Piston Slap: LS4-FTW, or Much Ado "Abboud" Nothing?
Duncan writes:
Sajeev,
OK, I’ll bite on your request for more queries. Here’s a couple:
- I recently purchased a 2015 Genesis Coupe. I’ve swapped out the stock air intake for the R2C if, for no other reason, than to get rid of the sound tube pumping noise into the car. (At least there wasn’t an accompanying audio soundtrack. Looking at you, BMW.) The car rips at the top end (yeah, I know, for a V6… I know my place on the food chain), but I was wondering what you would recommend to boost low-end torque. I’m not looking for a supercharger-grade improvement; just a bit more off the line.
- My parents have offered to give me their 2002 Buick Regal GS Joseph Abboud Edition (low miles, driven to church on Sunday). It’s tempting to take it on as a project car. Assuming I acquire their sleeper and have $3,000 to spend on performance improvements, what should I do first… and second? Do you even try to address the handling, or do you just shrug it off and go for moar powah?
Keep up the good work!
Sajeev answers:
Quick and easy for the Genesis: After you read this fantastic write up on gencoupe.com, find an ECU tuner that can promise you an improvement in low-end torque. The factory tune often limits it for safety and emissions reasons, hence the need for a quality aftermarket tune.
Sometimes, though less often in the last 10+ years, the factory exhaust manifolds are a significant low-end torque restriction. Since damn near all modern engines have brilliantly designed cast manifolds, I doubt headers shall help, but researching deeper than Google never killed anyone. Or not, because you’ve maxed out the Genesis’ 3.8 without resorting to forced induction, NOS kits, or more displacement.
Hence the need for:
That’s right, son! Can you smell what the Abboud GS LS4-FTW Regal is cooking? I can!
Now I don’t wanna hear you naysayers suggest an overboosted, supercharged 3.8 V-6 instead. Your valid logic about it being (probably) cheaper and (definitely) easier to install on a GM W-body shall fall on deaf ears. Nor shall you mention the blown V-6 is powerful enough to grenade the (stock) transaxle on the drag strip’s first hard launch, hence no need to trouble yourself for two more cylinders.
Your facts are wholly irrelevant when I recline in the occasionally chocolate brown slipcovers of an Abboud Regal whilst indulging in the sound of a lumpy-cammed LS4.
As a founding member of the Brown Car Appreciation Society, the group that (probably) inspired the brown manual diesel wagon phenomenon, focus your entire life on that Abboud Regal. That whip — from the bad-old days of GM Beancounting when it was okay to cost cut even the Abboud’s uprated Brown trim — deserves a cammed LS4-FTW. It’ll be the best thing about the previous decade of motoring.
So drop everything and neglect everything else until you have The World’s First LS4-FTW Regal GS Abboud. You’ll certainly be my hero.
Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry…but be realistic, and use your make/model specific forums instead of TTAC for more timely advice.
More by Sajeev Mehta
Latest Car Reviews
Read moreLatest Product Reviews
Read moreRecent Comments
- Harry HOW i RECOVER MY LOST OR STOLEN FUNDS:You should gather and document all relevant details about the theft, such as transaction IDs, wallet addresses, and any communication with the scammer if any, and then proceed to message SYLVESTER. G. BRYANT to get back your lost/ stolen funds by sharing the evidence you've compiled. he was the only one who was able to recover my funds I was so surprised he got back my money worth $52k but glory be to God and all thanks to him.. here is his contact below: Instagram: Yt7crackerszEmail: Yt7crackersz@ gmail,com
- Daniel J I had read an article several years ago that one of the issues that workers were complaining about with this plant is that 1/3 of the workforce were temporary workers. They didn't have the same benefits as the other 2/3 of the employees. Will this improve this situation or make it worse? Do temporary workers get a vote?I honestly don't care as long as it is not a requirement to work at the plant.
- Kosmo Tragic. Where in the name of all that is holy did anybody get the idea that self-driving cars were a good idea? I get the desire for lane-keeping, and use it myself, occasionally, but I don't even like to look across the car at my passenger while driving, let along relinquish complete control.
- Bof65705611 There’s one of these around the corner from me. It still runs…driven daily, in fact. That fact always surprises me.
- Master Baiter I'm skeptical of any project with government strings attached. I've read that the new CHIPS act which is supposed to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the U.S. is so loaded with DEI requirements that companies would rather not even bother trying to set up shop here. Cheaper to keep buying from TSMC.
Comments
Join the conversation
Abboud? Is that a real thing?? I thought it was the Mens Wearhouse store brand when I bought one of their suits for...something...once for like $300.
Somehow, in the case of the Genesis, I think I would be inclined to leave the car alone, thus to preserve the best part of ANY (new) Hyundai...the 100,000 mile warranty. Any modifications would almost certainly void it.