I've posted some tid bits regarding this project in the main forum but figured I'd post the link here for those of you following the build up. We're basically doing a Frame Off Restoration so that every single part of the car can be evaluated weight-wise before reassembly. No short cuts have been taken to this point so if we end up with a "Stout" motor this thing should run in the 10's. (That's the plan anyways) As you'll see from the photos on my website I've taken this project very serious. Feel free to post comments and any speed secrets you guys care to share are welcomed! By clicking this link you can see pictures and specs of my Stock Appearing 1970 GS Drag Car Link to my site Here are a few pictures: On the Rotisserie getting media blasted: Re-Welding Key areas on the frame for more support: Factory Appearing Aluminum Bumper Brackets 2 Motors will be built for this project: One Low Compression Version (Shown Below) to use as a baseline. The main Motor will be Higher Compression, Bigger Cam and Gessler Port work. (And should get us in the 10's) Paintwork Started: Stock Interior: (With the addition of a Cro Moly Cage) Car Assembled minus motor and trans: Basically all that is left is to build the motor and install. I'll post more pictures as progress is made. Thanks to everyone following the build up!
Sweet project, that last picture looks like Gessler's car when he staged. We need another Buick to pick on.
Todd...very very nice. I've been following the progress for a while but haven't comment. I liked your old silver car so I know this one will be sweet too. Lon
Very nice! Seems to be a slow steady pace of these kind of high quality cars being built. Can't wait to see how it will run. We have been without a Buick for quite some time now. Good Luck to you:TU:
Well,.....I've been slowly gathering some engine parts but the economy isn't helping much. I have the engine but not the $$$$ to build it the way I want it built. I was really hoping to have it done this summer but it may not happen. Time will tell.
Didn't realize you were only a hop,skip, and a jump away. What types of things did you lighten or replace to save weight? If you're keeping it a secret, I understand. But just curious about anything other than what was posted. Mike.
Well since the car was a Frame Off project we lightened all the common stuff and I'd like to think we lightened some parts most people wouldn't mess with. Alot of parts were custom built to look stock such as bumper brackets but made with lighter material such as aluminum. Target weight without driver should be somewhere between 3,000 - 3,200. (My Silver GS was 3,060 and we did more to this car than the silver car) But, I'll be running stock steel wheels on this one and a stock steel front bumper so some of the weight we made up will even out with wheels and the bumper. (My Silver GS had Aluminum Wheels and a Fiberglass Front Bumper) I can't say it will be the fastest stock appearing car out there but I'm pretty confident it will be one of the lightest stock appearing 70 GS's running around! I didn't cut any corners in this build up so far and I don't want to with the motor either - I just don't have $$$ needed to build the motor this car deserves. I'm slowly gathering parts but at a much slower pace than I was hoping for. Thanks for checking it out. I really hope to have some motor news this summer (And More Pictures)
It's going to be a sweet ride from what I can see. I fabbed some aluminum bumper brackets as well. Got a hair up my a$$ and gundrilled the bumper bolts as well as other bolts. I've kind of been on the search to lighten it as much as possible too. Motors cost money but losing weight can be free, if done right. Fabbed some other aluminum pieces and removed some things that were deemed "unecessary"also, in search of a quicker car. Mike
I learned many years ago when my Big Block Chevy guys were making more HP than my beloved Buick that losing weight on the car can even the score!! Thanks for checking it out. Todd
www.transmissioncenter.org Should be some ET here. Check out the Kilgore lightwieght TH400. Also a JW 9.5" converter. Epoxy the lifter galley and drain oil out back of the block to the pan. Good for some HP. See if the vintage HD Pontiac boys will cast Buick exhaust manifolds STOCK APPEARING like the "D-Port Long Branch Manifolds" with 3" pipe flanges and Ceramic coated. Found these on WWW.pontiacengines.net I'd love to have some, with 3"xpipe. JW's lightwieght Diamond pistons and longer rods. 0 deck block. Heat reflective coatings on chambers, pistons and valves. David Vizard says a quadrajet can be modified to flow up to 1000 cfm. (How to Build Horsepower, Vol 2) These are stock appearing tricks I wish I could afford.
Thank you for the tips. Hopefully these are all things I'll be able to incorporate (and afford) when it comes time to build the drivetrain. I have some great Buick guys involved in the build-up so if the moneys there it should be fun! Thanks again,
Epoxy the lifter galley and drain oil out back of the block to the pan. Good for some HP. id like to hear more about that. Cody
http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=...ght=bruce+kent Check the above for a view of the epoxied galley. Mike Phillips at am&p in Philpot, KY is very experienced at this. He uses JB weld in layers like plywood to strengthen the lifter bore on cars with radical cams. However I read an article where this process was used. They bragged about the horsepower gain because it stops a lot of oil drain onto the rotating crank and rods. To me, that was reason enough to do it. A simple tube is connected at the back of the eng that takes oil into the bottom of the block & back into the oil pan below the spinning crank and rods. Another plus is there's less hot oil thrown about under the intake manifold. Jim Weise may be doing this also. Mike or Jim, may know how much HP it's worth too. TA makes a "stock appearing" 6qt oil pan. Ask TA if it includes the am&p style baffle inside. The extra Quart is nice but...That baffle = more HP. Or just tack weld one inside your original 5 qt pan. Throw away the factory baffle that tends to crack loose.
Isn't this modification now considered a no-no? Good Question. I have heard of particles getting loose into the oil. Not good. HOWEVER, about 6 weeks ago I paid a visit to Mike Phillips in Philpot, KY at AM&P. (the enginemasters competetor guy) Mike is big on Buicks. Well anyway, he had a Buick big block in the middle of his shop and i saw the JB Weld instantly and asked about it. He talked me through the process. It must be done with care, but apearantly some of our V8BUICK guys are having it done by Mike. That was a high dollar engine, and there is enough Buick knowledge in that shop to know the risks involved V.S. the benefits. Charlie Evans and David Wink have done a massive amount of Buick work and research at that shop with Mike. They must have a fail-safe recipe for the galley job.
