65 Buick Spec. build
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 292
From: woodbine, md
65 Buick Spec. build I started out building a 70 Nova, but plans change, now putting the Turbo/6.0 in the Buick-I had bought the KB Racing hot side for the Nova, since it fit in some of the guys Nova's-anyway unlike my previous chevelle/LS builds, the older A bodies don't seem to like the Dirty Dingo/stock frame mount setup, engine sits low, steering problems, etc
I was going to build my own frame mounts, but getting lazy in my old age, I am going to try the Muscle Ride ones, since they seem to fit where I thought they would work-the D/S truck manifold hits the frame, so I will prob cut and box it in to clear, depending on where the mounts sit the engine
I might have to lower the turbo mount if hood clear. is a problem, but have a little wiggle room there
I have the TRV25 intercooler coming and Holley HP setup-using the Holley 4150 style manifold, since I was orig going carb temp. and switch over to FI, but now just FI-depending on hood clear. whether I go with 4150 TB and carb hat or a 90* adapter and single blade TB
Anyway, i'll see how things go as I progress, sometimes wish I had just used another Procharger as opposed to learning something new, lol
I was going to build my own frame mounts, but getting lazy in my old age, I am going to try the Muscle Ride ones, since they seem to fit where I thought they would work-the D/S truck manifold hits the frame, so I will prob cut and box it in to clear, depending on where the mounts sit the engine
I might have to lower the turbo mount if hood clear. is a problem, but have a little wiggle room there
I have the TRV25 intercooler coming and Holley HP setup-using the Holley 4150 style manifold, since I was orig going carb temp. and switch over to FI, but now just FI-depending on hood clear. whether I go with 4150 TB and carb hat or a 90* adapter and single blade TB
Anyway, i'll see how things go as I progress, sometimes wish I had just used another Procharger as opposed to learning something new, lol
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 292
From: woodbine, md
The engine is a 2005 Denali 6.0 I got from the junkyard, was a burnt engine, $400
when I pulled the heads, I found rust in the cyls, so it got a pretty good hone to clean it up-in hindsight if I knew it was going to go into a winter build, I would have bored it-anyway, it got all new rings and bearings, rods got new ARP bolts (mach. shop cked the big end and new bolts worked w/o resizing)
Stock48 supplied the cam, and I got the 1218 springs-turbo is an S475, I think 75/92 with a 1.10 AR thru FI
used the Ebay studs, main and heads
going to use my old switch/pitch turbo 400 to start, see where that goes, maybe switch to a 4L80E, depends on how it spools on the street as far as gear selection
when I pulled the heads, I found rust in the cyls, so it got a pretty good hone to clean it up-in hindsight if I knew it was going to go into a winter build, I would have bored it-anyway, it got all new rings and bearings, rods got new ARP bolts (mach. shop cked the big end and new bolts worked w/o resizing)
Stock48 supplied the cam, and I got the 1218 springs-turbo is an S475, I think 75/92 with a 1.10 AR thru FI
used the Ebay studs, main and heads
going to use my old switch/pitch turbo 400 to start, see where that goes, maybe switch to a 4L80E, depends on how it spools on the street as far as gear selection
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
Nice build ill be watching this one. I started installing an LQ4 into my 67 GS about 1 1/2 years ago but between time/money have not finished it yet. Im hoping to finish it this winter now that I have most of my parts.
Forcd, Take a look here https://ls1tech.com/g/album/2323486 for a couple of pics of my 66 Skylark. I love the 65's. I'll be watching your build.
9 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (17)
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,672
Likes: 9
From: Colorado Springs, Co/ Central, Ca
Cool build! I drove a 65 GS in HS; it was my 1st race car. Have a 66GS that I have had since 13 building it now. That car would have been turbo LS power if I hadn't got the nova.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 292
From: woodbine, md
I got and installed my BRP mounts today, cured the steering problem, but caused another-my turbo vs hood clearance was tight, now it hits
Not a big problem, I have room to trim about an inch out and lower it, so i'll knock that out, cut a section out also for my wastegate and weld that tube in
I pulled the D/S manifold since the flange wouldn't clear the frame, and cut the 3 bolt flange off-that gave me clearance
i'll weld a short section of pipe on the manifold and tie that in to the cross over pipe, that finishes the hot side
waiting on more parts, esp the intercooler
Not a big problem, I have room to trim about an inch out and lower it, so i'll knock that out, cut a section out also for my wastegate and weld that tube in
I pulled the D/S manifold since the flange wouldn't clear the frame, and cut the 3 bolt flange off-that gave me clearance
i'll weld a short section of pipe on the manifold and tie that in to the cross over pipe, that finishes the hot side
waiting on more parts, esp the intercooler
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 292
From: woodbine, md
ya, I like fabing and inventing if I am not in a hurry, sure couldn't make a living doing this as I do more thinking than working, lol
finished up the crossover pipe, just have to tack the pipe to the manifold
then weld it up-not sure I will heat it and use the mig, or let my buddy use his tig on it
If it rains tomorrow I'll pull the turbo and lower the mount, then I can close the hood, see if I have room for a 4 hole TB & hat, or switch to my alt. plan
I think a Nova throttle pedal for a cable will bolt to my firewall like a nova does so I could use cable with a single blade TB
finished up the crossover pipe, just have to tack the pipe to the manifold
then weld it up-not sure I will heat it and use the mig, or let my buddy use his tig on it
If it rains tomorrow I'll pull the turbo and lower the mount, then I can close the hood, see if I have room for a 4 hole TB & hat, or switch to my alt. plan
I think a Nova throttle pedal for a cable will bolt to my firewall like a nova does so I could use cable with a single blade TB
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 292
From: woodbine, md
Hot side is done, lowered the turbo mount, welded on the waste gate mount, welded up the down pipe from the stock manifold
I experimented welding steel pipe to the flange I cut off, welded so good I just welded up the pipe myself, so hot side is done
once I set the driveline angle, i'll build the 4" exhaust system-gonna be a little tight
test fitted the intercooler, I think it will be alright and clear the grill
a 65 Buick grill is prob non ext. so it gets removed before I do any more, lol
Due to hood clearance, now using a 90 deg and single blade TB
Holley HP, fuel rails, injectors, etc due today-there goes the budget
my mig tank is running low, last time it was $140 for a refill-ouch
I experimented welding steel pipe to the flange I cut off, welded so good I just welded up the pipe myself, so hot side is done
once I set the driveline angle, i'll build the 4" exhaust system-gonna be a little tight
test fitted the intercooler, I think it will be alright and clear the grill
a 65 Buick grill is prob non ext. so it gets removed before I do any more, lol
Due to hood clearance, now using a 90 deg and single blade TB
Holley HP, fuel rails, injectors, etc due today-there goes the budget
my mig tank is running low, last time it was $140 for a refill-ouch
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 292
From: woodbine, md
made some good progress on the IC'er, prob do 10% work and 90% thinking, lol
Used the TRV25 IC'er, short enough to fit, cut off the P/S nipple and welded on a tight 90 deg-one more 90 there and it should be thru the support
the D/S will get a 90 and should be thru the core support, then home free
Prob finish up the brackets that the IC'er will mount to, then wait for more parts-still need to finish up the trans mount to set the drive line angle before finishing up the IC'er pipes
Hopefully enough air gets thru to the radiator to keep things cool-the front bumper has a slot that should let air to the IC'er-my 72 had a solid bumper
but still cooled the inlet air
Used the TRV25 IC'er, short enough to fit, cut off the P/S nipple and welded on a tight 90 deg-one more 90 there and it should be thru the support
the D/S will get a 90 and should be thru the core support, then home free
Prob finish up the brackets that the IC'er will mount to, then wait for more parts-still need to finish up the trans mount to set the drive line angle before finishing up the IC'er pipes
Hopefully enough air gets thru to the radiator to keep things cool-the front bumper has a slot that should let air to the IC'er-my 72 had a solid bumper
but still cooled the inlet air
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 292
From: woodbine, md
Making progress, fuel pump mounted, intercooler done, waiting for 4-3" TB adapter and the intake will be done
Have the 4" exhaust under the car-got a G Force trans. x mem., gives more room to tuck the exhaust
I had to go to a 90 deg adapter on the intake due to hood clearance
I picked up a 92 MM TB, but the adapter was drilled for a 90 MM,
so going to redrill the holes and make it work
I ordered a 69 Camaro cable throttle pedal, looks like it might bolt up
where the Buick one did, then use a cable
Mounted the radiator, fans
Relocated the bat. under the front fender
Time to pull the engine now, send all the pipes out to get coated, paint the firewall, pull the inner fender wells, paint them, paint the engine
Hopefully fire it up in Jan.
Have the 4" exhaust under the car-got a G Force trans. x mem., gives more room to tuck the exhaust
I had to go to a 90 deg adapter on the intake due to hood clearance
I picked up a 92 MM TB, but the adapter was drilled for a 90 MM,
so going to redrill the holes and make it work
I ordered a 69 Camaro cable throttle pedal, looks like it might bolt up
where the Buick one did, then use a cable
Mounted the radiator, fans
Relocated the bat. under the front fender
Time to pull the engine now, send all the pipes out to get coated, paint the firewall, pull the inner fender wells, paint them, paint the engine
Hopefully fire it up in Jan.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 292
From: woodbine, md
Some more progress-finished all the plumbing, going to drop off all the pipes next week to be coated
Modified the frame so I could install the x member, early A bodies didn't have turbo 400's, so the frame wasn't set up to move the x member back
The Camaro throttle pedal fit where the orig pedal was, and will accept a cable, so I will use a truck cable to reach the TB
Pulled the engine today, time to paint and clean things up
Modified the frame so I could install the x member, early A bodies didn't have turbo 400's, so the frame wasn't set up to move the x member back
The Camaro throttle pedal fit where the orig pedal was, and will accept a cable, so I will use a truck cable to reach the TB
Pulled the engine today, time to paint and clean things up
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 292
From: woodbine, md
Def welding upside down and trying to get penetration is tough
A little grinding and were good to go, lol
Always wanted a Tig, but at this stage of life I have enough shop clutter, lol
A little grinding and were good to go, lol
Always wanted a Tig, but at this stage of life I have enough shop clutter, lol
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 292
From: woodbine, md
Got a little carried away, just wanted to paint the core support and inner fender wells, but had to pull the fenders to get them off, so I'll paint the firewall, do the rust repair on the fenders, might just paint the whole car
Decided to detail the engine some, used POR 15 cast alumn. spray
I had bought a corvette front acces. dr. used, alumn. always looks kind of funky, after a while, so the paint made it look better-I broke the PS pulley taking it off, so have to replace that
made up my oil return line, hopefully it drains ok where it is
Decided to detail the engine some, used POR 15 cast alumn. spray
I had bought a corvette front acces. dr. used, alumn. always looks kind of funky, after a while, so the paint made it look better-I broke the PS pulley taking it off, so have to replace that
made up my oil return line, hopefully it drains ok where it is