I'm not sure if I should be posting this here, but here it goes. Im building a 455 for my Buick and I have had a couple people telling me it would be worth it to switch to an auto trans. They have said with the power your going to make it's easier letting an auto do the work. I kind of agree. The reason I'm asking is because I am going to take my original 455 and trans out and put it aside. So should I buy an auto or manual? I'm not worried about the cost right now. I'm just wondering what I have to change to make the auto work if I go that route. So far I figured I'll need the linkage, shifter, radiator, and trans lines. Is this correct and is there more that I haven't thought of? I was wondering if the driveshaft will work (I think it will) and the crossmember. Any info would be appreciated. If you think I should just keep the car a standard, please express your opinion b/c I am up in the air about it. Brian
A 70 Stage-1 4 speed is an incredible and valuable car. I would not touch it. Not a bad choice moth balling original engine as I did the same.
With respect to value the auto trans option cost more new but today the 4 speeds will bring more money. I would say a top of the line 4 speed 70 GSX would bring 50K more than an auto. So it would depend on the car but the 4 speed, if original, would bring at maybe 25% more for the same car.
DON'T DO IT.. I've spent big bucks switching my auto trans to a 4 speed in my GS. You'll kill the value of this car and the way I see it, you'd be better off selling the car and buying an automatic. It'll be cheaper in the long run and you'll most likely recoup your 455 rebuild costs with a replacement automatic car. If $$ is no option, then do what you want, but the 4 speed is much more valuble all around. Let me know if you want to sell off the 4 speed set-up. (hey, you never know)o No: Mike
Before I say anything else, I'm just putting my original engine and transmission aside for now. I don't want to RUIN them. I'm just putting another engine and transmission in the car to have fun with for now. Down the road I would like to do a frame-off restoration to this car with ALL of the original equipment. With that said, since I'm taking the 4-speed out, should I put in an automatic. I am putting a stout BBB in my car and people have recommended an automatic instead of the four speed. I WILL NOT hack up the car, so if I have to do that to put an auto in (but I don't think I have too) I will not do it. I am not going to sell any of the four speed parts either. I'm building this car for my father and I to enjoy right now. My father has always wanted a built 455 Buick and that is what I plan on giving him. I'm taking the four speed out b/c I heard the cases can crack and I don't want that to happen. I'll repeat this again, I plan on doing a frame-off resto down the road. The original ENGINE and TRANS are coming out of the car so they DO NOT get ruined. With that said, what trans would you put in the car? I don't ever plan on selling the car, unless I absolutely have too (health problems etc). I just want to let everyone know that I know this hurts the value of the car, but if I sell it (b/c I have to) the original equipment will be put back into the car before I sell it. I agree with everyone that this is a rare car and that is the reason I am taking the original engine/trans out. They have never been rebuilt and I'd hate to get on the gas and either break original engine/trans. Sorry for the repetition, I just wanted to get my point across. Thanks. Brian
Mike, I do have my mind made up about taking the original engine/trans out of the car. I would just like some opinions on whether I should buy another 4 speed to replace the original or change it to an automatic. Brian
Hi Brian - Leave it a manual. This car will mostly be driven on the street, correct? Not bracket raced? Change the car as little as possible while swapping out the matching #s drivetrain :Smarty: Besides, 4-speed Buicks are :bglasses: :3gears: :3gears: :3gears:
You will probably want to do a column shift, unless you want to put additional holes in your floor. So you need a steering column. If you go TH350 the original driveshaft will work; but if your motor is pretty stout, go TH400, and get a new driveshaft. Crossmember is the same, I'm pretty sure.
Since you're preserving the original drivetrain that part is moot.:TU: What are you going to use it for in the mean time? Serious racing or casual cruising? What do you think dad would prefer to have in the car? Does he want to beat the crap out of it :3gears: on the street or the track? Either way, parts breakage happens, but fixin' it can be fun too. I don't think either manual or auto is the wrong answer here, go with what you think he'll have more fun with (4 speeeeed!).
Thanks for the info everyone. The car is going to be mostly a street car with maybe a couple passes down the track. The motor I'm building is going to have good torque and HP #'s. My goal is to eventually put this combo in a skylark or GS without a motor/trans so I have something to drive while I restore the Stage 1. I don't have the money to buy another car now and my dad is getting older and I just want him to enjoy the car with a built 455 (which is what he's wanted for a long time). The only reason I was thinking of going to an auto was b/c if I decide to use this combo at the track (in another car) it would be more consistent. Plus if the motor is revved to high (with the 4 speed) it could break. I'm still up in the air about what to do, so keep your opinions coming. :beer Marco, How are you doing? I haven't talked to you in a while. I'm hoping to make it to Yardley's this year (with or without the Buick) so hopefully I will get to meet a few people from the Buick community. Let me know if your going or not. Also, do most of the people who go drive thier Buicks or tow them? I'm just curious. Thanks. Brian
Hi Brian - God willing I'm going - I hope to see you there. Most of us drive - some drive long distances with their Buick (except Dave S who trailered his low 12 second '69 GS last year). Even the Massholes drive down for this shindig :beer :3gears:
Do you know for sure that your drivetrain is numbers-matching? If your tranny has been swapped once before, then you only have to worry about the motor. I would definatly keep a 4 speed in there, way to much fun to drive. I don't think you'll have any durability issues as long as 5 grand dumps and slicks are not in your future. :beers2:
My thoughts EXACTLY--I waited a while to find an ORIGINAL 4spd---NO WAY I am going back to an Auto--although the TH400 with shift kit is great at the drags but for driving/cruising 4spd hooked to that HURST shifter is IT!! :bglasses: I know you said you wouldn't sell but it might be a consideration especially is you are talking the modifications you desire---you could certainly buy an Auto STG1 with money from the 4spd sale although you would be without a vehicle for awhile. Pete
Yes my transmission is numbers matching. That was the first thing I looked at when I bought my car. I bought a chevelle that wasn't numbers matching and I dumped a lot of money into that car and I didn't get much back. I actually sold the car for less than I bought it for and I did a lot of upgrades to it. My father and I decided we wanted a numbers matching Stage 1 and that is what we purchased. In time I hope I can redo the whole car, but for now I'm just going to have fun with it and from the feedback I'm getting, I'm leaning towards keeping it a standard. I love shifting through the gears, but I had quite a few people tell me go automatic so I was just curious what people on this board would think. I appreciate everyone's opinion. Brian
It boils down to a personal choice. If you really enjoy shifting through the gears, build it the way you want to drive it. Borrow an automatic version and compare? You might end up wanting one of each :Brow:
I think this may be the best idea. Perhaps you can find a regular skylark for not too much money and drop your 455 into that, and avoid doing any mods to your GS at all. In the long run this may be the cheapest route to get you where you want to go with a racing car you can beat on, and your original Stage1 which you don't want to beat on. I think you would be able to find some solid skylarks for not too much money. For example, this one's kind of cute. It's already got the TH400 in it to save you a few bucks on trans and driveshaft, and some nice wheels on it too for under $7K. http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/8/7/88169387.htm
