First time drag racing a Buick 455

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by OZGS455, Aug 7, 2018.

  1. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    Which factory Stage 1? You might equal the performance of the '71 or '72 Stage 1s but, you are at least 50+ horsepower down from the '70. You will never get your combo up close 105 MPH or the low 13s. Not without more compression or a converter or both. Just trying to be helpful.
     
  2. 72STAGE1

    72STAGE1 STAGE 1 & 2

    I suggested Converter RKhammer, everybody else here shot me down...........We think alike, gears and converters are best spent money for 1/4 times initially.
     
    Harlockssx and rkammer like this.
  3. Ken Mild

    Ken Mild King of 18 Year Resto's

    I'm with you guys. My best time was 12.90 @108+ and I have my stock converter that came with the original 400 motor 50 years ago. Plus 3.08 gears. Gears and converter for me I think things would get interesting. Not trying to hijack just mulling over some thoughts this thread is provoking.
     
    OZGS455 likes this.
  4. jay3000

    jay3000 RIP 1-16-21

    Tires.......
     
  5. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    True but, he already has MT E.T. Streets. Should get him there if he has the HP.
     
    OZGS455 likes this.
  6. OZGS455

    OZGS455 Oh what a wonderful day!

    We will see, time will tell, and
    Times will tell.
    Appreciate your help but Im staying positive.
    Second time out in an untuned car thats not running right and I lay down a 14.1
    We will see.
     
  7. OZGS455

    OZGS455 Oh what a wonderful day!

    Ill get there!
    Lets start a poll to see who thinks Ill get there with 3.42 and stock convertor and who dont.
    Already know the naysayers ,
    Sounds like I may have supporters too...
     
  8. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    Sounds like a fun poll. What is your stated goal? 13.38 @ 105?
     
  9. OZGS455

    OZGS455 Oh what a wonderful day!

    Whatever time you fellas reckon I cant acheive,, tell me what I cant do and Ill do it.
     
  10. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    OK, I'll play. I'll say your car won't ever go 105 MPH or 13.38 without going into the inside of the motor or adding parts.
     
  11. HeavensDevil

    HeavensDevil Well-Known Member

    Sounds fun. Strip the interior and take some panels off :D
     
    rkammer likes this.
  12. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    :cool::D
     
    HeavensDevil likes this.
  13. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    My Dad's Skylark went from a best of 12.9 to an 11.8 by swapping out the "Stage 1" cam for an Isky (I think, as that's what he ran in everything else) and gutting the interior with no other changes back in the day.
     
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2018
    rkammer likes this.
  14. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    Racing is just math, it takes a specific amount of hp to 60' a specific time and a specific 60' to run a certain ET, and a specific amount of hp to run a specific mph thru the 1/4. Your 97 mph run tells me your about 250 to 300 hp to the ground which is normal for a mild 455. You may crack 100 with tinkering but 105 is asking for alot 8mph in the 1/4mile is roughly an 65 to 80hp improvement, going to be hard to find that much power by moving the distributor around and fiddling with a carb. To 60' say a 1.70 with a full weight GS with a 3.08 gear is gonna take 400hp minimum
     
    rkammer likes this.
  15. 300sbb_overkill

    300sbb_overkill WWG1WGA. MAGA

    Disconnecting the power steering pump will free up a few HP to possibly help get you there.

    Even going in a straight line the power steering pump is robbing HP by circulating the power steering fluid.

    When I had the sbc 283 in my full size '65 Impala, I gained about .4 in the QM by just removing the power steering belt! But to be fair, the 283 is probably WAY more sensitive than 455 cubes would be removing that belt, so not sure if it will or won't make a difference with the 455?(worth a try though)

    If the car has AC, removing that belt could maybe free up a couple more HP as well?


    Also, try flipping the air cleaner to help get more air to flow through the engine.

    Make sure that the magazine article that quoted those numbers you're shooting for aren't "corrected" numbers. Corrected, like they use on a dyno to convert the HP to what it would be at optimum conditions at sea level. If they are "correct" numbers, then you will have an easier time reaching your goals when you convert to sea level conditions and whatever they use to "correct" the barometric conditions too?

    I think there is a website that has the weather conditions posted for every time of the day that you might be able to find what they are close to the track you go to use to correct you QM times?(at least they have those for over here)

    I think Larry posted that website here before, maybe he can share it on your thread if he has the link handy?
     
  16. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    Put the maximum psi in your front tires, too. Optimize what you have with all the little free things a guy can do.
     
  17. 300sbb_overkill

    300sbb_overkill WWG1WGA. MAGA

    Yeah, what Mach1 said and disconnecting the front sway bar links is another good trick to improve traction to lower 60 ft times.
     
    1972Mach1 likes this.
  18. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    http://dragtimes.com/da-density-altitude-calculator.php

    Just for North America though. Maybe Australia has an equivalent down under?:):)
     
    300sbb_overkill likes this.
  19. 69GS400s

    69GS400s ...my own amusement ride!

    you must not like your car .. or at least its engine to be punishing it with full throttle 14 second runs.

    Why would anyone want to repeatedly run a motor that hard that is untuned AND not running right ?

    Enlighten us, Ohh Wise One from Down Under. Maybe we've all been doing it wrong for so long ..
     
  20. Grandpas67

    Grandpas67 Well-Known Member

    You know guys...i've read this whole thread over the last week and the ozzy guy came in here looking for advice. All i've seen from a lot of our veteran guys is not what i really expect from our group. This guy sounds like he's trying to learn, but you keep cutting him down. Am i seeing this wrong? You all have been nice to me. Why is he any different? He's just trying to learn like a lot of us are. Let's show our buick brother a little love and help him out...not cut him down. We're here because we like these cars...let's try to remember that.
     
    srobinr, Doug Hoyle and OZGS455 like this.

Share This Page