It's been a long and tough road, but my Turbo Buick project is finally starting to bear fruit. Last time, with the XFI box hooked up and tuned in, the Turbo V-6 put down 559 rear-wheel-horsepower, with 550 ft-lbs of signature Buick torque, on SLP's Superflow dyno. These numbers were gained at only 24 lbs of boost, leaving several pounds per square inch on the table, and implying 600/600 rear-wheel power numbers at the twist of the wastegate's actuator rod.
Once I saw the 559 and mentally computed the kind of ET/mph this kind of power would give, I wanted to make a beeline for Englishtown, New Jersey immediately. But then I remembered my current drivetrain and suspension setup: good upper and lower control arms, but original 3.42 gears; whining (and why not with 160K), stock 28-spline C-clip axles and 28-spline posi; stock rear sway bar, at .90-inch possessing similar size and lack of control as Kate Moss; and a sweet-looking but non-functional GNX rear cover. As badly as I wanted to hit the track with this sucker, I knew it would be foolish to do so without the proper rear upgrades. So I did some research and made a few calls, and here's what ended up at my doorstep: Strange C-clip eliminator, 30-spline axles, Eaton 30-spline posi, TA Performance rear end cover, Reider Racing 3.42 gears, and HRPartsNStuff rear sway bar.
Ever since I'd seen Jack and Brian Cotton's framerail handiwork, I knew I wanted it for this ride. Though a standard slick would fit just fine in the stock 'wells and provide more than enough hook for 10s, the Turbo Regals look absolutely badass with a huge rear rim/tire combo. Cotton's Performance Center can modify a Buick's stock rails and fender lips, and add several inches of clearance for these fatties. Most importantly, though: when the Cotton crew finishes its work with the plasma cutter and welder, you'll have extra room for big tires, and solid frame reinforcement to ensure it won't twist like a pretzel when the Buford torque is poured on.
So with a trunk full of goodies and a full tank of gas, I left NYC and hauled up to Agawam, Massachusetts, where the Cotton's crew was waiting to tear into the Turbo-T. Once this project is done, it's off to Englishtown.
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