1982 Buick Regal GNX Powered by a 6.6-liter Dieselmax?!
Perhaps because their Darth Vader appearance and epic performance came with the unlikeliest of badges, we have always had a soft spot for the Buick Regal GNX. But that isn’t what you’re looking at.
According to the folks at Diesel Power, what you’re actually drooling over is a GM Duramax diesel-powered 1981 Oldsmobile. Sort of. As the story goes, owner David Morad loved his Duramax-equipped truck, but he wanted to swap the monstrous 6.6-liter turbodiesel into something lighter. Enter the Buick Regal.
Morad located and purchased a 1982 Buick Regal diesel, only to have it self-immolate on the drive home thanks to a gasoline leak—at some point, a previous owner had dropped-in a gas engine). Undeterred, Morad located a 1981 Oldsmobile diesel (presumably a Cutlass), and then turned it into GNX piece-by-piece. This apparently entailed cutting the car in half, welding on the rear clip from a Regal, and raising the floorpan to accommodate the new engine’s exhaust system. A new front-strut subframe, custom aluminum fuel tank, rack-and-pinion steering unit, and a set of Wilwoods were also part of the plan.
As of the article’s writing, Morad’s nearly 4500-pound GNX clone runs an 8.25-second eighth mile (around a high 12-second quarter mile) and returns 28 miles-per-gallon. Much more remains on tap with some better tuning and more traction.
Click on the link for Diesel Power’s full blow-by-blow build-up and a gallery of this incredible Buick Oldsmobile.
+ Diesel Power: 1982 Buick Regal - Darth Vader: Diesel Alternatives
Comments
Anonymous
He'd probably get better mileage if his rear tires didn't resemble a steam roller.
Mena
I don't think gas mileage was a priority here. LOL! I think an 8 mpg gain is pretty awesome considering he added at least 1000 lbs to the car. According to the article link, he's gotten a best of 36 mpg which is even better. I think this is a great idea although I think he could've saved himself some work by just getting a plain jane Buick Regal and making the swap from that.
Anonymous
lol!
chartguy
How many would put that much effort into swapping a diesel into a GM two-door sedan?
You have to admire his dedication, but it's very hard to understand the direction he chose.
Trinks
I have to admit, this sounds badass.
Russ Bellinis
I think he would have had an easier, less expensive project had he started with a Buick Regal instead of making a Regal from a Cutlass. Since the Duramax is an aluminum block diesel, I suspect that it is the best choice of diesel engine for a swap into a large car.
Jeff
I think I can shed some light as too his choice. Why this would apply to a car that is 26 years old, I don't know. It looks to me that he wanted a diesel platform to start. I grew up in NJ and we faced stringent regulations, even back in the 80's. There was a way to hot rod cars and bypass the emission and inspection regs. Get a car with a diesel VIN. This would then let you put in a hopped up motor yet still pass inspection. I'm guessing that this guy needed a diesel VIN car as well. Also, I'm pretty sure that GM midsize diesels are quite rare now. Since the A special cars from GM were all essentially the same, it was probably easier to slap on the quarters and other bits from a Regal to a Cutlass than try and find another Regal. The car is from California, so I'd guess that would play a part in his motivation as well. Anyway, I find it to be a real neat hot rod.
"Just because you read the manual doesn't mean you can drive the car."
Mena
"The car is from California, so I'd guess that would play a part in his
motivation as well. Anyway, I find it to be a real neat hot rod"
Diesels are smog exempt in CA.
Anonymous
They are not "smog exempt" in CA; for most of the past 20 years, new diesel passenger cars did not meet CA emissions reqs. Mostly particulate matter issues, but also noise, vibration, and harshness in the upper end premium car market (read, "Mercedes-Benz) killed diesel sales. Even the immediate previous generation E320 CDI was not smog legal in CA, circa 2004-6.
Avisciciulli
That makes quite a bit of sense. A lot of places don't question what you do with the motor because the laws are vague enough for you to do this and still be compliant. Put a diesel in a gas VIN and they'd freak. And what oil change tech at ValvoLube will know what an 82 diesel looks like? Not like he was even born then. ;)
Did Buick even offer the diesel back then? Olds is the brand that always jumps to mind with those. It's probably a matter of availability. In theory, if Olds sold the most diesels, those will be the most left on the road at this time. Add to that trying to find one with a good clean chassis and you'd have your work cut out for you.
I also want to say that the rear clips on the GNs were slightly different from the Regals. So unless he bought a GN (for probably 10K more than the Olds cost him), he'd probably be looking at the same body build up for a GN clone.
Nice to see an old body on frame car finding new life. Awesome hot rod. Try putting that diesel in a 99 Civic. How much twist can a unibody FWD chassis take?
Jim S.
That sounds completely beast. It's a good thing he didn't do that to a real GNX or he would have to die.
Ryan M.
Dang....That's OLD news. That car has been built for a long time and is making some serious power.
Nice car, old news.
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