Text Box: This is my '72 GS Stage 1. Pictured to the left is a friend of mine. If you have seen the cover of our catalog, this is Lee and he is in the '70 GS on the left -- we're both doing a burn out side-by-side. In the bottom left photo you see Ellen getting ready for a spin. Basically my GS is an 11.40 1/4 mile @ 116.6 mph, car running through the 3" exhaust. 3.73 gears, 3500 10" ATI converter, MT 1 7/8" primary headers, (single plane or dual plane intake - makes no difference, and ported 750 Holley with Stinger ! Electronic Ignition. No nitrous. 1.70 short times which needs work on. A 1.55 short time will pick up 1/4 mile ET to about 11.20. I run a cam I developed that I call the SP 4. (255º / 270º duration @ .050", .541"/.509" lift at 1.55 rocker ratio. 112 Lobe Separation with 4º advance built in. Idles @ 800 with 10" vacuum. Shift point is 5800. On 1/8 mile tracks I run a 4.10 gear with 7.40 et at 92.7+ mph. With 3.73 gear I lose about a 1/2 tenth. I have tried running a 3.5" Headpipe kit and 3" tailpipes with no difference in performance, so I am keeping 3" all the way. Engine is 462 cu.in with forged pistons. No lightweights. Compression: 11:1. I use 92 octane for cruising (set timing back) and at the track advance timing and run around 100 octane. Sometimes I use Av Gas. Sometimes I run 92 octane with a special brew for octane boost. I have driven to Bowling Green, KY four or five times with this setup. Car is 3800 lbs with me in it. I believe there is a 10.99 in it if I can get some 1.55 short times along with a few other simple changes, such as a little taller tire, battery in trunk, different car, 350 tranny. I have several friends with basically the same setup and this very same cam who have seen 10.97's Thee short times are 1.50 - 1.55. By unhooking the exhaust, I run about 1/2 of a tenth quicker -- not worth the effort. It is really nice to crack off an 11.40 and all the while being able to hear what is going on with the engine. Quite nice to leave the noisy, lightened race car in the other lane behind also, while hearing the slicks "chirp" going into 3rd gear. A gooooood feeling! It is hard to beat torque as that is what GETS a heavy vehicle moving. It's the "umph" part of horsepower. That is the strength of the Buick 455 engine and so the cam profile, gearing, ignition, etc. is all developed around this strength. Bigger is not always better, it is the combination of parts that makes the difference.

 

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