455 education: help wanted

I'm new to the 455. I'm looking to have one built new, but I don't understand everything I need to know to make educated decisions on the build. It's too much to discuss here. But I'd love to PM with somebody that can help me with the information I'm after, such as what parts to ask for to achieve "X" amount of horsepower, what rear end gearing to use for maximum performance versus the 200R4 I'm thinking to go with and so on. Anybody willing to take a minute, your time would be much appreciated. I just don't want to call TA and not be able to talk with them with confidence. I'm sure being wet behind the ears can be forgiven. But I want to learn and understand as well, as to minimize mistakes. Thanks in advance for your time.

 

First tell us what car it’s going in and what you want it to do. Street car? Race car? Highway cruiser? Big comfy Deuce na Quata? GS? Opel with a shoehorn?
How quick do you want it to be, how much creature comfort do you want? All these will determine whether you need a healthy pump gas torquer with mild components behind it or a high compression beast.
Attached are two great threads to read. They’ll get you started I think.
...And don’t get hung up on ‘I want xxx horsepower.’ Set your goals for what car and what 1/4 mile time, and then build the engine for it.

http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/post-your-12-13-second-455-combos.314631/
http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/post-your-11-12-second-455-combos.275366/page-12

Patrick

 

Welcome - 373 rear works well with a 200R4. Call TA, they are friendly and will set you straight. Call some of the builders here and discuss your budget and desires after you do what Patrick said above.

 

It'll be a '69 Skylark I want to street and freeway drive, yet hold my own if I decide to race a little. Per the wife, I must have AC. I'll be doing disc all around for breaks. I have, at or better than 15 grand for the engine for now and willing to put in the time and money to get it done properly.

 

Good news is with that budget you'll have no problem finding someone to build it for you. Bad news is if someone else is doing it for you, you pretty much have to have all the parts ahead of time.

I would "pretend" I had a bone stock 455 from whatever year block you can find, find out what components it has and start assembling it on paper by choosing what to replace.

I'd start with camshaft and work my way up/down.

 

15k......get a set of aluminum heads,...if going to run power brakes it will limit your cams size to keep vacuum.......but with those heads a decent 10:1 motor will be fine on pump gas with proper cam choice.......and 500+ hp is a cake walk..and 600hp isn't out of the realm with roller cams

I agree 3.73 with 200r4.

 

Pull up a chair and start reading. Those two threads that Patrick linked above are a great start.
After you've read for a few hours or more and want to talk to someone about your build, give JW a call.
Not sure who JW is? Keep reading.

 

I'll check this out for sure. Thank you guys, everyone.. for your information.

 

Give me a call, I would be happy to talk you thru it.. and if the shop number does not work properly.. (it suppose to be forwarded to my cel phone, and when that happens, it rings once in the shop, and then transfers to my phone.. rang once several times today, but never transferred...) you can call my cel directly..
612-532-2207

Never used to post that number, because I rarely had it on me, but I am carrying it more now..

JW

 

Jim, thank you. If it's alright I can contact you this Friday. I do appreciate it.