I have the opportunity to get an olds 455 out of a 73 toronado for free. But just like puppies there is no such thing as a free one. As far as I can tell it is pretty low on the HP scale and I was wondering what it would take to make some good HP out of it. Like maybe 1:1 HP to CI. Also what are the differences between the olds, buick and pontiac 455's? Are any of the parts interchangeable? I know that a bottom end is a bottom end but does anyone know what Olds heads I should be looking for to make power from the 455? Let me know. Thanks
no parts interchange. Buick has front distributor and oil pump. Olds and Pontiac have more speed parts... Other than that I think they're all very capable engines and 1 hp per cube would be cake. Olds 455 605 lbs, Pontiac 650 lbs Buick 640 lbs. Buick is the king of torque.
for Olds engine specific questions you should really try an Olds specialty board. something like www.442.com or www.realoldspower.com http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofhed.htm#HEADS%201964%20-%201990%20Combustion%20Chambers,%20CC's,%20Interchange as far as the poor hp rating, the 73 isn't the greatest but it's not as bad as it might appear at first blush either. 1971 was the last year of Factory Gross HP ratings while 1972 and newer is always in SAE Net HP. the change in rating method alone accounts for a 25% drop in the output rating. you can bolt an Olds and a Buick up to the same trans (not Chevy pattern) and you could swap something like the carb or PS pump. pretty much everything else will be Engine Family specific.
Thanks gents, That is the information I was looking for, and I knew that for the heads I should ask the olds enthusiasts but why register on an olds forum just to ask one stupid question Right?
http://reviews.ebay.com/GM-Big-Block-455-engine-families-A-primer_W0QQugidZ10000000002053785 You might find that helpful. The Toro oil pan, windage trays, oil filter mount, and intake/exhaust manifolds are worth money. So are the motor mounts.
I used to race an Olds. The best factory heads are "C" and "D", but are hard to find. Your 73's probably have "G" or "E" heads. They can be made to work with larger valves and some port work. Anything over about 450 HP you would be better off buying a set of Edelbrocks. At that level of HP, go with the Torker intake. You can take stock rods and crank over 500 HP. Torque King?? Don't kid yourself. Look at the bore/stroke ratios on BOP engines. Maybe on paper Buicks made more torque. In reality, the 455 Olds could pull a stump out of the ground. That's why I switched over to Buicks several years ago. It's alot harder to build RPM's and HP with an Olds motor than a Buick. Have fun.
I had a 425 Oldsmobile super rocket. They are very fast rebiable motors i would take it never hurts to have a big block laying around
