Ok guys, I'm starting to save up and buy some parts for my buick 350. What I want to know is would it be worth the extra money to send it to Jim Burek or T/A Performance to have them build it for me instead of me trying to do most of the work myself. (Other than the head porting) Also how much do they charge to do that if they can? Thanks Daniel
That depends on whether all the machine worrk can be checked by your self and how confident you feel about the machine work your having done. I use a machine shop owned by Eric Ruge 620-583-6484. He is a buick racer and he has made my car fly for years and the big thing LIVES for years. My opinion is make sure whoever does the engine is BUICK smart!!
yep Thats why I was asking about T/A and PAE...I guess I would just have to call them right? But a nice guess from someone so I can start saving up would be nice :grin: Thanks Daniel
Yes , it would be worth it .. P.A.E. would be the first chioce, TA maybe a second choice,,,LOL. Let someone who knows Buicks do it . Jim Burek P.A.E. ENTERPRISES
thanks! P.A.E was going to be my first choice...but now there is a guy running around my town asking about my car a lot so if he wants it so bad i might start having money to work on the 455...maybe i'll get lucky and he will want the 455 Daniel
Daniel, I don't know where in N.C. Hudson is, but I've got a guy here locally in Atlanta who does good work for me & has EXCELLENT turn around time. Let me know. Mike T
Our small block 358 cid engines make over 900 Horse Power and run in the 7s on gasoline alone. We would be delighted to offer you our advanced technology to assist you with your project.
900 HP with a 350 buick engine!!!! NOT! With my current knowledge I would have to say it again NOT unless its a chevy bottom end with buick billit stamped heads from an aftermarket source...:error:
Yeah, I've always heard the max. output of a NA 350 Buick was about 525 hp. unless your talking about a 350 chevy, but who wants one of thoase?:moonu:
You are correct, our 358 cid splayed valve Chevy makes in excess of 900 HP on gasoline alone. I was simply stating that if you or someone else would like to tap into our in-depth professional engine building development knowledge, that we would be delighted to apply it to building a 350 Buick. Buicks are our favorite.
just my opinion.... T/A performance sells a couple of different crate engines. They also have a layaway plan. If I had it to do over again (and I just may) that's the direction I would go. Just my $0.02.
455 dude, if I can give you any advice, Build a 455. With out getting into the whole small block big block spiel, (there is no replacement for discplacement), and definetly way more parts potential later on in your buick career to advance with a 455. Sounds like your 350 is a strong runner, might as well save your money, and build a mild 455 and be done with it. Just so you know, Mild 455's are extremely fun, really fast, and not too expensive. I know becuase I used to have a 350, and played games with it for a while, then it blew up. I up graded to a stock 455, and it was worlds better than my mild 350. What ever route you go, the most important key, is........ MAKE SURE THEY KNOW BUICKS, AND KNOW BUICKS, AND OH YEAH...ALSO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW ABOUT BUICKS. lATER MAN jp:bglasses:
Sorry ,but I have to disagree here. Nowadays that saying doesn't apply when you have 3.0L street engines cranking out 1000+hp. Also, I shouldn't have to remind anyone here of what the 3.8L GN motors are running either. I have built my 350 once and it is being done again because I know it has potential. It's basically the 3.8 with 2 extra cylinders, wala. The only thing lacking is aluminum heads at this point but I don't think those are far off either. Easy way around that is the forced induction route which I'm pursuing as well. Crank is questionable but there are ways around that too. Yeah, you could build a 455 cheaper and stronger than the 350, but the little brother has been overlooked for too long IMO. Just my $0.02.:grin:
Well there is a guy around where i live has been asking about my 72 skylark so if the price is right then i'll build my 71 gs up. But i really want to do a buick 350 up and see what can be done. I see a lot of stuff that can be done to it to get some really good power. Mike T, that guy in atlanta sounds very good. When one of my cars sells and i have some cash then I will get in touch with you and talk with this guy. Thanks for all the responses too. I really want the 350 to go forward and make some good power. Daniel
I'm in the same boat, 455's have been built almost anyway you can imagine, but I don't see any exotic 350's out there. Don't get me wrong because that 455 sitting in the garage has looked very tempting several times. My thing is if the 455 can be built to the levels it is, the 350 shouldn't be far behind. If we all just wanted to go fast cheap, we'd be driving chevy's anyway, but going fast with class is what Buick has always been about, that and some massive torque! :beer
Dan, I'll post the name & number for you later today. With regards to the 350, fact is that it is just not widely or well known what this engine can do because there has been very little development and widespread interest in it. Fundamentally the weakest link in the engine is probably the rods. The crank is fine, the block is fine, the heads are average (which can be overcome). Seeing that stock block V6s are producing 700+ bhp (girdled) I think the 350 could easily duplicate that. Try this: JE Turbo pistons 8.5:1 compression max Total Seal rings Custom Billet Rods with ARP capscrew bolts ARP head & main studs Custom stud girdle O-ring the block Fully ported heads with OS TA valves Matched TA 350 manifold with milled center divider Custom deep sump baffled oil pan Custom camshaft TA roller rockers ATI/XSPerformance Supercharger with 16 lbs intercooled boost Money? Oh heck yeah... Michael Tweedy XSPerformance
Ok guys i'm taking donations for the "Build Daniel an Engine" Fund. :Brow: that would be really really nice Mike but I think i'm going a little more basic but with the option to expand. BTW...do you think that would be a decent power maker with out the supercharger on it? I would have to wait for that piece but maybe I can work something like that out?? Thanks Daniel
Hey man that's just a pie in the sky build. Here's the name and number: Custom Engines & Machine@770-526-5428 Contact: Mike Evans As with any engine the power is in the heads & cam and how they work together. The question is always what kind of power do you want to make & where. Or how do you intend to use the car. Even a low compression 350 with good heads and a mild cam can make 350 real horsepower & probably 400FT/lbs of torque. For a street rebuild: Forged pistons (8.5:1 variety) for future growth Chrome moly file fit rings Prepped polished beam 73-up capscrew rods with ARP bolts TA 350 manifold TA headers Street/Strip ported heads with TA SS valves Appropriate cam from your preferred grinder (this is critical) I prefer 1968-69 style rocker arms, if you can find them. Go ahead & use head/main studs for future HP increases With this build you can always add nitrous, blower, etc. But power levels will have to be milder (around 450hp). At that point the stock rods become an issue in my opinion. Have fun, Michael Tweedy XSPerformance
thanks! Well I think I just want to run all engine on this build up, becuase it is going to be a daily driver. Do you think it would be worth it to get 9.5 to 1 or even 10 to 1 pistons? I've heard that every point in compression is only worth about 4% more hp. Thanks for the info to, I'll try to call that guy as soon as I start getting some real cash again, and once I sell one of my cars. Thanks a lot Mike. Daniel
The nitrous or the blower don't really affect the driveability of your car, that's one of the nice things about them. They allow you to have a more dual purpose engine. However if you want to go all engine, I certainly respect that. If you don't want to use a power adder, just use the 10:1 pistons. Your actual compression ratio with the usual Fel-Pro blue head gasket and Federl Mogul pistons will be closer to 9.5:1. Actual compression will vary by deck height and milling of cylinder head. That should enable you to comfortably run premium unleaded with the correct timing curve. I believe one of the folks in "parts for sale" still has a set of NEW 10:1 cast pistons and chrome moly rings that I sold to them for sale very cheap. Michael Tweedy
