Save it! My brother Eric's 70GSX Stage 1 is at risk every time he takes it to the track. I keep telling him "You're risking turning an irreplaceable treasure into a hunk of scrap" Use another motor to race - but giving advice - isn't that what big brothers are for?:Smarty:
Nothing is irreplaceable. Numbers matching motors can be replaced. Original stuff cannot but numbers are simply numbers and have absolutely nothing to do with originality.
Ken, I just saw this post, and am very late on the discussion, but here is my opinion, and this goes to everyone else out there with rare cars. Some cars are getting too valuable to trash anymore. You worry about destroying an engine, well what about the rest of the car? What about twisting the body, or frame. I have a friend that spent over $30,000 repairing the body of a chrysler hemi car that was constantly drag raced. The car only had a few thousand original miles, as it was a quarter miler it's whole life. (I know this is an extreme case.) If you buy, or are given, a rare car, like yours, then you also have a responsibility to see that it gets passed on to the next gereration. There were only a few built, how many are left, and how many are still correct. I have seen people tub out GSX's, Stage 1's, and GSN's without any consideration for the next guy. Guys, Here are my thoughts, If you want to play around, then go buy a Skylark and beef it up. Beat the snot out of it, but leave the rare cars alone, and sell the rare cars to people that will restore, and keep them in pristine condition. That's what I did, I built a GSX look-a-like, and proceeded to beat it, but left my "Real" GSX's alone. Now I'm sure I am in the minority here, but I am used to that. And before anyone wants to bitch about my opinion, lets talk about all the original cars that have gone into the wall, or to put it another way, how many grills alone were lost, due to a little fun. Duane
I agree 100% Duane & Mark Why build such a non-matching # engine, because I'm SURE you are not really going to beat the beast. I finally built mine, but I really don't plan on running it all that hard. If you are going to run it hard, then you are a fool IMHO. o No:
Re: I agree 100% Duane & Mark Wow, now maybe I'm a fool. Look, I've had this car basically forever. It's a love story. I'm not going to tub it, bracket race it every weekend, or just generally beat the snot out of it. This car has a long family history and the value to me is not financial. My dad had in '71, it was my High School car, I went on may dates in this car, etc, etc, etc... Tons of history and memories. I would like to put my foot into it occasionally, as I believe cars are meant to be driven, but I am NOT building a race motor. I am NOT planning to kill this car. I started this thread months ago as I was really on the fence as to what to do. I got a lot of opinions and then plain old paranoia took over. What if something does happen to the numbers motor? Why not just let it sit in the garage and put I motor I don't car about in? And yes, this paranoia can continue to other driveline components. It's all about $$$ and compromise. I'm all about preserving this car. I am trying to do this car correct down to details. I want to give this car to one of my kids when I'm too old to enjoy it or am dead. I know it's a rare car. I really don't like being called a fool. That just Pi$$e$ me off.
No fooling The 71 GS Stage 1 convertible I owned in the early 90's is one of 81 built that year. It was very fast and yes, I loved to get my foot in the carb once in a while. The investment and the rarity of the car is what finally moved me to pass it on to someone who valued it. Since then, it has been cars I can drive without too much concern for the folks in the museums. Anybody who asks the advice of his friends prior to making a major move with an old car is no fool.:grin:
Ken, I know you are not going to tub, or otherwise beat the snot out of the car. I also know the family history that you have invested into it, and the fact that you want to pass it along to your kids. I just hate to see a car of your caliper being changed. There are so few correct 71 GSX's left, maybe 30, maybe less. I would hate to see something happen to it. As far as you being a fool, I don't think that's the case at all. Duane
Ken, I've been waiting for the adoption papers to come in the mail, when can I start calling you Dad? Bob
Geezzzzz I said "IF" you are going to run it hard...ou: I'm sure that is NOT the case! You should get 100,000 miles of a J.W. engine, and I'm sure it will not come apart on you. I doubt your car will see 50,000 miles within the next 30 yrs, so maybe your grand children will have to rebuild some day.o No: I expect you, and your kids will go to great lengths to preserve and take care of the car. I just don't see the risk to the block. I prefer to see show cars as original as they are/or can be. I think after it is all said & done, you'll eventually wish the original block is where it belongs, that's all. If you want a clone, start on it next, one you can drive hard & often.:bglasses:
Dan- It's probably just an internet thing. I read your first line as sarcasm and your second line as insinuation. Emotion doesn't always come through. Sorry if I over-reacted, but I was feeling attacked. Someday the numbers block will probably end up in the car. If so, I'll rebuild it to factory specs. I can always pull the JW motor at that time and put it in a skylark... :TU:
Ken, you know what route I took with my Stage 1-I ended up building the original numbers matching engine. It's not that I was going to shelve it and then have to find space for my other engine. Don't worry Ken-I won't blow it up ever-remember too that I built the engine and assembled it from top to bottom. For street use,your 455 will run great without any trouble. Look at it this way-look how long your original engine has lasted?
I think he's a fool for letting 7 JackAss's work in that motor compartment :moonu: Nobody said you have to blow a motor by racing it. Several people have told how they grenaded their block being Mr. Well Behaved. "IF" you want to make it an economic decision thate Easy ! Lets say your car is worth 40K (OK....After the bodywork :laugh: ) Whats the car depreciate Without the #'s matching block ?? 20% ??? Thats $ 8,000.00 !! ....and Im betting its more than 20% I'd say your self-insurance policy just BOUGHT you a new motor. Sure.....you're paying Upfront....AND if and when you rebuild the originla to stuff back in you have to pay for that too.....but thats not NOW. NOW is the time for YOU to enjoy your car - worry free :TU: Not only do you deserve it for keeping it al these years but the CAR deserves it too :beer
Hey- Thanks for cheering me up guys! :TU: Now, I was one of the jack asses, so I guess that makes a fool AND a jackass. :bglasses: Now Yardley calling me old too? That just ain't right, man. OK, back to making out an order list of suspension parts.... And I can't wait to get home tonight to tell my wife I SAVED like $8k by buying a new motor.... LOL
Its that new math they taught me in college.....Like it ??!!?? :Brow: Ohh....BTW - WHAT EVER YOU DO - Dont let Yardrah behind the wheel.....I've heard first hand how he's been abusing a certain 69 Rivi lately:3gears: phrases like "Beatin' the SNOT out of it..." and "Drivin' it like I stole it" have been rumered :beer
Just to throw my 2 cents in I am rebuilding a 72 455 and pulling my numbers matching 70 455 out of my 70 GS 455. I don't want to chance breaking something that is not replacable. Brad White 70 GS 455 Austin Texas
numbers hi ken on my car, my biggest concern is the body if i drive it. someone said something about this earlier. having had your GSX all these years, you know how to treat the engine so that it wont be at much risk, but its the other drivers out there that i worry about. i used to worry about driving my 40 coupe on the interstate when i first got it, and my dad reminded me that no matter what i drive on the beltway, , i am putting my life on the line and thats even rarer than the car. maybe my point being that while numbers are great, ( esp. on a car like yours ) once a car gets its first oil change, tune up, or service, then even though its still a fine used car, it is no longer original. no matter how much money we spend, it will never be 1970 again. i have an nos GM 455 shortblock sitting here, but my stage 1 will have the numbers matching block and i plan to drive it the way GM intended. just my thoughts on numbers. henry
Ken, Sounds like you want to build a driver and not plow up the tracks, so I would stick with the original. No insane amount of power out of it and be gentle unless you see some weary prey at the red light. Number matching cars are awesome to have. :Comp:
