Hi Guys, I am the editor of Car Craft magazine. We haven't produced any Buick 455 edit since the $7k build up during our big-block shootout in October 2001 www.carcraft.com/techarticles/72278. We just pullled a big block out of a 73 Electra and want to know how you think we should build it. Are there any parts you wish to see tested? New Edlebrock heads perhaps? Cam grinds? Intakes? Stroker kits etc...We can give you the objective dirt on any part with this build and you can use the info from our tests for your V8 builds. I will check this board when I can or you can chime in here: http://forums.carcraft.primediaautomotive.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=carcraft&msg=2518.1&ctx=0 Looking forward to the input. douglas
hey doug im jus a lil guy sporting a 355 buick, but i was always wondering if you guys are ever gonna put a buick on the front cover..so i can frame it!!! im a subscriber to your mag n i love it!.....ideas i would like to see would be a 455 stoked out to a 464...or even better and i know these ppl can do it..a blower on a 455!!!.....so lemme kno when it comes out so i can buy a couple copies for my chevy brother n rub it in his face!..thanks man and thanks alot for puttin time into out love for buicks :TU: kyle 1971 gs
I think it is long overdue for you to do some back to back dyno runs with any 455 build up by : Simply changing brands and/or types of spark plugs Changing spark plug wire brands and types Stock coil to a so called hot coil Points ignition to a GM HEI and then to an MSD 6AL Let's find out what, if anything, really makes a difference on a dyno. You could also go from stock exhaust manifolds to TA shorty headers to TA full length headers Run back to back TA aluminum heads versus Eldebrock versus Bulldog versus iron heads --- all stock. Run the TA SPX intake manifold versus Eldebrock B4B versius stock cast iron. Then stock Q jet versus 950 Holley Hp versus say a 1000 cfm Thermaqud
Test em all Doug, put me first in line for the big block parts you have tested and no longer have a purpose for.After all you'll probably start off with the base line components and end up with a 464 stage 2. :laugh: With a TA 308s camshaft :TU:
Car Craft Upgrades we appriciate your intrest in our opinions,head upgrades by TA,BULLDOG and edelbrock seems to be a concern and intake/exhaust valve combos i.e 2.19/1.88 vs stock stage 1 are of interst to me. poston claims to have the best flowing intake for buicks,like to see how they stack up with b4b in real world, thanks again and we'll be buying that issue :beer
BBB build I think a lot of people are curious about the Edelbrock heads.I have TA stg 1 heads and they are excellent but would still like to see more variety of parts available.Who knows,if the heads go over well then maybe other parts will follow.Buick is still lacking in exposure in high performance markets,even AMC has more engine parts listed in most catalogs.I like all makes of cars but the GS rules! :TU: Mike B.
I too would like to see edelbrock vs ta heads and the relative merits of each. Maybe run stock 70 iron heads for comparison since that was the benchmark year. Intakes are interesting but seems they are a weight reduction feature only, the benefits don't outweigh the costs for most guys. I'd also be interested in what the new blends of fuel (ethanol, etc) are changing powerwise and perhaps tips for tuning with them. Piston selection is always interesting too and shouldn't be too bad given the limited number out there. Thanks Tim PS I do buy Car Craft!!
What he said! And if you test headers, make sure you get your hands on a GSCA club headers (the M/T repros) and include in the test. Thanks!
I'd like to see a buildup on a 532 stroker . . . along with common oiling system modifications to the big blocks . . . Hutch
I think that a BBB build using the new E heads will be great just to see where they stack up compared to what has been available until now.Intake and cam comparisons and average power numbers are welcome.A side bar with oil system mods will help everyone.Even if using the E heads,input from the established Buick specialists should be sought.At the time of that build up there were no E heads available for the Buick,build the same engine with the same Comp grind and the E heads and give us some numbers.Glad to see Car Craft getting involved.
Might as well test the new E heads against TA's Stage-1 heads. Since the E heads use adjustable Chevy rockers, it would be nice to see a write-up on the best bang for the buck rocker set-up. Make sure it still fits under the stock valve covers; TA Perfromance sells thicker valve cover gaskets that may help with the stock valve covers. You may also want to hire a Q-jet guru (if you plan on testing one, and you should) as there always seems to be issues when when it comes to dyno day with these carbs. The Q-jets just get tossed aside for Holley's newest creation.... :moonu:
I would like to see any streetable build with pump gas 9.5 to 1 Comp ratio! Also camshafts that have realistic idles with a Q jet carb. Maybe also headrs verse ported exaust manifolds. can't wait to see it. I guess I also will have to keep my subscription. Also for above info Car Craft did have a Buick on the cover several years ago. It was a 66 I think and it had a built 455 Hanging in front of the car. I still have it somewhere.
compresion ratios vs fuels needed to run how about adding a run difference of street fuels say preimum fuel from BP vs mobil vs shell vs E85 andy
Douglas, One interesting combination for your readers is as follows- STEP 1 -Your '73 rotating assembly AS-IS (no 0.030, no replacement pistons, or rods) -Minor oiling mods (pump gears, plate, and good condition front cover/pump housing) -TA cam bearings, new timing gear set -Add the Edelbrock heads out of the box -Keep the cam around .500 lift, 235 IN/245 EX, 112 LC -Run TA's SP1 intake -Run a big enough carb to not need to change it in the further steps below (like a HP950 or big demon...whatever shy of a domi). -Then do a dyno baseline. STEP 2 -Remove heads and bench flow them (baseline) -Do some bowl work or whatever minor grinding needed to biggest bang for buck improvement. -Retest on the bench. -Install and dyno it. STEP 3 -Hog out the heads -Flow bench -Dyno STEP 4 -Step up to the biggest cam you can, while keeping the powerband below 6000 RPM's (due to stock block). -Dyno test. I think this would be a very interesting test, seeing as how we're waiting to see if what Edelbrock is puting out is close to stock and has any upward potential. We know TA and now Bulldog are puting out some great stuff. Also, this would be interesting for the non-Buick readers. What can you do with a cheap running Buick short-block and some heads, without getting into expensive internals and machine work.... Hope this helps, Ramin Ansari
Two good ways you could go: A race engine that shows off Buick parts and potential, or a real-world streetable engine that uses realistic fuel. Me, I like what the copperhead said...shoot for max area under the curve between 2500 and 5500 on honest-to-gawd 91 or lower octane, with at least 12 inches vacuum, an idle below 900rpm, and a good Q-jet. Do a Ported Iron vs. TA vs. Bulldog vs. Edelbrock head comparison, or a ported manifold vs. shorty headers vs. long-tube header comparison (or do both!) And for gawd's sake, DON'T use a danged holley/demon/whatever! :af: Get a John Osborn Q-jet! :TU:
That motor sounds familiar :Brow: Maybe you should let CarCraft in on your secret. You know...how to get a junkyard fresh 430 to run 11.2's.
Aluminum head dyno 3-way shootout: Baseline: Gessler ported irons VS.: Bulldog vs. Edelbrock vs. TA Stage 1 SE.
NEW technology (i.e. "fast" ramp, lots of controversy there) cam dyno shootout: Baseline: TA's 413 or 290 VS.: Comp XFI 236/242 @0.050" Lunati Voodoo 233/241 Crane Z-cam 236/244 Lazer 235/245 Bullet 235/245 Lunati H235/245
I would like to see a head comparison also. Using the stock 73 bottom end would follow the theme for Car Craft. TA's 413 cam or a similar grind would be a good choice. SP1 intake with a 950 carb and see what happens. Glad you guys are working over a BBB again. Also glad you're here on the V8 board getting input from the greatest Buick builders alive (not me).
