Stange Question: Good Handling Buicks

Ok so I was talking to a friend about sleepers. And I was saying that Buicks would make great sleepers. That got me wondering what Buick's actually handle well and could be modified?

Edit: And by Stange. I mean strange my bad.

Um...

Uh...

Hrmm.

'71 GSX with a good amount of cash thrown at it.

On a more serious note, what suspension was under the Reatta?

I was thinking about a bit more modern then that and not the Grand National.

Edit: The Reatta was a V-body which based on the E-body.

Reatta had four wheel independent suspension and the 3.8L... I'm sure it wouldn't be all that hard to swap in the superchaged 3800 out of the Grand Prix, or Grand Am, or whatever that Pontiac was that had it. Not sure what you'd do for a manual tranny, though.

The 78-up Centurys/Regals are equivalent to similar-year Malibus (G-bodies?) and can be made to handle as discussed elsewhere on here. The 77-96 big cars, which includes some Rivieras, can presumably be dealt with the same as similar-year Caprices/Impalas.

G-Body, all it takes is a credit card and an internet connection

FWD platforms, no idea. But I would like to see what an N platform car can do.

Not Buick but I remember reading back in the day that the Olds FE3 suspension was supposed to be very good. I would think that the Olds parts would swap over to whatever the Buick shared the same platform as the Olds.

We had an 88 98 Touring Sedan for a while, that was actually a fun car.

81gtv6 wrote: We had an 88 98 Touring Sedan for a while, that was actually a fun car.

My Dad brought home a dark blue one for a company car for a while....pretty sweet ride for back then.I had fun.

The Achevia could be improved, Firehawk series stuff if you can find it...

WAAAY back when, it was a Buick you bought when you wanted the style/prestige(?) that you had with a Cadillac, but you also wanted a bit of a "hot rod". Then Buick decided to ditch V8s and even performance turbos and go for the "cut-price" Caddy image.

Supposedly, the new Regal will change all that, it's based on the underpinnings of what would have been the 2nd gen. Saturn Aura....Vauxhall Insignia.

If it were me, I'd go for a mid '70s or mid '80s Regal coupe and throw the hi-po parts at it that fit the equivalent Chevy SS or Pontiac or Olds.

from what ive heard those late 90s/early 00s regal-gs has somewhat competent suspension, is reasonably light (for a buick), and pack a good punch with the 3800 supercharged. never driven one though.

Was the 3800 ever offered with a manual?

96DXCivic wrote: Was the 3800 ever offered with a manual?

F-body around 96 or so started using the 3800 in place of the 3400. They had a somewhat weak T5 variant with really deep gearing, we're talking 3.25 to 1 or so in first. They live behind the 3800 okay but don't use behind a V8. I don't know if the bellhousing tilted things on the T5 over like in the 3rd gen V8 T5 installs or if it's straight up like a ford... the bell might be useful or it might not, that's what I'm getting at.

I should have said did any of the FWD cars with the 3800 have a manual? My mistake

96DXCivic wrote: That got me wondering what Buick's actually handle well and could be modified?

Winner:

JG's dream car, too. And check out the center of the front bumper. Oh, yeah.

In reply to 96DXCivic:

I give you ideas for how to assemble an L67/T5/Vega and this is how I am repaid? Questions of FWD?! Insolence!

I can't think of any FWD 3800 applications available with a manual trans. Who would have purchased one new?

David S. Wallens wrote:

96DXCivic wrote: That got me wondering what Buick's actually handle well and could be modified?

Winner: JG's dream car, too. And check out the center of the front bumper. Oh, yeah.

I have to go to the bathroom... AT MY HOUSE.

Oh yeah.

jg

The 3800SC Regal GS's were good cars and a W-Body to boot. They can be made to handle pretty good. Maybe not autocross worthy, but certainly HPDE.

I would look for a 1985 Wildcat. Kinda rare, but they pop up on CL from time to time.

If the windshield is cracked, walk away. Very expensive to replace.

G

N

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Buick and Oldsmobile knew many decades ago the secret about soft springs and big swaybars. That's why their cars have a nice cushy ride and don't wallow like a Ford in a turn.

You just might be surprised at how well a bone stock Buick on decent tires goes around a turn.

If you imagine it with some nice rims, blacked-out windows and maybe an air dam up front, this could be a great sleeper.

I don't know much about the 80's LeSabre T-Type, but I always thought they looked cool and I love the forward opening hood. Probably a bit large, but a Northstar swap helps:

If the LeSabre is too large, perhaps a Buick Somerset with some W41 suspension bits swapped in?

Or do you need a Skyhawk for that? I think some Z24 or Sunbird turbo parts would swap in.

The late 70's "Road Hawk" would certainly be a bit rare on the roads!

I love/hate these boards...

*goes off to CL...

Oh and I meant to say the Regal GS with the Supercharged 3.8 isin't a bad starting point. I know one locally that has done some stuff the the suspention, and some stuff to the motor, not a bad sleeper.

My son and I were talking about these the other day.

They're getting awfully cheap. Has anyone ever brought a FWD 3.8 SC to the challenge?