I just watched this episode where they want to make the slow Buick powered 455 Chevelle fast by spraying it. They set the timing at 36 then run a 13.40. Then want “Add” some timing to see if it will go faster and as they check it they say something about the number 43 and ya I know it’s hot. So make another pass 13.60 and it’s hotter so back off the timing the amount needed for a 150 shot of NOS. Whatever that number is? The next run seized the motor at 11.03. They the Buicks weak oil system made them loose the bearings. thoughts?
Freiburger does mention in that episode that the Buick is his favorite BOP big block. They sprayed the **** out of it and probably shifted at 6k with the 40 lbs oil spring in it. It didn't stand much of a chance.
In a very rare case I caught this show. It was a show that included a BBB. (Shrug). The motor lost oil pressure and wiped a rod bearing. No surprise and no I hardly believe the show was to bash a Buick. They bash on everything.
They could have spent a dollar and save that engine for at least one or two more runs with a stiffer relief spring. I once drove a 455 with a rod knock home from school, 50+ miles. When I got home I decided to see what would come apart, so I floored it in neutral. It blew a rod out of the block. I still drove it 4 more miles to the shop where I swapped engines.
I was thinking they put too much timing in it was more of the problem. They never really explained what the 43 number meant.
Yea David is rough on stuff...but yea they pushed a 200hit thru a stock 455....no surprise the poor No43 was the n20 jet size
David has his saying: "Don’t get it right, just get it running." While I get the sentiment and it kind of works for a TV show it doesn't really work in real life. Ok, so you can skip on getting the body right, but not doing the brakes, cooling and other mechanical items right can lead to bigger problems down the road. Even they have learned the hard way that you don't mess around with old tires. They are always rushing to finish a job to make a complete episode. The cars that come out the best are the ones that are built over multiple episodes.
They have plenty of common sense and knowledge, but they're just out there beating the crap out of the cars...and occasionally they build a really cool rig. But they get to do what 90% of us would love to do day-to-day. Play with cars.
If they would have pulled 8 degrees of timing for that 200 shot and kept the rpm under 5200 it likely would’ve lasted and posted the best ET. 24-26 degrees all in is perfect for a 200 hundred shot. Did they mention if they were running racing fuel? That is a necessity at that power level
Yea they put 112 in Iirc...they beat the crap out of it b4 it got to the track tho..probably cracked a piston b4 it ever seen N20
Steve and David are more than capable they just play goofball because they are both just having fun...when it needs to be right they can make it happen
Are you serious? David Freiburger was the only one championing Buick stuff in the mags in the 1990's- he dared to do a 455 rebuild article in Car Craft and dropped it into a 1965 Sport Wagon of all things. That article was one of the first things I ever read about Buick's and it helped light the fire.
They know to up the oil pressure they just wanted to show what not to do with a nitrous kit and that is put too much on without changing oil pressure in a 455 Buick. If they do not know Not to take the Buick 455 past 5500 then...
Yep, I remember those issues! I was stoked they were doing articles on the Buick 455, actually quite a few issues featured Buick V8’s, mostly 455
