The 1970 Buick GSX is the first car in this matchup, available with either the standard 455ci engine or the more powerful 455 Stage 1 engine, boasting over 500 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, its opponent, the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, is often overlooked despite its impressive specs. This particular Chevelle is not the 454, but the SS396, featuring the L34 engine with 350 horsepower. It would make a great addition to my personal garage, should the owner ever feel generous enough to gift it to me. Both of these classic cars participate in the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race series.
Here are the rules:
For 1955 to 1979 muscle cars built in United States and Canadian assembly plants with a minimum warranty of 12 months and 12,000 miles. Any car running faster than 11.50 will be disqualified and will not have a qualifying time recorded. Any convertible running faster then 13.50 will be disqualified and will not have a qualifying time recorded. Casting numbers must be correct for the year and horsepower claimed including intake manifold, heads, and exhaust manifolds. Blocks do not have to be “numbers matching,” but they must be the correct displacement. Overbores up to .070″ are allowed. Stock cranks only. All Engines – 1.5 extra points allowed over advertised. The camshaft must be correct for the year, model, and horsepower claimed for the type of lifter (hydraulic or solid). Roller cams NOT allowed. The valve train must be factory stock for the year, make, and horsepower claimed. The ignition system must be stock, including the distributor, cap, coil, and wires. Points may be replaced with any electronic conversion that fits under the stock distributor cap. The carburetor must be correct for the year, make, and horsepower claimed. Jetting and metering changes are permitted. THE CHOKE ASSEMBLY MUST BE IN PLACE AND FUNCTIONAL! Cast-iron exhaust manifolds are mandatory and must be correct for the year, model, and horsepower claimed. Internal modifications to the exhaust manifolds are NOT allowed. Under no circumstances will headers be allowed, including those cars that came with headers delivered in the trunk. Pipes must be routed as they were originally for the year, make, model, and engine combination. Mufflers must be stock looking in design, that is, oval in shape. No glasspacks or straight pipes allowed unless installed as original equipment. Maximum muffler inlet and outlet size is 2.5 inches. X & H pipes allowed. The radiator must be correct for the year, make, model, and horsepower claimed. No lightweight, aluminum radiators allowed. The camshaft must be correct for the year, model, and horsepower claimed for the type of lifter (hydraulic or solid). Roller cams NOT allowed. Duration at .050″ lobe lift must be within 1% of factory specs. Lift at the valve must be within 2% of factory specs. Maximum stall limited to 2200 rpm. The transmission must be correct for year, make, model and engine of the car. 3-speed manuals may be upgraded to the correct 4-speed if originally available. The rear axle must be of the same manufacturer as the car. Any gear ratio is allowed. Reproduction tires or radial tires only. You are allowed to run tires one size over stock. Factory wheels only.
