[Skip Fix]

My '72 HO SR is in between the depths Rocky had listed for 69-71 and 72s. Very small difference between it and the early ones.

[J.C.you]

They need to let a v headed combo run.

[goatless]

Originally Posted by J.C.you

They need to let a v headed combo run.

No V headed cars came from the factory… so no V headed cars in F.A.S.T.

Cars don't need to be the real deal, but they need to be accurate representations of factory available models.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

Yes, Boss is right. I have measured the plenum depths on original RAIV and '71 HO intakes and they are cast at the same depth as the cast iron intakes. The '72 HO and service replacement HO intakes ('71 & '72) have the shallower floor by .125" or so. I haven't measured a service replacement RAIV intake yet as I don't have one of them.

Dennis

Thanks for the clarification Dennis!

Originally Posted by Tom Vaught

That is also my understanding but I have only owned 3 of the things and am not an expert on the different changes. I do know a Holley HSD will whip a 69 version by 3%.

Tom V.

HA!

I have a nearly NOS HSD - I think it's a great intake...
it's "nearly NOS" because I ran it on my car for a brief while - the underside of my original hood shows the scarring as proof.
I still have hte original installation instructions tucked away somewhere!

[tom s]

V head would have no chance IMHO!Tom

[mgarblik]

For F.A.S.T., IF the Ram Air V head was allowed, it would certainly be competitive. The two major stumbling blocks for the head have been eliminated and ARE legal in F.A.S.T. You are allowed to make the engine much larger than stock, which would greatly help the head. Also, you can run any camshaft profile you want. Both of these allowances would make the Ram Air V a great head for this class.
This being said though, these heads will never be legal for F.A.S.T. for the reasons already mentioned. Also if they were, original castings only would have to be used according to the rules, and now you are talking about museum piece castings only. Then 20K + to make them competitive. So if a 30K set of heads scares you, this is not a class you would want to race. A good friend of mine runs a SSB Hemi Plymouth and this type of investment is necessary to play with the big boys on a national level in NHRA. I would expect F.A.S.T. to be similar. Now if the DCI or McCarty versions would be legal, that could be a game changer. But that will never happen. Running as good as they do with true production iron is just fantastic enough for me. These are great cars.

[Cliff R]

Keep in mind that FAST is not only about choosing the right vehicle/engine package, it's about making the needed power to run into the 9's, then getting that power to the ground without blowing the tires off the rims!

I know how hard it is to hook a "basic" 455 street engine making around 550hp/600tq on 8" slicks or DOT's. I can't imagine trying to hook it up with bias ply tires, and imagine that there is quite a learning curve with any FAST combination to get them to run 1.5 60' times with those cars?......Cliff

[Skip Fix]

Are the Buick Stage 2 heads legal?

[goatless]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

Are the Buick Stage 2 heads legal?

I don't think Buick ever turned out any Stage II cars from the factory, did they? As I mentioned above- if it didn't come from the factory you can't run it. Even things they were technically available, but none were ever built, like a 1970 RAIV Formula, can't be run.

[tom s]

IMO having run a lot of V engines on the dyno and in cars is the vac sec holly comes on so strong when the port vel gets up that I think it would blow the tires off the car.They almost feel like you kicked in the nitros.I know its all a tuning deal but to me not a good choice for skinny tires.I live and bleed RA Vs though.Tom

[mgarblik]

Having never run a V on street tires, you would certainly know much more about that. The fact that any of these cars can hook and get down the track in the 9's shows how much power they make and how well the owners and drivers worked the tricky traction out. The magazine article about the Firebird talks of genuine concern about the wisdom and safety of forcing the use of these tires. I certainly understand the reason for the stock rubber, but as fast as these cars are going now, it's just a matter of time before tires fail in a big way. Then the situation gets tricky. Allow a special small racing tire? Shorten the race to 1000 ft. like NHRA nitro cars? 1/8 mile only?. Don't know the answer.

[Jim Robertson]

Congrats to the owner, crew and technical experts consulted to get to that level. A very special machine has been created. Enjoy the ride.
Jim

[Skip Fix]

Pretty sure the Stage 2s were OTC parts kind of like many of the V stuff, and Chevy 409 Z-11 stuff.

http://reynoldsbuickracing.com/cars_70.htm

[J.C.you]

Originally Posted by goatless

I don't think Buick ever turned out any Stage II cars from the factory, did they? As I mentioned above- if it didn't come from the factory you can't run it.

kind of a goofy rule. Pontiac had the heads made and were sold at Pontiac dealers to install on grandmas sleeper if she wanted.

[mgarblik]

I'm OK with the production rule. If they were allowed, it would open the door for all kinds of weird, hard to document, "factory" parts that were more like aftermarket parts with a factory part # stamped or cast into it. Then over a few years, these would be the only competitive cars in the class. I understand the intent of the rule. Heck, they are in the 9's with the tiny stock tires and the true production parts!

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by grivera

Aren't they long branch rather than logs?

Okay yea, still i'll buy a set of those Long Branches with the modifications that were made.
Would really like to know the whole combo, including the crossflow muffler mods.

[D STAGE 2 455]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

Are the Buick Stage 2 heads legal?

The stage 2 heads are not legal for F.A.S.T. as they(stage 2 heads) were over the counter parts, also there were no exhaust manifolds made for them.

[Skip Fix]

Originally Posted by D STAGE 2 455

The stage 2 heads are not legal for F.A.S.T. as they(stage 2 heads) were over the counter parts, also there were no exhaust manifolds made for them.

Thanks not sure if OTC parts were OK. Jim Turner's NMCA Top Stock Buick had a Stage 2 scoop too long ago to remember if he had Stage 2 heads on it for awhile.

[D STAGE 2 455]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

Thanks not sure if OTC parts were OK. Jim Turner's NMCA Top Stock Buick had a Stage 2 scoop too long ago to remember if he had Stage 2 heads on it for awhile.

Yes, I think Jim Turners '70 GS was Stage 2 headed.

[PONTIAC-ONE]

Thats awesome... go Pontiac!!