"Big Red" My iron LS2 t-56 86 Regal pro touring car
Like it says Big Red is almost finished. I started building it with a simple SBC planned for it with a 4 speed auto. Then I came across a Buick 455 with a th400 and promptly slid it in for test fitting. At that point plans for the car started really changing as my first child was on the way. I really wanted to do a full on build since I hadnt ever built a car 100% exactly how I wanted it so that is what I decided to do. So that is how I wound up with a 4 year project. I was building an ls motor for my brothers s-10 project and was absolutely amazed by the design and power potential of the ls engines. Originally the car was setup for my lq9 t-56 combo but that ended up in the s-10 when I got bit by the turbo ls bug and built a 5.3 t-70 th400 drivetrain. The car was an animal.. absolute fucking animal. Dont know how else to put it but it was nothing like what I set out to build. 70mph was 3k with the 3.08 gears mileage sucked turbo was almost constantly spooled and there was never enough traction with the 17's and I refuse to back half the car. Off went the turbo etc the engine and trans stayed in which made for a nice package but it needed some more gear to really move out and It honestly wasnt enough for me. So the car sat for a bit and I got the oppourtunity to get my lq9/t-56 powetrain back which I jumped at. So rather thanjust dump it in I decided while its out... So heres some pics starting from day 1 and through to its current state. It will take a while to get through everything but I will attempt to detail the entire build.
__________________ 86 Regal: Iron block LS2, T-56, Custom cam, 8.8 Diff, supporting mods, and a Custom 700cfm Fuel Metering Device (shhh its a carb)
When I first bought it. Drove it all the way from Georgia back to Florida with the tired old 307ci boat anchor. The car is 100% rust free with little to no body damage other than the door edges (I assume the old lady dinged alot of peoples cars) and some hail dents on the roof and trunk. The car was purchased at an estate sale BTW.
__________________ 86 Regal: Iron block LS2, T-56, Custom cam, 8.8 Diff, supporting mods, and a Custom 700cfm Fuel Metering Device (shhh its a carb)
So first I pulled the old motor and started doing some chassis work. I welded in crossmembers front middle and rear of the car and I also boxed the framerails in, installed polyurethane body mounts, then preped and painted the entire underside of the body including the frame.
__________________ 86 Regal: Iron block LS2, T-56, Custom cam, 8.8 Diff, supporting mods, and a Custom 700cfm Fuel Metering Device (shhh its a carb)
Following the chassis work I test fit the 455 and th400 with the front clip off. Also test fit and painted the new trans xmember which also adds structural rigidity and about 20-30lbs.
__________________ 86 Regal: Iron block LS2, T-56, Custom cam, 8.8 Diff, supporting mods, and a Custom 700cfm Fuel Metering Device (shhh its a carb)
Next came paint which was a real low point in the car build. Everyone was real dickish about doing the work even though the car was totally stripped down and all body panels were removed. Then one guy took the job and colossally botched it and wasted $700 in materials. I wont even post pics of it. He actually painted over dents LOL. Then I hooked up with a painter at work and we did it in about 3 weeks working at night. Two coats of rm ruby red and three coats of rm clear and it is Beautiful!!! The whole car was completely disassembled jambed etc. Then I built and installed the ac delete out of 1/8 diamond plate and reassembled the car with new weatherstriping and reconditioned/modded the body wiring harness.
This is all for today more updates to follow.
__________________ 86 Regal: Iron block LS2, T-56, Custom cam, 8.8 Diff, supporting mods, and a Custom 700cfm Fuel Metering Device (shhh its a carb)
Thanks guys! I thought I would get more responses since everyone was demanding a build thread from me but I guess I need to start posting the pics of the go fast goodies to get some response LOL
__________________ 86 Regal: Iron block LS2, T-56, Custom cam, 8.8 Diff, supporting mods, and a Custom 700cfm Fuel Metering Device (shhh its a carb)
So after the bodywork was done I added some H-4 conversion housings for the headlights to modernize the lighting a bit. Dont really have many pics of that. Theyre pretty cool though and really bright. Then I did the front and rear suspension. The front is as follows:
Quick ratio F-Body steering gear
Stock lower A-arms with new balljoints and poly bushings
S-10 springs 710lb rating
GN swaybar
Bilstien shocks
12" Caprice police package brakes and spindles
Global West upper control arms
Braided brake hoses
4 wheel disc prop valve (more on that later)
__________________ 86 Regal: Iron block LS2, T-56, Custom cam, 8.8 Diff, supporting mods, and a Custom 700cfm Fuel Metering Device (shhh its a carb)
The rear suspension has been quite an ordeal to say the least. I installed an 8.8 Mustang diff with disc brakes. It is geared with a 3.08 ratio which was perfect for the turbo setup but not so great for the new all motor iron ls2 with the t-56 so the trac loc posi wll stay on with a new set of 3.73 gears. Until I snap an axle or blow up the carrier. I adapted the rear to the car very well and it fit perfectly. The TRZ kit I used is good quality but yielded horrible geometry in the rear with a negative antisquat number so they are on my shitlist. They offered to help band-aid the problem but that was not ok. I happened to get into contact with Kevin Salby, owner of www.baselinesuspensions.com and he developed a 8.8 G-body swap based off the dimensions of my vehicle. The kit is completed now and will be going onto the car in the next 2-3 months. Check out his site he makes some really awesome stuff.
__________________ 86 Regal: Iron block LS2, T-56, Custom cam, 8.8 Diff, supporting mods, and a Custom 700cfm Fuel Metering Device (shhh its a carb)
nice rims i have a very simular set from discount tire direct for my car
__________________ 1972 Chevelle Lq4 6.0 4l80e Edelbrock longtubes 3 in. duals with h pipe and bullets 12 bolt rear tubular rear control arms under construction
Admittedly the turbo was cool but it was too much. I kinda got carried away and lost sight of my goals/theme for the car. 530hp with a six speed in a 3200 lb car is more than enough to get me in deep shit LOL.
Heres some interior pics. The gauge cluster and other diamond plate bezels are all custom. The seats are ebay specials and most of the interior plastics are dyed factory original parts. The pedal assembly is a custom blend of g and f body factory pedal assemblies. It really sucks that I sold this when I was going turbo and using the th400. Now I have to make another one.
__________________ 86 Regal: Iron block LS2, T-56, Custom cam, 8.8 Diff, supporting mods, and a Custom 700cfm Fuel Metering Device (shhh its a carb)
Ok so heres when things got a little...alot out of control. The motor was a 5.3 and I custom built turbo headers and hot side piping for it. The turbo was a master power t-70. Trans was a th400 w/3200 stall and all the goodies. The fuel system is staying since it will pretty much feed anything I could throw at it. It is a -8 supply -10 return lines with a aeromotive 13202 regulator fed by a bosch motorsports 044 fuel injection pump. Fuel enters the pump from a -10 feed line from the sumped tank. I recessed the spare tire well to keep the pump high and safe. You can also see the 3" custom downpipe I made. Almost forgot the carb is a 700dp that I customized.
__________________ 86 Regal: Iron block LS2, T-56, Custom cam, 8.8 Diff, supporting mods, and a Custom 700cfm Fuel Metering Device (shhh its a carb)
"Big Red" My iron LS2 t-56 86 Regal pro touring car 
1972 Chevelle Lq4 6.0 4l80e Edelbrock longtubes 3 in. duals with h pipe and bullets 12 bolt rear tubular rear control arms under construction 
