I've been tinkering with my car slowly, putting what money I have into it, and recently getting a job at a aprts store has helped immensely in getting me open doors to good mechanics and questions answered, but recently someone told me something that left me kinda confused. I've been toying with the idea of putting in a 455 engine into my 72 Skylark, and while I have the Turbo 350 tranny, I had been under the impression that a 455 engine would kick out too many horsepower. Everywhere I look for info, the 455 is rated at about 500 hp average without mods or suping up, but the turbo 350 is only rated up to about 400 hp. Wouldn't the engine be too much for the transmission? One of the mechanics who specializes in transmissions (and whom I asked if he had anything around that I could purchase) around here told me I had nothing to worry about, but I'm a little wary of that (the car's been abused by its last owner, so you can understand why I'm wary). Anyone have any experience with this?
a properly rebuilt th350 will handle the torque of the 455 engine unless u intend to beat the crap out of it.
Th350 I have been going against the grain and using a TH350 for several years. It is lighter than the TH400 and takes less HP to spin it. My advice is to go with the TH350.
Turbo 350 We run turbo 350's in mine and my wifes car, the only problems that i have had was we had to replace the sprag in it. Once we put a heavy duty unit in there, the problems went away.
I bolted my 455 up to my original TH350 back in '91. The car was driven daily with that combo, 12 months a year, until '97, when reverse went on the tranny. Previously, that TH350 (original stock) had been used daily since 1969. The old worn out TH350 lived behind a stock 455 for 6 years of daily use and abuse. Now I use a slightly beefed up TH350 and it may run a tad hotter than I like but functionality wise I have no issues The Buick 455 never put out 500 hp as an average for a stock motor. I don't know where you are reading that, but they put out a bit shy of 375 hp. I have to disagree with your sources for engine output. The 1970 Stage 1 was rated at 360 or 370 hp depending on who's telling, and 510 pounds feet of torque I think maybe you're confusing torque and horsepower in this instance
As a matter of fact, Chris, I'd almost guarantee that you're right and I'm confusing the two. Comes from reading facts sheets when I'm tired. And thanks to all of you for the information. This helps a lot in furthering my plans for my car.
Here is info from my swap-- I used a TH350 behind a 455-- http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=58164 Frank
I use a th350 behind my 455 (olds) but it's been built to handle the motor. Don't forget to shift kit it.
