Tech Notes.
What: '70 Buick ersatz GSX
Owner: Todd Miller
Hometown: Eau Claire, Wisconsin, which is French for "clear water." What, you don't remember that from high school French?
Engine: This is the centerpiece of Todd's effort, with a complete yet far from stock LS2 engine. Production LS2s are 6.0L displacing 366 inches. This 402ci all-aluminum version was built by Wheel to Wheel Powertrain in Madison Heights, Michigan, and starts with a Callies forged 4340 steel 4.00-inch-stroke crank along with 6.125-inch-long Callies forged rods connected to a set of Mahle 4-inch-bore forged pistons. Rather than use stock heads, W2W went with a set of ported 225cc Dart heads to increase airflow with the 2.05/1.60-inch valves. Matching the airflow potential is a HiTech Motorsport hydraulic roller camshaft. Controlling the fuel and spark is a Big Stuff 3 EFI computer. Finishing this gem off is a set of Hooker headers leading to a Torque Technologies 3-inch cross-pipe system employing Flowmaster mufflers. Integrating all these high-tech electronics into a solid performing package comes by way of HiTech Motorsport in Anoka, Minnesota.
Transmission: In keeping with the high-tech theme, Todd added an Automatic Transmission Design-built 4L60E four-speed automatic along with a Performance Torque Converters 9.5-inch converter with a 3,600-rpm stall speed to give the launch that extra push. It's all controlled by a stock Buick shifter converted to the four-speed pattern.
Rearend: A new Moser 12-bolt takes the place of the 10-bolt stocker fitted with a set of 3.73 gears, an Auburn limited slip, and Moser axles.
Suspension: This is one area where Todd's Buick really shines. The frame-off resto gave Todd plenty of room to work on adding the complete Global West front-suspension package, including tubular upper and lower control arms and the Global QA1 coilover-shock conversion. Combined with a quick-ratio steering box and a larger 111/48-inch Global West front antiroll bar, everything was powdercoated, including the frame. In the rear, Edelbrock adjustable upper arms complement a pair of SpeedTech lower control arms, QA1 shocks, and Global West springs.
Brakes: Since the brakes are one of the few items that play into both good impressions and solid performance, Todd went with a complete set of Wilwood discs front and rear. Actuating all this is an AutoKraft-installed hydraulic boost kit for power brakes that pulls pressure from the power-steering pump.
Wheels/Tires: Here's where the Buick revels in its dual personality. At first glance, the wheels appear to be a set of stock steel Buick GSX Rally wheels, but upon closer inspection, you discover 17x911/42-inch front and rear Wheel Vintiques Todd obtained as the first set from Newstalgia mounted with 245/45R17 BFGs up front and a sticky pair of 275/40R17 Mickey Thompson ET Drag Radials in back.
Body: The rust-resisted original body went through a complete frame-off blasting and massage on its way to AutoKraft's paint booth where the crew laid down the original tint for the GSX Saturn Yellow and black stripes. Todd nixed any custom body mods in favor of retaining the Buick GSX visual cues.
Interior: Again, Todd wanted the initial impression to be one of a simple, restored musclecar, including a factory GSX steering wheel. But he did make a couple of distinctions, including a Vintage Air heat and A/C system and DynaMat sound deadening. The Buick also features power windows because all Buicks should have them.
Crew: Kurt Anderson and Paul Nowak of AutoKraft Race Cars & Restorations (autokraft.org) can take all the credit for this blend of old Buick and new