Hello, Me and my dad have had a back and forth competition of who's car will be quicker in the quarter mile once i get my license. He has a 1984 buick t type that he put a buick 455 in from a 1976 electra. He has a TCI street fighter trans and 3.42 rear end gears. I have a 79 cutlass salon 442 with a built 305 and soon to have 3.42 gears. I also have a B&M ratchet shifter. I was wondering if anyone knew what kind of add ons i could do to give me a little bit of an edge on him? A video of the buick is in this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu8vLQ8_NDA and a video of my 305 after we put a holley 750 on it is in this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c3Jm4DkCp8 thanks for your thoughts and let me know what you think of the videos
Father vs. Son competition
- Thread starter 79cutlasssalon442
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you're dad's going to smoke you.
A Chevy 305 isn't a great performance engine ( though CAN be built to run ), but the 305's of the late 70's like yours were the absolute worst. The CR is so low you can't put a decent cam in it and the stock cam blows. The heads suck too. If that's the case I don't see what your 305 has to offer over a BBB.
And a 750 carb on a smogger 305 isn't going get 'er done either...
On the other hand, the Buick 455 rocks, although I don't know how 'smogged out' they were in 76, but it's still going to put out almost twice the amount of torque of your 305, so unless your car weighs only 2000 lbs and your dads car can't hook for sh*t, I say you have no chance.
BTW, can't your dad just drive your car and compare the performance between the two using his 'butt dyno'?
A Chevy 305 isn't a great performance engine ( though CAN be built to run ), but the 305's of the late 70's like yours were the absolute worst. The CR is so low you can't put a decent cam in it and the stock cam blows. The heads suck too. If that's the case I don't see what your 305 has to offer over a BBB.
And a 750 carb on a smogger 305 isn't going get 'er done either...
On the other hand, the Buick 455 rocks, although I don't know how 'smogged out' they were in 76, but it's still going to put out almost twice the amount of torque of your 305, so unless your car weighs only 2000 lbs and your dads car can't hook for sh*t, I say you have no chance.
BTW, can't your dad just drive your car and compare the performance between the two using his 'butt dyno'?
are there any modifications done to the 455? does it have a 4bbl carb, or 2bbl?
... I know this is not what you were hoping to hear, but I don't even think it's a competition. Even stock with emissions and a 2bbl carb, that 455 is churning more bottom end torque than your 305 can make with heavy modifications. And if it's got a 4bbl carb, it's looking grim for your Cutlass. And don't think you have weight savings on your side... that 455 is the same weight as your 305.
You're not helping the 305 with that big 750 Holley carb. You're going to give up alot of throttle response, too big a vacuum drop when you hit the throttle, not enough velocity, not gonna make any torque. And you won't see the horsepower gains you want up top because those heads are out of puff around 4800rpm. A well tuned Qjet carb is more sensible
If you're changing gears, your car will feel quicker with 3.73s or 4.11s. But that depends on the gas mileage you're willing to live with considering if you have a 3spd or OD transmission. Shorter tires can also add effects of bigger gearing.
A cam would be nice, may add some top end if it's not to radical. Run 50/50 mix of 114 high octane fuel and advance the timing a touch, you'll pick up some torque. And find a way to run forced air with a open airfilter.
Your dad's regal has suspension advantage too. If it's a T-Type, likely to have f41 suspension with rear sway bar. He'll see better traction off the line and put that brute torque to good use.
... sorry man, I'm putting my money on your dad's Regal
... I know this is not what you were hoping to hear, but I don't even think it's a competition. Even stock with emissions and a 2bbl carb, that 455 is churning more bottom end torque than your 305 can make with heavy modifications. And if it's got a 4bbl carb, it's looking grim for your Cutlass. And don't think you have weight savings on your side... that 455 is the same weight as your 305.
You're not helping the 305 with that big 750 Holley carb. You're going to give up alot of throttle response, too big a vacuum drop when you hit the throttle, not enough velocity, not gonna make any torque. And you won't see the horsepower gains you want up top because those heads are out of puff around 4800rpm. A well tuned Qjet carb is more sensible
If you're changing gears, your car will feel quicker with 3.73s or 4.11s. But that depends on the gas mileage you're willing to live with considering if you have a 3spd or OD transmission. Shorter tires can also add effects of bigger gearing.
A cam would be nice, may add some top end if it's not to radical. Run 50/50 mix of 114 high octane fuel and advance the timing a touch, you'll pick up some torque. And find a way to run forced air with a open airfilter.
Your dad's regal has suspension advantage too. If it's a T-Type, likely to have f41 suspension with rear sway bar. He'll see better traction off the line and put that brute torque to good use.
... sorry man, I'm putting my money on your dad's Regal
Post a video! This wont even be close :lol: Those Buicks are torque monsters and the word "built" should never be used to describe the 305.
if your dad races you with his car the child services should be called to charge him with child abuse..that''s like me beating my 3 yo grandson at checkers.. 
This is the only add-on that can help you. Attach it to Dad's car when he's not looking, then split! He's gonna HOSE you!
thanks guys i had a feeling this was coming. When he had his turbo 6 we planned on taking the cars to NY international raceway park but now that he has a big block it's pointless
that turbo 6 woulda kept up with the 455... You had no chance either way
those v6s ran 14s out of the showroom, and 13s with slicks. And with very minor boost adjustments, they saw 12s in stock form
those v6s ran 14s out of the showroom, and 13s with slicks. And with very minor boost adjustments, they saw 12s in stock form
Assuming its a stock 76 455 it would not be a 2bbl. The 2bbl was 74 only.
The 75/76 and some 74 heads are the garbage open chambers. Those years 455 were max smog and very low compression. Maybe 8:1. If its tired and burns oil you might keep up with him.
Even still your 305 doesnt have a fart in a windstorm's chance of winning.
The 75/76 and some 74 heads are the garbage open chambers. Those years 455 were max smog and very low compression. Maybe 8:1. If its tired and burns oil you might keep up with him.
Even still your 305 doesnt have a fart in a windstorm's chance of winning.
First off, I love the Buick engines, especially the 455's. Plan on installing one in my GP in the distant future. That is, if I don't get a second car for a BBB. Second off, I posted this in another thread, so I thought I'd post these here as well to help you out a more with what you can do:
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/engine ... ewall.html
http://www.hioutput.com/tech/343hp/343hp.html
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/cc ... ewall.html
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki ... 305_engine
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/eng ... ine_build/
I'm fairly sure you won't beat your dad's car, but this will at least give your car more practical street performance than what the 305 had stock, and should make your car go pretty good. Hope it helps.
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/engine ... ewall.html
http://www.hioutput.com/tech/343hp/343hp.html
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/cc ... ewall.html
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki ... 305_engine
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/eng ... ine_build/
I'm fairly sure you won't beat your dad's car, but this will at least give your car more practical street performance than what the 305 had stock, and should make your car go pretty good. Hope it helps.
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