OK, So it all started last year when I convinced the wife I was sick of depreciating new car values and the expense of car parts for the newer models when they are out of warranty. I always liked the old stuff as a kid and had an Orange Australian 6 cylinder Hemi Charger as a teenager.(Some say the fastest ever Australian prodution car, the Ford guys say not) The cost of Australian muscle cars is high now so I turned to a Buick. Can't go wrong with the A body shape and too me the Skylark was the best. Nice Grill, Bumper, Cool engine with dizzy at the front for easy tuning. So I bought one and the work began.
I can't link to youtube yet for two more posts but the car is on youtube. It's called Buick Build up part-1 (1972 Buick Skylark 350 Coupe) He won the car from a pizza chain called "Hell Pizza" for doing a video for them via youtube. It was done as a death proof car for the competition. Interesting. Once I bought the car I strted to reseach the possiblities. Anyone in Australia can turbo or supercharge a Chev engine but a Buick? It's different. That's when I came across Mark Burton from Burton Machine. It couldn't have been better planned. I didn't have to buy a generic ebay kit for a chev that may or may not fit. I called Mark and discussed the possiblities and made the decsion to go ahead with it. The best part about it I think the is hand built equipment. Anyone I tell about it at home says it's a great idea. Too many Skylines around good too see somthing different. Next Post pictures and parts list.
that scoop looks wicked, most times I dont like scoops, but I think the fact that the top sits foreward like that makes all the difference. was it custom built, or did you order it...if so where did you get it?
So far I've replaced the 205 tyres to 275 rear 135 front on cragar 8" rims and two weeks ago I went with 10"x15" rims with Micky Thompson semi Slicks (traction problems already). Parts bought so far. X Factor intake (On the way) Burton Roller rocker conversion (On The way) Burton Machine Twin turbo kit (On the way) Aeromotive A1000 fuel pump installed Aeromotive regulator installed in trunk New braided fuel lines and x 2 Aeromotive fuel filters also in trunk. Barry Grant Mighty demon Blow Thru carb installed then removed due to junk from new fuel lines. Rochester back on to put around town. 3.73 Detroit trutrac installed by Aussie Diffs Currumbin Gold Coast New Axle Shaft Bearings plus one new axle drivers side from a drift gone wrong (Big 10" Kerb Stone) GM Holden Torana Hood Scoop installed Ford Falcon XY GT side mirrors installed. B&M Hot rod 14" stick shifter installed. 100 AMP alternator installed. Electronic dizzy removed old GM back in for now. Performance products digital numerical wide band AFR gauge installed Oil press/ Water temp/ gauges installed. Vacuum gauge installed Exhaust temp gauge installed Boost Gauge ready to install. Front ride height lowered 2"-handles well Rear ride height-changes trying to find a sweet spot. 200-4R Transmission to install in two weeks.(Came out from behaind an Old's engine) California Performance Trans Art Carr parts to build 4 speed trans up to 100 hp(Turbo specs and info given to Art Carrfor a custom stall converter) Front brake disk conversion done. Rear drum shoes replaced. Other work done: Ported out heads and intake manifold, gasket matched, (Took 10 days to do this, Damn tough iron) Removed Blue Astro turf carpet found many things under it including a cig butt a cheap florida hotel key card and a crusty old condom-Nice! Rockford sound system and Amp. Body mounts Ball Joints Blacked out interior. and alot of advice from Mark Burton.
Yes it's mounted 180* reverse it is off a GM holden Torana, the SLR 5000 model. I think Circa 1976. Bought it new $200 Australian dollars from rare spares Australia.
The scoop is there to hide that SKULL!! I thought it was a Cowl scoop rotated 180, but it was flat so it was throwing me off. It looks sweet like that. I'd never be able to pull that off with mine because it's a Z/28 scoop and has the hood line ridge running down the middle. Nice ride!
Here's a tip that might save you a ton of trouble.. Either replace the brake booster before you do the down pipe.. Or at the very least, pull it off and shorten the studs so that when the down pipe is on it is actually replaceable. You will notice how tight the bends are and how little clearance there is. I got mine out, but will have to shorten the studs to get the new one back in. Why are they that long anyway?????? Another tip. If you do barbed fittings for the oil pan like I did. I would never use anything larger than 1/2" if I had it to do over. That is the size all the import guys use. Be VERY VERY sure where you locate the drains in the oil pan. To far forward messes with the steering to far back and you are on the frame. It has to be dead on and I got LUCKY.. I struggled the most trying to figure out an oil drain solution and still wish it were different. Be sure to re-tighten all of the log bolts ater some heat cycles. If you ever want to ask me a question, PM me and I will give you my cell #.. Even with Mark's kit you will find that there are still a few things left to your imagination.. Jay
I was actually happier before I "quantified" it.. That's why I don't use a computer on my bike anymore..
Thanks Mate. I'll take you up on the offer and PM you for the drain plugs and down pipes. I did put a new booster on when I did the disk brakes. What a pain those studs were, They suck big time. I actually left two nuts off it. I'm kind of dreading the log manifold installation because of the space and I have a broken bolt in the head from when I ported the heads and replaced the studs on the exhaust manifolds. Still need to Ezy out that one. I always run out of time and rush through jobs thinking I'll get that bit later. Wife and 3 kids = Crazyness. Ha.
Very cool car! Mark is doing my Twin Turbo 350 Skylark at his shop right now. I am wondering wht camshaft you are using and is your X factor an alum or steel version? Great pics!!! Post new pics of the 15x10 wheels! My car looks cool with the 15x10 Mark tells me!
Hey Sean, The X factor will be aluminium. The cam I can't remember off the top of my head. I measured the lobes when I had the engine apart and wrote it down it's at home at the moment and I'm in Qatar. It's not too agressive. I will get back to you on that. I'll be home in two weeks and I'll get the pic's of the new 10" Rims and Mickeys. Man they look fat and sick.
