Out with the old, in with the new. AGAIN.....

Discussion in 'Race 400/430/455' started by 455stude, Jul 31, 2017.

  1. 455stude

    455stude Well-Known Member

    IMG_20170731_225624.jpg IMG_20170731_224805.jpg IMG_20170731_224837.jpg IMG_20170622_180115.jpg View attachment 363088 View attachment 363089 View attachment 363090 View attachment 363091 View attachment 363088 View attachment 363089 View attachment 363090 Retiring the old 430 from the stude, built it in 1997, it layed in the garage in the same stude wrecked for ten years (got to play for about three months. 13.03/111 with a 4 speed and 3.55's on street tires.) Rebuilt after the crash after sitting all that time, installed a sp 400 (burek) 1800/4000 convertor, removed the dual quads, added slicks, got down to 12.30's. Went to a t 400 with 4000 stall, swapped the 750 Holley for an 850 demon, lots of tuning, tried everything I could think of . 12.03, 12.04, consistent as hell, but wouldn't go 11's. Had been shifting at 55 to 5800, no luck. Playing one Friday night at Little River Academy dragway, thought what the hell, short shift it once. 11.94! Never shifted it past 5000 rpm from then on, have gone 11.72/112 and 7.38/98 in the eighth. Trapped at 53/5400 in the quarter and 5000 in the eighth. This old motor has been zinged to the moon on several occasions, twice with the damned automatic! It has never failed to start. Other than the Friday 2 yrs. ago at the nats when it slowed down every run and I thought it was hurt, it always ran the numbers. Then saturday it decided it wanted to run. Never figured that one out. Well I got the need and the need was for speed. So now the new 464 is going in. Made 703hp/626tq. Adding bars to the cage, scattershield, blanket, DEPENDS for me, and too much else to list. Gotta get it together for the nats. Can't wait, just don't know what the pucker factor is gonna be with the altered wheelbase. I guess we'll all get to see. The 430 is gonna be wrapped up and put away for play another day. It's all Marvin the Martians fault. That George Pollakis on the right, he's the one that got me started on this Buick adventure 20 yrs. ago.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2017
  2. Gallagher

    Gallagher Founders Club Member

    Looking forward to hearing it run. Six weeks and a few days to go.
    See you there.
     
  3. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    Looking forward to seeing both of you in 6 weeks, always a great time hanging out with you guys!
     
  4. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    That will be one cool Stude. Looking forward to more updates. Just thought I'd mention that with the previous motor you went 11.72/112 and 7.38/98 in the 1/8th. Seems like if it went 98 in the 1/8th it should have trapped at least 116-120 in the 1/4. Was it laying down in third gear? Just wondered. Most decent big block builds will go 18-22 MPH more from the 1/8 to 1/4 mile.
     
  5. 455stude

    455stude Well-Known Member

    Always felt it was the converter, this engine build was planned years ago, but didn't happen for one reason or another. Converter was purchased for the new engine around 7 yrs. ago. Major mismatch with the 430. Everyone else I saw going 11.70-11.72 or so were always 3 to 4 mph faster than me. Engine always felt good, just think it was a little too much converter for it. It was planned for 600 HP not 450, and was not expecting the 703. Never dreamed of making MORE than planned, guess that's a good problem. It will probably still be a mismatched mess at the nats, but I just hope to come have some fun.
     
  6. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    I'll be there and look forward to seeing your Stude run.
     
  7. 1972 Stage 1

    1972 Stage 1 Well-Known Member

    Wish you guys lived closer. Would love to help out, but 8 hours each way makes it tough. Keep the pics coming and good luck on the fitment and headers.
     
  8. 455stude

    455stude Well-Known Member

    Actually I think the headers are going to be easier to fab with the stage 2 heads. I don't think I'm going to have any issues with the pan clearing the steering either. I've got my fingers crossed. There will be more pics.
     
    1972 Stage 1 likes this.
  9. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    Ray,

    Are you going to be bringing your car? Racing it to?
     
  10. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    Not sure yet. I'm driving up with Rick Shaver and he's towing his '71 Stage 1 on his trailer. Currently looking for a trailer that will tow both his and mine. If we find one, I'll bring it and make a couple of passes. If not, at least I'll be there after missing two years in a row.
     
  11. StagedCat

    StagedCat Platinum Level Contributor

    With that additional HP, stock up on the Depends....
     
  12. 455stude

    455stude Well-Known Member

    Yeah, I will definitely be EASING into this new combo. Have no idea what to expect as to how it's gonna react. Especially with the altered wheelbase.:eek:
     
  13. buicksstage1

    buicksstage1 Well-Known Member

    Make sure your fuel system is up to Snuff, I love this project and George's Shirt!
     
  14. buicksstage1

    buicksstage1 Well-Known Member

    And tell the header guy to leave room for the dip stick and install the pan evac nipples correctly. And no beer while building them :D
     
  15. 455stude

    455stude Well-Known Member

    Header guy doesn't drink, (sometimes he wishes he did) but when I start talking to my self about nipples and dipsticks everyone is gonna think I'm crazy....Oh crap..... I'm the header guy.:confused: Yeah, I'm all over the dipstick issue, and I'll follow the instructions on the pan evac. Did George's and they seem to work right.:cool: Looks like we'll bolt the new bullet in the chamber tomorrow night.:) THE ONLY STG. 2 HEADED BUICK POWERED ALTERED WHEELBASE 55' STUDEBAKER 2 DOOR SEDAN ON PLANET EARTH.;)
     
  16. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    Cool ........and different is a good thing!
     
  17. 455stude

    455stude Well-Known Member

    IMG_20170804_223827.jpg IMG_20170804_224218.jpg Little delay, had to stiffen the front frame a bit. Then add the scattershield to the t-400. Then we'll load the new bullet in the chamber. More to come.
     
  18. 455stude

    455stude Well-Known Member

    Looks like you know a little bout the different. Love the jag.
     
  19. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    Gonna be a wild ride for sure!
     
  20. 455stude

    455stude Well-Known Member

    Installed the new bell, engine goes in tonight! Then the header adventures begin..... IMG_20170811_125117.jpg
     

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