Back to Buick Power for Richie “High” PSI Balcom’s T Type

Richie Balcom is well known in the Buick turbo racing scene and has been racing competitively in the TSM class with a best of 9.41 @ 143, back in 2007 before switching things up and trying out a twin turbo small block Chevy combo. He reached mid eights with that power plant but realized that most other guys were well into the sevens, and stepping up meant another ten grand was needed to achieve these goals. The self financed racer was at a cross roads and decided to sell and go back to the little Buick V6.

I met up with Richie at the track recently shaking down the new engine. He made cam and converter changes to the same basic setup he had before and is looking to run 9.20’s now once things are sorted out. This session he was on low boost and pump gas for some easy runs. He does his own engine prep and assembly while a shop in Venice handles the machine work.

The TSM class is fairly restrictive and requires a stock block, factory style three bolt turbo with a 71.5 MM max on the compressor wheel, stock suspension, factory stock appearing interior with racing seats allowed and any GM transmission. A full list of class rules can be found over at Turbobuick.com.

The first race of this year is the North vs. South Southern Buick Shootout next weekend at Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds Georgia, it’s sponsored by Hartline Performance. This event will feature several Buick specific classes as well as all run bracket racing.  Next up is the TurboBuick.com Nationals at Piedmont Dragway in Greensborough, North Carolina.