455 g-body swap

Hey everyone I'm new here and could use some some help. I have a 82 cutlass supreme with the buick v6 231 in it. I would like to swap that out and either put in a buick 350 or 455.

I know the 350 should swap right in, but I was wondering what has to be done to swap a buick 455 so it will fit correctly.

I hope this is the right section to post this in, Thanks in advance.

 

anyone?

 

Do a search in the V-8 Regal section. Same chassis. o No:

 

There's a 455/350 Regal swap FAQ in this forum posted as a Sticky. Look in there -- plenty of good info. :TU:

 

Thanks guys just trying to get as much info as I can.:Comp:

 

I followed this sticky when I put the 455 in my 84 Regal. There is some good info there but don't over think it like I did. It was the hardest swap that I ever performed but I'm a old guy so that probably made the difference. I thought I would go crazy before I got finished but it was worth it in the end.

 

I may be able to put you in touch with the guy who has the 455 Buick in the G-body frame with the Corvair body on it if that would help any.

 

dont worry, there are others of us that thought they would be in a rubber room by the time they were done. the 350 swap is a saturday afternoon project, the 455 swap=dont plan on driving it this summer lol.but it is worth it when its done.

 

That would be cool the more info the better:TU:

V8Regal-
Are you kidding me? It is that hard? I am just thinking that I had to drill some hole for the mounts to go in.

thanks

-Nick

 

nick, were are you located?

 

Tacoma, WA

I found a truck with a 455 buick in it and I thought that I could put it in my 3.8 v6 cutlass.

 

well nick, you can do it. the hardest part will be switching the frame pads and working around the heater box. if its a stock 455 with exhuast manifolds then it will be easier then if you put headers on it. other thing to keep in mind is being a v6 car your going to have to change the front springs to v8 car springs or its gonna be sitting pretty low. id be more then happy to answer any questions you may have if you decide to do it. dan

 

Thanks Dan, I am kind of confused about the frame pads and wonder if you could help. Can I use the pads that are in the truck? I think they were originally from a '73 lesabre. Will the engine sit too high but still line up with the transmission? It has original exhaust on it.

I am trying to just get the engine in the car and be able to get back to my house, I am gonna use a friends garage for a while but would like to get out as soon as possible, I am not gonna race or anything any time soon just want to get the engine in and be able to drive home.

Thanks

-Nick

 

I'm working on the same project my friend. Its not as easy but not as hard either.

 

Good luck to you Donk, I hoping I can get the car running in at least 4 days of continuous labor (I am laid off):laugh:

 

you should be fine with the lesabre mounts. mine were from a 71 centurion. i think your actually better off with the full size car mounts. just so you know even though gm is nice enough to put all of those different holes in the front k member none of them line up with were your motor mounts will be. what i did is hooked the motor to the trans, bolted the mounts to the engine. dropped the whole think in and traced around where the mounts sit once i had it in there level and square. then pulled it back out and attached the mounts to the car. also seeing that i had to change the front springs anyway i had them out while i got it all bolted in then put the v8 springs in.just my 2 cents

 

Thanks Dan, That what my plan was, attach pads to mount on the block then measure where it sits level then do the spray paint trick I got form this forum:TU:

Do you think it will be easier to leave the transmission in the car or take it all out? I am just trying to put the engine in and drive it nothing fancy I don't have the area to paint and freshin everything up like I want to.

Thanks :beer

-Nick

 

Leave the transmission in the car as well as the drive shaft hooked up to the rear end. This way when you bolt the transmission up to the engine (two upper bolts/2 lower bolts) and lower the engine completely down you will know where the engine is actually going to set and then you can paint around the frame pads which should be connected to the engine mounts. You never did say but what transmission are you going to use and are you going to use headers are exhaust manifolds?

 

I am using stock exhaust, and 350 transmission for now, oh and stock rear endray:

 

Stock exhaust will probably make the sway easier, I used 2" headers and I didn't have a heater/AC box to work around.