Just an opinion here... If you have the ability to do it, go out and find yourself an early 350. Right now, you can find these for cheap or often for free. Do a stock rebuild on it. There will be parts available for these soon, and I would be willing to bet that once these guys start making 450+ hp, you won't find them for free or cheap anymore.
http://www.turbobuick.com/messagebd/ Check out the link on the turbo BB for non-turob V6. I just got a 231 from a junkyard for my Willys 4x4 pickup project. I got lucky and found a 4.1L (252cid) 4bbl intake complete with Qjet.
I have a LD5 (1978 revision) 231 V6 in my 81 Bonneville. Was wondering what horsepower it puts out, and what can be done with it to improve performance/efficiency without breaking the bank. I can't find anyyyyy information on it other than a couple sentences under the LD5 section in wikipedia.
I agree with the 350 swap. They really are cheap at the moment. Could even do a 340. I've done both in cars that were originally 231's. Used the same motor mounts. Although, I'm not sure about your V6. Any mod worth any power on the V6 will be more money than a complete used V8.
I'm running a V6 Buick motor in a very light car, TR7, weight 2363 with me aboard and it has run a best of 14.10 @ 94 mph in the quarter mile. The motor is an even fire motor bored .060 over, hydraulic camshaft, headers, stock heads, aluminum dual plan manifold with a 600 holley carburator, and a HEI distributor. The rear end gear is a 3:73 with a 24" tall tire. I'm sure the car will run in the high 13's but it will probably require some head work. The problem I see with these small motors is that if you put one in a heaver car you will have to turn it alot higher RPM for the same results I've had with a light car or turbo it.
The Buick V6 changed from odd-fire to even-fire in mid-year 1977. You might have the very latest odd-fire that had the external appearance of an even-fire engine. The 1976-1977 odd-fires are the strongest Buick V6s ever made, stronger connecting rods, single piece cams, large wrist pins. These odd-fires have a very strong bottom end because the odd-fire crank combined with stronger Oldsmobile V8 style connecting rods. The oil stick even enters the block like an even-fire everything looks even fire until you see the casting on the drivers side under casting says 76″ on the block, you must pull the oil pan, see the odd-fire crank shaft. This was the transition series of engines. I suggest you start a thread in the SBB section and we can help you with your goals.
Hello.... I just want to help with your 231 interest.... Can you please start a thread in the SBB section and I can help you hop up your 231? There are many many great things about the 78 buick V6.
Nothin like diggin up an old thread huh? :laugh: Depending on the car (Skyhawk?), the 231 is a good size motor. The heavier the car, the bigger motor you're gonna need to satisfy your craving for speed. I already sorta went through the same situation as you. 231 vs 350. The Buick 350 is a surprisingly easy drop in (in a Skyhawk). A little bit of clearance issues, add some spacers under the motor mounts, get an exhaust manifold with steering arm clearance cast right into it, and you're pretty much set. Even though most people think it's a junky motor (naturally aspirated ones), my Roadhawk was actually pretty quick for a "baby motor".
