W Body Owner considering a H Body. Lots of questions
#1
W Body Owner considering a H Body. Lots of questions
Hello fellow GM car enthusiasts. I currently own a Buick Regal but ive really been considering picking up a H Body (I want a bigger car). Ive been eyeing an SSEi/Buick PA for awhile now.
I race alot, I love to drag race, road race, ive been trying to get into autox. I just like every kind of racing. So Performance is a big concern for me. So the majority of my questions will be performance orientiated.
Someone told me any headers from a W Car would fit on the H Chassis. Is this true? If so, a turbo kit designed for a GTP would have no problems bolting up to a SSEi correct?
I’m sure the H body suspension and brakes are not all that great (neither is the stock w body stuff). What options do I have for suspension and brake upgrades? I’m assuming W Parts aren't interchangeable when it comes to this.
How’* that 4T80E (is that the tranny in the SSEi?) hold up compared to the 4T65EHD found in GTP'*? I’m told it’* a little more beefy. Do they make after market parts for it? How about axles and all the other parts of the car? How does that stuff hold up when racing?
What ISNT interchangeable between the two cars?
What’* different when it comes to the N/A SSE and the */C SSEi? I wonder if I could save a few bucks and work with an N/A one vs. paying more for a */c'd ones and ripping the supercharger off to put a turbo on it.
Just trying to see what I’m getting myself into and if it’* worth the trouble. I’d appreciate any help I can get from you guys.
I race alot, I love to drag race, road race, ive been trying to get into autox. I just like every kind of racing. So Performance is a big concern for me. So the majority of my questions will be performance orientiated.
Someone told me any headers from a W Car would fit on the H Chassis. Is this true? If so, a turbo kit designed for a GTP would have no problems bolting up to a SSEi correct?
I’m sure the H body suspension and brakes are not all that great (neither is the stock w body stuff). What options do I have for suspension and brake upgrades? I’m assuming W Parts aren't interchangeable when it comes to this.
How’* that 4T80E (is that the tranny in the SSEi?) hold up compared to the 4T65EHD found in GTP'*? I’m told it’* a little more beefy. Do they make after market parts for it? How about axles and all the other parts of the car? How does that stuff hold up when racing?
What ISNT interchangeable between the two cars?
What’* different when it comes to the N/A SSE and the */C SSEi? I wonder if I could save a few bucks and work with an N/A one vs. paying more for a */c'd ones and ripping the supercharger off to put a turbo on it.
Just trying to see what I’m getting myself into and if it’* worth the trouble. I’d appreciate any help I can get from you guys.
#3
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For the most part the engine is the same. A few things are different due to clearance issues. Headers fit but sometimes need a little modification. Such as where the O2 sensor is, tranny mounts, and tranny dip stick.
The SSEi sues a 4t65HD tranny. Yes, there are several upgrade kits avalible. Shift kits, def, input shafts.
If you can get a SC engine, go with that, it'* well worth it. Here'* a video of mine with moderate mods.
MySpaceTV Videos: Another SSEi showoff by Kai
The SSEi sues a 4t65HD tranny. Yes, there are several upgrade kits avalible. Shift kits, def, input shafts.
If you can get a SC engine, go with that, it'* well worth it. Here'* a video of mine with moderate mods.
MySpaceTV Videos: Another SSEi showoff by Kai
#4
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Certified Car Nut
Wrong! The 4T80e is in 2004-2005 Bonneville GXP'* coupled to the NorthStar V-8. I feel it wouldnt be a good match even if it would mate to a V-6, even */C'ed. It'* big and tough but uses power to move it big azz gears. Better off with a beefed up, much lighter 65.
#5
The brakes are nearly the same, as a large W-Body Brake (Impala, Monte Carlo, and some Intrigues)
The stock brakes actually do a very good job of hauling the car down.....but if you do want to upgrade I would look into drilled and slotted rotors (NAPA # PR86641L and PR86641R), and some good pads....I would reccomend a Adaptive one AD7574 or Wagner Thermo-Quiets for a good street pad or if you manage to be able to autocross with these large cars i would probably go with a CMX-7574 full Ceramic....
All of these are also available in teh F-body pad if you decide to do a Twin piston caliper upgrade....theres plenty of info on this elsewhere if you search. A match of Drilled/Slotted rotors and F calipers would be basically the ultimate affordable braking system for your car.
Just my $.02 after upgrading the brakes on an 01 Bonne and an 04 Impala
The stock brakes actually do a very good job of hauling the car down.....but if you do want to upgrade I would look into drilled and slotted rotors (NAPA # PR86641L and PR86641R), and some good pads....I would reccomend a Adaptive one AD7574 or Wagner Thermo-Quiets for a good street pad or if you manage to be able to autocross with these large cars i would probably go with a CMX-7574 full Ceramic....
All of these are also available in teh F-body pad if you decide to do a Twin piston caliper upgrade....theres plenty of info on this elsewhere if you search. A match of Drilled/Slotted rotors and F calipers would be basically the ultimate affordable braking system for your car.
Just my $.02 after upgrading the brakes on an 01 Bonne and an 04 Impala
#6
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I switched over to drilled and slotted rotors early in the year and went to ceramic pads. Wow, what a difference. Well worth looking in to. If you want more braking power you can upgrade to 12" rotors and double piston calipers. ZZ Performance
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