SFI 25.3 '70 Buick GS - Twin Turbo 455 LSx -
11-06-2010, 09:37 PM
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SFI 25.3 '70 Buick GS - Twin Turbo 455 LSx - This is my first endeavor into LS stuff. It was a tough decision to abandon my Buick roots but the LSx route just makes more sense from a logistics and economic standpoint plus it's a proven platform with tons of support. It's all GM anyways. Now with that out of the way..................
I'm a die-hard Buick guy and have been since I was a kid. I originally got hooked on big block Buicks and later moved on to the Turbo Regal scene where I've spent the majority of my time and energy for the last several years. My street car is a 1987 Buick Grand National that runs in the high 9 to low 10 sec range and my all-out race Grand National runs in the 7s with a single turbo V6. I've been playing with turbo stuff since way back - way before turbos were the "IN THING". I've had this idea rattling around in the back of my head for years now and finally decided to pull the trigger.
1970 Buick GS 455 - WAS a numbers matching car until the previous owner sold the numbers matching engine/trans and eventually lost interest. Car had been completely disassembled, media blasted, frame painted, new quarter panels installed, etc, etc. I picked it up in the state you see here.
The car is currently at ARK Hot Rods in Worthington, OH for the fabrication stage of this build. The plan is for this to be a show quality STREET car capable of driving to the track with the AC on, bust off a 7sec pass, turn the AC back on and drive home. The engine program will be based on a tall deck GMPP LSx platform built to 455 cubes for nostalgia's sake and boosted by twin 72mm turbos. I've always run FAST systems on my other cars but I've decided to try something a little different with this one - Electromotive TEC3r with dual injectors per cylinder. Goal is 1000HP on pump gas and 1800HP on the wick with race fuel. This car should be unique on many levels when completed.
315/60-15 MT Drag Radials mounted on custom Weld Vitesse 15x12s with double beadlocks
Corbeau VX2000 Seats
Cage is being built to SFI 25.3 specs - overkill for this combo but it's easier to overbuild one than have to go back and change stuff down the road. Special care has been taken to retain usability of the back seat area since this is a "street" car after all.
Engine mockup
I'm a die-hard Buick guy and have been since I was a kid. I originally got hooked on big block Buicks and later moved on to the Turbo Regal scene where I've spent the majority of my time and energy for the last several years. My street car is a 1987 Buick Grand National that runs in the high 9 to low 10 sec range and my all-out race Grand National runs in the 7s with a single turbo V6. I've been playing with turbo stuff since way back - way before turbos were the "IN THING". I've had this idea rattling around in the back of my head for years now and finally decided to pull the trigger.
1970 Buick GS 455 - WAS a numbers matching car until the previous owner sold the numbers matching engine/trans and eventually lost interest. Car had been completely disassembled, media blasted, frame painted, new quarter panels installed, etc, etc. I picked it up in the state you see here.
The car is currently at ARK Hot Rods in Worthington, OH for the fabrication stage of this build. The plan is for this to be a show quality STREET car capable of driving to the track with the AC on, bust off a 7sec pass, turn the AC back on and drive home. The engine program will be based on a tall deck GMPP LSx platform built to 455 cubes for nostalgia's sake and boosted by twin 72mm turbos. I've always run FAST systems on my other cars but I've decided to try something a little different with this one - Electromotive TEC3r with dual injectors per cylinder. Goal is 1000HP on pump gas and 1800HP on the wick with race fuel. This car should be unique on many levels when completed.
315/60-15 MT Drag Radials mounted on custom Weld Vitesse 15x12s with double beadlocks
Corbeau VX2000 Seats
Cage is being built to SFI 25.3 specs - overkill for this combo but it's easier to overbuild one than have to go back and change stuff down the road. Special care has been taken to retain usability of the back seat area since this is a "street" car after all.
Engine mockup
11-07-2010, 02:11 AM
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When I read your first paragraph I thought "That sounds a lot like what I'd say." I have a 1965 post coupe and have been hemming and hawing over ditching the not-too-healthy 430 that I swapped in back in the 90s for something LSX. But since everything under the hood is "corporate" nowadays I guess it's cool. I look forward to seeing this build carry forward.
Awesome stance on those 315s BTW.
Awesome stance on those 315s BTW.
11-07-2010, 05:46 AM
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This is one serious looking project. Looking at your other two cars I get the impression that regular fast is not enough for you! LOL
I too abandon the big block Buick for this build. My primary motivation was cost. I can go just as fast for 1/2 as much with an LSX motor. And, with me, money is an object.
I look forward to following your build and good luck!
I too abandon the big block Buick for this build. My primary motivation was cost. I can go just as fast for 1/2 as much with an LSX motor. And, with me, money is an object.
I look forward to following your build and good luck!
11-19-2010, 01:21 PM
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Some more progress pics of some of the 25.3 substructure and gusseting.
Here's some of the substructure of the car. It's going to be a shame this part of the chassis won't be seen. This thing ain't gonna have any chassis flex.
Here's some of the substructure of the car. It's going to be a shame this part of the chassis won't be seen. This thing ain't gonna have any chassis flex.
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...this thing is awesome....love the wheels.... 
11-28-2010, 04:19 PM
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Subscribed. I'm just as crazy as you are. 10 seconds is okay on the streets, 7 seconds is more like it. I'm thinking of doing an LSX swap into a possible future project I'm buying, ('70 Lemans). Love to watch your progress.
02-18-2011, 09:22 PM
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It's been a while but we have made a little progress. Waiting on some brackets to come back from the machinist so we can get the rear suspension finished up. Car is back on all fours at what we hope will be close to the final ride height.
Engine is 95% finished according to my engine builder - just waiting our turn to get it on the dyno. Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot more we can do until we get the motor in the car.
Engine is 95% finished according to my engine builder - just waiting our turn to get it on the dyno. Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot more we can do until we get the motor in the car.
