When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
"Low down & dirty" 5.3-78/75-TH400 Skylark 11.25@122
So here I go!
I've been planning this build for a little while and finally have decided on where it is going exactly, hopefully to Drag weekend 2016 on March 31st in Phoenix, AZ. (Even if i don't make it with this car I have a car that is ready to rip for the trip anyways.)
This thread is all about the Budget Beater Buick getting a thrashing trying to make it happen on a budget. Obviously if you say turbo, 5.3 and budget in the same sentence it is a must to have seen so many Sloppy mechanics videos you know what kind of underwear Matt wears. So that being said, most information I have accumulated about these builds has been from Denmah and all the folks on ls1tech. I am open to constructive ideas and opinions, I am not new to cars but I am new to EFI and Turbos.. so yeah.. im not afraid to blow up a motor so I'm ready to learn. Let's get to the meat and TATER'S!
Update: Got the car running for drag weekend but only ran the Test N' Tune in Tucson. Planning on running the entire event next year hopefully with a new set-up.
2001 5.3
Ls2 cam (got it mega cheap, whatevs)
Pac-1218's
862 heads
Truck intake New motor.
Extra parts 5.3 with gen4 rods. Gapped rings top and bottom to 27
Ls9 cam
still pretty much stock everything same heads and springs and ****
3.42 gears with a posi
Th400 (got it at a swap meet for like 100$ with a whatever converter.. work for now)
Update: hughes 3600 stall, blowing through converter bad
08-13-16 I swapped converters awhile back but its a revmax 3600 turbo converter I got second hand.
Turbo: I am between the on3 78/75, vs racing 88/83, and the vs racing 77/83. Honestly I just want to make killer power to push this terd into the 9's eventually. It should weigh about low 3600's with me in it. So keep that in mind when making suggestions. I am realistic I know it could probably get there with any of those beasts.
8-13-16 currently a 78/75 Freaking amazing turbo
Update: Currently running VS racing 76/68 and I love it. very snappy
I am going to run the AEM 44 style pump with a fuel cell. The car has stock 3/8 feed and 5/16 return lines, so any input on the easiest way to route would be cool. I have some ideas already but let me know.
Update: Running 3/8 feed and 3/8 return parker push lock and I love it. easy as ****, NHRA legal and cheap.
Low down & dirty
Runs and drives great, even has a 200r in it! I can't wait to rip it out
It's like the ugly girl in the movie, we got to get the glasses off and let down the hair
Last edited by dirtylark71; 08-13-2016 at 03:02 PM.
2001 5.3 AKA "Tuning college tuition" $500 bucks and the dude gave me everryyythinnng haha harness is super complete, but I will be using microsquirt anywho
Harbor frieghter for the sketchy holding win! Love it haha
Thanks for the garage usage pops! haha he doesn't enjoy this much. The rest of the build will be in my carport roughin' it like a boss! I'll be kicking my other girlfriend to the backyard for a bit. Here's a pic of her at work
F-body pan for 80 buck-a-roos sign me up
I ordered one head gasket... cuss werrddds were uddered haha.
Pro comp studs yo! I even turned the head gasket the right way after I took this picture haha Whoops
The car has all stock rear suspension and will stay that way for now. The front suspension will remain bone stock and shitty as well. It steers like a dream though!
Had to pull the bumper to get the inner fender out haha this car looks like a meth addict from the front with no bumper haha and no I am not doing any body work ever ever
this is how you get chicks right?
pulling all the A/C and heater wiring out
I love this steering wheel, it stays!
Just a thought, if you use the LS2 cam, doesn't it use the front cam sensor?
It wont work in an LS1 w/o changing the front cover, and swapping the A & C wire terminals on the sensor plug-also uses 5V's instead of 12V's
Prob better off looking for a rear sensor cam, someone correct me if I am wrong
Cool project, I have a 65 Buick Special sedan w/6.0 and turbo, still A body but cheaper than a chevelle, lol
Just a thought, if you use the LS2 cam, doesn't it use the front cam sensor?
It wont work in an LS1 w/o changing the front cover, and swapping the A & C wire terminals on the sensor plug-also uses 5V's instead of 12V's
Prob better off looking for a rear sensor cam, someone correct me if I am wrong
Cool project, I have a 65 Buick Special sedan w/6.0 and turbo, still A body but cheaper than a chevelle, lol
If he's using Microsquirt, it doesnt use the cam sensor, only crank position. Another neat benefit of running micro
Interesting, I didn't know that-I almost went with Megasquirt, but didn't think I could figure it out-went with Holley HP, wasn't as easy as it sounded, lol
Thanks guys, yup micro for the win! I got the car from a buddy for $1,750 minus those ugly wheels and tires in the beginning. I had an extra set from Mt GTO laying around so that's what is on the car for now. They are weld prostars up front and some old crager look alikes out back
Put the moror and tranny on craigslist, ill give it a few days before I yank em. Finish up the motor this week and get motor mounts and frame pads from UMI performance. They are supposed to work with the F-body pan without notching. We will see. If it needs to be notched I am more than ready for that 😈
The GTO? It's a 1971 and has a aluminum headed BBC, th400, and a 12 bolt in it 😈. I still have allll the stock drivetrain set aside. It runs low 12's all motor. Depending on our tracks new sanctioning body I have a nitrous kit to throw on it. The Buick is actually a '72 when I made my username I put '71 being used to my other car haha
The Buick is a 350 car that a friend of a friend put a 200r in for his brother to drive to college. Then it got passed around and I ended up with it. The dude who sold it to me has another '72 lark and it's beat to **** also. He is also doing a build on his, so we have twin budget Buick builds.
Cut some weight from that pig! 9’s and 3600+lbs on a gen3 motor is stout goal. Rods tend to get bendy around 650-700whp , which is about what you need to push that whale into the 9’s. Best of luck, Looks great so far!
Cut some weight from that pig! 9’s and 3600+lbs on a gen3 motor is stout goal. Rods tend to get bendy around 650-700whp , which is about what you need to push that whale into the 9’s. Best of luck, Looks great so far!
Right? Haha I have a 05 5.3 that is a 40k motor, I believe it has the Gen 4 rods. That will most likely make it into the car. I'm being realistic and guessing this motor will die a horrible death at some point haha
12-13-2015, 11:30 PM
"Low down & dirty" 5.3-78/75-TH400 Skylark 11.25@122 
this car looks like a meth addict from the front with no bumper haha and no I am not doing any body work ever ever
