Jerry many of these same factors effect many of us. I'm greatly appreciative of the support from my wife, family, and friends. My wife is my push forward with our dragster and our pursuit of the 5s. Without it I would not have the time to invest in what is on the way with KBR. See many of you in a few weeks in BG at the Nationals.
Jim, That was my post. If you read it, I was not comparing it to your 555 builds, as I know the component quality is apples and oranges. I was comparing it directly to my engine because the cost was nearly the same, but I'm using a "weak" factory block with it's finnicky oiling system and those cheap sucky Edelbrock heads everyone hates that I scored very reasonably, and still coming in at well under (around 250hp-ish) that power level. That engine even comes with a 3 year 50k mile warranty (though we all know how warranties can be, so I take it with a grain of salt.) So I feel it is a fair comparison in that regard. If you can build me a turnkey 555 for that price, let me know, the check will be in the mail!!! Haha (I'm saying that tongue in cheek, not to be a d*ck)
OK, I'll go there. Because you can get an LS whatever form the junkyard for nothing. Bolt some stuff on from wherever and make lots of power. And if you want, you can buy a turbo/supercharger kit from wherever, and spank the **** out of of most people. That's why we are behind. Yep..
I understand Shawn, and I didn't mean to single you out here, no offense man.. just wanted to make the point that what we don't have is the cheap junk that seems to fill the internet these days. While I am sure you get the difference, some folks are not aware of the issues that often arise with these "budget" engines. Nothing wrong at all with building a motor on a budget, in fact I encourage all my customers to re-use as much of their stuff as we can, it just that when you really step up the power, quality parts are expensive, regardless of what name is on the valve cover. And I have nothing against the E heads, once I figured the rocker deal out, I have built a number of motors with them and we have made some good power. JW
All good Jim, I just wanted to make sure you knew I wasn't trying to compare a chinesium blocked Chevy to a TA blocked TSP555. That would definitely be apples vs pinecones. Haha.
http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?th...st-iron-block-from-kenny-betts-racing.338429/ Maybe we can do some catching up.
Jay, Good point. I can appreciate the purists here who are committed to making their Buicks perform within the make. I'm amazed at the mastery and knowledge that is shared. Reminds me of the AMC crowd.......dedicated to the cause (yes, I'm a fan) I am no expert, but it would appear that unless you have serious money or are a master builder, any plans of keeping your Buick all Buick and on par with the performance of other makes is futile. Buick performance died after 1987 and while the other makes went thru a lull, they came back with a vengence. Too bad that the aftermarket shunned Buick but it's simple economics of supply vs demand and the old-man stigma associated with the brand never has gone away. After being here for a number of years reading the various threads on performance, it strikes me how many folks are in the perpetual 'maybe someday" purist category which is kinda sad. Not having the funds is understandable, but the refusal to step outside the brand for some folks can lead to a pipe dream. I'm pushing 60 years old and I'm satsified with the fact that I've always been able to jump into my 70 Lark for the past 20 years and simply drive it without issue. With it's 350-2 and a couple of Flow Masters, I'm just fine with how it moves. Two of my sons have had LS Camaros.....one being a B4C ex-N. Carolina HP pursuit vehicle. It would flat out get the groceries. Not a fan of the cars at all but if speed was my goal and I couldn't afford to keep the Lark as is and simply buy another car, I would have no issue in having an LS swapped in to get there. IMO, there is no shame in taking a model you like and swapping in whatever it takes to get the performance you are seeking. It's a decades old tradition. To each his own.
