The Shocking Truth Behind Buick Banned 455 Torque King Engine!

Описание: Uncover The Shocking Truth behind Buick banned 455 Stage 1 in this must watch video! Learn about the history and controversy surrounding this legendary engine.

this is a tale of engineering brilliance, corporate secrecy, and a powerplant so scary NASCAR had it "OUTLAWED" to keep the competition fair.


History
Buick 455 Stage 1 "Torque King" – The Ultimate Muscle Car Engine*
is one of the most legendary big-block V8s of the muscle car era, earning its nickname "Torque King" for its brutal low-end power.

🔥 Buick 455 Stage 1 Specs & Performance
Displacement: 455 cu in (7.5L)
Bore & Stroke: 4.3125" x 3.90" (oversquare design for torque)
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1 (1970), dropped to 8.5:1 by 1974 (due to emissions)
Horsepower: 360 hp (gross, 1970) – but severely underrated (real output closer to 400+ hp)
Torque: 510 lb-ft (gross, 1970) – one of the highest factory torque ratings ever
Redline: ~5,500 RPM (low-revving but unstoppable mid-range punch)

Why Was It Called the "Torque King"?
Peak torque at just 2,800 RPM – made it amonster off the line, perfect for drag racing.
More torque than a Hemi or LS6 Chevy – only the Pontiac 455 HO and Olds 455 W-30 came close.
**NHRA Dominance: The Stage 1 was so strong in Super Stock that Buick GSX models received weight penalties to level the field.

🚀 Stage 1 vs. Standard Buick 455 – What Made It Special?
The Stage 1 was Buick’s high-performance package, including:
✔ High-flow cylinder heads (larger valves, better ports)
✔ Aggressive camshaft (longer duration & lift)
✔ Revised intake & exhaust manifolds (better breathing)
✔ Stronger internals (forged pistons, nodular crank)
✔ Functional cold-air induction (on GSX models)

Result?
The Stage 1 could outrun many bigger-name muscle cars despite Buick’s "luxury" image.


🏁 The Buick 455 Stage 1 in Racing*
NHRA Super Stock: The 1970 Buick GSX Stage 1 ran low 13s @ 105+ mph stock—faster than most Chevelles, GTOs, and even some Mopars.
NASCAR? Buick didn’t focus on NASCAR, but the 455 was too big and heavy for the series (which favored smaller engines like the 426 Hemi).
Street Terror: Even in stock form, the Stage 1 could *walk most big-blocks* from a roll thanks to its torque.

Why Did the 455 Stage 1 Disappear?
1971 Emissions Laws: Smog controls strangled performance (compression dropped, power fell).
1973 Oil Crisis: Big-blocks became undesirable; Buick shifted to smaller V8s.
GM’s Corporate Engine Policy By 1975, GM forced divisions to share engines—killing the Buick 455.


Popular Upgrades:
Aluminum heads (TA Performance, Edelbrock)
Modern camshafts (better lift/duration while keeping street manners)
EFI or upgraded carb setups (for reliability)
Stroker kits (up to*500+ cubic inches)

🏆 Final Verdict: The Torque King Lives On
The Buick 455 Stage 1 wasn’t "banned"—it was just too powerful for its own good, falling victim to emissions and fuel economy laws. Today, it’s a sought-after muscle car engine, prized for its brutal torque and underdog status.

Want to see how it stacks up against the Pontiac 455 HO or Olds 455 W-30? Let me know! 🚗💨 ?


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The Buick GS 455 Stage 1 engine was designed by Dennis "Denny" Manner, who was the lead engineer for Buick engine development during that era. Manner and his team specifically engineered the Stage 1 package to maximize street performance by enhancing the base 455 with larger valves, a more aggressive camshaft, specially machined cylinder heads, and other performance upgrades. His work was instrumental in making the Stage 1 one of the most powerful and respected engines of the muscle car era.

Best Community Comments

@jeremygould492
Buick is the original sleeper

@Abby.Normal75
Chevrolet underrated the Z28 dz302. Chevy official horsepower 290, but it was closer to 410hp. It's said Chevy stopped the production of the 302 because they were tired of their family car Camaro beating their Corvettes in the quarter mile. But most likely the Trans AM series relaxed the cubic inch rule.

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