All, new poster to the forum. I've recently purchased a 1966 Buick special with the intention to turn it into a drag car. i've also gotten a 75 455 that is still stock to use for it. i've torn it down and got a cheap $60 sonic tester from amazon and so far looks like the cylinder walls are good on the major thrust axes. i'm only planning on keeping the block and crank, and everything else will be new. the rough idea is to lighten the rotating assembly with aluminum rods and pistons, get it all balanced, roller cam, throw some TA aluminum heads and spx intake on it, and fuel inject it with a megasquirt, then throw some turbos on it. the only performance engine i've built is for my 4 wheeler, and the rest have been stock or slightly bored rebuilds. I've been pouring over the forum and have found a lot of useful info, but would be open to suggestions! should i continue this route, go another? also, wondering if there are any buick centric machine shops in alabama, where i am, or should i just send it to someone else? Thanks!
If you are going to throw some hair dryers on it, I'd budget in a girdle and maybe a partial fill. It won't take much boost to get to the point where the block starts to move around a lot.
thanks. i did plan on getting a girdle, but that brings me back around the machine shop question. should i just pay for the shipping and send it out to TA or Tri shield to make sure it's done right?
That is what I would do unless someone knows a shop with Buick experience in your area. The girdle needs to be done right the first time. http://v8buick.com/index.php?threads/girdle-installation.348878/
For a drag car dont complicate it with twins a bws480 would be my choice,..it will supply enough power to destroy a stock block and be easier to drag with more room work on stuff
I had to abandon my turbo project due to my house remodeling project but we'll just consider it motivation
thanks for the info. that's a nice project! i have some home remodeling to do also before wifey will complain less about this engine build..
another thing i was wondering is if anyone has added any frame/roll cages to these specials. from what i've read, it's a regular gm a-body, similar to the impala and chevelle. there is virtually no support down the middle of the car, as the fram rails bend to the outside of the car, and the floor pan is the only thing in the middle. side note, i tried to upload a pic as a file, but it keeps failing. should i upload it some other way?
Wilderides or Autoweld for your cage needs ABC performance has some great chassis products as does TRZ motorsports Download a free pic resizing app to post pics The stock chassis/body is actually very capable but a cage does allow the car to work better
