Nice work! I am curious for more detail on parts that you lightened? I know you may not want to give up all your secrets but it sure would be cool to get my twin turbocharged 70 Skylark down to 3200 pounds!!!
Todd, Ditto on Sean's comment about lightened parts. I have a similar project to start soon (not Buick) and would be interested to know what was done. I'd like to head to Rock Falls too when you debut the car - beautiful work! Mark
Thanks Mark. I did all the common stuff people do to shed some weight. We also custom build some of the brackets (Such as the Bumper Brackets) as well as a Cro Moly Crossmember. Cro Moly was also used on the Roll Cage rather than regular steel. Cro Moly Driveshaft Loop. etc... I also paid alot of attention to items not necessary on a drag car such as the radio, heater, wipers etc...... They're all installed on the car to keep the original "unmolosted" look but not functional and not there normal weight. Paid some attention to the window hardware, wiring harness - pretty much every part and piece that came off the car that could be lightened without affecting its appearance (If visible) Seats are next. We have a plan to retain factory bucket seats but alot less weight. Hoping to dive into that project this spring. Wheels are another area where some weight can be shed. Hoping to be under 3,100 when it's completely done. Under 3,000 if I decide to put TA Heads and B4B intake on it. For now I'm sticking with the Cast Iron pcs though. Thanks for checking it out. .
Weather permitting - I'm planning on the 1st 1/4 pass this weekend at Rock Falls Raceway. (Musclecar Shoot out on Sunday) I'll post the results if it works out! This will be with the stock - low compression 1971 motor. (baseline motor) .
Well I was able to get 5 runs in before the rain arrived. The air wasn't very good and temps were in the low to mid 80's. To recap the car is running a 1971 455 that still has the factory 8.5 to 1 pistons, standard heads, and all the cast iron pcs. The only upgrade was a small cam I purchased from Greg Gessler. No portwork either. This motor made 380 HP on the dyno. With that being said I didn't really know what to expect. I built this car to eventually (hopefully) run in the 10's with the proper "stock appearing" motor and haven't raced in 8 years! Last time I did race I was running low 10's so I knew this would be a big change with a truely stock motor. With that said, my best run ended up being a 13.10 @ 101 MPH. Best 60' time was 1.90. I was really hoping to see a 12 second time slip as I figured that would be a pretty good accomplishment with that motor combination. I'm confident in better air a 12 second slip is easily obtainable. The car worked really good so I'm happy with that. I feel the car is set up well enough that I could drop a 700 HP motor in it and go racing tomorrow. There are 3 more Musclecar shootouts this fall. I definately expect some better results with cooler - dryer air. All in all I'm happy with the car so far. The money isn't there for a full blown Ported - High Compression Stage 1 motor so for now I'll keep tinkering with this combination. .
Alot of work to run low 13's but as mentioned that engine is a baseline. Better and quicker ET's to come!! Would still like to run it with your engine combo! .
We didn't do any tuning. (ran out of time) As mentioned I only ran 5 times and each time the car kept getting faster. I only have maybe 70 - 80 miles on this car so even "seat time" was lacking. Each pass kept getting quicker as I learned a bit more from the launch and the shift points. I went from a couple 13.40 runs down to the 13.10 run without tuning anything other than tire pressure and shift points. I also played with the stall speed during take off. That's it. Then the rain came. I ran it with the stock ram air cleaner also. I know there's more in it and some better air alone will make a difference. Alot of spectators were coming in the pits to check it out. The biggest surprise to most of them was the fact that the car didn't have headers on it. .
Did they know it was a Buick V8 engine under the hood; that might have been a bigger surprise to some.......uzzled: Tommy
Working on some light weight (Stock Appearing) Bucket Seats this week. I'll post some pictures once they're done and the seat covers are installed. Also working on a stock appearing Battery for the factory location. (Anyone have a Group 24/R59 shell they want to donate?) I plan on running the car with the Stock 1971 motor again later this summer. I'm confident even with that motor the car will run some 12's. Next on the "to do" list is to convert the standard heads to Stage 1 Specs and order in some pistons so we can be at 1970 Stage 1 specs (10.5 to 1) My initial goal was to shoot for the 10's which in time will still be the plan. For now I want to see what we can accomplish with a "Pure Stock" motor. Has anyone ran 11's with a TRUE Pure Stock motor ? Thanks to everyone following this project - it's been fun. I'm looking forward to getting back on the track. Last time out was hot, muggy and was rained out after only 5 runs. .
Battery is done! A tick over 3 pounds for the Battery, Battery Tray & Hold Down Clamp. This will be located in the Factory location while the real one resides in the trunk. Bucket Seats are next - just waiting for my fabricator to get back from Vacation. .
Great runs Todd. I'm disappointed I couldn't get there to see it. Hopefully next time the schedule will allow. You've done an amazing job so far, I'm sure you'll meet your goals.
I have heard of Dave and seen his postings from time to time. Is there any info on his car? I would love to see it and possibly share some speed secrets. If his motor is truly stock as mine is that's VERY impressive. My motor has had a cam change and that's it other than bearings and gaskets. (and as I've stressed it's a 71 non Stage motor so compression at best is 8.5 to 1) I know I can easily run some 12's in good air but 11's I don't see happening without more motor work. Again, very impressive to run in the 11's with a "Pure Stock" motor! Dave - we need to chat! :beers2: . ---------- Post added at 03:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:17 PM ---------- I'll be back out later this summer. (August, September & October) I plan on getting some 12 second slips with this motor combination prior to Winter setting in! Hopefully I'll have some money to start throwing at my other motor for next year. I want to at least be on par with 1970 Stage 1 Specs for next year. (And maybe some port work if the money is there) For now I'll keep tinkering with the car and see where we end up with the 380 HP Station Wagon Motor Lol .
