Hey everyone! I’m new to the forums. So basically to make it short-

I have a 1985 Buick Regal Limited Coupe that I’m working on as a side project. Has the stock 3.8L v6 in it. I wanted to go with a v8 engine swap to give it more of a streetcar demeanor. That engine being a 350 Rocket out of a 1971 Cutlass base.

So what I’m really wanting to know is- Any sort of recommendation of what I should do to give it a lil extra performance. I know it’s costly, and I should’ve went either with a BBC or a BBO. But it was a stupid, last minute decision, and I’m too committed to the build to back out. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

If it’s still all factory, then its low compression is a limiting factor. An “RV” type camshaft with around 204 degrees duration @ .050” lift would give a performance boost without overcamming due to the low compression. That and any 4 bbl intake manifold and carb - I prefer the QuadraJet.

 

I know you're commited and all, but it really would probably be cheaper, easier and more effective to buy another G-body that already has a V-8 in it and build that one up. SBC 305's, Pontiac 301's and Olds 307's can all be made to run pretty respectably with just a few bolt-ons. 260's and 267's probably aren't worth the effort.

 

The Olds 350 is a great motor, less bottom end issues than the Olds 455. The Buick 350 was the easiest swap in place of the Buick 3.8, everything swsps over. A set of the Mahle forged pistons and right cam will make a great street motor with low to mid 9 to 1 compression from your Olds 350.

 

I don’t know, it seems pretty factory since I’ve started disassembling the engine to rebuild it. But it also has new pushrods, rockers, and springs ( I believe the person I bought it from did this before I even purchased it. As for the carb, it originally came with a 2 barrel Holley, which I assume was factory, along with the intake. I’ve bought and I’m currently working on cleaning up this 4 barrel factory aluminum intake from Marketplace, as well as obtaining a quadrajet carb from a close friend of like (in exchange for helping him with his nova).

I’m looking for a decent cam, as well as looking for some flat top pistons to improve the compression ratio. It’s slowly coming together.

 

Right! And I’ve thought the same thing. But I’ve already spent about 3k on this project, so I might as well see it through. My brother who’s helping me with the project agrees with me when I brought up the idea of “changing the engine build”. I AM split though, because you’re right, it WOULD be more cost effective. But Im already kind of deep in my current passage.

 

Ive been looking for some flattop pistons! I don’t really know what kind/brand. But I suppose I can research and locate some Mahle brand! The current pistons in the block are the low compress deep-dish kind that came stock. And they have a TON of carbon build up. So either way they’re coming out.

 

If the block is exceptionally good, Mahle makes a 10cc dish forged piston with a taller compression height, less decking required in a 4.065" hone to fit size. There are three 358 builds on this site with these pistons in the 4.100" oversize. They are a bit more expensive than the Speedpro pistons but have a taller compression height, are lighter, run a tighter piston to wall clearance and much more modern 1mm ring pack. You will also need Olds accessory brackets and pulleys to match whatever water pump you use. Good luck.