I challenge everyone reading this to bring your car to the next GS Nationals!![/QUOTE] Accepted. I have been to BG two times, but my car has not been yet.
Heck those junior dragsters are music to me eyes and ears because that represents a young person that will hopefully continue in our hobby. Got to get the kids involved. Kids get tired of wiping off a show car pretty quick but put them behind the wheel of a junior dragster and they will beg to go to the track any time it's open.
I agree, the car hobby and industry is thriving. Just look at the SEMA event for proof that people are spending incredible amounts of time and money on cars. Probably more than ever but the hobby has just evolved. I would say 95+% of all the cars that have attended the GS Nats since 1981 do still exist somewhere (a few have been lost to crashes, fires, parted out) but old Buicks are just staying in the garages more and more as the average age of the owners continues to increase. Think about it, a guy in his thirties doesn't mind all the physical effort involved with driving or hauling a car across the country to attend. But after doing it 10, 20, or even 30 times, that same guy is now in his 60s and not as interested or even physically able to bring his car again for the 31st time. Then as less and less guys bring a car it prompts others to also not bring there car because the event is smaller. So I also challenge everyone that is able, bring a car in 2020 for the 40th GS Nats. I predict that you will be glad that you did.
My family will be there with the Supercat FED. LCpl. Steven H. Everett will be my copilot, 1 great Marine and an awesome Son..... Watch what our family is capable of when we get knocked down. See you all there. Thanks again for the support and prayers.
It's in the planning / parts gathering stage. The car is all original at the moment. I'm gathering parts for the swap. I have a 4L60e out of a 2000 Firebird. I'm planning to use a series III long block out of Lucerne with the camaro / firebird intake and oil pan. Probably going to be a GT3582r chinese turbo. I plan to use Megasquirt 3x for engine control and Microsquirt for trans control. Ford 8.8 rear end. I keep going back and forth whether I want to put the 3800 in or adapt the existing 215 to the new trans and rear end. I love the little 215, but the V6 has so much more power potential. It might end up with the 215 for a while, and then build either a Rover 3.9/4.0 block or the 3800II/III.
Was my first #39. Really wanted roller rockers, got them now. Now I need performance axles. And I'm good. No challenge needed, but accepted. Cant wait.
The Wildcats will be out in force this year. There will be a special class just for the Cats which I hope to morph into a full size, boat , land yacht class for future years. Also looking to gauge interest in a under construction class. Will need 10 confirmed entries to make this happen.
Super low budget project, so I bought a series III n/a motor, 9.4:1 (L26). I'll pull the pistons and open up the ring end gaps, check everything out, and run it as is. Since I plan to run E85, it should hold up ok with a moderate amount of boost (10-15 psi). You figure, the LS motors are similar materials and construction, and they are holding up pretty well at 22 lbs. of boost, so why not? Considering that you can pick up a low mileage motor for $250-$350, it's not a real big deal if I melt one down. From what I've heard, they are pretty bullet proof as long as you keep them out of detonation. The pistons are not ideal, being cast, and having the top ring really high up. I've heard different things about the rods. Supposedly, the S3 powdered metal rods aren't the best either, but I've heard some say that they have held up at the 550hp level (again, without detonation). There are forged rods for $500, and coated forged pistons for $900, so after I get it running I'll probably build a better short block for it as money allows.
GraySky, My son has done the same with an LS3/6.2 which came out of a 014 GMC in for warranty work for losing coolant. Bloch was cracked which my son fixed. GM replaced the complete engine with new. The engine had only 500 or so miles on it. Took it apart & everything else was OK. So far they have about 300+ passes on it the last 3+ seasons. went from 330HP stock to where they are today at 1200+ HP with no problems at all so far. Same cast pistons, rods, bearings etc. The car is a '91 mustang weighing 3150, 3400 with driver, has run a best of 7.78@177MPH. So they will hold up as long as detonation is kept to ZERO.
Sounds amazing and insane at the same time! I'll be completely happy if I end up with an 11.50 time slip in a very nice to drive car that appears nearly stock (with the hood closed, at least).
Well be happy they actually have a car show. When I went in '83 the only car show was the hotel parking lot. It was all about racing then as it is now. Do I care, not in the least. meeting people with the passion for the Performance Buick was the best thing. If I would have had the disposable income I would have attended more. My drive for next years Nationals is 18+ hours. Probably in a car without cruise control. I am willing to put up with the cramped legs to attend. Am I worried about making it with a 49 year old car. Nope. Just like driving my 70 GS in 83. or driving 1000 miles in a triple black 70 GTO in July. With manual everything. getting maybe 13MPG. Even if it rains everyday. I will still be over joyed, with goose bumps. Being around cars that I love. Tim
I have been doing my part. I have brought my cousins in the past. One is a hard-line same car '69 Chevelle owner since the 70's, and the other has been a lifelong 'vette owner (Eight C3s and one C2), and he has a new crush on Buicks. (He and I spanked a Z06 at Crusin' the Coast in October with my 1964 Wannabe Prototype GS Pervertable with it's "old man nailhead"...) and he fell in love with Tom's 1969 Wildcat, and was gobsmacked at a 4200 lb car busting 10s. (I *think* we recall it running about a 10.54?) I plan on bringing another really good friend this year, he brags on my Buick to anyone who listens. If all goes well, I will be bringing the '68 and running it. Heck, I might even trailer one and drive the other, but we'll have to play that hand closer to May.
