luv my 340 . hate my st300 . but I leave it! my 72 lark has a th 200 . man, couple more gears are sure nice ! stopped runnin bias tires while back . don't really miss em!
I see the logical argument that, once all the factory built parts are replaced it’s not Buick (or any manufacturer brand) anymore. However I welcome parts that are Buick compatible, patterned or improved. I see all the new stuff as carrying the banner and supporting the spirit of Buick. Yeah, these guys could have gone ‘Brand X’ under the hood a long time (and many dollars!) ago, but instead are still doing it with Buick engineering. (Like the old ‘George Washington’s axe’ analogy-if you’re trying to present life in his day, you’re still going to use the ‘not his anymore’ axe instead of the yellow plastic handled chinesium one from Wallyworld). And, if you like racing stock parts, there’s a class for that! BSA at the ‘Nats, PSMCDR at Mid Michigan. Patrick
This is why I own several Buicks so I can cover all the corners, if someone says yea that twin turbo Tomahawk is cool and all but it's not buick anymore, then I can just say ok but these 4 others are all buick and faster than your box too,..
Here's my take on the subject. Basic architecture dictates the make.. bore centers, bolt patterns, and components used. If we start splitting hairs here, not many of us have a real "buick" engine. Most of us have Buick based motors.. with varying levels of modification. What's important is that the individual is happy with what he has, it suits his needs and desires. This is one of those deals where there really is no "right or wrong".. just opinion. If your opinion is that you can't see it as a Buick if it does not have the factory block, then more power to you... But I think it's counterproductive to chastise someone else because their opinion is different than yours. JW
Like top fuel dragsters share any parts with a Mopar Hemi. A 1000 aftermarket BBC and SBC heads and blocks on the market., why no mention?? Other than some oiling an lifter mods the Wildcat block that due is pretty darn close to the "Buick Made" 4 bolt main X block.. Op had to be drunk that's one heck of a annoying thread to start..
with the motors we love not having been made for 40,50 years it would be hard to keep then al running on only factory OEM parts that haven't been made. now for the performance side all parts have limits to their design, the aftermarket finds those and then finds a way around them. sometimes that means things dont look quite the same. but if your wanting performance beyond what the factory design arts can provide that's just the price of it. for any manufacturers. but one thing that makes cars fun is so many parts choices that we all can make our cars look a little different than our neighbors
I thoroughly enjoyed my early years (17) with my 65 Buick GS 401 C.I. stompin those chevellies /mustangs /mopars back in the sixties! stock as well ! the only other Buick guy was Gary Paine and his 66GS we did Buick proud in those days! guys were floored when they saw the nail head under the hood! they all thought I had put a SBC in there? They were wrong of course ! I' m a stock type guy...love the appearance of a stock looking Buick with either the Buick Mag or the dog dish look, but I love the products that are designed to make our Buick's stomp all those other brands with all that after market "stuff" Gotta keep up with the big boys or sit and watch?Heck you can go to a big swap meet and come out with a complete 55-56-57 Chevy at the other end? its just not fair so we gotta keep up IMHO
I've had Buick powered racecars for almost three decades. That's stacks and stacks of parts invoices... And judging by the bottom line on all of them, it's still a Buick $$$ Until BigTorque or anyone else steps up to reimburse me for said invoices, I'll call my engine whatever I choose.
Couldn't you say the same thing about any make? Aftermarket heads, intakes, cams, headers, ignition are available for lots of Brand X engines. When someone asks me what is under my hood, I tell them, it's a Buick 455 bored and stroked to 470 cubic inches. It has Diamond pistons, Eagle rods, Crane cam, TA aluminum heads, TA SP1 intake, MSD ignition, and MT headers. It's still an original Buick block, and it definitely isn't a Chevy, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Ford, or Mercury. It's a modified Buick Big Block. Nothing wrong with that, just like there is nothing wrong with wanting to keep your engine all original Buick Parts. To each his own is right.
That monster JW is building with kbr heads is no buick. Its totally bad ass but way too much is changed. To be technical its not a buick built motor. The timing cover is the only stockish piece. Thats probably modded too.
We are all here because of our love of Buicks would not have anything else. It's getting harder and harder to find stuff to build one anybody willing to develop parts for our cars should have our support if you don't like don't buy but don't criticize me because I'm tired of breaking old iron now i have something that won't break and love it.
This website is a gathering spot for all Buick individuals. There are concourse restoration specific builds, stock street builds, not so stock street and strip car builds, slap a plate on it and drive cars, 50s restorations and all out race Buicks. You don't have to agree with anyones direction here, just gleam knowledge when you can and show some respect for people , whether you agree with what they do to thier car or not. Key words, "thier car." I drive my restomod hard, track is 8 miles from the house, enjoy running the 1/4. Doesn't mean I can't respect the hell outta Duanes' restorations or the amount of fabrication in an all out build such as Steve Reynolds. It's all about respect, not confrontation. If you wish to be confrontational in every post or start a thread just to piss on somebodies cherrios, this is not the place for you and others like you ( I am not singling out anyone, stand down). We are here for other reasons. There are guys here that will go and do go out of thier way to help others, going so far as to offer running motors to borrow just so a Buick brother won't miss out on a season (kudos Briz). That said. Piss on my Cheerios , don't expect me to dig thru my hoard of parts and sell you anything . Perhaps another website would better suit you. JIM/Rott
