Looking for a little tuning advice for my Stock Stage GSX. The car is bone stock and I dont want to do anything to modify it just get the most out of a stocker. This leaves me with ignition and carb tricks. I have installed a Petronics electronic pick up in the distributor. What weights and springs should I use? I am not sure if it has a stock stage carb or not? I used to have the numbers on this but cant seem to find them. Just want to super tune what I have. Exhaust is stock and I am very hesitant to change it as the car is so stock and clean. Maybe better flowing mufflers? Not expecting to get 500 ponies out of the ole girl just make her the best with what is their. The thing does run pretty good. I have not rode in any stock Stages to be able to have a comparison. Maybe it is running good but just does not seem as healthy as I would expect? The thing is soo quite. No problem smoking the tires but is pretty flat after that. I have thought about a cam? Maybe a good winter project. Are their any cams that make much of differnce when running stock exhaust? Dennis
Dennis - Are you sure you have a stage1? Here's a picture from this thread, showing what apears to be a non-stage1 455 - <img src="http://www.v8buick.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=272755"> o No: Is this maybe your did's car? Original exhaust was 'straws' (2.25'' downpipes, 2.00'' exhaust). Even a 2.5'' non-mandrel bent system at a local shop will be better than 'stock' (of course mandrel is better). I know you want to keep the original exhaust, but I'm glad I've changed my 'straws'. Larry70GS is very knowledgeable about these ignition systems and the advance weights in the distributor. Send him a PM. Pertronix is just a points replacement ignition - it's not HEI.
My latest trip to the dyno had me playing around with aircleaners. Lost a good 60HP using the regular base aircleaner. Timing was another big factor. There were 20 ponies between 34 and 37* on my engine. As for ignition, an HEI conversion will usually outdo the Pertronix. You can get a remote coil conversion for $30 if you want to use a stock HEI and doa traditional rebuild (about $50) or you can try one of the HEI small cap converiosn out there. Daves is highly reccomended by most folks ont he board.
manifolds You could extrude hone your manifolds to mate to larger pipes. I would send a spare pair away so all you have to do is take off the old and bolt on the new pieces. Many places have the equipment to do it. Greg Gessler is known for his quality work. Good luck.
Hit it with some N.O.S LOL:laugh:.............. Yes I would use a 450 HP shot of N.O.S....... That will wake it up for sure :Brow: :jd:
Stage I tracked down the original guy who restored the car and He said that they rebuilt the motor to stage specs. However the car is not a factory stage x. Hopefully the guy was on the level. He was not trying to pass it off as a stage x but did say he went that route on the motor. If he was trying to pass it off as a factory stage I am sure he would of slapped a sticker on the air cleaner as we commonly see. Has a very smooth idle. Dennis
Air cleaner Do you mean the factory eliment or the housing? Im sure you mean the housing. What about a spacer to supply a gap for more air? Like to keep it stock looking. Dennis
Maybe the heads were redone to Stage 1 specs, with a smooth idle, the cam maybe still a standard 455. I believe there were other Stage 1 factory mods - different curve on the distributer and different jettings in the carb. For the '71, the carb number is stamped vertically behind the linkage on driver's side. You will need to look into the curve of the fuel bowl to see it. It will also have a two digit code next to the number and a paint patch nearer the front on the driver side that is specific for a stage 1. I would assume it would have a similar code system for the 70. I got some of my info from this board and the numbers, code and paint color from the '71 chasis manual.
Re: Air cleaner I did what Greg Gessler recommended - Stock air filter is 14x3. For stock appearance, he recommends a 14x4 filter (one of the hi-flow kinds like K&N or Holley), which leaves a 1-inch gap between the lid and air cleaner base. <img src="http://www.v8buick.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=353356">
Re: Air cleaner I think the limiting factor was the hump in the base, and the lip of the base disturbing the air as it goes into the carb. When I hammered out the lip it made an 8 HP improvement IIRC. A spacer might just dot he trick in that regards. Not sure how to fix the problem and keep a stock look though.
