tapping the heater core port, and did the LIM port 1/2" NPT (Holden one has even thinner o-ring'd tube that I didn't trust). This should all have enough footage for Part 3 video to include the full intake swap. I'll work on showing the L26/HV3 setup some more for reference, too.

 

[Fredss]

That intake looks really cool it should flow pretty good too. You are building one awesome looking ride man big respect to you for the originality.

 

[dezldave961]

Thanks. Ya, the Aussies really got a nice factory intake for L36's. Having supercharged heads/fuel rails forced some extra time/work, but I'm enjoying the distraction. The transmission is going back in after I run AN hoses down to the factory hard-lines at the frame rail.

Engine should be ready to drop-in after clean-up of the lower intake is done (port-matching to fresh LIM gaskets soon). Waiting for Power Log TIG repairs/supports after 10yrs of abuse (had some cracks around welds I'll add to a video, pics in TurboBuick-linked post above).

Another "simple" dress-up feature will be push-connect vacuum lines and a manifold block I've had sitting around. Mixing/matching rubber connections that dry-rot/rip was getting old. Should remove more clutter while serving a purpose and look more planned-out for ~$50.

 

[dezldave961]

Just to update, I've been tinkering after work and during the weekends to get the last minor bits done before dropping the transmission and engine back in.

Recent installs (may not have video footage for next YouTube update)...

• gasket-matched/semi-ported Holden intake
• installed aluminum rear CTS bumper
• installed Dorman square tubular trailing arms

Also did some maintenance for my GXP and EcoBoost F-150 during Thanksgiving week, so that has delayed some 3800 fun.

I'll try putting everything in a Part 3 video soon, so that Part 4 is much more fun with the goal there being trans/engine drop-ins.

- Dave

 

[dezldave961]

Just put the engine back in, and should be able to get my custom plumbing done this week to prep for start-up.

Merry Christmas to me! I'll put a final build video together once it's done. After that, I can do simpler updates with tuning and driving/ripping, hopefully.

 

[dezldave961]

Super short update, just to get it out of the way for the First Start video. 🤞🏁

 

[dezldave961]

Almost done. Recorded the Stattama kit install with new GoPro, so I might make a short video of that "fun" before the start-up.

Shiny parts about to go on and final routing/plumbing.

 

[dezldave961]

Built a bracket to stabilize the turbo, since it's weight causes it to rotate down on the donut flanges of the crossover, resting on the A/C dryer and transmission if not stopped.

I'll eventually swap from this $3 Tractor Supply turnbuckle to a heim rod end brace like modders use on older Chevy V8 alternators.

 

[dezldave961]

Welp, the $3 part bent as soon as I put a little force against it while adjusting the exhaust bolts, but that's why I bought the proper rod end setup ahead of time.
(took out the jam nuts to replace with thinner ones for more adjustability)

Also, I've got a ton of new GoPro footage and pics of the "final touches" as I route this combo as cleanly as I can. Probably should've posted as I went along, but wanted big steps of progress per upload.

(not sure if I mentioned buying new P-logs and wrapping them... I forgot "family discount" on fabrication/repairs includes 6-12mo minimum delay)

A few changes as I moved the transmission cooler to the front (between I/C radiator & A/C condenser) and mounted the I/C core (wouldn't quite fit in the PCM area)...
(only position/orientation this core fit behind bumper cover, and added a fill/purge tee with basic cap... may add pressure cap in-line with trunk reservoir later, for peace of mind)

Bosch pump mounted nicely under aluminum brace I made for bottom of the I/C core. I'll get a picture later.

Up next: Final intercooler plumbing to trunk reservoir tank, and adding these for DIY bulkhead fittings as a clean pass-thru for the spare tire well.

Then, I should be ready for final install of the fuel rails, harness, upper intake/TB, and deal with filling/bleeding/leak-checking all the fluid systems before trying to start (oil, coolant, ATF, intercooler water, A/C refrigerant, brake fluid, & fuel).

 

[No N20]

nice setup Dave. I need to put that kind of clean install thought into my process this summer.

what is the clear tubing? reinforced PVC? I'd ditch that for some actual rubber heater hose after seeing Johnny C blow out a PVC IC line at the track.

 

[dezldave961]

I remember John's setup, swiss-cheese cradle and all (went to the last Norwalk IDD race, and some NYIRP T&T's with him). He was very good at what he did, but I'm going to be able to monitor this enough to see if there's issues. It's a more robust type than most run, and I've been meticulous about making connections. No illusions about guaranteed sealing, but it'll have as good a chance as anything (backtracking to 3/4" heater hose down the road wouldn't offend me, if necessary).

Spent the little extra to use ICT billet couplers on the radiator hose adapting for the Holden (pics later), since one connection also needed an NPT port for the turbo housing coolant. The pressure/temps on that system are stressed much more than the I/C, especially with an extra couple gallons in-line.

Thanks for the comment, though, cuz I'll be sure to keep an eye on it.

 

[dezldave961]

Tank is plumbed, with NPT bulkhead setup assembled. Now dealing with some routing and securing along the framerail to the front, and I'll wire the pump relay to fill/test it.

 

[dezldave961]

Almost done, finally. Vaccum routing and some final connections to make... And ordered the newly released ZZP coilovers (edit: arrived!), since I needed to refresh/upgrade the struts anyway, and these can adjust for any street/track setup I try.

Weather is getting nice here in VA, and I'm finally motivated to finish it up and get it screaming down the road.

 

[dezldave961]

Running! Now time for final tweaks.

 

[No N20]

very cool. would like to see it in person this summer!

 

[dezldave961]

Thanks. I'll be trying to get it street ready, then race ready later in the year. Not sure how it'll like road trips, but hopefully my upgrades help keep temps at bay now. Also plan on getting a trailer to start bringing to events around the country at some point, either this year or next.

 

[dezldave961]

Well, everything is pretty much installed, and it's cleaned up, ready to go, but the tune is going to be in need of improvement. DHP is way too ancient to consistently run on Win10 (not that it was ever the most reliable platform, just convenient for universal 3800 tuning without credits). Looks like HPTuners is in my near future before I can start driving the Regal to work.