3.8 stock block rebuild

Status
Not open for further replies.
My car dyno'd at 640 RWHP and went 9.72 @ 139.92 with a lousy 1.43 60' weighing 3725 on pump gas and Alky. A 1000 HP car should go very bottom 8's. If you are looking at just dipping into the 9's there is zero reason to aim for 1000 HP. I totally understand overbuilding but you are aiming way too high in my opinion.

Bryan
 
Right on and thank you!!!! Very good information!!!!! If I hit your times I'd be perfectly happy!! It's nice you posted your combo I can take a look at!
 
I'm ready to spend a lot of money within 2 weeks for a 9 sec engine. Who is the best builder to do it with? I have Bill Anderson, Nick Micale, Full Throttle Speed on my radar. I want it done right and done "once". There are other secret builders that either retired or still doing it. Recommendations??
I have already full port/polished stock heads but think I need to step it up to aluminum heads to more easily get the goal. Your thoughts?? I plan on full forged 4.1 with roller cam and good intake setup.
I can get a "basic" rebuild done at Karl Performance local but I want the REAL Buick guys doing the secret love to it to keep these little engines alive and help with the combo.
 
Over time I want to add E-85, injectors, fuel system, turbo, transmission, rear end, suspension, exhaust, computer upgrades, and more to add to the 9 sec engine. I just want the engine able to run 9's itself and not become pavement oil easily. :) What I have is good for mid 10 max.
 
🍿
In for the following commentary.😁
I can comment on one of your possible choices.
PM me for details.
 
Chose someone that is as close to you as possible. I and someone else in my state made that mistake with a well known TB guy that was on the other side of country. We both had less than satisfactory results. Hard to deal with issues when a thousand miles separate you.
 
I want someone that can blueprint it and give me a clearance spreadsheet and give me a balance build sheet. I want it done right. I'm asking the community on who can do that. Distance does not matter. I just want it balanced and blue printed and do the oiling up grades, know how to install a roller cam right and more. Done right. I want it built clean right and exact. Balanced and blue printed with paper work to prove it. With a 4.1 full forget stroker kit, steel mains and a girdle. And more than likely full race ported aluminum heads. Complete perfectly built long block.
 
Last edited:
I'm going to the local shop Karl Performance which is a GM performance shop and interview them to see if they can do what I want. I will have to feed them all the knowledge I have for parts and what I want and see if they can do it. But I'd rather have a master old school builder that knows the cars better and not a Chevy engine builder.
I plan on about 700RWHP. There is no room for mistakes.
 
Everyone in the Buick community seems to be held down and secrets of either great or disappointments. The great ones are retiring or leaving and there is no solid info on a builder. It's sad. My friend got a nice build but it was his last build before he retired and he was an ex PT&E employee.
I'm shocked nobody can blue print and balance an engine with papers. They exist. Going local is NOT not what I'm looking for. These engines have SO MANY secrets to keep them alive and running the high HP they can. Proper oiling, the right sauce with head gaskets, porting heads, intake, right oiling setup, right main caps with right clearances, rockers, and more, right combo of parts, rings, gaps, cams, specs, and more. These are a very high nitch engine. They are NOT for the local guy to build and pray. Running 9's is not easy and it takes perfect parts, build, and combo to do it. I want it done right the first time.
 
Mr URL said:
Everyone in the Buick community seems to be held down and secrets of either great or disappointments. The great ones are retiring or leaving and there is no solid info on a builder. It's sad. My friend got a nice build but it was his last build before he retired and he was an ex PT&E employee.
I'm shocked nobody can blue print and balance an engine with papers. They exist. Going local is NOT not what I'm looking for. These engines have SO MANY secrets to keep them alive and running the high HP they can. Proper oiling, the right sauce with head gaskets, porting heads, intake, right oiling setup, right main caps with right clearances, rockers, and more, right combo of parts, rings, gaps, cams, specs, and more. These are a very high nitch engine. They are NOT for the local guy to build and pray. Running 9's is not easy and it takes perfect parts, build, and combo to do it. I want it done right the first time.
Click to expand...
Sometimes it takes listening.
I've posted quite a bit in this thread and so has others.
 
Rob has a 4.1 Stage II short block for sale , for $12500 . Might be worth looking into .

4.1 stage 2 short block, full billet 2004r

016 4.1 off center shortblock 4.01 bore diamond pistons, ceramic coated tops, moly coated skirts, tool steel pins, total seal rings Molnar 6.3 rods RPM 3.625" crank Extended and baffled pan with internal pickup 224/224 billet hydraulic roller with Comp 885 Lifters Rollmaster timing chain High...
www.turbobuick.com www.turbobuick.com
 
I would think you are at least a year out from getting a new build done. I am going on a year and a half. And I had 90% of the parts on hand.
Don Cruz is a good option too, But there are others that you listed above as well.
 
Russ Merritt would be someone that I would check with. I am betting that he can turn it around quickly depending on parts availability.

Bryan
 
Does TA Performance do full long block Turbo Buick builds with their aluminum block and heads builds? Or is it outsourced to schedule with Kenny Duttweiler?
 
I have talked to a local Turbo Buick builder that has built the fastest Turbo Buick in middle Iowa. He is busy and can't get me on the list until fall or early next year. They are only 2 people.

Does anyone have a short block or long block built already that we can talk about? I'd love to have the car ready before then to enjoy. Or a TA full aluminum TA head and block long block?

I want some $$$ for a full TA aluminum block long block with roller cam. Oil front cover to oil pan. All but the intake side. 1K to 1.5K hp range.
 
Last edited:
Mr URL said:
Does TA Performance do full long block Turbo Buick builds with their aluminum block and heads builds? Or is it outsourced to schedule with Kenny Duttweiler?
Click to expand...
I don't know who does the machining and assembly but TA did tell me they'd build a complete long block for me a few years ago. Just didn't end up doing it yet.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

TireFryer
212 vs 206 roller cam
Replies
18
Views
2K
TireFryer
TireFryer
R
First time turbo 3.8 build
Replies
7
Views
631
THensley
T
TURBOTERRORV6
109 girdled long block
Replies
6
Views
1K
TURBOTERRORV6
TURBOTERRORV6
3
WALBRO 525 LIMITS
2 3 4
Replies
67
Views
5K
Mr.Spool
M
N
Procar Elite seats please chime in
Replies
6
Views
379
Clark6
C
Top