This may sound crazy, and I'm a newbie at this. A couple of my friends are into the import scene and really into turbos, one specifically is convinced that we could add a Turbo onto my Naturally assperated V6 '85 Regal Limited. I guess technically a turbo is considered a "bolt on", is this technically possible, if you include the additional pipeing/other parts possibly involved to turn a natural assperated Buick into a turbo? Or are both just dreaming? Thanks.
Anything can be done with enough tools, time and money. However, practically, unless you have access to a donor car, lots of time, and a well equiped shop, it would probably be cheaper and more reliable to just buy a turbo car.
The problem is that there are a lot of support systems other than the turbo that will need upgrading (rear end, transmission, wiring, alternator, exhaust system, ECM, fuel pump, fuel tank, radiator, etc.). That doesn't even count the motor (crank, pistons, exhaust manifolds, turbo, oil cooler, trans cooler, sensors, wiring, throttle cable, TV cable, etc.)
By the time you do it right, you have almost a new car...
Dont even think about it unless you have worked on G-bodies before, as just removing the factory hard lines from the frame is near impossible (if not impossible) without lifting the body off the frame. Of course, if you had a donor car you could just swap frames, then the dash, wire harness,fuel tank....
If it is a V-6, then the fuel lines are in the right spot, you just have to cut into them to add the provisions for the fuel filter. You also have to add the flared fitting for the High pressure line/hose assembly at the front. You also have to add the return line. On my conversion, I used the factory lines from the conversion car, used the return line from the donor car. I just had to cut it in one spot to get it up and over the rear axle, and used a new piece of line for that section, since I could not get it out of the donor. Of course this is all if you want to do a conversion. If all you are doing is adding a turbo to a carbed Regal, then this would all go out the window. It is easier to just buy one instead of building one, unless of course what you want was never actually built by GM(my case). In which case a donor vehicle is your best bet, which is what I did.
Brian
Adding a turbo would not be very difficult in my opinion. You just need to approach from different angle than everyone else assumes. Don't try to convert to a factory SFI/Turbo set up. This would be expensive and difficult as already pointed out.
Look into a Blow-Thru turbo set up. This is how many people add turbos to small 5.0 liter Chevy and Ford's. The Buick V6 is a natural for this. And you can utilize existing Turbo Buick parts instead of buying a kit (which don't exist for the Buick V6). The Blow-thru turbo is the easiest turbo system to adapt to a NA motor.
Bascially swap your exhaust manifolds with those from a 86/87 TR (and the Turbo of course). Instead of the turbo outlet being connected to an intake plenum (with or without an intercooler), it will "blow-thru" the carb. There is a little more to it, but nothing different than if it where a SBC. This will provide boost without all the hassles of converting the ECM, fuel lines, sensors, etc.
Of course this won't be as powerful as a 86/87 SFI/Turbo engine. BUT it will be much more powerful than your current 2-barrel. And a hell of a lot cheaper (and easier). The NA 3.8 will handle a fair amount of boost as is.
Buy a book called "Turbochargers" by Hugh MacInnes. It will explain what you need to know.