I've been all over the net and found tons of different numbers. Does anyone know what the actual expected 1/4 mi. time/speed was for the 71 Riviera (non-GS)? Also, ok.. this part definatley doesnt belong here, but I heard someone mention that Transmissions, such as this TH400 should never "Chirp" going into second, true? Mine does, I like it, but if its that damaging.. and not to mention it is annoying when going slow as it bangs into 2nd.. what should I do? I believe the previous owner put some kinda "kit" into it? Someone's referred to it as a "Bang Kit"? I dunno
Well, My Riviera ran 16.353 in the 1/4. Bone stock and a Rookie Driver without posi. hope that helps. If the Tranny and engien is stock it shouldn't do that.It shouldn't do that even if you have a shift kit.
Well I'm not sure what's in this engine. By the sound of it, I know there's a small cam upgrade. You can just hear that lope. I know the mechanic of the previous owner told me there's all Kenne Bell parts in there... Not sure what exactly that meant tho. (The orig. owner died and his son left it to the mechanic to sell) He also told me the engine was rebuilt a "couple" years ago (dunno what couple means either) when a piston blew, and they put 2 new pistons in there... It was also upgraded to a Jacobs HEI at one point in time. and just a bit of an interlude -- I FOUND OUT MY REAR DEFOGGER WORKS!!!--- ok end rant. Umm.... Holley Carb. (Double pumper? -- there's 2 fuel lines running into it on the pass. side, there's also some fuel fittings on the driver side-- can anyone ID this carb? Im too lazy to go read numbers in a dark garage-- but if i must, i will) Edelbrock Performer Buick 455 intake manifold... Some unknown exhaust headers... Look like something made by Flowtech, like I had on my Monte Carlo... but... I don't think Flowtech produced/produces BBB parts. Original Dual exhaust... no resonators, tho. Just some Turbo mufflers.. Again.. dunno whos they are, but all they say on them is TURBO. And yeah, it chirps in 2nd. I guess these are some expensive performance upgrades? I really dont know. Transmission cooler added in also. And of course the Kenne Bell valve covers.. not sure what else is KB parts, besides those, but this mechanic did say the "engine was done over with Kenne Bell parts"... can't really.... decypher that statement either. I dont care what's in it really, although it would be nice to know... either way the car runs like a top and drinks gas like a drunken sailor... so.. I'm happy Was just curious about stock 1/4 mi. because I wanted to see for myself if i ever get to a track, what exactly all this stuff did for this car.
The '71 Riv GS does it in 15.9 at 88mph. Not sure about a regular Riv. But when Buick tested the GS they had every single option availble on it.
15.9 vs 16.3? Doesnt sound like the GS was so GS-ified... hmm I understand the great lengths people go to to just gain a tenth of a second but... when they come out stock, GS and Non, you'd think there'd be a bit more of a difference. At least a whole second, no? Hmm.. but sounds good anyway
I'm not a transmission expert, but the short sharp shift is better on the transmission than a long smooth one. (so I've heard) Guessing that heat builds up in the clutches with longer shifts. :TU: Sounds like a cool Riv, Kenne bell is a known name for Buick high performance parts-cams especially. Seems like they do mostly Turbo Buick stuff now.
Heh, if you've been on their website I think all they do now is Late Model Mustang stuff.... sad, but true. And thanks!
In 65 I think it was, the GS option added dual quads, which were available separately anyway. Other years, the GS package added things like 3.42 posi, quicker steering, little stuff like that. It never made it go much, if any, faster... Frank
It's called a "bang-screech" kit..... It gets kinda old after a while on a daily driver; I went back to a smooth shift with my old Riv.
but is it causing damage to the trans? and yah i dont mind a hard shift, and the chirp into 2nd is cool, but all that banging around gets to be annoying after awhile, especially in traffic... <grin>
Not when you're pushing 450+HP! :laugh: And no, you are NOT hurting the tranny. Now, the U-joints, that's a different story. Still, nothing I'd worry about. And the GS package on the Riv was a handling and dress-up package.
Back in 1993 I ran my bone stock 1973 Riviera GS (non-stage 1). It had a 2.91 posi rear. The engine was never apart except for passenger side head gasket went the previous year and I replaced the carb with a stock replacement. Had 90,000 plus miles and the trans was rebuilt heavy duty. Chirp you say? full throttle with 4 guys in the car that sucker would bang hard in 2nd a very loud chirp! Used the car for towing the racecar so the trans had to be built up. Anyway, bone stock with the AC belt removed, open air cleaner, spare tire removed (empty trunk) 50 pounds air in the front, 25 in the rear street radial tires and added some racing gas, complete street trim. 15.60 at 88.75 mph, 60' time was 2.27 at Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ Put the spare back in and weighed it with me....5,025 pounds :eek2: I did have a 150 pound draw tite 3 class hitch on the sucker. Towed great too!
I had a 73 Riv (not GS, open rear) that I jetted the carb, added 1/2 in spacer and curved the dist. It ran 15.20 with some short 26 in slicks and some Cam 2 mixed in at MIR. Surprised me! Bone stock it ran a 15.80 spinning some. I tried one slick with radial on driver side and it smoked the driver side for 1/4 track..... pretty funny...... Bruce
Cool pic. It seems so right though. I can just imagine what the Riv is thinking. "Everytime I go to the track I'm forced to have my little brother in tow. Jeez."
