Life threw a lot circumstances in the way the past year and a half. Hopefully that’s all behind us. I do have plans to start moving forward once I get back from vacation. Dyno session first.
As shipped...they are mayyyybe a 30hp gain....for $3400....or 1700 more than refurbished stockers...i agree...taking a 280hp engine to a 325 ball of luke warm hell.....yea i wouldn't be out there running down the track The guys that had maxed out their combos in the mid 12s then spent money for porting and titanium retainers etc they saw an impressive result i feel like as their combo was being choked with the irons
Nope we got what we have that's it. It just needs a good power adder set up. Nitrous did work good a less than a 100 shot knocked off second and a half. 13.80 to 12.31 But would be nice to have that power all the time. I think the gsjohnny set up would be cool blower sticking out of hood. all it takes is money. 13.28 @ 101 is good for such a heavy car really didn't think mine was going to do that but it did. If it was all brand new with the lighter pistons and rods it would hit high 12. it is what it is at this point If I had the money I would dyno the crap out of this motor to get the right combo of parts
I'm sorry but Mike at TA needs to put that AL head 480+ hp. motor in another GS/Skylark and run it at a track.. I don't get why they haven't???? Yes they are busy and understaffed but who isn't busy. Supposedly from TA themselves there's 30 or more hp they can get from it with more porting and more cam? It's their name on those heads yet they won't do it. Hugger I think was the member who put together a Frankenstein build starting from a shell in 10 days by himself.
YES! Test, test, test, like Kenne Bell “supposedly” did in the 80’s with the 350 Buick, that’s what me/we are trying to do now, but yah got to deal with Jr. dragsters, bikes, ricers, etc and generally chaos at the track on TNT nights
Any buick 350 moving a fullweight GS to the stripe any faster than a 15 is doing verywell tbh...especially toting iron heads. I mean BBC chevelles..GTOs..442s..GSs..they all ran 14s...and some of the base models ran 15s...like 396 and GTO at barely 100mph....with 100more cid... Unfortunately then comes the brick wall...without boost or N20..no chance of running with a nice SBC...too many barriers What gets me is there has yet to be from my memory a FULL EFFORT SBB...im talking custom piston...max overbore...370cid...hogged out aluminum head..sp3....1050 carbed....solid lifter..no excuses build.....it could run 10s in a 3400lb car i feel certain....but would be rowdy...and need maintaining....but would inspire guys i feel sure
I honestly believe the bore size isn’t the issue, the iron heads with 1.92 intake valves and 1.55 exhaust is as large as you can go, the aluminum heads they moved the valves to fit up to 2.02 intakes. I’ve heard over and over 4” and up is the magic number for bore size, but the 5.3 LS is less than 4” so is the IIRC 5.7 Hemi, those engines breathe pretty good. “They” say the 350 is under square, yes it is, but the 3.8 V6 has the same bore, but only 3.4” stroke so that’s over square, and most know the 3.8 N.A. is a turd, add a turbo and fuel injection, with inter cooler and your a hero! The comparisons between the 350 and 455 are moot, the 455 by virtue of 105 more cubic inches is a win by itself, add the aftermarket support for the 455 and its even easier to make big power gains! Us 350 guys are still doing it with rocks, tree branches, and duct tape, oh, JB Weld too
What TA has for a advantage is 95% of the teething pains on what keeps these engines alive is done.. It is not as easy as it sounds running a business I get it but this is dropping in a motor in Buick A body which most likely a friend of theirs might have and is willing or having one themselves all ready setup with the proper gears. Its been years already, come on now.. Edit: Hugger have TA send you that AL headed 350 and i'm sure you will get it done fast Mark, not that you couldn't but you have your own project
TRUTH AGAIN! I think we forget about how “not really fast” these cars were back then COMPARED to todays new offerings. I’ve always said the newer cars are quicker, but our older stuff has style! Hell, just the physical engine looked better back then compared to the Tupper Ware cladded engines of today.
I like hugger's idea, hog the basterd out and solid cam the crap out of it. That solid cam in my motor really woke it up, now I need the rest, maybe I can pull it next year and get it done. But, can I get any parts? Would it be better to just get the alum heads bare and have the race shop do the rest of the work? Our race shop here has a good handle on Buick engines.
Tweety was for sure...been so long ago i didnt mention it but most definitely it was proof its possible ...
NAAAAH, your good Guy, just leave it as is Seriously tho, the 350 parts I’m sure will be an issue, I’d leave ‘er together and work with it, besides, I’m catching up to you, LOLOL Be nice if TA had a year end close out on aluminum 350 heads, assembled and bare castings! Honestly think I’d pass tho IF they did, like Hugger said, I’m heavy and my gears are not deep enough, I’m on a mission to get my heavy GS with “conservative” gears looow 13’s a 12.99 would be nice!
I saw the Sonny's car after he wrecked it 2 carbs and a dual quad intake low 11's on motor like 11.07, I was racing that day also. I should have inquired on getting some parts when I realized he was not going to race anymore, but by then my job front took a crap and couldn't do anything. He was the reason I did the 350 in the first place.
