I have no idea to tell you the truth, but there is more than just putting in bigger valves. The chamber needs to be relieved around the valves. I think a much better use of that money would be to have the small valve heads ported, as much as the money charged for conversion would take you. I bet that would boost performance A LOT more than the bigger valves. Look at the difference in the first set of pictures, http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/455hdcompare.htm
It depends on the valves, rocker arms springs, degree of porting, if any. I recall Dennis Manner saying the difference factory stock between a 70 stage 1 and non stage 1 was only 16 horsepower.
Well decent valves and some good springs is going to run about 350 plus shipping. Then you will want not just cut in but there is some reshapping in bowl area and unshrouding the cambers, you will want to naked sure you have a good surface, guides rights, new seal, I really cant see you spending less than 1200 to have it done right. But done wrong you can kill a set of heads real fast. Had that happen once. Place just used a bowl hog and set the valves to the seats........ran like poo till I had then reworked on the inside of the ports I posted a set of iron heads done up with new valve for 1200 and they were gone so fast I wish I would had started higher.
Ok great that's good to know! At least I know I have to search real hard for parts if my rear end goes so I might as well start searching now for spare carrier and gears. So far everything (that I have been able to easily verify)hat the guy who built this motor/Trans set up and did the rear swap has checked out! My reasoning for the trans temp gauge is just peace of mind and to monitor it so I can shut it down before serious damage occurs. Maybe I'll weld in a bung to the pan or find a drain plug with a tapped sender hole in it?
What seems to be your goal, making a numbers matching 1972 engine ? These are the people ( or family) that will direct you b to your goal. I have a 72 block, heads, and 72 Q-Jet carb.The WIZARD, is correct along with others.My combo will go into a 72 GS(former SBB to BBB) The comp ratio would require a bit more work. I had my block decked .042, the heads milled .020 to get the compression to 10.25 to 1...Pistons/ lite forged lite rings;etc. Iron heads (8148's small valves) They're smog heads/plugging certain holes...just to use my earlier Edl.B4B Intake.All of this, to go into a 1972 GS( replicated to a Stage 1) The wisdom in all this: I live in D.C.( Only a handful of die- hard Buick faithful folks here/ surrounded by Chevy guys) They don't expect a BUICK BIG BLOCK to compete with them. Do your homework, Listen to this wisdom HERE.DO IT RIGHT... I don't want to run with the big dogs...I want them to know there's a LYNX in their backyard.Please forgive me for hijacking the thread with my reply. Mr.Jay B.Britt,Jr.
My goal was just to find out about what's in my car so I know what I'm working with since I didn't do the build and have limited info on what was used. This site and the people on it are amazing I'm so glad I joined!! As for numbers matching I got the 72 motor and heads and looking into getting a 72 Qjet for it soon so it will be close. No need to be sorry no hijacking at all I like hearing about others builds and stories that's what this site is for!! If you don't mind me asking brittstage1 what did the deck and milling work cost you?
Burtonsville Performance Machine did the machine work, Laurel MD.( Thanks Bruce Wilson/ BQuick) for the recommendation.The Machine work was part of the combination yo raise the CR. I will agree with You the info You receive here is valuable.Wherever you are check with the machine shop for One thing: the Machine shop must know how to do BUICKS...V8 Buick is the best website, Period. 1 have 13 large binders of information about Buicks.(Talk with the wise men: Mr.Paine,Bruno...the WIZARD and others...they have blessed Me with wisdom,history, advise and parts. Mr.Gary Paine said there's 50 different ways to do it, pick one way. I spent $2000. in Machine work. Still haven't finished(Stage 1 conversion./ street /strip port work) Lean to these sages @ V8 Buick.com... Trying to finish this BBB...then on to my " other" BBB( I want a 482) Just for Fun. Mr.Jay B.Britt,Jr.
I have converted hundreds of sets of non stage heads to Stage 1 specs and the result with a modern valve job is about 15-20 CFM to about 230+ at a cost of about $1300 with all new parts including hard seats . Most of those also received a S/S port and polish which resulted in another 20-25 cfm to 255-260 at an additional cost of $750. That being said with the advent of the T/A Stage 1 aluminum head about 15 or so years ago there was not nearly the demand for the latter because of cost versus difference. With only a few hundred dollars more you got an additional 30 CFM minimum. My dyno tests show that the conversion is worth about 15-20 HP, the S/S port is worth about 25 more and the T/A Stage1 heads out of the box another 25. The best thing about the T/A head is that you can make changes later.
Hey Mike...I should've gotten my #8148's done by You or Jim back then. I know that the T/A SE Stage 1 Head I'd outflow any max-ported Iron head..I want to have a 72 head with an early 72 block.I would go STG1 or STG2 Alum. With the 482.Besides it will confuse the he** out of the Chevy guys here. Mr.Jay B.Britt,Jr.
