1970 Buick GS 455 "PUFF BURNLEE"

[Sarge]

1970 BUICK GS 455
Named: Puff Burnlee




I recently purchased a 1970 Buick GS triple black with a 455, originally a 350 Buick GS, automatic TH400 transmission w/ a 12 bolt rearend. I had a 1970 Pontiac GTO Project car (THXWIFE) that I sold in September. I loved my GTO and it was my dream car but it was not a driver and would not have been on the road for a few years. So now I can drive the Buick and upgrade it as I go. I kept some of the parts that I had for the GTO such as 3:73 Eaton Posi Diff, w/ yukon ring and pinion, Dewitt Rad w/ dual electric spal fans, and CPP big disc brake kits (I have heard the poor reviews on here about CPP so I will see for myself). The THXWIFE 1970 GTO thread has been passed onto here, well kind of as my wife got me a custom license plate "THXWIFE"

My Buick is going to be a daily driver from late spring to early fall, so a cruiser. I am wanting the car to handle and perform better on the street.

Currently needing to upgrade the suspension and steering as the car does not handle well at all. Its a little scary. So I am looking into UMI, SC&C, Speedtech, Ride Tech, Hotchkis and etc.. I am trying to figure out what will work best for a cruiser street car, but handles well and has some performance. Also upgrading the steering, not sure what? Maybe a Lee steering box or a Jeep Grand Cherokee steering box.

Currently riding on Buick Rally wheels, 235/60/15 front and 295/60/15 rear. Plan is to upgrade to 18" all around or stagger to 17" front and 18" rear. Thinking for the front 255 - 275 (275 if they will fit) and the rear 295 - 305.

Wheel choices:

Boze Force - Standard w/ the titanium accent or gunmetal w/ polished/chrome or gunmetal w/ sating black and a polished lip (5 spoke look)
Rushforth Fuel - Chrome or polished (5 Spoke look)
Bonspeed Superstars - Factory look with painted accents
Bonspeed Huntington - Chrome or polished (5 spoke)
Intro V-Rods - Chrome or polished (5 spoke look)
Budnik Muroc II or III - Factory look with painted accents

I do like the look of 5 spoke wheels. But wheels are about a year or so away. The wheels will come after the suspension and steering.

Engine is a standard 1972 455 Buick with a double pump Holley. I will be replacing the Holley with a Rochester Q-jet 800 cfm w/ electric choke this winter. I haven't got into upgrading the engine yet as it its running great, but the plan will be to make the 455 a solid street engine with 500 + HP and and 500 + torque.

If anyone has any opinions or guidance to help me out, I am all ears. Especially the GM A-body and Buick guys.

Thanks,

Trent

[Sarge]

[deejai35]

Great looking GS. I like the triple black!

[lucky13firebird]

LOVE IT... since you're going with 18 inch wheels, talk to the guys at kore3... corvette brakes all the way bro, super simple swap and cost peanuts. But stick to ls1 camaro brakes in the rear so you don't have to turn down the axles... ;-)

Before you go all crazy with gears and whatnot lemme tell you about a 1970 455 skylark i personally saw do 10.8 on the 1/4 mile... using stage 1 valves in lightly hand ported iron heads and the iron block and a mild 3.42 ratio in his 12 bolt and a th400 auto... and thats on all motor without so much as a hint of nos or race gas. Completely street friendly buick torque monster...

Let me also tell you about a 13 second 71 skylark with aluminum heads and all sorts of fancyness he didn't need and frankly he had nothing but problems with... ;-)

So yeah, you got a baddass ride bro. Can't wait to see it handle, big fan of skylarks, just something about em...

[instro84]

nice!

[Zoomin]

Nice foundation there. Fellow Buick nut here, but mine is a previous gen Skylark. Hotchkis parts really made a huge difference in my car. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[Timonator]

Get a jeep grand Cherokee steering box. Taller ball joints if you're ke eping the stock front control arms. The largest sway bar that you can find for the front. Hellwig sway bar in the rear. A Pontiac radiator won't work on a Buick because the lower hose on a Pontiac is larger.

[Timonator]

Also, nice GS !

[gscherer78ta]

GSX is one of my favorite cars, I would love to have one someday! Great looking car and I love the license plate!!!!

[Dc2x4drvr]

Love your GS..
Since you're searching for ideas..I'm going with ridetech arms on the front and their coil overs all the way around, Lee steering gear, Kore3 brakes, and 18" Rushforths Salt Shakers.

[captainofiron]

Very nice Buick, I always wanted one

[Roger Poirier]

Very nice starting point...

A little clean up in the engine bay, a few suspension upgrades, maybe add new carpet, what ever works for you and all of a sudden you have yourself one hell of finished ride!

Good looking car. Personally I'm prejudiced towards 1969 GTO myself as I have owned mind for over 40 years.

Subscribed: R.P.

[Sarge]

Ok guys I am planning on pulling the trigger this week on a suspension system seeing that there are a tone of deals out there. So this is what I am considering:

SC&C suspension package (around $3000)
Hotchkis TVS Stage 2 (around $3,400)
UMI Performance from Stage 3-4 ($2500-$2960)
Ride tech coil over level 2 ($3150)

What do you guys think? Cruiser weekend warrior, looking for a nice stance that can handle and ride better then stock.

[captainofiron]

Ok guys I am planning on pulling the trigger this week on a suspension system seeing that there are a tone of deals out there. So this is what I am considering:

SC&C suspension package (around $3000)
Hotchkis TVS Stage 2 (around $3,400)
UMI Performance from Stage 3-4 ($2500-$2960)
Ride tech coil over level 2 ($3150)

What do you guys think? Cruiser weekend warrior, looking for a nice stance that can handle and ride better then stock.

I like the ridetech, thats what I am planning on using. I like the adjustability and looks like solid engineering went into it. Not just copying other companies parts and slapping their name on it

[Zoomin]

UMI is doing 10% off + free shipping this week. Good stuff as well.

[Paraman1]

I have the UMI Stage 4 and really like it . I don't have anything but the stock stuff to compare it to but my 64 El Camino handles very well .

[zimmstoy]

what did you end up going with? i am in a similar predicament! trying to figure out next steps.
mine is a 70gs 455 vert

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Looks like it's in great shape..like a rolling tuxedo!