I am looking at purchasing a '76 riviera with 52,000 miles. The car is in very good condition. The first thing I would like is to get more power out of the car. The motor runs very smoothly; but it is not exactly a powerhouse. It will break a tire loose if you get on it...big deal. Will adding bolt-ons make much of a differance in power or will I need to tear into the engine to get any real power?...I am basically trying to build a sleeper of sorts, not a hot rod. I know the open differential will have to go. The 455 weazes through a single pipe with a cat and 2 mufflers inline so I know it's choked. Any ideas appreciated....thanks, Soren
Get some '70 heads, stage 1 preferably. Better yet TA aluminum. Pre-smog intake might help a little. get rid of the TCS(?) system that eliminates vacuum spark advance until 3rd gear. Ditch the exhaust. Timing chain and cam would be considerations, but that low mileage the timing chain might be fine. Good old shot of N2O would do it if you're on a budget and can'tafford the engine mods.
Hi There, Well we all had to start somewhere. A good start would be a full free-flowing exhaust. Next Iwould suggest swapping out to earlier/better set of cylinder heads and a good intake manifold and maybe beef up that HEI some. Good luck. Just one extra note. If you go to '70 or earlier heads you will have to plug a water passage on the top of your Blue block.
70-72 heads with 3 angle valve job and bowl blending, mild cam kit that will work with your stock converter, recurve your distribitor, 3.23-3.55 gears ,and a 2 1/2 exhaust.
Thanks for the info. I noticed the tranny crossmount is of the single hump type. Do you think a crossmount from a 71-73 riv will swap into the 76. A friend of mine has 2 parts cars so I will be able to get some parts for free or very cheap. Thanks again...Soren
Before buying that 1976 Riv, check out this nice '76 on eBay: <img src="http://i22.ebayimg.com/02/i/01/6b/72/23_1_b.JPG"> < Click on photo
I used one out of a '74 that had the duals but I think a boat tail cross member will work. It's worth trying but the exhaust, a shift kit, and a recurved distributor were my first and biggest improvement I made to a "75 I had. Sold the Riv for a GS, wish I still had it. A good set of heads would of been my next modification. Good luck. fernando
correction Ian, it is when you put late model heads on a early block there is a hole in the later heads that if you dont plug it will spill coolent into the lifter gally. Kelly
