Turbo Regal Body Bracing
The front fender braces are missing from the factory. They were installed from the factory on their G-body cousins the �78-�88 Olds Cutlass, Pontiac Grand Prix, and Chevy Monte Carlo. Turbo Regal part vendors sell these braces. Some people have successfully adapted a set from a donor car. I purchased a set from Jay�s GN. They bolt on the front radiator support with a hole already there from the factory to the fender. The fender bolt hole has to be drilled. They made a noticeable difference on my �87 Grand National when used in conjunction with the front frame braces. Make sure you install these correctly and slowly test closing the hood. I�ve heard of people installing these incorrectly and slamming the hood closed, buckling it.
The GNX had rear seat braces installed from the factory while the Grand National and T-Type did not. The rear seat braces are available from Turbo Regal part vendors or you can create your own. The under the hood braces of a mid 70's Cadillac will work as rear seat braces. You can also make them out of 3/4" conduit. The most common type create a XX behind the rear seat. These braces help prevent the common problem of pillar cracking on solid roof cars and greatly reduce rattles especially on T-Top cars. A few cars have also seen improved 60ft times. There was a very noticeable difference after installing a set in my T-Top Grand National. I also installed a set in my T-Top �79 Hurst/Olds. I purchased them from Bowling Green Customs. Make sure you take the full weight off the suspension with jack stands at all four corners or use a lift before installing these.
Front
Frame Braces
The front frame braces are missing from the factory. They were installed from the factory on their G-body cousins the �78-�88 Olds Cutlass, Pontiac Grand Prix, and Chevy Monte Carlo. You can find these front frame braces from these cars at your local salvage yard. I purchased a new set from GM for a �80 Olds Cutlass. The 2 braces create a V going from under the engine center frame to the side front frame rails. The bolt holes already exist on your Turbo Regal. You have to use either self-tapping bolts or tap the bolt holes under the engine. The front frame rails just use bolts, nuts, and lock washers.
Body Bushings
Some of the body bushings were left out from the factory including the �GNX� bushings that are located above the rear axle but were installed at the factory on their G-body cousins. It is also VERY common for body bushings to actually fall apart and fall off the car. Every Turbo Regal I�ve checked had 3 or more body bushings missing that were supposed to be there. Most common are the lowers. You can purchase factory replacement bushings from Turbo Regal part vendors or from GM. The Monte SS body bushings are supposed to be firmer than the Buick ones if you want something stiffer than the stock Buick rubber mounts but softer than the polys. The Turbo Regal vendors offer kits of 4 or 6 lower bushings and the GNX bushings. I opted for the complete Energy Suspensions upper, lower, and GNX body bushing kit which I purchased from Jack Cotton. Make sure you do not break the bolts when you are removing them, because you will have to cut sheet metal to access the nuts they screw into. They break easier than you might think. It's a good idea to spray the bolts with WD-40 everyday for a couple days ahead of doing the job. The poly body bushing kit made the most noticeable difference of all bracing done to my T-Top Grand National.
Body Bushing Installation Guide
Front
Sway Bar Bushings
The front sway bar bushings and end links are rubber from the factory. They tend to get very soft and crack. Replacing the factory rubber bushings with new poly bushings will not only greatly improve the cars handling but it will also help in stiffen up the front frame. It made a very noticeable difference in my �87 Grand National. I purchased the bushings and end links from ATR.
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