Enter your username:
Do you want to login or register?
  • Forgot your password?

    Login / Register



    Results 1 to 14 of 14
    1. #1
      Join Date
      May 2015
      Posts
      99
      Country Flag: Germany

      Buick Skylark (70/72) build, another A-body

      Hey guys i would like to start this story about my build.
      Its a "typical" untypical GM A-Body build.
      I purchased this 72 Buick Skylark that has a 70 model Front conversion a hidious interior, a almost stock sbb 350, and a build 9 inch rear end with 4.11 gears.
      The car was with its last owner for 15 years and is for what i want to do with it in decent shape.
      I said decent not perfect at all.

      So i have decided to sell my LS/ LC9 that was build for a turbo drag project (Sold the Car) and go
      Non Aspirated LS with functioning AC, planing on 500hp +-.
      I have not decided yet and would like to get more input.
      Obviously the 1st option is a GEN3 LS:
      i am not sure a 5.3 could be build failry easy for 500+-? but they are so cheap that why i always consider them somehow.
      A 6.0 Truck based Lq4 or Lq9 is always a great option i think but cost 2x right away.
      a ls2 comes with a price tag as well,
      With that said the GEN$ truck motors become a fair option as well, question is if the VVT conversion etc is a headache?

      i would like to keep it fairly easy with a CAM SWAP, possibly stock head swap , Tune and Exhaust system
      while maintaining Power steering and AC.
      Topic AC my car is a non AC car, should i consider a Vintage air kit or can i maintain a OEM Compressor with what system?

      would be great to get some input on the motor choice
      Budget is always in mind.
      @ this point i am not planing to paint the car, i even consider a "fauxtina/Patina" look
      the car will be definitly get a suspension upgrade with tubular arms in the front and a decent drop on 18 inch wheels with a decent rubber selection.
      I will drive the car and want to have it reliable but Musclecar Nasty-ish

      Name:  20191116_124347.jpg
Views: 965
Size:  458.8 KB
      Name:  20191116_124416.jpg
Views: 911
Size:  297.5 KB
      Name:  20191116_124422.jpg
Views: 934
Size:  312.6 KB
      Name:  20191116_124511.jpg
Views: 890
Size:  287.9 KB

    2. #2
      Join Date
      Oct 2018
      Location
      San Jose, CA
      Posts
      523
      How about a EFI 455 Buick ??
      1971 Camaro - 406 / T56
      2016 Camaro SS convertible
      2018 Colorado 4x4

    3. #3
      Join Date
      Jan 2014
      Location
      Austin, TX
      Posts
      636
      Country Flag: United States
      My personal opinion is that the sweet spot on the LS power per $ scale is the iron block 6.0L GEN3 motors. With a good set of heads and the right cam, you can get to your naturally aspirated 500 hp. If you decide you want more, you can always lower the compression and throw a blower on top.
      1972 C20 Suburban
      1964 Corvette Coupe

    4. #4
      Join Date
      May 2015
      Posts
      99
      Country Flag: Germany
      Quote Originally Posted by c4racer2 View Post
      How about a EFI 455 Buick ??
      Sorry not a option
      1st of all i have a 68' GS as well with a SBB twin turbo that i convert to EFI (Holley Sniper) so there is my "Buick motor" project.
      2nd i am not a big fan of the 455 due to its oiling issues.
      further its gonna be 2x the $, to build a strong 455 with EFI, and has less power than a 6.0 etc.
      Building Buick engines is not cheap!

    5. #5
      Join Date
      May 2015
      Posts
      99
      Country Flag: Germany
      Quote Originally Posted by FLYNAVY53 View Post
      My personal opinion is that the sweet spot on the LS power per $ scale is the iron block 6.0L GEN3 motors. With a good set of heads and the right cam, you can get to your naturally aspirated 500 hp. If you decide you want more, you can always lower the compression and throw a blower on top.
      yea thats probably the way i go, unless i get a nice deal on a Gen4 with 823/821 heads.

    6. #6
      Join Date
      May 2015
      Posts
      99
      Country Flag: Germany
      Doing the Suspension 1st. The rear is already sorted out by the previous owner with tubular control arms, a Ford 9inch with 4.11 Gears.
      I ordered tubular upper/lowers for the Front as well as Coilovers.
      Next thing is a Disc brake conversion ( rear stays Drums for now)

      But i have some rear wheels i want to try out
      18x10.5 ET20 i have to run 1" adapter plates because of the bolt pattern
      That should put me to a 5.5BS
      i dont mind working the fender lips if needed.

      Planing on running a 305 tire, i need to decide if a / 40 or a /35 , i have to admit i like the rubber on the back so i consider 40s.

      For the front i am not sure about the size?
      conservative 18x8.5 (+35 or +20 )
      or the fat 18x9.5 (+20 or + 38) PREFFERENCE
      Both would need a 1" adapter which would put a +20 offset to arrounf 5.5BS
      Tire choice would be a 275/35 (9.5) or 255/35/18 (8.5)

      BTW i will not run wheel wells

      Since there is not much Buick Pro Touring lecture i always look into Chevelle or GTO examples .

      Name:  20191118_182407.jpg
Views: 826
Size:  214.6 KB Name:  20191118_182437.jpg
Views: 820
Size:  125.6 KB

    7. #7
      Join Date
      May 2015
      Posts
      99
      Country Flag: Germany
      Name:  20191123_151750.jpg
Views: 753
Size:  267.9 KB

      Got the motor today. GEN 3 LS 6.0

    8. #8
      Join Date
      May 2010
      Location
      kitchener,Ontario,Canada
      Posts
      2,336
      Country Flag: Canada
      Nice project

      Spinnin'my tires in life's fast lane

      Ryan Austin
      On twitter @raustinss
      On Instagram austinss70


    9. #9
      Join Date
      May 2015
      Posts
      99
      Country Flag: Germany
      Quote Originally Posted by raustinss View Post
      Nice project
      Thank you

    10. #10
      Join Date
      May 2015
      Posts
      99
      Country Flag: Germany
      i Have had the chance to get a couple motor parts to wake up the LQ4 ,6.0 i am using for this build.

      i had some 862 Heads that i sent out to get them fully ported and milled by LLOYD ELLIOTT in DFW.
      i installed cam matching springs from Trick flow with a .625 max lift.

      The Cam is a Summit PRO LS Stage 2 cam that should do the the trick and keep drivability.(good cam i think)

      I also got a Dorman Truck intake #615-183x this intake comes in 3 pieces (you can take it apart) and is a copy of the Fast intake with a 79$ pricetag.
      Stock it flows equal to the TBSS intake, but i will port it as well, add a throttlebody space to 92mm & a 92 mm China TB of course.
      (i hope it clears the hood, but i saw it cleared a 70s cutlass hood so i should be fine)

      Further i trades a Sheetmetal intake i had laying arround for a
      STANDALONE REWORK of my LQ4 harness + 0411PCM incl. Base tune based on my setup with 4l80e, it should at least start up like that and drive...so i can get a dyno tune.

      I am building a shop right now, and i hope this fools are finishing it soon i cant wait to work on the car with no restrictions
      My 2 car garage is full with Boxes etc from the move..lol
      Name:  cylheads.jpg
Views: 637
Size:  150.3 KBName:  cylheads2.jpg
Views: 602
Size:  227.5 KBName:  summitcam.jpg
Views: 583
Size:  188.6 KBName:  dorma615183x.jpg
Views: 689
Size:  76.8 KB

    11. #11
      Join Date
      Apr 2001
      Location
      The City of Fountains
      Posts
      15,971
      Country Flag: United States
      Cool build and nice progress!

      Andrew
      1970 GTO Version 3.0
      1967 Cougar build
      GM High-Tech Performance feature
      My YouTube Channel Please Subscribe!
      Instagram @projectgattago
      Dr. EFI
      I deliver what EFI promises.
      Remote Holley EFI tuning.
      Please get in touch if I can be of service.

      "You were the gun, your voice was the trigger, your bravery was the barrel, your eyes were the bullets." ~ Her

    12. #12
      Join Date
      May 2015
      Posts
      99
      Country Flag: Germany
      I am gathering parts while i wait for my shop building to get build. Should have been done already but bad weather and schedules got in the way.

      So Disc brake conversion came in.
      Engine Gasket packages came in

    13. #13
      Join Date
      May 2015
      Posts
      99
      Country Flag: Germany
      Scored some used corbeau seats.
      I had to get them even though I'm far away from "seats" lol
      Name:  20200103_231845.jpg
Views: 453
Size:  201.5 KB

    14. #14
      Join Date
      May 2015
      Posts
      99
      Country Flag: Germany
      Sorry for the late update.
      I am busy arround the house building my shop and the weather is not cooperating most if the time...
      Name:  20200214_153948.jpg
Views: 378
Size:  252.8 KB
      But I'm getting there and I am excited.
      Today I did a
      Wheel mock up Sunday on my
      72 ProLark'
      It's a unusual setup with a Ford 9in rearend on GM pattern with 1" adapters. Wheels are 18x10.5 ET20.
      I might have to go 295 instead if the planned 305s. I dont mind working the lip but a 305 seems to be to much to be a safe order.
      Name:  20200216_093833.jpg
Views: 426
Size:  199.3 KB
      Name:  20200216_093845.jpg
Views: 378
Size:  257.7 KB
      Name:  20200216_101752.jpg
Views: 372
Size:  111.5 KB





    Advertise on Pro-Touring.com