Match Race 1972 ~ 'Road Runner/GTX 440' vs. 'Buick GS 455'

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6

69 Cuda 440

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Match Race 1972

Plymouth 'Road Runner/GTX 440' ~ 440/290 HP ~ 'Fresh Air Package'
vs.
Buick 'GS 455' ~ 455/280 HP ~ 'Stage 1'
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1972 Road Runner w/GTX Option ~ 440/290 HP ~ w/Fresh Air Package

A 'Limited' Production run of the 'GTX Option'
Total Produced...... 672....{'453' Automatics and '219' 4-Speeds}


6EDEFCE0-6F97-4F05-8484-0C6AEFB87858_1.jpg
 
Don't know which way to bet on this one.
Those Buick's made a bunch of tourque.
 
1972 'Factory' Advertised Numbers

440/290 HP ~ 'Fresh Air Package'
290 HP @ 4800 RPM's
380 Ft/Lbs. Torque @ 3200 RPM's

455/280 HP ~ 'Stage 1'
270 HP @ 4400 RPM's
390 Ft/Lbs. Torque @ 3000 RPM's
 
1972 Road Runner/GTX ~ 440/290 HP ~ 'Fresh Air Package'

* Shipping Weight... #3675 lbs.
* Curb Weight......... #3752 lbs.

With {Code E86} 'GTX Drivetrain'

* 4-Speed "HEMI" 18-Spline
* 3.54 Gears
* Dana Rear
 
1972 440/290 HP

NHRA Re-Factored....... 335 Horsepower

Compression................. 8.75 - 1
Pistons......................... Flat Top
Height.......................... {-.123} Below Deck

Cylinder Head............... #3462346
Production.................... Flame Hardened Seats
Intake Valve.................. 2.08 " Intake
Exhaust Valve................ 1.74" Exhaust
CFM Flow 'Intake'.......... 198 CFM @ .500" Lift
CFM Flow 'Exhaust'........ 151 CFM @ .500" Lift

Combustion Chamber.... 88.0 CC {Factory}
Combustion Chamber.... 82.0 CC {NHRA Minimum}

Camshaft {Hydraulic}
Lift................................ .467" Intake / .483" Exhaust {NHRA Specifications}
Duration........................ 268* Intake / 284* Exhaust
Overlap.......................... 46*

Valve Springs.................133 lbs. {Valve Closed} ~ 250 lbs. {Valve Open}

Intake Manifold............. #3614014 {Cast Iron}

Carburetor.................... Holley ~ #6254 {Manual} ~ #6255 {Automatic}
Series........................... #4160
Throttle Size................. 1.563" Primary ~ 1.750 Secondary
CFM Rating................... 670 CFM

Exhaust........................ 2.50" Primary Pipe


Ignition........................ Electronic
 
I'm going GTX on this one. Buick has the ungodly amount of torque to take the right off the line lead, but the GTX really has the legs to pull ahead.
 
1972 Plymouth Road Runner w/GTX 'option'

440/290 HP

Code N96 ~ 'Air-Grabber' Fresh Air Package {option}
* Special 'Coyote Duster' Air Cleaner
* Under Hood Air Induction Unit
* Vacuum Activated Air-Door Panel
* 'Air-Grabber' Pop-Up Scoop

6EDEFCE0-6F97-4F05-8484-0C6AEFB87858_23.jpg
 
Buicks were known for torque, many motors were rated in torque (wildcat 445/465) instead of cid....smaller runners? 455 had more than 500 ft/lbs torque.
 
The 1972 GTX ~ 440/290 HP,

Required some 'tricks' in the Distributor, primarily with the Advance Springs,
Cam and Stop-Plate.

And the Jets in the Holley Carburetor needed to be enlarged.

The Exhaust System was 'excellent'.


DSC07284r2.jpg
 
I like the BOP 455's, even the low compression one's. But, if the GS is a auto/3.42 against the GTX with the 4spd/3.54, and I'm driving :D, I'd take the GTX. The 4spd gear spreads would give me much better control over the power band available with these type engines.

Would be a he!! of a race though.
 
My heart says the GTX but if I was wagering a bet I'd have to place it on the GS..they were highly underrated on torque. I'd feel more comfortable with betting on the GTX if it had a set of 4.10's. My brother had a '71 GTX 4sp. 3.54 and I wasn't impressed with the low end grunt I was expecting . BTW...thats one gorgeous Petty Blue '72 GTX
 
OldmanRick said:
I like the BOP 455's, even the low compression one's. But, if the GS is a auto/3.42 against the GTX with the 4spd/3.54, and I'm driving :D, I'd take the GTX. The 4spd gear spreads would give me much better control over the power band available with these type engines.

Would be a he!! of a race though.
Click to expand...


My virtual race, in my head...:D.

Both cars leave soft to avoid blowing the tires off. Side by side, i shift a hair early, and when the GSX shifts, i'm in the meat of 2nd gear and gain a car length. I take 2nd & 3rd a little high, and the Buick never catches me...

I've beaten a lot of cars on the street I shouldn't have. Thinking about this is like a 35yr flashback to those days.....Just havin some fun guys...lol.
 
Just look at how many Buicks are in C S/A and how fast they are running under the index.lol Good platform and good weight break by NHRA. They were a mean torque monsters.
 
1972 Road Runner/ GTX 440 {Code U}

Available with 3.23's or 3.55's {8 3/4" Rear} with the Automatic.

Or the HEMI 4-Speed with the Dana Rear and 3.54 Gears.

The standard 440/280 HP or the 440/290 HP with the N96 'Fresh-Air Package'
 
OldmanRick said:
My virtual race, in my head...:D.

Both cars leave soft to avoid blowing the tires off. Side by side, i shift a hair early, and when the GSX shifts, i'm in the meat of 2nd gear and gain a car length. I take 2nd & 3rd a little high, and the Buick never catches me...

I've beaten a lot of cars on the street I shouldn't have. Thinking about this is like a 35yr flashback to those days.....Just havin some fun guys...lol.
Click to expand...

Exactly! GTX has the legs to get away!
 
I'm gonna say this one comes down to who is behind the wheel. My money is going on the one OldmanRick is driving.
 
in 72 to 76 I RACED my 340 demon in stock elm the buick gts 455 and the olds 442 were in the same class mine was a 4 speed could beat them almost everytime that being said the ones with auto.tran would beat me in a heads up race (by the way I still have the demon)
 
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