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Username Post: 73 SS454        (Topic#195295)
wbaker01 
Contributor
Posts: 140

Age: 55
Loc: Parker, Colorado
Reg: 09-02-07
07-29-08 07:48 PM - Post#1488221    

Here's my and my car from this past weekend...



www.bakerbuzz.com


 


SLOPENOSE 
Contributor
Posts: 469
SLOPENOSE
Loc: west milton ohio
Reg: 05-28-05
07-29-08 08:19 PM - Post#1488236    
    In response to wbaker01

Very nice, I like that color combo.


SLOPENOSE

I tried to beat the odds
but the odds retaliated and kicked my butt

70 Chevelle Ragtop 468m/400t
76 Laguna S3 350m/350t


 
Anonymous 

07-29-08 09:12 PM - Post#1488256    
    In response to SLOPENOSE

pm me about your caps



 
74MonteCarlo 
Member
Posts: 2329

Age: 33
Reg: 11-10-06
07-30-08 04:13 AM - Post#1488354    
    In response to wbaker01

Very nice! Love that color!



 
74LagunaS3 
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3784
74LagunaS3
Loc: Winchester, MA , USA. H...
Reg: 02-23-00
07-30-08 04:26 AM - Post#1488363    
    In response to 74MonteCarlo

COOLL welcome aboard!!!

I would like more details of your 454 as I have one "in progress" Stock valve 049 heads stock crank just like yours. What compression ratio? Ever run it down the track/Dyno??


74 Laguna S3 Project

2004 Merc Marauder driver


 
jb2wheeler 
Valued Contributor
Posts: 4340
jb2wheeler
Loc: Louisville KY
Reg: 05-09-04
07-30-08 07:06 AM - Post#1488459    
    In response to 74LagunaS3

Very nice! Wish I had it. JB

If you can't hum it, it ain't music! http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&am p...


 
wbaker01 
Contributor
Posts: 140

Age: 55
Loc: Parker, Colorado
Reg: 09-02-07
07-30-08 03:37 PM - Post#1488771    
    In response to 74LagunaS3

I'm running about 9.8 to 1 compression, it runs pretty good but I've never had it down the track. I thought I had 3.42 gears but it turned out that I have 2.73's so I'm in process of changing over to 3.73's next week. Never had it on a dyno, probably will next Spring though. I'm actually going to take the car to a place that is performing work on a bunch of cars in the Denver area who will be on Pinks All Out next weekend. They have a great reputation for tuning cars so once they tune it, they can run it on their dyno.

www.bakerbuzz.com


 
76 
Senior Member
Posts: 464

Reg: 04-10-01
07-30-08 04:11 PM - Post#1488801    
    In response to wbaker01

Looks great!

1976 Malibu Classic
1976 Olympic Edition
1976 S3 Laguna
1977 SS El Camino
2003 SS Silverado
2008 SS Impala
2011 SS Camaro


 
Bahama Dan 
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1734
Bahama Dan
Loc: suburbs of Chicago IL, US...
Reg: 05-25-04
07-30-08 07:34 PM - Post#1488935    
    In response to wbaker01

3.73's huh? I personally wouldn't go more than 3.42's unless your putting a 700 trans in (overdrive). If you have a 350 trans like me the rpm's are to much with the 350 trans/3.73 gear combo. My top speed at 5100 rpm's (redline) is just a shade under 100 mph. At 60 mph I'm at 3100 rpm's. If I cruise on the expressway at 75-80 I'm at 4000 rpm's. All & all I don't like it and will eventully either switch the trans or go down to 3.42 gears.
Oh, and LOVE the car! what a super nice picture. If you weren't in it it would look like a dealer promo picture.

Bought in 2002 with 38,200 original miles
My little old lady find


Edited by Bahama Dan on 07-30-08 07:36 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

 
wbaker01 
Contributor
Posts: 140

Age: 55
Loc: Parker, Colorado
Reg: 09-02-07
08-10-08 02:38 PM - Post#1496387    
    In response to Bahama Dan

I've decided on 3.42's, will try to get them swapped out either this Fall or next Spring.

www.bakerbuzz.com


 
laguna454s3 
Senior Member
Posts: 463

Loc: New York City
Reg: 10-01-05
08-12-08 06:28 PM - Post#1498119    
    In response to wbaker01

A 454 with 2.73 gearing isn't bad as you're pushing a lot of torque.
Also, you're high end speed will be faster and better highway mileage.

John



 
Butcher 318 
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1195
Butcher 318
Loc: Ft Wayne, Indiana
Reg: 06-29-04
08-13-08 01:50 PM - Post#1498696    
    In response to laguna454s3

Very cool car. What size exhaust are you running? Seems to be hanging down quite abit in the back, or is that just the angle of the pic? When I had mine done on the 76 it is 2" pipes over the axle, it tucked up inside real good.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/1976-chevrole t-ch...


 
todd77malibu 
Senior Member
Posts: 1754
todd77malibu
Age: 51
Loc: Westmoreland, TN , USA
Reg: 02-09-01
08-13-08 01:54 PM - Post#1498701    
    In response to Butcher 318

I just saw that ssame pic of your car on the Popular Hot Rodding website in the reader's rides section.....COOL!!


see...

http://rides.popularhotrodding.com/ride/1015320/wb...


77 Malibu Classic Coupe
08 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Z-71 4x4
www.youtube.com/user/todd77malibu


Edited by todd77malibu on 08-13-08 02:00 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

 
todd77malibu 
Senior Member
Posts: 1754
todd77malibu
Age: 51
Loc: Westmoreland, TN , USA
Reg: 02-09-01
08-13-08 02:01 PM - Post#1498706    
    In response to todd77malibu

This means one thing.....this weekend....I'll be sending my own pics. It's almost as cool to be on a magazine's website as it is to be in the magazine.....almost....

77 Malibu Classic Coupe
08 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Z-71 4x4
www.youtube.com/user/todd77malibu


 
Butcher 318 
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1195
Butcher 318
Loc: Ft Wayne, Indiana
Reg: 06-29-04
08-14-08 11:35 AM - Post#1499403    
    In response to todd77malibu

I wish now I would have bought a 73 SS years ago, they are creeping up in price now. 10-12 years ago a low mile mint origional could be had for 10-12 grand.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/1976-chevrole t-ch...


 
wbaker01 
Contributor
Posts: 140

Age: 55
Loc: Parker, Colorado
Reg: 09-02-07
08-18-08 06:56 PM - Post#1502587    
    In response to Butcher 318

My exhaust is junk, it was bought from JCWhitney years ago and installed on the car while in my parents garage. It's only 2 1/4 inch and Yes, the tail pipes look really bad. It'll be on the list to get replaced with a cross over of H pipe and either 2 1/2 or 3 inch pipes. I can't justify replacing it just yet since it's functional and my wife is watching my purchases!!

www.bakerbuzz.com


 
wbaker01 
Contributor
Posts: 140

Age: 55
Loc: Parker, Colorado
Reg: 09-02-07
08-18-08 07:00 PM - Post#1502591    
    In response to Butcher 318

Yes, the 73 SS's are creeping up in price. You never see them in the magazines or Hemmings for sale. I've kept an eye out for these cars for well over 20 years now and you don't see many of them. Does that translate into a higher value? Maybe not but I just know there's not many out there, not that I've seen at least...

www.bakerbuzz.com


 
Butcher 318 
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1195
Butcher 318
Loc: Ft Wayne, Indiana
Reg: 06-29-04
08-19-08 11:21 AM - Post#1502976    
    In response to wbaker01

That is such a sharp car a small issue with exhaust is an easy fix whenever you get around to it. At least yours is a 73 so most any shop will run duals for you. I had a heck of a time with my 76. One shop would not even touch the exhaust system period because the converter was gone.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/1976-chevrole t-ch...


 
pippy 
Senior Member
Posts: 1276
pippy
Age: 46
Loc: birmingham/ montgomery al...
Reg: 12-26-02
08-21-08 08:41 AM - Post#1504494    
    In response to Butcher 318

find a friend who owns or knows someone with a good exhaust shop, cash and no paper will make things happen.

mercedes benz tech
1975 chevelle
1977 chevelle 4dr
1997 E 300 diesel Benz (runs on fryer oil too!)
1998 E 300 TURBO DIESEL


 
wbaker01 
Contributor
Posts: 140

Age: 55
Loc: Parker, Colorado
Reg: 09-02-07
08-25-08 08:26 PM - Post#1507804    
    In response to pippy

I've spent my yearly allowance on the car this Summer so it will be a project for next year. I may do a post on the main forum to see if anyone has experience with one of the "install it in your garage kits" to see how their experience has been. My downfall is that I don't weld and don't have access to a welder. I also don't know anyone in the muffler business and I'm debating if I do change things out, whether I want to go to a 2.5 or 3" exhaust.

www.bakerbuzz.com


 
stricker76 
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 2370
stricker76
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Reg: 05-17-06
08-26-08 04:56 AM - Post#1507894    
    In response to wbaker01

I think 3" may be overkill. 2.5" will be enough for a stock, or mildly modified 454.

2007 Avalanche LT
1998 C2500 Reg cab 6.5L
1973 Monte Carlo - On the chopping block
1995 C1500 - R.I.P

http://www.cardomain.com/id/stricker76


 
75CHEVBU 
Contributor
Posts: 609

Age: 62
Loc: Chicago,Illinois
Reg: 08-25-08
08-29-08 01:15 PM - Post#1510657    
    In response to stricker76

why would 3" be over kill i see alot of people running 3" round the burbs here in chi town and local shows

RACECAR BACKWARDS STILL SPELLS RACECAR


 
todd77malibu 
Senior Member
Posts: 1754
todd77malibu
Age: 51
Loc: Westmoreland, TN , USA
Reg: 02-09-01
08-29-08 01:19 PM - Post#1510659    
    In response to 75CHEVBU

If your running something bigger than a 350 maybe 3" is ok...with a 350 it kills the back pressure you need to get allot of torque. 2-1/4" to 2-1/2" pipes are plenty good for a 350 or smaller.

77 Malibu Classic Coupe
08 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Z-71 4x4
www.youtube.com/user/todd77malibu


 
75CHEVBU 
Contributor
Posts: 609

Age: 62
Loc: Chicago,Illinois
Reg: 08-25-08
08-29-08 01:25 PM - Post#1510666    
    In response to todd77malibu

even if your 350 is hitting high HP it does the same thing?? so if your 350 is say 385HP or more the 3" will kill the effect ??

RACECAR BACKWARDS STILL SPELLS RACECAR


 
stricker76 
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 2370
stricker76
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Reg: 05-17-06
08-29-08 02:33 PM - Post#1510712    
    In response to 75CHEVBU

Most companys seem to say that the exhaust pipe size depends on the hp the car is making...such as this cutout from pypes Q&A....

Q: It seems as though 3" exhaust is the popular choice these days. Is there any disadvantages?

A: Yes! A stock horsepower car with 3" exhaust can lose noticeable low end torque and affect performance. Also, 3" pipe usually requires increased installation precision because of limited clearance issues. As a general rule, cars with less then 450hp should use 2.5" exhaust. Cars in the 450hp range could potentially benefit by a 3" crossover and still keeping 2.5" tails. Cars with 500hp + should utilize 3" or even larger tube size.

I would just say that a stock big block will be fine with 2.5". If your building it step up to 3"...or more.

2007 Avalanche LT
1998 C2500 Reg cab 6.5L
1973 Monte Carlo - On the chopping block
1995 C1500 - R.I.P

http://www.cardomain.com/id/stricker76


 
laguna454s3 
Senior Member
Posts: 463

Loc: New York City
Reg: 10-01-05
09-01-08 07:41 AM - Post#1512302    
    In response to todd77malibu

What you want is velocity and smaller pipe gives you velocity which will also suck in the next air/fuel charge into the cylinder for the next firing cycle.

3" is overkill for the street. 2.25" dual with your performance muffler of choice will do the job fine for a stock 454. If going to the track occasionally then up it to 2.5"

Factory stock for 454 cars even the LS6 of 1970 was 2.25 exhaust pipes into 2" tailpipes.

John



 


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