85transamtpi

Mista brought this up in a previous post I made and it started me thinking. Has anyone you guys know of done this? That buick motor has some MAJOR torque and I would like to know what It would do in our cars. I realize that a LOT of modification would need to be done to everything in order to make this work, but Anyone seen this? got links? pics?
thanks for entertaining my crazy thoughts
peace

zippy

this has been done and i believe it was in car craft like last year or so but i'd have to search through to find the issue. he also ran a 700r4 or 2004r behind it, but i don't remember which. if course it has alot of torque, it's 455 cubic inch. maybe someone still has that issue or it might be on their web site. could have been hot rod too, but i don't remember.

Mikey G

Why would you want to throw a boat anchor like that old Buick in your car? By the time you goof around getting it to fit and upgrading the suspension, you could have spent the same time and effort and money building a nice small block.

Guest

So thats why so many people keep asking this question...

You want a big engine? Theres the buick, theres an olds 455 if you want, 455 pontiac, 500 caddy, or you can go the chevy route and use a 454. Any of these will require some serious modification to fit in the car, the 454 is probably the easiest since so many people go that route. I would say that not a single one of them is any better than another power wise, thats just a waste of time trying to argue about... Any one will make lots of torque and kill your tires just fine.

okfoz

heh, funny I thought about the same thing. I thought, Gee, I have this 4300 lb Riv that turns high 14's in the quarter, I wonder what would happen if I installed a 430 or 455 in my little 3400lb Formula. think think think... I can just see it now as I Twist the car so severely the T-tops fly out and the car is now on three wheels. probably not going to happen that way, but I did hear about a T-top GN poping the T-s

I actually have an extra 4 BB Buicks in the back room too. heh.

The biggest drawback is NOT time, I would look for the accessability for parts. Buick parts are scarse, and not as many options like a Chevy.

This seems to be a little off topic, careful...
John

Breazlan

iTrader: (1)

I have always been curious about a Buick 455 in a third gen. My brother has one in his Chev mud truck. It look similar to a SBC - way more so than to a BBC. I guess it weighs in closer to a small block than the big block too. My thought is if it is similar in size and weight to a SBC then sus. upgrades and fabricating to fit should be less of an issue than with other big blocks. Anyone have any info on swapping one in a third gen?

SoCo80p

iTrader: (5)

it has been done, it was in hot rod a little while ago i think a 87' with a 455 buick running in the 10's, size wise ther about the same as any big block, forsure much bigger then a SBC but not quite as massive as a BBC (most all the mass of the BBC is its big *** heads) it does only weight about 30 lbs more then a SBC so spring and front end mods are not needed, check out www.taperfromance.com there the **** in buick stuff, i know they make kits the put 455 buicks in 1st and 2nd gen f-bodys, you should give them a call and talk to mike, he's the buick *** , knows more then the GM guys the built the engine

SoCo80p

iTrader: (5)

but you will need a build trans and axle to handle the insane torque of the engine and some real heavy duty frame ties, just check out this pick http://www.taperformance.com/modena.htm
it allmost flips itself over sideways from the torque!

[This message has been edited by TempesT68 (edited November 06, 2001).]

TPI Guy

Yeah, I think it was a pontiac 455, I think it was in Hot Rod, and I know the name of the article was "Gorilla My Dreams." He ran stock exhaust manifolds because headers would have been a tough squeeze. He also had a stock ten bolt, but it was his third stock ten bolt.

85transamtpi

Well TempeT68,
Wanna get rid of that buick block taking up space in your garage??? Just Kidding.

But seriously, aside from the cost of building the engine I cant see why more people don't do this swap. People who say the 455 is a "boat anchor" are just ignorant. It is MUCH lighter than a BBC and produces much more torque. I was just curious to see if anyone has done this, or knows someone who has, and what their results are. If my thirdgen ever becomes a "project car" and I get a daily driver, this could be a fun way to go very fast with a relatively stock engine. Until then I think I'll stick with my 305 .

Anyone else seen this swap done? Are their any websites from people who have done this that you guys know of?

peace

SoCo80p

iTrader: (5)

I'm keeping the one i got, i've had all the GS guys banging at my door trying to take it from me becuase its a 70' but its allready got plans and im not selling but anyhow heres the only thing i could find regarding the swap, you might also just want to get in touch with t/a i left there link a few posts up http://www.hotrodheaven.com/comments/messages/9838.html

snakeskinner

I investigated putting a 455 pontiac in my 86 t/a at one time but just never went through with it. the buick and pontiac would be about the same swap really. the BBC is a more common choice but it is much heavier (right at 100lbs heavier than a 455 buick) and a lot larger which creates a lot more clearance problems. I have seen a BBC in one and you'd have to remove the motor just to change the plugs, the engine was almost touching the radiator and I don't think you could have stuck a feeler guage between the valve cover and the evaporator case. The 3rd gen was actually designed for the pontiac v8 so one fits fairly easily. I was told to put the engine together with everything like the oil filter, starter, and mounts and bolt the transmission up and set it in the car on a hoist. This way you can move it around and find the best position. I was told there are a couple spots that are tight so this was the best deal. I also was told that most 2nd gen headers will bolt right in. Buicks would be more complicated needing custom headers or using manifolds. other than that it should be about the same deal.

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Kyle Osterholt
Okarche, Oklahoma
ASE Master Certified
86 T/A 383 TPI
89 TTA #1002 T-top/Leather
89 TTA #1358 Hardtop/Leather
80 T/A Pace Car
73 Opel GT
73 bronco
2000 Ducati 996 Monoposto

SoCo80p

iTrader: (5)

the pontiac will fit the nicest as its the smallest dimention wise of the big blocks, so it will fit in nicely and they do make motor mount kits and what not, buick just came out with a set of shorty headers that look real close to the 3rd gen regualr style shortys im sure it could even be made to fit into the stock y-pipe.

88 427 Camaro

What? I can change 7 of 8 plugs faster with my big block than you can change 7 of 8 blocks in a small block. Now the 8th plug is a different story, I have to get at it from underneath , but the rest are super easy to get at.

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88 427 Big Block Camaro
(Best 1/4) 12.18 @ 113mph 1.75 60ft
(Best 1/8) 7.76 @ 94mph 1.72 60ft

Currently installing 3.73's into my 9 bolt (YES, it is a 9 bolt & YES they are 3.73's, not 3.70. I currently have 4.10 gear sets and new series 3 posi carriers for sale for 9 bolts )
www.koolmeister.com