how much et time does each 100lbs of car weight cost

Everything comes down to money. How fast do you want to go fast? If it's so slow you have to put your leg out the door and help it get going like a skateboard, then anything would help.

You could spend 10k++ on the drivetrain and get all the goodies everyone here is suggesting, or you could spend a few hundred and improve what you have.

The ultimate question is: how much is enough? Even with millions in the bank, you still may not want a 700 hp high RPM screamer with 5.13 gears and a 4500 stall.

You'll get all kinds of answers and suggestions as to what is 'best', but only you can answer that question.

What do you want the car to do? How do you want it to feel? Gas mileage an issue? Do you want it to have some spring in its step to get out of its own way, or do you want to burn rubber or take off so fast it jolts the fillings out of your teeth? How do you intend on driving it? Do you want it to be a fun street machine or transform it into a drag queen?

Calling it Analysis Paralysis is something I don't necessarily agree with, because there is just so much to consider, especially when funds are limited.

I loved going to the track, but I think everyone here is too obsessed with that aspect. Sure, if you want to know exactly what's doing what and the results of each change, and if you have the time (tracks are often packed with others just like you who want to do the same thing, so you may not get as many runs as you'd like, especially when it involves testing and tuning), it's a great tool, especially if you don't live in an area that permits relatively safe backroad testing.

((no one in their right mind would speed or cut up in the inner city where children play, there's high traffic, and officers patrol the roads regularly--and you don't have to wind it out in top gear to see what it's able to do; first and second gear are sufficient for back road testing, depending on your length of road and gearing. And then there's the long stretches of interstate...again, where applicable. I'm not necessarily endorsing such activities, just listing the options))

It's all important: calculating, planning, testing/tuning (both at track and street, where applicable) and to say one is the ultimate means to test and tune isn't accurate for every situation.

Do you want to keep your 350 and tweak it for more, rebuild it, or put in a big block?

I know you want torque, as you've suggested getting a 455 for your car in the past.

Check this video out. It's a 1972 Centurion on a test track (no it's not a drag strip--gasp), which is a GM B body, just like your Lesabre. It has a standard, low compression, factory assembled Buick 455. This car would be fun on the street, and even more with a bit of a bump in power (simply raising the compression for premium fuel would do the trick). The options and possibilities are only limited by your funds, but don't think you need to spend a fortune to have fun.

[video=youtube;OVo9U89liic]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVo9U89liic[/video]

 

This is profoundly funny, considering the point of forums and internet.
Write a check? Devote a lifetime to the trades? Education?
Easy simple answer to all your problems?
Where's the middle ground?

Take some kind of action, formulate your plan as you save up funds.
Be active in the hobby.

 

And don't forget, all this is supposed to be FUN!

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.p...when-you-can-have-this!&p=2652648#post2652648

Devon

 

it is a blast just driving it around as is. I love it every time. but naturally I want it to be more fun and more and more.always improving

 

I was having fun with the car when it was a 16 second stocker. Sometimes it is more fun with a 15 sec car since it won't spin off the line and you can be dead on in bracket racing and you can win some money doing this. Used to do this every weekend at D42.

When you get tired of that and have more money upgrade to the next level that is what I did.

 

Right?

Although there are many levels of 'activity' one could partake of in the 'hobby'. Simply driving your car, visiting these forums and offering up advice or some kind of input is still considered being active.

We're all enthusiasts in one form or another, whether or not we're building a new engine every day or just enjoying what we already have and asking for ideas or advice.