Full Build: Knock-Out Power Makes A 1978 Buick Century The Ultimate Sleeper

HorsePower builds a 1978 Buick Century wagon into the ultimate sleeper machine with knock-out power - a turbo charged Pontiac 460.
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Parts Used In This Episode:
Nitto Tire: Tire, NT05, P 245 /40R18, Radial, 1,609 lbs. Maximum Load, W Speed Rated, Each
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5854
RideTech: 1978-88 GM G Body MUSCLEbar (Front)
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5861
RideTech: 1978-88 GM G Body MUSCLEbar (Rear)
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5860
RideTech: Control Arms, StrongArm, Steel, Black Powdercoated, Buick, Chevy, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Front Lower, Kit
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5857
RideTech: Control Arms, StrongArm, Steel, Black Powdercoated, Buick, Chevy, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Front Upper, Kit
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5858
Rocket Performance Machine, Inc.: Wheel, Hyper Shot, Aluminum, Matte Silver, 18 in. x 8 in., 5 x 4.75 in. Bolt Circle, 4.75 in. Backspace, Each
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5864
Stainless Steel Brakes: Hawk Performance Brake Pads, Ferro-Carbon, DTC 05, Universal, Set
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5855
Drive Train Specialist: Axle, Complete, GM 12-BOLT, Custom, 5x4.75, 5/8" stud, 40-spline gun-drilled axle shafts
Matco Tools: 13PC KIT, (9) hole saws (3/4", 7/8", 1-1/8", 1-3/8", 1-1/2", 1-3/4", 2", 2-1/4", and 2-1/2"), and all the necessary accessories including an adapter, pilot drill, small mandrel and quick-change mandrel
RideTech: 1978-88 Chevy G-Body, Complete Coil-over System,includes single adjustable Coil-Overs, StrongARM Control Arms, and a rear AirBar.
TRZ Motorsports: G-Body Rack Kit- Narrowed Rack, Strg Shaft, Joints, Bumpsteer kit for use w/ Stock or Aftermarket Spindles
Tube Shark: TubeShark Bender with air/hydraulic power unit
ARP: Assembly Lubricant, for Engine Assembly and Fastener Installation, Ultra Torque, 1/2 pint, Each
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5921
ARP: Cylinder Head Studs, Pro Series, 12-Point Head, Pontiac, 400, 428, 455, with Edelbrock Performer Heads, Kit
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5904
Comp Cams: Rocker Arms, Ultra Gold, Aluminum, 7/16 in. Stud Mount, Full Roller, 1.5 Ratio, Pontiac, Set of 16
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5922
Comp Cams: Timing Set; Nine Key Way Billet Timing Set; Adjustable; Pontiac
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5901
Eagle Specialty Products: Crankshaft, 2-Piece Seal, Internal Balance, Forged 4340 Steel, 4.250 in. Stroke, Pontiac, 400, Each
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5911
Edelbrock: Cylinder Head, Performer, Aluminum, Assembled, 87cc Chamber, 215cc Intake Runner, Pontiac, 389-455, Each
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5899
Edelbrock: Fuel Rails, Aluminum, Clear Anodized, Pontiac, V8, Pair
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5898
Edelbrock: Intake Manifold, Torker II EFI, Aluminum, Natural, Multi-Port, Non-EGR, Pontiac, V8, Each
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5923
Holley: ECU, Engine Control Unit, Holley HP, Each
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5931
Holley: Holley Aluminum Ultra HP Carburetors, 850CFM
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5932
Hooker Headers: Headers, Super Competition, Full-Length, Steel, Black Ceramic Coated, Pontiac, Firebird, Grand Am, Pair
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5928
March Performance: Pulley Kit, Serpentine, Aluminum, Clear Powdercoated, Pontiac, V8, Kit
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5924
Milodon: Main Caps, Ductile Iron, 3-Center, Straight, 4-Bolt, Pontiac, 350, 389, 400, Set
9nl.com/pb_pt_5908
Milodon: Oil Pan, Steel, Gold Iridite, 7 qt., Pontiac, 350/389/400/421/428/455 , Low Profile Design, Each
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5918
Milodon: Water Pump, Mechanical, High-Volume, Aluminum, Natural, Pontiac, 400/428/455, Each
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5925
Moroso: Vacuum Pump, Racing, 3-Vane, Aluminum, Black Anodized, Each
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5926
MSD Ignition: Distributor, Pro-Billet, Magnetic Trigger, Mechanical Advance, Pontiac, 326-455, Each
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5929
MSD Ignition: Ignition Coil, Blaster HVC-2, U-Core, Drag Race, Square, Epoxy, 45,000 V, Each
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5900
Trick Flow Specialties: Fuel Injectors, TFXй 120 lbs./hr., 41A Peak and Hold Circuit Driver, Universal, Set of 8
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5964
Turbonetics Inc.: Blow-Off Valve, Godzilla Bypass, Stainless Steel, Polished, 10-35 psi, Universal, Each
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5902
Turbonetics Inc.: Wastegate Kit, Newgen HP
More Info: 9nl.com/pb_pt_5903
Ames Performance Engineering: Timing Cover, Pontiac 400-455
BOP Engineering: Pontiac One-Piece Oil Pan Gasket(OPG49)
Eagle Specialty Products:
standard forged 4340 steel H-Beam, length: 6.700 in.
rod journal: 2.200 in.
housing bore: 2.3250 in.
pin size: 0.990 in.
big end width: 0.9900 in.
pin end width: 1.1250 in.
thickness above pin: 0.220 in.
typical weight: 805g

[@obizzil]

Man I wish i had a giant garage full of every tool imaginable and unlimited time and budget.

[@joefergerson5243]

My soon to to be wife back in 1979, she ran around in a Ford station wagon that had a 429 4v . It was so much fun to drive.

[@kskip4242]

People over years have totally forgotten what it means to be a sleeper it means the appearance is completely stock. This is not a sleeper.

[@ZacLowing]

Yeah, this is more of a "Dare to be different" faze

[@kskip4242]

@@ZacLowing Which I completely respect. And yes I agree.

[@johngrepo9976]

Steel wheels and poverty hubcaps, bench seat and gauges low under the dashboard..😉

[@mikewhite3123]

And how the hell could they take the v6 out but not make it a Buick v6 grand national wagon...

[@kskip4242]

@@mikewhite3123 That'd be cool

[@rudolphhemmittjr.8101]

I'm glad I found this channel I used to watch these guys on Saturdays and Sundays Glad to see he's still building and customizing cars and trucks

[@19chucki74]

Man this is sick. Pontiac power in a Buick. Love the sleeper feel.

[@chrishay8385]

Great looking sleeper,should have put a more subtle wheel on there to really fool em!

[@xander-R467]

Wheels and fresh paint are not necessary... Great built, sleeper wagon with Butler stroker and a huge turbo... Love it

[@anthonycadiou8367]

You got more money in the supension and the turbo pipes than most people can spend.

[@Joe-wv7pv]

And on what’s the car is worth lol

[@chriscaine1776]

Build made way more sense way this show was on air still. These parts now though are much more money these builds also definitely didn't age well

[@Tnomoney]

Right that ridetech suspension is like 6-7k 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Diesel257]

And? You want em to just bolt on "performance" air filters every episode?

[@edwardcox2840]

It's just a tv show poor man can't afford that stuff

[@dano4572]

I like the front passenger side, brake light!!!!! cool!!

[@vbspeed7571]

Hi from V&b Speed a new rc community channel stop in say hi thank u. #Vtec

[@fennec13]

growing up in the 80's we had station wagons, the hype for SUVs is just that - you can do more with a wagon and only European and Asian cars have it anymore - (with the exception of the Buick Regal touring wagon - which is an Opel Insignia, re-badged for the US)

[@Pendaws]

Love the fab work you fellas do. A great job done :)

[@wtdonovan]

Awesome build. 9 years ago, I wonder where it is today?

[@WayneSpider]

They crush them after the show. Well part them out for other episodes but destroy the rest due to legal issues.

[@wtdonovan]

@@WayneSpider whoa! Makes sense I guess.

[@kalijasin]

That’s one hell of a sleeper. Dam!

[@kskip4242]

Sleepers are defined as completely stock appearance. This is far from a stock appearance.

[@brianf8621]

Last full frame RWD cars. Consider 90s Impala, Caprices, Fleetwoods, Roadmaster and wagons.

[@crazyoilfieldmechanic3195]

Yeah but theses are kids reading a script.

[@BR4ND0N509]

If you want to get all technical, they are the last carbureted full frame cars, there were fuel injected models afterwards so I partially agree with you.

[@Ticeracing33]

There are not full framed the whole mid section is a flimsy c channel section

[@robertbisson9161]

My kind of sleeper !Love your chanel.

[@zantanaman]

Nice build but I wish they would have kept it Buick with a 455 stage 1

[@anthonycadiou8367]

I love what you done, more! Heat rap on the exhaust near the oil pan

[@samperras]

Looks good from Sydney Australia

[@JorgeRodriguez-po7kx]

Wagons are Cool Definitely Love them Since I was a Kid 🥰😏😁

[@vannjunkin8041]

😳😍🥴 you put a 400/461 Pontiac innit??? Gentlemens I am impressed 😎 Bravo.. thank you for going B.O.P. yall are the cool 😎 kids officially in my book

[@thetasteofluck]

One Word,SUPERB !!!!!!!

[@George-sf4fk]

78 the year I was born and Buick century my first car y'all are awesome

[@kenswitzer4133]

She looks great!👍😁

[@timholt5744]

Boy oh boy I like to get a ride or something in that thank you very much I'm a really big fan

[@lyndelllyon754]

It's a beautiful wagon

[@johnknipe9164]

Very nice welds

[@NVzla]

Why the Pontiac engine instead of Buick power?

[@stevejohnson1397]

Two words Butler performance that's why

[@lorenmeyer5290]

AWESOME CAR! SWEET!!!♡♡

[@ozahmed4523]

Very cool project.

[@andrewgalindo6959]

What happened to the chassis dyno? I was looking forward to seeing the numbers.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

Same!

[@Devin-O]

Bet it did not get close to 800 HP.

[@stevelinwood8362]

Wow! You Guys have Talent! Luv the Channel.

[@grantmoon624]

What I really like is that the original machine had a base-plate of prefabulated aluminite, surmounted by a malleable logarithmic casing in such a way that the two main spurving bearings were in a direct line with the pentametric fan.

[@pierredecine1936]

Wagon's ARE Cool ! Still miss my parents '73 Plymouth Sport Suburban ...

[@christianobrien4465]

Holy WOW !!!!!!!!!

[@hullihendrobert]

Take it thru its paces, do slalom, braking, and quarter mile times. Run it on the dyno for true HP numbers.

[@LimitedGunnerGM]

John is such a good sport

[@s.m.aggies7220]

Great amazing work, nice details on all items, dang we all want that..... Ok guys you want to upgrade my 67 Mustang.... :)

[@mikewhite3123]

Nice to see Butler still uses an old manual Bridgeport for some stuff,love a gear head Bridgeport

[@tatialo37]

Badass car!!!

[@bruceh92]

Really enjoyed this guys - nice job and awesome donor car! Sure made it look easy. Thanks.

[@jaystrock613]

I love station wagons!

[@vbspeed7571]

Hello from V&b speed a new rc community channel stop in say hi thank u..#2022Drags

[@ronniecox109]

Have two , a 78 malibu wagon , and an 81 as my daily.427 small block stroker. Daily driven, drive to track 7.50 8th mid 11 s qtr. 1.70 ish 60 ft. Beware of the old man in the wagon. Cuts a mean lite , still.

[@seancampbell4288]

I WANT this car!

[@GenX_-um2ct]

Growing up we had a 79 Malibu Wagon with same color and body style.

[@UNCFIPP]

My first car was a G-Wagon... 78 Malibu Classic flavor

[@caribooskidoo3997]

Sweet project! I would black out the wheels and paint the bumpers silver.

[@angelorivera3611]

Wow! What a project of a car. The engine alone is worth, 10,000 or 12,000 dollars Not to mention what extras were bought to keep that bad boy on the road. Nice job ,really nice.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

more

[@zulvlog4286]

Nice..

[@meesterp]

was it about 430 natural aspirated? Will be 751 at 11psi or 766 at 11.5. It will be interesting to see whether there is some deviation from that based on favorable 'shared' resistance giving additional just power a free ride or will it cause extra internal resistance. 12.66 boost on a 430 natural base could get 800.

[@CrankAddict]

Chassis dyno? I would like to see how it compares to my 750hp twin turbo 455 trans am. I'm still running the stock T10 so slicks are not in my future. It has a solid roller 224/224 comp cam and all the Butler goodies, just like yours. Mine can spin the tires from 55mph to 100mph in 3rd gear.

[@bradenkowal8117]

You're 10 years too late lol

[@CrankAddict]

@@bradenkowal8117 I watched the original show not long after I finished my trans am. I just want Powernation to think their videos are relevant so they'll keep them coming.

[@ericbrammer2245]

A Buick GNX motor would've been enough. The Crate-Motor you brought, needs an Oldsmobile Vista-Cruiser from '69! Nice, just, not as 'tidy' (well, there's a new word for ya'll) as I would've liked to see.

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

Nice! A true Yor-mobile!

[@zackkohler511]

late 70s buick century we're nice vehicles to hop up

[@shadowwolf9329]

I do remember the Chevy Bel-Air cars because my dad had a 57 the only downside was where the battery containment box was. Right under the windshield arg

[@TheLTD_]

Can’t go wrong with a G-Body Buick, Chevy, Pontiac or Oldsmobile

[@nwga.5327]

That's awesome, cost be dammed

[@robertwest3093]

Hmmm.... 400 Pontiac+turbocharger=FUN if my memory serves me correctly 😎 Only thing better would be a turbocharged 455. Nothing wrong with a little bit of overkill....

[@matthewskaggs3792]

I like everything but the 456s and spool.

[@bmstylee]

The spool seems a bit questionable for a street car. Some sort of LSD makes more sense.

[@FACEBOOKS-WBDS]

should have used original oem wheels widened, a quiet muffler out back with an electric exhaust cut out.

[@vbspeed7571]

Hi from V&b Speed a new rc community channel stop in say hi thank u #Vtec

[@bradenkowal8117]

The Original wheels would definitely not fit over those huge breaks

[@puridade1]

inscrito !

[@adamirie2936]

How Could someone get a hold of those rear reinforcing components you All fabricated ?

[@marcthebarber239]

I wanna make my buick a sleeper I got a 2001 buick century on 255/30r20s straight piped tinted all around with after market headlights and tinted tail lights, im really wanting to speed her up a bit

[@msantiago5150]

Nice project as long somebody else pays for it!!! 🤣🤣

[@bradenkowal8117]

People do builds like this all the time....its an expensive hobby

[@Brock_Landers]

I have a 709 wheel horsepower 1997 Honda Civic coupe, and while I've owned 68 cars and trucks in my 24 years of driving, and while I do have quite a few dream cars, I have always been really interested in building a 70 GTO Judge (yeah...right) with a Butler Performance turbo big block.

[@dmgscalemodels2825]

Had a 78 Century wagon. Trans went out without warning. Trans shop put in a THM350 instead of the crappy metric one, and that woke it up! But the engine grenaded before it hit 100k. Sold it to some guy who put a Buick 350 in it and used it to drag race.

[@Daddyrabbit_2]

My Dad gave me a 85 Buick Century Sport Wagon in the late 90s. It had a surprisingly strong 305 that would open people's eyes when I left a red light! I gave it back to him, he sold it and a friend of a friend ended up making a real sleeper out of it! A couple years later my Dad gave me a 85 or 86 Pontiac Parisienne wagon with a (he thought)350 in it that turned out to be a 400sb! I kept that for a couple of years and eventually traded it for a 90s Honda Accord

[@patricklanigan]

Not to knit pick, but GM's last full frame vehicles were the B bodies with production ending in 1996. Eight years after G body production ceased.

[@anthonycadiou8367]

Cost to complete such a incredible job.

[@Goody-tr4ci]

This car is currently owned by Jay Anderson of Murfreesboro TN and is now a Drag car raced weekly.

[@user-by1io4fq3j]

How come you didn't use a GM 12-bolt? Maybe an after-market one?

[@kathyhays2516]

A mechanic broke the tire wrench used to remove my tire on a 1995 century buick. Where can I get another one? Thanks

[@thetalkingbooth.k5871]

What's the name of that rust sealant

[@stevefranklin9920]

You guys interested in helping me with my '78 Pontiac Lemans 4 door that I'm wanting to put my 454 in? I don't have the knowledge ( or green Lol!) that y'all have. My back took me out of the work force back in '07 and many people know how tough it is living off of disability check! I'm just thinking about a street cruiser. Dark charcoal paint with black Firebird GTA rims I'm thinking about.

[@thomasroth4695]

Id like to find anything that clean for the age. Thats nice place to start. Even for a wagon. Nice to see you guys mixing it up!. Why did you not lube the bolts on the suspension? Grease fitting on suspension pins OLD TIMERS made great stuff

[@vee950]

Custom rear dana 60 plus that overall suspension system and braking system um thinking maybe between 14 to 17k alone on just that stuff I maybe very wrong

[@darthbuster]

the trans came from the t-bird project. So what happened to the t-bird, did they scrap it?

[@shamblershamfam3597]

Sleeper? Lowered, fat drag radials and a Turbo exhaust dump under the hood with a huge blow off... real subtle.

[@davidperry2202]

When will someone do something with an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser wagon and Oldsmobile Toronado?

[@tylerdurden7869]

Ssbc calibers actually stand for Stealth Subdued Bsleeper Clook

[@dereksmith3205]

That's the year i was born

[@lonnieperez9704]

What happened to the dyno test?

[@user-zw7ww7kw9c]

You need a luggage rack on the roof. And a fake single 1 1/2 exhaust pipe out back.

[@andrewmasonwerdna]

46:27 yea I wanna see all that little stuff, probably 100hours in content hahah!

[@aaron62877]

i had the same thoughts! i want to see all that little stuff.

[@jasonfenn3391]

Good afternoon.. well when you guys are done with the mechanical part of the car you need to work on the short you have in the wiring..every time you apply the breaks your passenger side marker/signal light comes on and when you take your foot off the breaks it goes out .. good luck with the issue

[@BubbaSmurft]

Brakes, not breaks and the issue is 99% broken 1157 that's the parasitic short.

[@bobqzzi]

Very cool car. Something wrong with that engine though- really weak sauce. What's up with no exhaust on a "sleeper?"

[@kskip4242]

Because it's not a sleeper. It's different and it's customized but it's definitely not a sleeper. Sleepers are unsuspecting and quiet.

[@deandee8082]

some fools gonna pull up next that thing and get CLOWNED

[@dalehall2993]

LAWRENCE LT TOLMAN KZbin 😎👊🏻

[@BuzzLOLOL]

28:13 Surprised they didn't use one piece pushrods!

[@trafficman204]

What you watched before KZbin!! 😆

[@perturbedgaming3345]

Now that's a wagon i'd take down the Oregon trail....

[@OurDee]

Hood ornament?

[@deancarver6899]

Where’s the dyno results???

[@izzynutz2000]

Okay I'm lost he just made the statement about putting the timing chain in that they had to get a .010 shorter timing chain due to the fact that the Centerline of the crankshaft has changed but when they were fitting and line boring the main caps they fitted the new main caps to the existing cast journals in the block or so I thought and even if they did go .010 oversized on the crank Journal how does that make the Centerline of the crank .010 closer to the cam?? I've line bored and honed a lot of blocks in my time not saying that it's impossible but I have never changed the Centerline distance of the crankshaft up or down that's one trick I would have liked to have known.. I understand how it was achieved with the new main caps but that's something that I have never done I have done many 10 10 cranks even 2020 cranks but never changed the whole Centerline of the rotating assembly ....intriguing..🤔

[@tucker7631]

Hmm,🧐

[@anubisprince36]

I turn those pinions at the Ft. Wayne Dana plant.

GOD DAMN IT!..I WANT A WAGON !!👏🏿🤟🏿💯

[@SilverloafCustomRazors]

Me: watches video intro. Also Me: heads straight to craigslist searching for a wagon 👊☺️👍

[@milkman2705]

i'll take one please

[@backyardbuilttrucks1]

The vacuum pump clenched the magazine engine build.

[@MrUltraworld]

The only thing I don't care for is the 2-into-1 exhaust system. I have ran twin turbos to eliminate that bottleneck.

[@cobrasvt347]

I've come across some stupid shit but what was done to those springs about tops it.😦

[@daviddematos7470]

street outlaw big chief has a motor butler in his car

[@jrx2662]

wish you guys can talk my 1992 chevy cheyenne and do something like that! get tired of getting pass on the highway all the time! it's only a V6, gas eater! hey a guy can dream right!

[@tdevosodense]

No rear diff ??

[@bradenkowal8117]

That was the first new thing they put in...