I visited my local boneyard today looking for various parts for my car - which there were none, and I came across something that got me drooling...a 500 Cubic inch Cadillac. This is only the second one I have ever seen, and the first was...let's just say - long ago because I'm not that young.

Knowing that there is no replacement for displacement, and the price at the counter that I was quoted, I'm seriously thinking about getting ahold of this engine. The guy says it will cost me 200 bucks with no warranty, and they'll pull it. He then continued saying that if I pay 350 bucks, he'll pull it out and start it up for me and that will include a warranty.

I'm sure the warranty is only 30 days or so, but my only concern is that the block is good and there's no rods thrown. I would totally rebuild it anyway.

Question is-
1. What's the HP and torque ratings on this engine?
2. What can I shoe-horn this monster into?
3. Is it worth messing with keeping in mind there are really no aftermarket parts available?
4. Will any standard type GM trannys fit OK?
5. Should I pass on this, and get a 383 stroker instead?

I know whatever I can fit it into would most likely not be a daily driver, but a strip car.

Please give me opinions on this ASAP, because I have a feeling this engine won't last long.

 

i dont know anything about this engine specifically, but i think most big blocks in old people cars (caddy, olds, etc) back then were low in horepower but were torque monsters, in stock form anyway. like my friend's '65 olds delta 88 with a 455 only has a two barrel, that can't be good for business

 

Thanks for the response Ukraine - I know what you mean...alot of the older engines were lower on HP and high on torque...anyone else?

 

PM ChrisFormula355. He's got one in one of his cars. From what I understand it's got just bolt ons and nitrous and that car has some power.

78 Pontiac Grand Prix: Big block cadillac, nitrous.......

Best E.T: Bottom 11's on 100 shot

 

Its going to cost to make that motor into anything respectable. They made killer torque but nothing in the horsepower department. If your wanting something different then go for it. But I'm sure you could build a 350 to be just as fast for cheaper!

Just my .02

 

I know a guy that put a 500 inch caddy motor in his old chevy pickup truck. Incredible torque!
(I've seen them in a couple early Camaros as well)
It's pretty wide, which may be the biggest problem in regards to swapping it into something else.
He just rebuilt it with some earlier heads (small combustion chambers) to bump up the compression, a mild street cam, HEI, headers and Edelbrock Performer intake with 850 Holley double pumper. This with a TH400, 2500 stall and 4.11 gears.
What a ride. I've ridden in some fast cars, but 0-60 this thing will almost take your head off.
Any Buick/Olds/Pontiac TH400 will bolt up (BOP TH350 too, but I doubt it would last long). Headers are gonna have to be modified or made from scratch for most non-stock applications.
Don't rev it past about 4800 with a stock bottom , but you shouldn't need to.
Might not be the ideal motor for most applications,
but sure would be a fun tire-burner in just about anything.
I say for the money, it's a lot of motor. Go for it!
There's not many vehicles out there with that kind of torque.
-Rich-

 

Did you guys ever see the Hot Rod where they put one of those in a Chevette? That was bad a$$!! Pulled the front tires in December on a country road. I don't think I would put one in a third gen, but I would in a land barge if I had one. The aftermarket is nill on these though, but N2O will cure that. If you are looking for an engine to put into a Camaro/Firebird, I would go with the 383 idea.

 

They Do make some performance parts for these engines. Although I don't know where. I bought some 2nd gen bird parts from a fellow, with a 85/86 ish elcamino. He had a 455 Pontiac in it. He sold that one and put a Caddy 500 in another. It's got an aluminum intake and a holley 850, with NO adapter. Every time I see him, he says he's going to blow my bird in the weeds. Seems like it runs pretty good, from a start. It might even fit a third gen, but they're awful heavy.

 

Thanks for all the replies...from what I see, everyone has a pont. I agree, it's a heavy torque monster from the get go, and most likely would be a serious pain in the a** to adapt in my car.

You think so?? I have heard the 383's put out some torque, but I didn't think they put out that much. If I could do that...then I suppose I would install it in my Camaro, with no major mods. Yes...installing that motor would make the most sense I suppose. I dont think it would cost all that much more for a standard rebuild, and maybe a better cam.




I didn't think it looked any wider than a 455 Buick or Olds engine really....looked taller though. I always thought they were close to a 455 Olds engine. No one's put a 500 in a third gen??

That's exactly what I thought when I seen this engine. It's some serious cubes cheap... but I would have to most likely spend slightly more for the install....but I might be able to get a 383 past a smog check, cause there's no visuals. Emissions standards were laughable back when they made the 500's. I think the last year for them was 71 I think. I'd end end not being able to register it on the road....still thinkin..

Yet another sensible person...can't argue.

You think they are heavier than a 454 BB?? I new it would add around 200 extra pounds I'm guestimating. I'm not a lightweight either.

Thanks for the responses all I guess I'll have to simmer a while with these Pros and Cons.

Hate to say it, but I wish I had a Monte Carlo to stick that engine in right now. But .....lotta motor for the money......and I need to stick with what been tried and true in my car - I don't have any more room for another car. 4 car garage with my Camaro, the S-10, the Thunderchicken, and my Boat. No room....and sorry If it sounded like I was bragging cause I didn't mean it that way.

Again thanks all.

-Lotta motor for the money though-

 

in the hot rod issue, they had the Chevette running mid 11s, all they did is put in the 500 caddie, and put a set of Caddie 472 heads on it!
I suppose if you put a cam and headers on it, if they even make them, that it woud make rediculous power.