Hello all, I just got on but wanted to show off my 71 Buick Skylark GSX clone in Apollo White. I've had her for just under four years now. Rebuilt a hot 350 for her last summer but wasn't happy with the power not to mention she felt like a dog with 280ish gears in the back. Working on building a fresh 455 for her this summer which will waker her from her slumber. I'm also putting a fresh turbo 400 trans to handle the power. Then follow that with 370ish gears and a new posi. Really excited to see what I can learn and to just talk Buick with fellow Buick people. Hit me with any thoughts or opinions on how to really get her going and if you would like more pictures. SIDE NOTE- I now have original rally wheels and through the bumper exhaust. I just don't have good pictures yet.
Sweet looking ride welcome from southern California. If ya haven't felt the torque of a 455 then you can bet once ya do you will be hooked. I say 455
Changing the rear gear with the 350 in the car will wake it up and even more if you swap in a 200R4 overdrive trans. With the better more modern gearing you'll think you now have a big block! Also if you still have the stock converter in there that isn't helping you either. Don't blame the engine because the car has crappy old fashion gearing. Do the 3,73:1 rear gear first and see how you like it with the 350, will be the best performance band for your buck. The overdrive trans will give a bit more off the line and calm down those highway cruising RPMs and a bit more with a lockup converter. If you still think its not enough with just the gear change and won't be enough with a bit more from the trans change, then decide to plunk down those $$$ for the 455 build.
Neat car! Yeah, that 2 series gear isn't doing you any favors. That said, IMO don't waste your time trying to make a 350 "feel like" you have a big block, you'll always just be settling for less than what you could've had. If a 3 series gear makes a 350 "feel like" a big block (debatable), what do you think a 3 series with a big block feels like? If you're good to spend the money on an engine, get the real mccoy and go with a 455. Short of turbos (or maybe a fat shot of nitrous in certain situations), you'll never match a 455 NA pound for pound. If streetable NA power is what you're after, the big brother is what you want. A healthy tree-fiddy can make a great driving car, don't get me wrong. But you wanna drop jaws, the big block is where its at.
I've had both and for overall driving I prefer the 350, especially in the gas mileage department. I've done several day long cruises where the big block cars are stopping for gas twice as often and I can keep up with alot of them from stoplight to stoplight runs. There's nothing better than beating a big block car then telling them you have a little ol 350 under the hood. I'd swap the gears and posi first then drive it while you're collecting parts and building the big block. You may just keep the 350, or not, but at least you'll have a valid comparison once the 455 is ready.
Yeah, sure if he has $8K sitting around to build a decent running 455 go for it. Lets help this 21 year old guy spend his $$$ and possibly go into debt yee haw! My point was that he wrote in his plan that he wanted to swap in a "3.70ish gear" after the 455 anyway so I am just trying to suggest doing the gear swap first. Also if he isn't planning anything to radical with the 455, he can get a 200R4 that will hold up to a future 455 swap. Driveline mods aren't cheap so going in phases doesn't hurt the wallet as bad. Plus he can keep driving the car while he takes his time to do up the 455 right the first time, a once and done kind of way.
Ken,one thing you do not realize.Those one block races,just to see if you can pick and beat a BBB is...The BBB will toast the tires,specially going to cruises.but put some softee's on the rear and your car is toast.There's also other one ,where I race a guy from a dig [with good tires ]and half way on the block I have 2..3 cars on hin.I get off the car aand he whizzes by me and he beat me.Hello!....Bruno.
Welcome aboard from New Jersey You won't be sorry if you go with a 455 if it's built right. There's a few well-known Buick engine builders here on the board my suggestion is you contact one of them Jim Weiss, Nick Serwo, Gary Paine there may be a few more.
If I had 8 grand to spend on a 455, you can bet it will pull both tires on a sticky tire launch. I have about $2500 in machining and parts and I'm knocking on the twelve second door hard Go with a 455 and gap the 350s......Jim
Welcome to the board! I'm confused why you have a poll if you already have decided on you projects path. That being said, since you have a poll, it means you are open to suggestions I would say keep the hot 350 and do the gear swap, like Derek suggested. You will have the car down for a much shorter period of time. It will also be the CHEAPER route. Don't forget though that it's more that just engine and trans that need to be swapped. Take a long serious look here: http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/conversi.htm So again. a gear change will probably get you to where you were hoping to be after your 350 build. Just don't be me and turn a swap into a 12 year long project. I still can't drive my damn car and yes, ALWAYS more pictures!!
Well there are some TA Aluminum heads now I'm Big Block all the way, but thinking these new heads are kinda ideal for this situation seeing you have a hot 350 motor already. More gears and these heads
