Can you let me know what do you think about the Buick 215 (1961) v8 ? Parts availability, perf parts, parts pricing, opinions about the engine, etc... thanks !
Or as we call it in the UK rover v8.There is shit loads of stuff for them ,they are light and powerful and have been the staple of brit rodders for years.TVR are still using a bored out version.You can get about 300 bhp out of one with no problems and good reliability..............Marq
I am building an Olds 215. Same as the Buick but it has different heads. They are really good motors. D&D Fabrications http://www.aluminumv8.com has just about everything you need. Lots of stuff on EBay for these motors. The hot ticket is a Rover block with 64 Buick 300 aluminum heads and crank. About 300 cubic inches. But you can get an easy 200 HP out of a basic 215 with cam, carb, and exhaust upgrades. Perfect for a modified.
I have an Olds version of the 215 in my T roadster. Plenty zip in basically stock form, but then again with the aluminum engine the car only weighs about 1250-1300#, so about anything would seem quick.
These are really cool motors-I've got my eye out for one. You can even polish the block since it's aluminum. Here's a site for parts- www.egge.com Olds used this engine as well. Back in 1963,my dad had a factory turbo 215 in an Olds F-85 Jetfire. Most of the time it was in the shop since Olds didn't know how to keep the turbo running-but it reportedly made 215HP -first production car to give you 1HP/cubic inch. All I know is that when it was running right, the thing would scoot! ( My dad was a Navy fighter pilot and drove like one-still does at 82 for that matter.) Just a note-in '63,the turbo was a $300 option. When my dad traded it in on a '65,the turbo version was worth $300 less than the carb version.
thanks for all your contributions. Another question: is it possible to adapt easily another transmition behind ? like another GM, like a th350 ?
duntov 283 was the first to have 1 hp per cubic inch, same year hemi 345 cu made 345 hp, 56 or 57? and naturally aspirated.
bttt Another question: is it possible to adapt easily another transmition behind ? like another GM, like a th350 ?
D&D Sells a bunch of different ones.http://www.aluminumv8.com/catalogpages/bellhousingetc.htm "$150.00 7176-A-10-C Adapter Plate Bolt a late model Chevy V-8 automatic transmission to your 215 engine with this plate. " Drew
im going to be using one of these in my roadster. i like them simply for the weight factor. that aluminum v8 site has alot of good info
I think that in stock form they had about 190HP, not exactly speed demons. I actually put one in a Vega once.
HaaaHaa, Oregonians are funny . I spent some time in Eugene and almost moved there a few years ago. A chainsaw? 215's are a little too anemic for me, but put one in a CHAINSAW? Now that is another story!
Great little engines. Had about 30 of' em over the years. If you're looking for one try to get one that spins, usually means it wasn't overheated and I've never seen a bad bottom end in one, cam goes first. HP ranges from 155 for stock 2bbl buick/olds and 133 for low compression Rovers on up. Stroking these is not as simple as putting in a '64 300 crank and heads, lots of expensive machine work is required. Besides being different they only weigh a little over 300lbs, are very economical and a lot of stuff is available if you know where to look. Limited torque but a great engine for a light car. D&D is the best place to start with one of these, he definately knows his stuff.
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