engine modifying on a budget

im looking at this buick 215 at the moment and i was wondering about soupin it up

realistically how far would a budget of 2500 bucks get me?power wise? this is just for the engine mind

thanks

tom

 

It would probably depend on cost/ availability of parts, whether you were doing the work yourself or farming it all out to a shop.
I did a flathead with new pistons, cam, all bearings, turned crank, dual manifold and carbs, alternator, and headers for under $2K, but did most of the work myself (just sent out the crank and the bore/hone work)

Flatman

 

i will be trying to do the work myself, as much of it as possible anyway
except the boring and honing. and some other little things but im sure i can get it done by some mates,in exchange for a few beers of course

availability of parts ****s out here so I ll probably have to import everything from the States. hence the big budget

 

Yeah, shipping and duties can swell a budget obnoxiously
Cruise the "for sale" section here, better than "that auction site".

Flatman

 

Are you constrained to using the Buick... or is max HP on a $2500 budget your goal?

 

A few years back I saw a TR8 race car at the STPR,Susquehanna Trail Pro Rally, and it had a mildly hotted up Rover 215. Looked like it had an Edelbrock intake carb and a cam of some sort. It sounded pretty cool leaving the starting line and sounded even better roaring through the PA woods.

I suspect that if you do a little google work you could build a nice running 215 for your budget if you do most the work yourself.

EDIT: Don't forget the 215 Buick is virtually (exacatly?) identical to the Rover V8's and MANY British companies makes stuff for them.

 

Except it won't produce as much power as a completely stock 350" engine for less money.

 

Well then that leaves more 350's for you. He isn't asking about chevy's

Not everyone wants a sbc. Lots of guys here purposely choose to go non-chevy for the single reason of having something unique and different.

 

I donno' seems to me he says he is just looking at the Buick for the moment, and wants to know how to squeze the most HP/Buck out....which makes this good advice. Hey, I dig Buick motors, flat heads, caddy etc. they are all way cool, but can't argue with the proposition that you get the most for the money out of a SBC and it can be just as traditional....heck, I got one in my Chevy ;-)...and a spare for the pre-war car I'm hoping to build one day.

 

So it won't produce between 160-240hp then huh? Cuz your "stock" 350 *might* be putting out that much on a good day.

 

www.aluminumv8.com These guys know quite a bit and even some headwork and a cam would do wonders.

 

The guy is in Malta. If you look up Malta you will see it is a small island Country kind of off the southern tip of Italy. May not ave a whole lot of sbc's there. Just my thoughts. Maybe he will chime in with more info.

 

Try looking around the UK for the Rover engine. Might have more part available and the interchange is pretty good for a lot of parts. Relatively cheaper shipping.

 

Exactly!!

TBH,I'd love an SBC(HP is more important than being unique to me) but where am I gonna get it? I 've seen a lotta cheap engines for sale on here but the postage would probably cripple me,and that's if the seller is willing to make arrangements.

So I'll stick with the Buick/Rover(mine is actually a Rover but i thought Buick might be more familiar to you guys)

So anyway wanna advance a spec for that budget maybe?
As I said I'll be doing as much of the work myself as I can.

 

Stick with the Rover, and keep us posted on your project.
A lot more people are interested than you might think.
Kinda like jonny69

 

The Rover V8 is the same basic engine. Have a look in the UK first as there are many engine builders over here that spe******e in the RV8. TVR used them for many years, even got upto about a 5L I think. I would suggest posting a tech request on the NSRA site (www.nsra.org.uk) as a lot of the guys use them in Pops etc.

Not really my speciality but a good light weight engine with potential if you get the right advice.

P.

 

Hey Lone Wolf,here ya go...

http://www.aluminumv8.com/engine/engcomp.htm

 

This is from the link from the reverend, why wouldn't you want one of these?

 

any engine responds well to things like reducing drag & getting it to breathe better, without even getting into taking the motor apart.

get a clutch fan, build a cold air intake, try a little more spark advance, a little more fuel at the carb. these things really woke up my stock chrysler motor & barely cost me anything.

 

My friend Robert owns "The Predator" V-8 hotsaw. It runs an alloy buick v 8 cause it's easier on the back per say. They can make big power. I think a stock rebuild with cam/intake and headers would push a lightweight with style.

 

I just thought of something...For those of you who hate Billet Aluminum,welcome to your worst nightmare

 

Thanks a mil guys!!! You're the BEST!!
Now I'm off to buy this thing.

Pity about the car it's in though.
A Rover P6.Heavy as hell.
And a cl***ic.Not exactly the best hot rod material.