I have a 1971 skylark with a bop th350 trans. I recently bought a 455 to spruce up and pi in the lark. Will the 455 bolt up to the 350 trans? And will it handle the torque of the 455? Any advice would help! Thanks.
Many people have good luck with the th350 behind a 455 however if you are racing and hard on the car then the th350 will give up eventually. if you drive it on the street and be nice to it it could last 10 years, or 10 minutes who knows. I say build the th400 and swap it in with the 455.
You will need a new driveshaft built, with TH400 yoke and it is shorter. You move the crossmember back on the frame, holes are already there.
The motor in my Skylark is a 71 455, it's transmission was a turbo 350. It worked fine. For a stock-power level or even intake/carb/headers upgrade that transmission will last just fine. The T350 requires less hp to turn, so it actually is a good choice for stock cars. Also, because the t350 takes less power, there are lots of upgrades available for them. Were it me, I'd put a mild to moderate shift kit in it and enjoy the car. Also, the Turbo 350 is dirty cheap to rebuilt and the torque converter is interchangeable with the Turbo 400 - thus if you put a higher stall torque converter and decide later to go with a T400; you don't need to buy a new torque converter.
Thanks for the help guys. I plan to keep it mostly stock, maybe a cam, intake, carb, headers, and maybe high comp. Pistons since the engine is a low compression from 74. I also would like to do something with the heads, either keep them and port them, or get some new ones, but 1,800 for some aluminum ones is a bit pricey for me. Any thoughts on the heads and best intake/carb/cam combo?
I have had zero problems with my 350 sitting behind a big block and I have brought it through its paces. However I did beef it up it the right places. My motor is no where near some others on the board, but it is over the 500 ft/tq limit and is still holding together well with no issues. Carmantax is right on what is involved, and its not a big deal. I did end up having to build a new drive shaft only because the 8.5 gave out and replaced it with a Ford 9". As for your other question.............. staying smart on the money. SP1 intake, blend the bowls and port match your heads to the intake, if you can afford that do the valves too. Pistons is a must and feel around on the cam depending on what your doing. Top it off with a 750 double pumper, maybe a little larger. You should be able to do all of that under the price of your 1800 dollar heads. Just my two cents.
BOP bellhousing should bolt right up. The th 350 has alot going for it. built properly it will last. My buddy runs 10s in a 4000lb chevy with a th 350 thats been in for years.
Sweet, thanks, sticking with the th350, anyone have any preferences for stock bore high compression pistons?
Also, when converting from a 350 to 455, can I use the same motor mounts or do I have to buy new ones?
My th350 has had no problems behind my slightly built 455 est 425 hp, street and a little racing. if your gonna rebuid it, do the 700r4 clutch pak and housing in it and like someone else said a shift kit. it cost me less that 600.00 to have that trans totaly redone and modified and should last forever. wlecome and good luck
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