6 cylinder Skylark

I had seriously been wanting to get a low option/lightweight 6 cylinder Special or Skylark to build. Unfortunately(?), I came across a big block convertible for a great price that I couldn't pass up so this dream never came true, but I was about to pull the trigger on doing this a month ago:

Procure a '69 Buick Special 6 cyl with no options weighing in at 3300-3400 lbs, was for sale on Ebay and was in great shape. Then my plan was to swap the original 6 cyl with a turbo Supra engine (2JZ-GTE) inline 6 cylinder w/6 speed manual trans, a bigger single turbo, 10:1 compression, and E85. I have this engine in one of my other cars (Toyota Cressida) that weighs about the same or more, with a turbo upgrade, cams, injectors, and retune I am running 600 rwhp and have yet to lose a race (but I don't race that often either). It would literally bottle peoples' minds to keep a 6 cyl Skylark true to being a "6 cylinder" model and looking as such, yet laying waste to most built big block cars with a single tailpipe sticking out the back and the absence of a V8 rumble. I've always been a sucker for sleepers...I may still do something like this, but would rather not to the convertible I just got due to the extra weight and its already got a 455. But if this engine blows up...watch for more updates to this idea!

I've always been a fan of the Buick engines, but hate that you have to do so much to get it to handle the power, and forget about gas mileage. I also can't stand how the aftermarket is so limited and expensive for them too. I prefer ~500-600 whp in a fun street car, and to get that out of the Buick sacrifices a good amount of money and driveability/reliability. That's why I liked the idea of the 2JZ so much...tons of aftermarket, I already know it very well, its super reliable and easy to get power out of, and it still drives tame around town and on the highway (I get ~12mpg city/17 hwy on E85, and about 20 hwy on 93 octane). I figured about $10K to build the car the way I'd want it, most of the cost is the computer ($1-2K), 6 speed ($3K), and clutch ($2K)...I can go down to the junkyard right now and get a donor engine for $250 and I've already got a 62mm turbo for it...someday perhaps...but unfortunately the '76 455 in my new car supposedly only has ~50K original miles, runs great, and I verified the mileage when I pulled the oil pan last weekend, so I don't think it's going to blow any time soon. So 455 it is for me for now.

 

Sounds cool but 600 horse with a 455 isn't that big of a deal. I'm running 650+ with 12.5-1, HYD cam, stock rods and block, Stage 2 heads, TA cover is the only oiling mod if that's what you want to call it....
I don't see why you couldn't build a pump gas 455 that made 600....and torque will be more than the Supra turbo, I would think.....

 

don't let that 6 cyl go. they make a lot of speed parts for it and they make some good h/p. check around before you toilet it.

 

A S400 borg on the orig 6 with the new generation of throttle bodies on the market Edelbrock,Holley,MSD etc will meet all the requirements you want and then some or even a V6 would be easier and better 2JZ's are awesome engines no doubt but they have no place in american iron just my opinion,

 

Turbocharge the 6

 

Wouldnt the 6cly of question in the skylark be a chevy 250 inline?
If so check out cliffordperformance.net, aussiespeed.com, 12bolt.com(autowerks) t6racing.org(twisted6) inliners.org
there's also an SPA turbo manifold that goes for 400 to 500 dollars
Think i've missed one or 2 inliner specific websites..when I remember i'll add it

 

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?273463-Update-on-the-69-Turbo-Special-Deluxe