My son is clamoring for a 455 in his convertible skylark we want to turn into a GSX clone. I need some ideas on expense of a buildup for a 455 yielding 400-450HP. I have the opportunity to buy a complete motor locally for $300.....but what would be normal buildup costs...of course the motor would be bored .030, crank ground/replaced, cam(?), heads(?), headers(?), carb(?).....etc. Every dollar is important so sharpen your pencils guys and let me know the best, yet least inexpensive route to go please! Is a TH350 ok or should a TH400 be installed with a 455? Short or long tail? Any specialty items required for a transition? Crossmembers/brackets/yokes/etc? $'s? Tranny will run me an Uncle Ben. Thanks, KHS 72GSClone
It all depends on the year of the motor. Anything 74-76 will require a different set of heads. Although, if the short block is decent/ doesn't knock with decent oil pressure, you're atleast starting with a block that has good rods/crank. If it were me, this is what I'd do to prep the rotating assembly: Thermoclean block, shot blast, magnaflux, total spec. Minimal over bore, hone to match pistons I'd align hone the block, no question about it, ARP bolts too I'd do the oil mods R&R rods with ARP bolts, and recon Minimal grind on crank, Also Thermo clean/mag Balance rotating assembly I would DEFINATLY check the deck height, then CC the heads to set your compression right at 9.5:1, or some where in that area. That would be about $1000 or so in machine work, Short block only. I check out the head situation, and do the neccesary work there, probably around 500-600 bucks total. After that, parts are parts. o No: Of course you'll need a decent exhaust system, headers and big pipes. A SP1, or an Edelbrock intake will be needed, along with a nice carb. That should help you out..... :3gears:
