For a while now I've been trying to find a way to have an obscenely fast car (maybe high 9's-definetly low 10's) while being able to use my car as a daily driver. I needed an idea of what car to save for and I narrowed it down to two. I looked at LT1 Camaros/Firebirds. After further thought I seriously looked at Mustangs 87-93. After all, they had fuel injection, overdrive trannys, reasonably inexpensive parts, and a HUGE aftermarket. Why the car would only cost 3-4K. Add a turbo-$1800 to $2000. An engine block that can handle it $1300 to $1700... a 331ci stroker kit $1400...etc., etc. Then it hit me. How much does that new TA 455 aluminum engine block cost? $3000. A turbo or CS? How much for a built th400? Then how about a Gear Vendors unit? The costs are actually comparable! Better yet, I get to stay in the Buick family! That giant sucking sound you've been hearing is me trying to pull my head out of my... :shock:
Thats what I was thinking. Although, a Turbo Bu3.8 into a Mustang would be an interesting swap that could potentially be pretty wickedly fast.
Holy *&%# I'm thinking of TA's aluminum V6! He is coming out with an aluminum 455 isn't he? I could have sworn he said he was. BTW, I may go with a 231 turbo yet, but I'd rather go with more cubes. My first goal is to get my 69 Lark up and running in the 11's with the 350 and forced induction. After that It's the 455 or the 231 for low 10's.
New 455 Block. Not alum! This is a quote from P.A.E.'s web. site. www.paeenterprises.com This is a cast iron block not aluminum, but I thought you would find this interesting and a possibility in your future build-up. I have attached a couple pic's from the website of the block as it sits right now. Mike Coming Soon!!! All New 455 Cast Iron Cylinder Block! What the Buick community has been waiting years for. Our factory weak blocks are fast becoming more difficult to find and of course are not up to the tasks being demanded of them by the performance enthusiast of today. PAE Enterprises, Inc. has stepped up to fill this void in our community. Our new block will feature: * 4.8 inch bore spacing which will allow up to a massive 4.6 inch bore. * Priority main bearing oiling system (the crank will get oil first!) * Massively increased main webbing and the use of steel 4 bolt main caps. * A solid lifter valley to eliminate lifter bore breakage and allow the use of optional larger diameter lifters. * More material in the cam journal area to allow use of custom larger diameter camshafts. * Optional smaller diameter main bearing saddles to reduce crankshaft bearing speed and reduce friction. Less friction means more horsepower! * Additional head bolt bosses and holes for increased cylinder head sealing. This is what the Buick community has been waiting years for! This block is being designed to accept as much currently available parts as possible while having enough added in features for future planned product introductions. We are currently taking pre-orders for blocks, contact PAE Enterprises, Inc. at (915) 855-6009 ask for Jim Burek.
That is one big hunk of iron. I would figure more material would be missing from the casting but looks like it needs a few weeks of machine work.
A G-body (Grand National look alike) can be had for about 1-2k in excellent condition, 4-500 for something raceable. Check out 78-87 Regals and the 78-83 Century. Those frames will hold 1000 HP and can be lightened easily. Lots of cheap parts to be had to thanks tot he Grand National heritage. It'll bolt right up to either a turbo 6 or a 455.
Dont hold your breath for an Alum. V8. Im not saying it wont get done, just feel its not in anyones' immediate future
TA was working on making an aluminum 455 block. Hopefully that hasn't changed. I wouldn't mind the cast iron one tho. As for the Regal, they've become popular with the lowrider crowd and have gone up in price. Believe it or not, I now see them go for 2-3K+ in crappy condition. Talk about a disappointment. I always loved how they looked and hoped to get one. I'd be better off saving for a GN. Besides even 1k would be better applied to my 69 Skylark than another car :Brow: .
