I had seriously been wanting to get a low option/lightweight 6 cylinder Special or Skylark to build. Unfortunately(?), I came across a big block convertible for a great price that I couldn't pass up so this dream never came true, but I was about to pull the trigger on doing this a month ago: Procure a '69 Buick Special 6 cyl with no options weighing in at 3300-3400 lbs, was for sale on Ebay and was in great shape. Then my plan was to swap the original 6 cyl with a turbo Supra engine (2JZ-GTE) inline 6 cylinder w/6 speed manual trans, a bigger single turbo, 10:1 compression, and E85. I have this engine in one of my other cars (Toyota Cressida) that weighs about the same or more, with a turbo upgrade, cams, injectors, and retune I am running 600 rwhp and have yet to lose a race (but I don't race that often either). It would literally bottle peoples' minds to keep a 6 cyl Skylark true to being a "6 cylinder" model and looking as such, yet laying waste to most built big block cars with a single tailpipe sticking out the back and the absence of a V8 rumble. I've always been a sucker for sleepers...I may still do something like this, but would rather not to the convertible I just got due to the extra weight and its already got a 455. But if this engine blows up...watch for more updates to this idea! I've always been a fan of the Buick engines, but hate that you have to do so much to get it to handle the power, and forget about gas mileage. I also can't stand how the aftermarket is so limited and expensive for them too. I prefer ~500-600 whp in a fun street car, and to get that out of the Buick sacrifices a good amount of money and driveability/reliability. That's why I liked the idea of the 2JZ so much...tons of aftermarket, I already know it very well, its super reliable and easy to get power out of, and it still drives tame around town and on the highway (I get ~12mpg city/17 hwy on E85, and about 20 hwy on 93 octane). I figured about $10K to build the car the way I'd want it, most of the cost is the computer ($1-2K), 6 speed ($3K), and clutch ($2K)...I can go down to the junkyard right now and get a donor engine for $250 and I've already got a 62mm turbo for it...someday perhaps...but unfortunately the '76 455 in my new car supposedly only has ~50K original miles, runs great, and I verified the mileage when I pulled the oil pan last weekend, so I don't think it's going to blow any time soon. So 455 it is for me for now.
Sounds cool but 600 horse with a 455 isn't that big of a deal. I'm running 650+ with 12.5-1, HYD cam, stock rods and block, Stage 2 heads, TA cover is the only oiling mod if that's what you want to call it.... I don't see why you couldn't build a pump gas 455 that made 600....and torque will be more than the Supra turbo, I would think.....
don't let that 6 cyl go. they make a lot of speed parts for it and they make some good h/p. check around before you toilet it.
A S400 borg on the orig 6 with the new generation of throttle bodies on the market Edelbrock,Holley,MSD etc will meet all the requirements you want and then some or even a V6 would be easier and better 2JZ's are awesome engines no doubt but they have no place in american iron just my opinion,
Wouldnt the 6cly of question in the skylark be a chevy 250 inline? If so check out cliffordperformance.net, aussiespeed.com, 12bolt.com(autowerks) t6racing.org(twisted6) inliners.org there's also an SPA turbo manifold that goes for 400 to 500 dollars Think i've missed one or 2 inliner specific websites..when I remember i'll add it
