I would like to replace my 455 for a solid mid 14 350 Buick until I get the money to build my 11 second 455. I want to spend about $2k on the engine, and the transmission is performance built with a 2500 stall. Can anyone recommend a combo or is it possible? Thanks.
Mid 14s very possible... It's very possible and probably cheaper than you'd think. Here's what I did, I know others have done differently. - '69 350 block - .030 over with TRW forged pistons (10:1), balanced rotating assembly - '69 heads with a 3 angle valve job, stock size valves, and about $150 worth of porting (machine shop time) - TA 290-94H cam/lifters, stock pushrods, stock '69 rocker assembly (1.6:1 ratio, oils through the rocker shafts) - stock '69 intake and quadrajet - stock points distributor, rebushed and curve kit installed - TA headers with muffler shop 2 1/2" full exhuast with H-pipe - T-350 trans with Turbo Action shift kit and Daaco converter (one step above stock) - Stock 8.5 10 bolt with 3.23 posi and P215-70-14 Cooper radials This combo has pushed my 3700lb '69 GS California to a 14.15 @ 96.5 with a 2.20 60' time. I know there's still more in it, with some suspension work to lower the 60' times I'm hoping for high 13s. I'd also like to change the H-pipe to an X-pipe. I've got about $1500 in the engine as it sits in the car right now.
I forgot...... Oops! I forgot to mention that I have a 1979 Trans-Am. The transmission is a 1972 400 or 375. Is this to heavy for the 350 engine?
Re: Mid 14s very possible... Where did you purchase your pistons and how much were they? The engine I plan to build is a 1979. Is it still reasonable to reach mid 14s with this year engine? Thanks.
Chris, I have the same setup as Ken's, and I recently ran it at the track....with 2.56 (one legger) gears, and 275 60 R15's and a bad R/T the car ran consistanly 16.0 at 85....EVERY TIME! I plan on doing 3.73 and an Eaton posi...I should be in the mid to high 14's with that, or running the same times as Ken. I will be doing this in the up and comming weeks for the Buick get thogher here at E-town and I will let you know of the results when I get done at the track :Brow: . The only difference is that I'm runnig the stock T/A stage 1 cam grind in my 350. Future plans, T/A intake and a 212 cam....should wake the 350 up for some 13's :Brow: . Don't look past the 350 Buick, there's tons of power potential there and it can be done :TU:
I am doing a project like this as well. street strip 350. 70 SP- 350 TA intake, TA headers, heads lightly ported for street strip. undecided on cam the TA212 looks nice but will look into other cam grinds that perform well. 2000 stall and a 355 gear set in the works. Sounds like about where i want to be mid 13's on pump gas.
The trans am should be a bit lighter than a skylark, so that'll help. From a rebuilding standpoint, a 79 is the same as a 70. Actually they later motors have better rods. 14's should be easy... most stock, near stock 350 skylarks seem to be in the 15's. Mine did 15.75 with a stock 4 brl, stock manifolds, dual 2 1/2 exhuast, and MSD/HEI ignition, and a hard shifting transmission. This is with 2.56 gears, full wieght 4 dr, with AC. I only got one run with it. I haven't run the last setup I had (cam, head work etc) at the strip, and now I am completely rebuilding it. Forged 10.25:1 pistons, ported heads, oversized valves, 3 angle valve job, fully balanced, TA212 cam, TA intake, 750 holley carb, TA headers, double roller timing chain, rods polished and shot peened, TA 5/8 oil pickup.... car is getting some 3.08's and a posi. Now I've got the short block all together, and one head is assembled and bolted on. Tonight I'm going to assembly the other head and bolt it on. I'm counting on low 14's, but thinking it might be more in the high 13's... ya I had the block decked .020 and the head .005 to clean it up and to account for the extra .023" thickness of the new composite head gasket. Also had the block honed, kept the standard bore, it was still perfect, and in fact 2 cylinders were a little on the small size....
my 77 lark has a 350 in it. ran a 14.6 at milan when i was at the bca nationals. hot day too. it's a used 350 with unknown cam, junk carb off the shelf in my garage, alum intake, headers, 3.42 posi, junkyard tranny, very used 9 x 28 slicks. only 3 new items on this car....2k converter, driveshaft loop and plug wires. should be able to go hi 13's at cecil county this fall. john
