What to do with my '67 Buick?

[Bertram65]

I have this '67 Buick GS340, I have pretty much given up on selling it, market seems soft and I really like the car, I bought it in it's current state, it has 70k origional miles, all origional engine, trans, rear end, very solid car, repainted once, non origional color. The car has full ART suspension, big brakes all around, nice wheels and tires.
It is really down on power, I like everything about the car except the engine and trans, I currently do not enjoy driving it.
The car is so far from stock I do not think that it really matters anymore about the low mileage and origional engine and trans. I would enjoy the car much more if it had a modern engine with EFI and about 400hp, I have about $10k I could put into the car, I have $20k in it now.
Do you think putting in new modern power would decrease it's value where it has low mileage and the motor and trans are origional?
What engine trans combo would you use? I am thinking LS1 take out with an automatic, Buick power would be cool but the only modern choice I can think of would be a GN engine, and I think that would be a complicated expensive swap.
Interested in hearing what people would do with it if they were in my shoes.

[MonzaRacer]

Actually how about locating a newer Bu engine like a 350 or 455 add on EFI and maybe a suped up 2004r for flavor.
Keep this in mind and keep in touch as I am working on a flex fuel EFI conversion. A 455 would make tons of torque ask Bret over at ART.
Good luck.
Lee

[Radlark]

Man I am glad you didnt sell it that is one nice car, you have soo many options to choose from as far as power train is concerned go with the one that will giveyou the least amount of trouble. I however can speak from experince regarding the 455 torque that thing is INCREDIBLE!

[Bigblue73]

What about a Grand National engine? I have the utmost respect for those cars and the engine.

[Bill Howell]

Low mileage probably is a good thing as far as restoring, redoing the car. However, really doesn't mean much as far as value goes. Build it like you want it, and don't worry about value, you are probably going to be upside down at 30K. If value is the issue, I would not spend more money on it period. It is a very cool car though, I love the body style. Remember, thinking outside the box worked out pretty good for me. Personally, I would go with a 455 and just drive it and enjoy it.

[Nine Ball]

That is a badass car, but I think the green color probably scares away about 80% of the possible buyers. Not too many people like green cars, unfortunately.

I like green cars, but it wouldn't be my first choice of color. That Bu' would look downright killer in black.

[larknut]

As a fellow Buick owner/driver, I ask that you please stick with Buick power. You can get EFI setup for either the SB or BB Buick motors and in most cases find adapters for modern transmissions.
I myself am planning for an EFI 455 and a TKO-600. Dare to be different.

[Nine Ball]

As a fellow Buick owner/driver, I ask that you please stick with Buick power. You can get EFI setup for either the SB or BB Buick motors and in most cases find adapters for mordern transmissions.
I myself am planning for an EFI 455 and a TKO-600. Dare to be different.

The new Buick Rainier SUV has a 5.3L LS1 based engine under the hood ;)

[hdesign]

One of my all time favorite cars....Glad you hung on to it.

[Bertram65]

Thanks for all the positive feedback, it has really recharged my interest in the car and makes me want to start working on it again, it has been sitting the garage under cover for months untouched.
I would like to put a 455 in it but when I researched it months ago it was going to be very expensive to have a real nice setup with aluminum heads, fixed oiling system and digital ignition, and that was not even considering EFI. Anyone have any experience with the new Edelbrock heads for the 455?
Looking at the prices of LS1 take outs it is hard to resist, plus Chevrolet is not out of the family tree from Buick.

[Bill Howell]

Don't forget all the other things you must do to make the LS1 and 67 body actually mate.
New oil pan, motor mounts, accessory brackets, headers, exhaust, plumbing, possible tunnel mods for tranny fit, computer, computer placement, computer wiring harness, fuel system, fuel pump, new fuel tank, and the list grows and grows. Street and Performance has some great stuff for the early A-body/LS mate, but not cheap. Just don't jump at cheap engine, way more to it.
That said, LS1s are hard to beat and really look cool in those early A-bodys. I should know.

[BonzoHansen]

That car is uber bad-ass. Do what thou wilt.

[staged67gspwr]

Do what i did buick 464 with TA Performance Aluminum Stage 1 heads,backed by a TKO-600 5-speed,the things a monster.

Thanks

[staged67gspwr]

the engine

[Bertram65]

Do what i did buick 464 with TA Performance Aluminum Stage 1 heads,backed by a TKO-600 5-speed,the things a monster.

Thanks

That is one nice car, I have admired it before, you were trying to sell it for a while as well right?
Any suggestions on where to get a 455? Probably have to scour the junk yards, all I really need is a short block, everything else will be replaced. Looks like Poston has the motor mounts and headers, what do you think would be a good number $$ for a healthy 455? looks like about $2k for the Edelbrock heads and intake.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

why sell it!, itll just fall into an idiots hands that will put 42 inch rimmies on thurr..

barf..

love the way it already is tho.

[trapin]

Bertram....I would do an Air Ride system on it. Bags seem the way to go for bigger cars like that. As far as engine, definitely an LSX because you'll want to lighten the vehicle up a bit. Something like George's car but with those features.

George....that car is awesome, by the way.

[Bertram65]

Bertram....I would do an Air Ride system on it. Bags seem the way to go for bigger cars like that. As far as engine, definitely an LSX because you'll want to lighten the vehicle up a bit. Something like George's car but with those features.

George....that car is awesome, by the way.

The car already has a full Air Ride Technologies system on it, front and back upper and lower strong arms and shockwaves, all hardlined with twin 5 gallon tanks and viaair 450 compressors. Here is a similar shot on the bump stops.
Tough choice between LS1 and a 455, each has it's advantages.

[staged67gspwr]

Thanks for the compliments guys i appreciate it,the man you`re gonna call to do your motor is Scotty his shop used to be here in Brooklyn but he moved down to florida now,he will hook you up lovely,tell him George from Queens,NY with the `67 GS gave you his #,i still say go with the 455 and possibly the TA heads rather than the Edelbrock(TA Better quality).

Scotty Pee Gee Performance
727.857.0001


Thanks

[Marcus SC&C]

Oh man this thread takes me back. I had two `67 GS-400s and a `67 Special and let em all go. Stupid stupid stupid.... I have to agree with the 455 swap. They`re very lightweight for big blocks and you don`t have to get crazy with them to get great street performance because of their huge torque. If you keep them under 6200 rpm or so they work fine with stock oiling system and a high volume pump kit. One of our customers may still have a `70 455 long block I sold him some years ago. It was already bored .030,decked,line bored etc.,came with SpeedPro forged pistons,moly rings etc. Never assembled. No cam and I think the heads were bare. Drop me an e mail if your interested and I can call him and see if he still has it.
If you want to get nuts you could do the engine package I always wanted to do. A .030 over 455 is 462cid. which just happens to be twice the size of a GN 231 V-6.....see where this is going? 7.6 Litre Twin Turbo SFI. How cool would that be! :) Mark SC&C

[Bertram65]

I was looking at engines on eBay, not that this would work in my car but seems like a good deal for V10 with transmission, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-RAM-SRT-10-VIPER-Complete-Engine-Transmission_W0QQitemZ280042898299QQihZ018QQcatego ryZ33615QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Bertram65]

After much thinking I am pretty sold on the GN motor for it, I want modern power and I think the GN motor will add a really cool factor to the car that a 455 cannot. There is a local place that specializes in GNs, they can do the conversion for me, has anyone done bussiness with them or know anything about them? It is Cotton's performance, http://www.cottonsperformance.com/
Thanks for any info.