What is he, DAFT?!

My brother wants to make his '78 Regal into a car that can both turn and go fast. I'm not too optimistic, but I want to help where I can. Believe it or not, it only weighs 3200 pounds! For a big ol' 'Murican car, I was impressed.

Anyway. He has a four-link rear end of some sort in it. Weight-wise, I figure a Volvo 240 is close, so maybe whatever Bilstein HD's that fit on there, maybe? American muscle and making it turn isn't my department, really...

Front suspension, I don't know. It's that regular old 'Murican control arm setup. Where I figure there's a good Billy shock that'd work for that, too. He'll want stiffer springs, too.

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Ben Hetland
1973 Volvo 142 project car (with some cone-smashing on dirt in it's future, however)

"No. Rally Racing is a back alley sport filled with jackals, headhunters and thugs!"
-Pops Racer (Speed Racer movie)

www.utahrallygroup.com

Yeah, he's daft, but go for it anyway. The idea of a '78 Regal that stops and turns is too good to pass up, even if the attempt ends in failure.

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Jay Woodward
Snohomish, WA
'90 Mazdog Frankenprotege
Chronologically, 46...

Bilstien makes shocks for that car, along with a bazillion other suppliers. Hotchkiss makes a nice suspension package. That car can be made to handle very well. Summit Racing has all the goodies in one stop shopping. You'll be amazed at the end results.

Sweet action, thanks fella's!

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Ben Hetland
1973 Volvo 142 project car (with some cone-smashing on dirt in it's future, however)

"No. Rally Racing is a back alley sport filled with jackals, headhunters and thugs!"
-Pops Racer (Speed Racer movie)

www.utahrallygroup.com

You sure he doesnt want to hook an LS1 to the AWD skyline drivetrain and stick that in there?

In all seriousness I love the old regals (would love a grand national someday) and I'd love to see lots of pics of the car.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/08/2012 10:18AM by aj_johnson.

Quote
1fastben
Sweet action, thanks fella's!

let me look at these things I have here that were ordered for some whacky project. Maybe they're good, they're brand new....
Some kinda American car Bilsteins with some custom valving...

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John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Okay, John, lemme know whatcha got when you get a minute to check!

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Ben Hetland
1973 Volvo 142 project car (with some cone-smashing on dirt in it's future, however)

"No. Rally Racing is a back alley sport filled with jackals, headhunters and thugs!"
-Pops Racer (Speed Racer movie)

www.utahrallygroup.com

There's a '79 Regal out at my grandmother's farm that I've wanted to molest for awhile, I just haven't got around to it yet.

My thought is, for front suspension, as far as geometry and being able to turn, just hit up any circle-track place, since it's basically the same chassis as the monte carlo that's the staple of small-town circle-tracks all over the country.

That, plus an LS1/T56 and a few other things would make this car just a hoot, especially since there's a few hillclimbs around that require the car to be 1979 or older.


Sounds fun!

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---** To be in compliance with the Anarchy **---
Jorden R. Kleier
Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA
1990 Mazdog Protege 4WD
1973

Be sure to remind him that just because the car can take the corner, it doesn't mean the tires can. A Good set of tires goes a long way. Says the guy with no experience with anything.

And also, "Regal" and "corners?" You just blew my mind.

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Something about something....dirt.

Not a bad idea, Might want to fully seam weld the frame and add some really big sway bars. As said above hit the swap meets and circle track places. Can find 4-link set-ups for it just about anywhere.

Owned several early to mid 80's of this chassis. It rolled heavly into the corners untill changed the front around some. I put truck shocks in the front with a set of factory V8 springs. Added heavy duty sway-bar to both ends. Sticky 60 series Dunlop tires on a 4 corners to lower the ride height 1 1/2 inches in front 3 in rear.

Yanked out the V6 and dropped a mildly built 355 into it that a friend had sitting in his garage. Was a fun everyday driver and back road burner. Never had the funds to make a full rallycar or resource's.

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Brent Dacres
Cincinnati,Oh

Do et! It's the same as the grand prix, that's the same as monte carlo that is the frame many, many roundy,round modifieds are built off of. That gives you a gagillion suspention,braking, steering and drivetrain options...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/13/2012 10:00PM by bknblk2.

Quote
bknblk2
Do et! It's the same as the grand prix, that's the same as monte carlo that is the frame many, many roundy,round modifieds are built of of. That gives you a gagillion suspention,braking, steering and drivetrain options...

Same as many roundy-round strictly and street stocks. Pro-stocks and Modifieds have been tube chassis for years.

Still, the Coleman catalog can be your friend for a G-body...

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Andrew Steere
Lyndeborough, NH
KB1PJY