Call m crazy but I am considering a rather unusual engine swap. I got my hands on a very well built 455 Buick engine. I am thinking about installing it in my 86 z28 with an adapter and a 700R-4 fully manual shift trans. No computer and a painless re-wiring. These engine produce outrages torque and pretty good HP numbers. I have a similar 455 in my 68 riviera but with a th400. This will be primary a race car but I may use it on the street occasionally. Anyone ever put a similar package together or am I just out of my mind.
tx dd

 

You wouldn't be the first.

I saw one out at the track several years ago. My Berlinetta #1 runs about a second and a half faster than it was running.

 

are you saying he's probably looking at a high 15 sec car with that motor?
i'm assuming a well built 455 means aftermarket parts and more ***** than it had originaly,i'd say that z would move with that motor.

 

That 455 weight is close to the smallblock. I work on a 69 GS that ran a couple of 11.80s (would of ran more but the owner didn't want to install a roll bar ). It was has a full int.& is a stock looking car, that weighed in around 4100Lbs. I would think a well prepped racer like your talking, Should get be alittle quicker, being nearly 1000Lbs less. with a similer engine. just watch the oil system.

 

No, I'm saying that's what that guy ran at 5800' elevation. A relatively mild 350 shamed it.

I know Buicks can run, just seems like a lot of work and money for the return.

Putting an engine in your car, any engine, "because that's what I have" is a very poor reason. Right behind that is, "to be different".

 

455's are awesome motors and if you got one that's built,install it and burn up the track.there is alot more race cars with big blocks then small blocks.
if this is gonna be a mostly race car,big block is the way to go,a small block would be better for a street/strip car,imo,just because when you get that high in power to call it a race car,without fuel injection and computer controll,the car tends to lose it's streetability.

 

"I'm saying that's what that guy ran at 5800' elevation. A relatively mild 350 shamed it."

WOW, The dude must have been asleep @ the wheel.

This Riviera is a huge heavy mom's grocery getter that ran a 13.82 at Englishtown, NJ. all motor. I'm thing mid-high 10s on the stage 2 components and 1 shot of juice with a good tune in the Z? This is not a just because I can deal, I have a lot of respect for the gm 455 and torque off the light like crazy.

 

Reaction time doesn't have anything to do with ET.

I didn't see him make a run, just his dial-in on the windshield. Perhaps he was spinning horribly off the line - don't know, but he did have some meats out back.

 

You'd better search the forums for an author of a thread named "Magilla."

Mild, and I mean mild, 455 Buick with an adapter to a 700R4 running 11's. You will do much better than that with a good build.

That car made Hot Rod Magazine so that is another place to check.

Don't let these guys around here shame you into anther useless small block chevy install. Dare to be different and "it's what I have around" are two great reasons in my book.

I say go for it.

Damn the torpedoes, FULL SPEED AHEAD!!