There have been NUMEROUS questions asked about the 455 engines, Advertised power and such. I SERIOUSLY DOUBT this could be done, due to the age of our cars, BUT are there ANY 2 cars owned by members that COULD be matched for the comparison? :beer An HONEST comparison between the 70 Stage1 Vs. The GS455? :Smarty: It maybe CRAZY, but the cars would have to be vertually identical, and be unmolested, except for an equalization in gearing. Rebuild, can NOT be used, as it seems cams, ports, cylinder diameter, all seem to grow with age, and rebuilding. o No: Cars would have to BOTH either have or be without A/C, and run the 3:42 gear, for the comparison. :TU: I am NOT thinking about the Magazine Published information, as I don't believe ANY of the cars were left alone. Including our beloved Buicks. 2 cars, 4 passes, drivers to run 2 passes each, switch cars, heads up. This would NOT be for Bragging rights, but just for basic information and a true baseline. Just a CRAZY Thought JR
JR, I did such a test years ago (early 80s). The ET numbers are still in my head, don't recall the mphs 13.82 for the 70 GS455 with AC and 3.42 gear 13.55 for the 70 Stage 1 also with AC and 3.42 gear Same day, even same tires (my 275/60 MH Radial Racemasters) Both were bone stock, I drove both and left at an idle. Cool fall day at 75/80 Dragway in MD at a Buick get together. Bruce
D Manner showed us the factory dyno tapes which is about as good as anything. Stage 1 peak hp was 376 at 5000 or so rpm. The real tale though is the area displaced by the curves of torque and hp up to the trap rpm. the small valve engine would be 10 to 20 less on the peak. Motor Trend ran a 70 stage 1 at a 13.38 slip out of the show room.
The gap would be greater if the 70 455 had the much more common standard 2.93 rear. The 70 GS455 in question didn't come with a 3.42, I put it in there for the person. (Diane Finnel now Ford, if anyone remembers her) Bruce
Reality Check That is some of what I want, but especially the figures down the pass. As for Magazine figures, Ringers were used like Crazy. 66 Test of the Muscle cars: Cyclone, Brought in on Darryl Darrengers Stock Car Trailer. (prepped??) GTO- Royal Bobcat (J.Wangers wouldn't put in a ringer would he?) 442-Chesron Olds, (Smothers Bros. Racing team) Dodge R/T- Grand Spalding Dodge (enough said) SS396-Nickey Chevrolet (see above) Skylark GS-Magazine Test car, (already had switch installed for ST-300) Fairlane GTA- grabbed from a lot, as it was missing from the call. Fastest...... Cyclone GT Slowest......Fairlane GTA 2 cars, basically the same, Cyclone & Fairlane, Same engine, 1 manual (Cyclone) 1 HDTP (same) Convt & Auto. for the Fairlane. GS was also a Convertible. That is why I want to compare similar vehicles, with gears being equal, & only the 1 option change, dispite the items that change being numeous. JR
I would take a queess, based on my age [54], and being a "car" enthusiast for most of my life,Buicks in particular,all things being equal;[gears,trannys,tires,drivers,etc,etc,] I would ecpect the Stage 1 to be between 2-3 tenths quicker in the 1/4 mile :Smarty:
Oh my, I haven't seen Dianne in a bazillion years!!!!! I often wonder what became of her. I'll never forget the sight of her sitting on the fender to take off the air cleaner!!!!
Nicholas She has her Skylark 455 for sale. Being married to a person with the last name Ford (and a Ford fanatic at that) finally got to her. He wouldn't even fix her header gasket.... Bruce
