I have a 350 w/ TH350 in my car at present. motor and trans have 100K miles. Engine smokes and will need to be rebuilt probably this winter. Question is should I keep the 350/TH350 combo or upgrade to a 455/ TH400. It seems that the cost of rebuilding a 350 vs a 455 is similar and I can get an engine and trans cores for around $500 total. Does anyone have any experiences that would steer me one way or the other? Thanks (posted the same question in the small block forum)
How it will be used. Larry, I think that working on a car that you need to drive to work in the morning takes all the fun out of it! My Buick is used for running errands and doing the occasional open highway blast. Typical use is getting Ice cream with the kids or going to a cruise. I drive it less than 3000 miles a year so if the question is gas mileage I don't consider it a factor.
Got to admit... I run into two types of guys at cruises. One type doesn't know Buicks and asks, "Is this a Chevelle?" The other type knows Buicks and asks, "Is this a 455?" Once I get the 455 I could answer yes to both... and smile!
i have a question why did they make small blocks? o No: Big block is the only way to go :Brow: Thanks Dustin
i say go for the 455. i just did it and driving the car went from :boring: to :3gears: . i left the th350 in and the shift was kinda soft, i installed a shift kit in it and it made a huge difference.
Nothing is wrong with the Buick 350, although the Buick 455 is a compact and lightweight engine in it's own right, and a Buick 455 powered car has potential for good handling just like a 350 car has the potential. I have been running a Buick 455 in my skylark with a TH350 tranny since 1991, in a daily driver. No troubles except in 1997, when reverse went out on me on a date...but I can hardly blame the 455 for killing reverse on a 28 year old tranny! It was just time. In my opinion, I went with the 455 for one reason: there is nothing the 350 can do that the 455 can't
Easy david i know a buick 350 is a good engine but the costs are similar, a big block for basically the same money would be the way to go. Thanks Dustin
I agree, that's why I'll be doing a 455 swap as soon as I can afford it. Just had to give you a hard time for knocking the sbb... :laugh:
455!!!!!!!! Guys, thanks so much for the input. Yesterday I made a deal on a '71 TR code 455 with '70 heads on it, and a '70 vintage TH400 short. I'll be dismantling it and rebuilding it over the winter as time and resources ($$$) permit. I am interested in any advice/ warnings I can get. Thanks Again, Steve
Sounds like there's a 71 GS455 missing a motor out there somewhere... I've actually been surprised at how many TR code motors I've seen for sale in the last few years, considering there weren't a lot of 71 GS455's to begin with. Sadly, those motors pretty much represent the ones that are no longer with us in "body and frame." At least their soul will live on. Good luck with the motor Steve :TU:
Rebuilds maybe close in cost, but a swap takes a lot more. Exhaust, frame pads, belts, hoses and bigger radiator. Maybe a distributor, starter and throttle cable. TH400 swap needs a switch and rebuilt drive shaft. Rejet or new carb? New fan shroud. etc, etc, etc. I did the swap and kicked myself in the butt at first. Now that it is dialed in I would not have it any other way, unless it was a #s matching 350 GS. HTH John
Sticking with my little 350.... I think 475 hp will be no slouch even if it is a little 350. And when they ask me if it is a 455 I will say nope it is a buick 350 :shock:
475HP 350 Buick Hey TXGS, could you give me a ballpark figure on what it costs to make a 350 produce 475HP? I am guessing a lot, but having a kick butt 350 like that is definitely appealing. So many choices ! Now I know why some guys on this site end up with a fleet of Buicks. Steve
