Greetings Turbo Regal Inner Circle Members - 10-07-2009
I SAW SOME INTERESTING SAYINGS
Saw this sign recently - "September is Injury Prevention Month."
Sounded strange to me, as I am sure most people would agree that EVERY month should be injury prevention month, not just September! It's a personal goal I like to achieve!
Saw this on a car for sale - "Owner recently went to Heaven where no parking is allowed so his car is for sale."
THE SAME YET NOT EXACTLY THE SAME
As the photos show on our website connected to this Inner Circle there are some various differences in some of the parts found on the 1984 through 1987 Turbo Regals.
Like many of you, I never realized some of them until I started to take these cars apart. I have now parted out about 15 Turbo Regals. I am far from being an expert at dismantling cars since I usually buy nice ones. It can be interesting. Almost every car has had one or more rodent nests in them. Sometimes they yield a few dollars in coins under the console or stuck under the bucket seat tracks.
Photo 1 - Shows a close up of the analog tach and boost gauge. Notice the difference in the Boost portion on the two shown. The top one reads "TURBO BOOST" in the middle of the 0 and 15 psi (on the same line.) The bottom one shows "TURBO BOOST - PSI" on the top line with 0 5 10 15 on the second line.
According to my factory Buick Dealer Albums, they made this change to the second version for the 1986 models. However, in the 1986 Buick Dealer Album their illustration shows the new version, yet an actual photo shown on another page features the older version! I took both of these from the same revised 8/85-Dealer Album (August 1985). Making it more confusing, the illustration in the 1986 Buick Dealer Album has the "PSI" on the same line and next to the 15 instead of on the same line as the wording "TURBO BOOST."
Photo 2 - In this photo we show the actual photo of the tach and boost gauge from the 1986 Buick Dealer Album along with the illustration from the same Buick Dealer Album. As you can see, they are not the same.
I just dismantled an original 80,000-mile Regal T-Type and it had the early style boost gauge instead of the later style. I would venture a guess, some of the 1986 Turbo Regals may have the 0 to 15 analog boost gauges instead of the later version that reads 0 5 10 15 style.
Another version for the analog dash would appear on a column shift car, which would have the shifter indicator in the center black area between the gas gauge and the tach/boost setup.
Photo 3 - Shows the backside of two different analog speedometer units. These are very crude when compared to what is in the newer cars that have now gone digital and eliminated that speedometer cable! The actual casing that surrounds the number dials is visibly different. The casing holding the dials in the top speedometer in the Photo 3 is metal. The casing holding the dials in the bottom speedometer is plastic. My guess is GM had more than one supplier, similar to what we know about the brake proportioning valves.
Photo 4 - Shows a close up of the main number dial. What GM did in the Regals was to not make visible the tenths (white dial portion). You can see that the tenths does not show through on your main odometer reading, yet the dial showing the tenths is clearly present! You can also see from this how primitive the lighting system was to illuminate the instrument dash. Since it was made in metal, it forced the light to shine around it.
CAR FOR SALE
A local friend of mine who runs small used car dealership is selling one of his personal cars. Car is a 1996 Cadillac Seville SLS model with 76,000 miles. This car would easily qualify as a Kirban quality car. It literally looks like it is less than one year old from any angle. Car is grey with a beige leather interior. Absolutely looks showroom, even the seats in this non-smoker car. Nothing shows any wear issues, no corrosion on the wheels, no dents and no dings. Car is well optioned lacking only a factory CD player. It does have heated sets and the latest PA inspection. Car is ten minutes from where we live. Price is just $4850. If you are interested, email me - [email protected]
"LOW FUEL" WARNING UNIT OPTION - NOW AVAILABLE
We finally have the "LOW FUEL" Warning unit available, Part #7244. This will only fit the 1984-1987 Turbo Regals that have the analog dash cluster. The price is just $43.95. We actually put one in that 720-mile Grand National we recently sold, and it worked great.
This option is very easy to install. It originally was a Riviera option. For whatever reason, it never was Turbo Regal option, even though all the 1984-1987 Regal analog dash clusters have the notation of "LOW FUEL" as one of the non-working idiot lights on the left side of the dash. This new kit has two features. The first feature is it will light up when the gas level falls below a quarter of a tank. When it gets very close to empty the Low Fuel light will blink.
See copy below for more details.
1984-1987 Regal (Including Turbo Models) with Factory Analog Dash Only -
"LOW FUEL" WARNING INDICATOR UNIT
The one option GM partially forgot! If you look at the instrument panel in a factory analog dash, just below the left turn signal light, you can see the words "LOW FUEL." This option was provided for, but GM never offered it on the Regal. However, in the mid 1980s, Buick offered a "LOW FUEL" Warning as an option, Code "U41" in their Riviera models.
The Regals, including the Turbo Regals, share the same exact analog dash cluster.
We have the circuit board, complete with the light socket, to make this function in the 1984-1987 Buick Regals. Installation is all plug and play; nothing gets cut. Each unit comes with easy-to-follow directions.
This new "LOW FUEL" Warning Indicator is even better than the GM original unit. The light for "LOW FUEL" will come on at a point below a quarter of a tank of gas. But with our unit, when the gas tank gets almost depleted, the "LOW FUEL" circuit light will also blink.
This unit is made by the same source that did our 1984-1987 Turbo Regal - LED Analog Dash Lights (7) Kit, Part #7234. This is also a nice option to add and it is easy to install. Since the labor is basically the same, we recommend you install the LED lights and this Low Fuel Warning unit at the same time.
An excellent upgrade for any factory analog dash.
7244 - 1984-1987 Regal (Including Turbo Models) with Factory Analog Dash Only -
"LOW FUEL" Warning Indicator Unit $43.95
Click Here to see this "LOW FUEL" Warning product page on our web site.
http://www.kirbanperformance.com/product/43718/LOW+FUEL+WARNING+INDICATOR+UNIT+%237244.html
PRICE INCREASES
#6944 - 1984-1987 Regal - Air Lift® Rear Air Springs (2) - $99.95
#6780 - 1978-1987 Regal - GM Upper Dash Trim Panel - $149.95
SPECIAL SELL OUT
We have the 1986-1987 Turbo Regal - GM Air Flow Duct (from turbo to MAF sensor), Part #6536 in stock for $61.95. Just a few left now.
CALENDER OF EVENTS
2009 UPCOMING BUICK RELATED EVENTS
NOTE - If you know of a GM or Buick Turbo event for this year, let us know and we can post it in our weekly Turbo Regal Inner Circle so our members are aware of the event.
The best way to stay informed with the show season is to check out the various Turbo Buick forums.
The Blackhawk Chapter of POCI Presents the 22nd DRAG RACING FUN DAY, especially for Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac race at Cordova Dragway in Cordova, Illinois - Saturday, October 10, 2009 (Rain Date October 17th)
Details can be found at - www.cordovadrag.com/2009/events/bop-flyer.html
The East Coast Buick Regionals and Pontiac Challenge - OCTOBER 16th and 17th, 2009
at Cecil County Dragway, Maryland. It features 5 different race classes for V8 and Turbo-powered Buicks. Friday is Test and Tune and Saturday is Buick Race Day. For more information, contact Doug Dougherty 302-653-2201 or John Csordas 845-528-GSGN or Griff Atkinson 410-472-2757. I have just been informed that in addition to the program Saturday October 17th will be a judged all Buick Car Show in additional at Cecil County Dragway. They will have goodie bags for the first 50 cars. The MAGNA Club will be in charge of the car show portion of the event. I plan to attend this event only on Saturday and will bring ZDDPlus™ and the ZPaste™ along with many used Turbo Regal parts to sell.
Oklahoma Buick Performance Club "HEADSUP SHOOTOUT" – October 17, 2009
Oklahoma Buick Performance Club will hold it's 15th year, Team Buick vs. Team Ford Headsup Shootout on OCTOBER 17, 2009. Team Buick includes Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and GMC trucks with any engine or power adder. This will be at Thunder Valley Raceway Park, Noble, Oklahoma. A first time TSM event will also be held with some pre-qualifying Friday night the 16th. More information - www.okbuicks.com - www.turbobuick.com (National Racing Events and Info) Personal contact: Dick Walker, 405-745-3602 - [email protected]
SOUTHERN BUICK SHOOTOUT 2009 - Reynolds, Georgia -
Friday & Saturday, NOVEMBER 6th & 7th, 2009 -
The Southern Buick Shootout 2009 event at the Silver Dollar Raceway is scheduled for November 6th and 7th, 2009. This event will be open to any and all BUICK, OLDS, and PONTIAC cars. The event will include a points race for the TSO and TSM categories, as well as other potential Buick categories.
The plan is to have heads-up / index pacing available for those racers that cannot run in TSM/TSO categories. They also plan to have Gamblers Racing for both Sportsman type cars (no delay boxes allowed) and Top Eliminator (delay Box). The will be Test-N-Tune all day both days. If you have questions, email - [email protected]
2010 UPCOMING BUICK RELATED EVENTS
2010 TURBOBUICK.COM NATIONALS - March 15-20, 2010
Looking ahead into next Spring 2010, the first Turbo Buick event of the season will be the first ever "turbobuick.com Nationals." The dates are March 15-20, 2010 in Burlington, NC area.
For more information on this March event, click on the thread - http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/national-racing-events-info/292319-2010-turbobuick-com-nationals.html - Or, you can email Clint Adkins at - [email protected]
"Light Your Fire" - 2010 Buick Performance Group Nationals - July 30 - August 1, 2010
at the National Trail Raceway in Hebron OH (near Columbus). They want to gather together the largest number of 1969-1974 factory Stage1 cars anyone has ever seen since the Buick muscle car days of Flint.
This is a special event that may never come to pass again, so don't miss the factory "Stage1 Convention" at the 2010 Buick Performance Group National Event. For more info, go to - http://www.buickperformancegroup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8754
NOTE - If you know of a GM or Buick Turbo event, let us know and we can post it in our weekly Turbo Regal Inner Circle so our members are aware of the event.
UNIQUE LOCAL EVENT TO US
Although not a Turbo Buick related car show event, this one local to us event deserves a special mention. The date is Sunday, October 18th, 2009 from 9 am until 3:30. Location is the Warminster Community Park, which is now part of the old closed down Johnsville Airbase. This is where we held several of our major Car Shows events in the early 1990s.
What makes this show remarkable are several things. The Early Ford V8 Club hosts it and this is the 40th year of this show. That means they did their first one back in 1969!
Another unique thing related to judging is none of their club members are eligible to win! They have Awards of Excellence for the Top 80 entries!
Frankly, I think it is nothing short of remarkable that they have conducted a car show now for forty years and over that time have made whatever adjustments they needed to do to keep it going. Since this event is in my area, I know it has been held in different locations over the years. Not that many years ago it was held in Warrington on the grounds of the one of the last drive-in movie theatres, which is now a location for Lowes and Target stores.
The event happens rain or shine, but we all know any type of bad weather hurts attendance.
For more info, contact John Murphy 215-674-6700 days or 267-716-555 nights/weekends.
Since it is early V8 Ford sponsored, maybe I will see a 1949-1950 Ford business coupe for sale. That's the one reason I usually go! Also, represents one of the last car show events in our area of the season.
If you do go, the entrance to this event is off Bristol Road by Hatboro Road, which is behind the old airbase! Weather permitting, this event is well worth attending, especially if you reside in a 50-mile radius.
EBAY LISTINGS
If you would like to see any Kirban Performance Products items listed on eBay, here is a link to our store and auctions -
http://stores.ebay.com/Kirban-Performance-Products-Inc_W0QQssPageNameZl2QQtZ km
ABOUT OUR EMAILS
Any inquiries concerning used parts, you must email me direct - [email protected] - I will answer you. However, if I fail to answer you within 24 hours, please email us again. Since expanding into used parts, I get a lot of emails and sometimes I may forget your request or not remember who requested the item.
IN CLOSING
Looking further ahead, November 7th and 8th we will be in Ocala, Florida at Don Garlits' 22nd Annual Mopar event. We'll be one of his special guests as a vendor selling ZDDPlus™ and the ZPaste™. Richard Clark is planning to go to this event as well as Paul Castle. We hope you come by and say hello either Saturday or Sunday. Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing Inc., 13700 SW 16th Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34473 - (877) 271-3278.
For more information, check out the website for the Mopar Florida club that puts on this Mopar event at Don Garlits Museum - www.floridamoparassociation.com
I SAW SOME INTERESTING SAYINGS
Saw this sign recently - "September is Injury Prevention Month."
Sounded strange to me, as I am sure most people would agree that EVERY month should be injury prevention month, not just September! It's a personal goal I like to achieve!
Saw this on a car for sale - "Owner recently went to Heaven where no parking is allowed so his car is for sale."
THE SAME YET NOT EXACTLY THE SAME
As the photos show on our website connected to this Inner Circle there are some various differences in some of the parts found on the 1984 through 1987 Turbo Regals.
Like many of you, I never realized some of them until I started to take these cars apart. I have now parted out about 15 Turbo Regals. I am far from being an expert at dismantling cars since I usually buy nice ones. It can be interesting. Almost every car has had one or more rodent nests in them. Sometimes they yield a few dollars in coins under the console or stuck under the bucket seat tracks.
Photo 1 - Shows a close up of the analog tach and boost gauge. Notice the difference in the Boost portion on the two shown. The top one reads "TURBO BOOST" in the middle of the 0 and 15 psi (on the same line.) The bottom one shows "TURBO BOOST - PSI" on the top line with 0 5 10 15 on the second line.
According to my factory Buick Dealer Albums, they made this change to the second version for the 1986 models. However, in the 1986 Buick Dealer Album their illustration shows the new version, yet an actual photo shown on another page features the older version! I took both of these from the same revised 8/85-Dealer Album (August 1985). Making it more confusing, the illustration in the 1986 Buick Dealer Album has the "PSI" on the same line and next to the 15 instead of on the same line as the wording "TURBO BOOST."
Photo 2 - In this photo we show the actual photo of the tach and boost gauge from the 1986 Buick Dealer Album along with the illustration from the same Buick Dealer Album. As you can see, they are not the same.
I just dismantled an original 80,000-mile Regal T-Type and it had the early style boost gauge instead of the later style. I would venture a guess, some of the 1986 Turbo Regals may have the 0 to 15 analog boost gauges instead of the later version that reads 0 5 10 15 style.
Another version for the analog dash would appear on a column shift car, which would have the shifter indicator in the center black area between the gas gauge and the tach/boost setup.
Photo 3 - Shows the backside of two different analog speedometer units. These are very crude when compared to what is in the newer cars that have now gone digital and eliminated that speedometer cable! The actual casing that surrounds the number dials is visibly different. The casing holding the dials in the top speedometer in the Photo 3 is metal. The casing holding the dials in the bottom speedometer is plastic. My guess is GM had more than one supplier, similar to what we know about the brake proportioning valves.
Photo 4 - Shows a close up of the main number dial. What GM did in the Regals was to not make visible the tenths (white dial portion). You can see that the tenths does not show through on your main odometer reading, yet the dial showing the tenths is clearly present! You can also see from this how primitive the lighting system was to illuminate the instrument dash. Since it was made in metal, it forced the light to shine around it.
CAR FOR SALE
A local friend of mine who runs small used car dealership is selling one of his personal cars. Car is a 1996 Cadillac Seville SLS model with 76,000 miles. This car would easily qualify as a Kirban quality car. It literally looks like it is less than one year old from any angle. Car is grey with a beige leather interior. Absolutely looks showroom, even the seats in this non-smoker car. Nothing shows any wear issues, no corrosion on the wheels, no dents and no dings. Car is well optioned lacking only a factory CD player. It does have heated sets and the latest PA inspection. Car is ten minutes from where we live. Price is just $4850. If you are interested, email me - [email protected]
"LOW FUEL" WARNING UNIT OPTION - NOW AVAILABLE
We finally have the "LOW FUEL" Warning unit available, Part #7244. This will only fit the 1984-1987 Turbo Regals that have the analog dash cluster. The price is just $43.95. We actually put one in that 720-mile Grand National we recently sold, and it worked great.
This option is very easy to install. It originally was a Riviera option. For whatever reason, it never was Turbo Regal option, even though all the 1984-1987 Regal analog dash clusters have the notation of "LOW FUEL" as one of the non-working idiot lights on the left side of the dash. This new kit has two features. The first feature is it will light up when the gas level falls below a quarter of a tank. When it gets very close to empty the Low Fuel light will blink.
See copy below for more details.
1984-1987 Regal (Including Turbo Models) with Factory Analog Dash Only -
"LOW FUEL" WARNING INDICATOR UNIT
The one option GM partially forgot! If you look at the instrument panel in a factory analog dash, just below the left turn signal light, you can see the words "LOW FUEL." This option was provided for, but GM never offered it on the Regal. However, in the mid 1980s, Buick offered a "LOW FUEL" Warning as an option, Code "U41" in their Riviera models.
The Regals, including the Turbo Regals, share the same exact analog dash cluster.
We have the circuit board, complete with the light socket, to make this function in the 1984-1987 Buick Regals. Installation is all plug and play; nothing gets cut. Each unit comes with easy-to-follow directions.
This new "LOW FUEL" Warning Indicator is even better than the GM original unit. The light for "LOW FUEL" will come on at a point below a quarter of a tank of gas. But with our unit, when the gas tank gets almost depleted, the "LOW FUEL" circuit light will also blink.
This unit is made by the same source that did our 1984-1987 Turbo Regal - LED Analog Dash Lights (7) Kit, Part #7234. This is also a nice option to add and it is easy to install. Since the labor is basically the same, we recommend you install the LED lights and this Low Fuel Warning unit at the same time.
An excellent upgrade for any factory analog dash.
7244 - 1984-1987 Regal (Including Turbo Models) with Factory Analog Dash Only -
"LOW FUEL" Warning Indicator Unit $43.95
Click Here to see this "LOW FUEL" Warning product page on our web site.
http://www.kirbanperformance.com/product/43718/LOW+FUEL+WARNING+INDICATOR+UNIT+%237244.html
PRICE INCREASES
#6944 - 1984-1987 Regal - Air Lift® Rear Air Springs (2) - $99.95
#6780 - 1978-1987 Regal - GM Upper Dash Trim Panel - $149.95
SPECIAL SELL OUT
We have the 1986-1987 Turbo Regal - GM Air Flow Duct (from turbo to MAF sensor), Part #6536 in stock for $61.95. Just a few left now.
CALENDER OF EVENTS
2009 UPCOMING BUICK RELATED EVENTS
NOTE - If you know of a GM or Buick Turbo event for this year, let us know and we can post it in our weekly Turbo Regal Inner Circle so our members are aware of the event.
The best way to stay informed with the show season is to check out the various Turbo Buick forums.
The Blackhawk Chapter of POCI Presents the 22nd DRAG RACING FUN DAY, especially for Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac race at Cordova Dragway in Cordova, Illinois - Saturday, October 10, 2009 (Rain Date October 17th)
Details can be found at - www.cordovadrag.com/2009/events/bop-flyer.html
The East Coast Buick Regionals and Pontiac Challenge - OCTOBER 16th and 17th, 2009
at Cecil County Dragway, Maryland. It features 5 different race classes for V8 and Turbo-powered Buicks. Friday is Test and Tune and Saturday is Buick Race Day. For more information, contact Doug Dougherty 302-653-2201 or John Csordas 845-528-GSGN or Griff Atkinson 410-472-2757. I have just been informed that in addition to the program Saturday October 17th will be a judged all Buick Car Show in additional at Cecil County Dragway. They will have goodie bags for the first 50 cars. The MAGNA Club will be in charge of the car show portion of the event. I plan to attend this event only on Saturday and will bring ZDDPlus™ and the ZPaste™ along with many used Turbo Regal parts to sell.
Oklahoma Buick Performance Club "HEADSUP SHOOTOUT" – October 17, 2009
Oklahoma Buick Performance Club will hold it's 15th year, Team Buick vs. Team Ford Headsup Shootout on OCTOBER 17, 2009. Team Buick includes Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and GMC trucks with any engine or power adder. This will be at Thunder Valley Raceway Park, Noble, Oklahoma. A first time TSM event will also be held with some pre-qualifying Friday night the 16th. More information - www.okbuicks.com - www.turbobuick.com (National Racing Events and Info) Personal contact: Dick Walker, 405-745-3602 - [email protected]
SOUTHERN BUICK SHOOTOUT 2009 - Reynolds, Georgia -
Friday & Saturday, NOVEMBER 6th & 7th, 2009 -
The Southern Buick Shootout 2009 event at the Silver Dollar Raceway is scheduled for November 6th and 7th, 2009. This event will be open to any and all BUICK, OLDS, and PONTIAC cars. The event will include a points race for the TSO and TSM categories, as well as other potential Buick categories.
The plan is to have heads-up / index pacing available for those racers that cannot run in TSM/TSO categories. They also plan to have Gamblers Racing for both Sportsman type cars (no delay boxes allowed) and Top Eliminator (delay Box). The will be Test-N-Tune all day both days. If you have questions, email - [email protected]
2010 UPCOMING BUICK RELATED EVENTS
2010 TURBOBUICK.COM NATIONALS - March 15-20, 2010
Looking ahead into next Spring 2010, the first Turbo Buick event of the season will be the first ever "turbobuick.com Nationals." The dates are March 15-20, 2010 in Burlington, NC area.
For more information on this March event, click on the thread - http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/national-racing-events-info/292319-2010-turbobuick-com-nationals.html - Or, you can email Clint Adkins at - [email protected]
"Light Your Fire" - 2010 Buick Performance Group Nationals - July 30 - August 1, 2010
at the National Trail Raceway in Hebron OH (near Columbus). They want to gather together the largest number of 1969-1974 factory Stage1 cars anyone has ever seen since the Buick muscle car days of Flint.
This is a special event that may never come to pass again, so don't miss the factory "Stage1 Convention" at the 2010 Buick Performance Group National Event. For more info, go to - http://www.buickperformancegroup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8754
NOTE - If you know of a GM or Buick Turbo event, let us know and we can post it in our weekly Turbo Regal Inner Circle so our members are aware of the event.
UNIQUE LOCAL EVENT TO US
Although not a Turbo Buick related car show event, this one local to us event deserves a special mention. The date is Sunday, October 18th, 2009 from 9 am until 3:30. Location is the Warminster Community Park, which is now part of the old closed down Johnsville Airbase. This is where we held several of our major Car Shows events in the early 1990s.
What makes this show remarkable are several things. The Early Ford V8 Club hosts it and this is the 40th year of this show. That means they did their first one back in 1969!
Another unique thing related to judging is none of their club members are eligible to win! They have Awards of Excellence for the Top 80 entries!
Frankly, I think it is nothing short of remarkable that they have conducted a car show now for forty years and over that time have made whatever adjustments they needed to do to keep it going. Since this event is in my area, I know it has been held in different locations over the years. Not that many years ago it was held in Warrington on the grounds of the one of the last drive-in movie theatres, which is now a location for Lowes and Target stores.
The event happens rain or shine, but we all know any type of bad weather hurts attendance.
For more info, contact John Murphy 215-674-6700 days or 267-716-555 nights/weekends.
Since it is early V8 Ford sponsored, maybe I will see a 1949-1950 Ford business coupe for sale. That's the one reason I usually go! Also, represents one of the last car show events in our area of the season.
If you do go, the entrance to this event is off Bristol Road by Hatboro Road, which is behind the old airbase! Weather permitting, this event is well worth attending, especially if you reside in a 50-mile radius.
EBAY LISTINGS
If you would like to see any Kirban Performance Products items listed on eBay, here is a link to our store and auctions -
http://stores.ebay.com/Kirban-Performance-Products-Inc_W0QQssPageNameZl2QQtZ km
ABOUT OUR EMAILS
Any inquiries concerning used parts, you must email me direct - [email protected] - I will answer you. However, if I fail to answer you within 24 hours, please email us again. Since expanding into used parts, I get a lot of emails and sometimes I may forget your request or not remember who requested the item.
IN CLOSING
Looking further ahead, November 7th and 8th we will be in Ocala, Florida at Don Garlits' 22nd Annual Mopar event. We'll be one of his special guests as a vendor selling ZDDPlus™ and the ZPaste™. Richard Clark is planning to go to this event as well as Paul Castle. We hope you come by and say hello either Saturday or Sunday. Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing Inc., 13700 SW 16th Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34473 - (877) 271-3278.
For more information, check out the website for the Mopar Florida club that puts on this Mopar event at Don Garlits Museum - www.floridamoparassociation.com