Michael Dougherty's 2000 Buick Regal GSE
The Story Behind The Car:
In late December 2006, I was originally looking for a "beater" car to drive while I could spend the much needed time to fix up my current ride I was using at the time. After many failed attempts of finding some type of 5 speed beater, I started looking at some automatic cars. Being an automatic however, I was looking for a certain type of car then.
Throughout high school I had always dreamed of owning a 1997-2003 Supercharged Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. I just always thought they were a cool car and wanted one. The funny thing is I had a friend that would always tell me the 1997-2004 Buick Regal GS was a much nicer car and they came supercharged just like the Grand Prix. However I told him that why would you ever want to own a grand pop looking Buick Regal over the sportier Pontiac Grand Prix? The older ones were in my price range at the time so I decided to start looking.
After many failed attempts of finding a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP within my price range, not beaten to hell, or extremely high miles, I started to look at other supercharged powered GM cars. Thinking back to what my friend always said about the 97-04 Buick Regal GS, I reluctantly started looking at those cars instead.
The first and only Buick Regal GS I looked at, which I now the proud owner of, I fell in love with it and knew I had to have it. It was owned by an older guy and he kept the car is fantastic shape inside and out considering the miles and age. After agreeing on a price which I never thought I walk away with, the car was sold.
The funny thing is I may have never owned this car or a Buick Regal in general if it wasnt for the dead beat previous buyer. The car was listed on eBay however I caught it the last hour it was listed. There wasnt enough time to get a hold of the owner, or to look at the car. So I let the auction go and continued my search. A few days later I received an email telling me the car was relisted. Also the seller contacted me saying the buyer was a deadbeat and to come over and take a look at it. If it wasnt for that, who knows what I be driving now?
Earlier I said I was looking for a beater car to get so I could fix up my current ride at the time. However that soon all changed after getting my Buick. After discovering the decent aftermarket and performance these cars were putting out, I soon decided that this would become my project car instead. I had very simple plans for this car at first and never really expected it to get to the level it is today. However I am very happy at how the car has turned out and it will always be a part of my life for as long as I know.
Modification List:
Engine:
155,000 Original L67 Series II Supercharged 3800 3.8 V6 Stock Motor & Heads
Ported Eaton Gen V Supercharger with Modular Pulley System
Supercharger Belt Wrap System
ZZPerformance Stage III Full Stack Intercooler
ZZPerformance Stage III Water to Air Front Mount Heat Exchanger
ZZPerformance Ported Lower Intake Manifold
JMB Performance 4 Fender Well Intake
Cadillac Northstar 75mm Throttle Body with LQ4 85mm Maf Sensor
Comp Cams VS Cam & 105# Valve Springs with Viton Valve Seals
PRJ Performance Gen II Fuel Rails & Racetronix Fuel Pump with HD Harness
Precision 42.5lbs Fuel Injectors
ZZPerformance 10.3mm Spark Plug Wires
MSP TBv2 Polyurethane Upper Front Motor Mounts
Intense Red Polyurethane Upper Rear Motor Mounts
Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Solid Lower Motor Mount
Drivetrain:
Dynotech Performance 4T65E-HD 500HP Stage II Racing Transmission
3.29 Gear Ratio Conversion
2750 245mm Stall Converter
Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Solid Transmission Mount
Exhaust:
TOG Headers
ZZPerformance 3 304 Stainless Catted Downpipe
ZZPerformance 3 304 Stainless Dual Cat Back Exhaust System with Whisper Resonator
Flopro Dual 304 Stainless Mufflers
Suspension/Handing:
GM Performance Parts Handling Upgrade Kit which includes 34mm Front Sway Bar, 19mm Rear Sway Bar, & Rear Tubular Trailing Arms
BMR Front & Rear Strut Tower Braces
Chevy Impala Tubular Radiator Support Braces
Moog Front/Rear Polyurethane Sway Bar End Links
KYB AGX Adjustable Struts
Vogtland Sport Suspension 1.3 Lowering Springs
Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Engine Cradle Bushings & Lower Control Arms
Wheels/Brakes:
Centerline Monsoon Series Storm 17x7 Hi-Polished Forged Aluminum Wheels
General Exclaim UHP 245/45/ZR17 Tires
Chevy C5 Corvette Dual Piston Front Brake Calipers
Chevy Camaro 12 Front Brake Rotor Setup Upgrade
EBC Ultimax BlackDash USR Slotted Front/Rear Brake Rotors
Goodridge G-Stop Stainless Steel Braided Brake Hoses
Pontiac Grand Prix GXP Brake Pedal Upgrade
Exterior:
Professionally Detailed by Angel Hernandez of Manny's Detailing @ Home
SLP Performance Spoiler & Dual Exhaust Tip Fascia Inserts
20% Window Tint
GM Regal Mud Flaps
HID 4300K Head Lights & Fog Lights
Sylvania Silverstar Turn Signal Bulbs
Interior/Electronics:
HP Tuners VCM Suite Pro PCM Tuner
Lotek A-Pillar 3 Gauge Mount Holder
Dual Aeroforce Interceptor Scan Gauges
Prosport Wideband A/F Ratio Gauge.
PLX Devices Wideband Controller/Sensor
Peripheral iPhone/iPod Interface
Best Track Times @ Atco Raceway NJ
9/18/08:
1/4 = 14.594 @ 93.49mph on Street Tires 2.189 60 Foot
6/4/08:
1/4 = 13.115 @ 106.08mph on Street Tires 2.120 60 Foot
10/17/08
1/4 = 13.003 @ 108.31mph on Street Tires 2.150 60 Foot
7/9/09
1/4 = 12.994 @ 107.82mph on Street Tires 2.118 60 Foot
11/5/10
1/4 = 12.900 @ 109.91mph on Street Tires 2.166 60 Foot
Dyno Performance Runs
11/26/08 @ Import DPS Philly Pa:
315WHP
10/25/09 @ Sloppy Mechanics Allentown Pa:
320WHP
10/24/10 @ Sloppy Mechanics Allentown Pa:
332WHP
I will be making updates to what I do to the car over time in farther down posts. Just scroll down below to see the progress unfold.