OK, perhaps I am just using my overactive imagination again. I saw an ad in the paper yesterday for two 1982 firebirds and a bundle of spares for $1500. Seeing as I have a running 455 sitting on a stand in my garage, it got me thinking evil thoughts about bringing those bits together. So, all things being equal, how much trouble is it to drop a BBB into a 82-92 Firebird? I know that there was one guy at Bowling Green that had a similar setup once, and it seemed really nice. The Buick motor would weigh about the same as the stock 350, so it wouldn't affect the handling much either. I also know that Kansas doesn't really care what motor you throw in a car from an emissions standpoint, just as long as you have a an exhaust catalyst. Would the swap cost a small fortune? What would I have to fabricate besides motor mounts? I know that those bodies can be had pretty cheaply these days, so even if I don't bite on these, I might in the future. Just curious since it sounds like a recipe for cheap 12's to me... Thanks! - Freed
I know the headers/exhaust was a pain His name is Mike Pesarchic (sp?) drives it everywhere and then races....and drives home. I think his last excaped was going to be running it at the Salt flats but the event was rained out
If I'll need custom build headers anyway, I should just bite the bullet and get stage 2 heads, right? :Brow: :Brow: Anything else? - Freed
Freed I admire your creativity. I too have had similar dreams but I would like too drop a Hemi in the back seat of an 86-87 IROC and maybe going AWD. Cost about the same price as a new car. But a 455 would be a nightmare, If you got it hooked up I bet it would do an easy 10. -Matt
Lemme tell ya... Really, I just feel like putting one of these wonderful high-torque motors in something that weighs less than 3500lbs. I'd like to put one in my S-10, but if Mike says they don't fit, I'll take his word for it. An example is that I would like to put a BBB in a BMW 6-series. Those cars are fairly light, nice looking, and very luxurious, and the BMW 3.5 liter inline 6 is about the same weight as a 455. All of the torque AND all of the handling. I would have to put a different rear in it to handle all of the torque with the independent suspension, but considering how those cars are laid out, I don't think it would be all that hard to put in a t-bird 8.5" or a good old Ford 9". The engine bay is wide enough and long enough, but I think I would end up with some hood clearance issues -- nothing that couldn't be resolved with a scoop or a creative FI/induction system. So, then I would have my very own, very bad-ass 674GSi. Talk about a sleeper. Another thought was to swap a 455 into something older and a little lighter than my GS. I've always liked the look of the 65 Skylarks and the 69 Camaros so I think either would be good candidates. On an entirely different vein, I have always wanted a Checker Cab. Those ran Chevy small blocks for most (if not all) of their production run, and they have tons of room under the hood. Great home for a stroker motor, or a 500" Caddy, I'm thinking... But, since I don't have the money for all of that, I'm thinking about building a Frankenstein I could afford. My first car was a 1979 Firebird, so I think an 82 might fill the bill, especially if I can get two for $1500. - Freed
My buddy has a 78 or 79 firechicken with an olds 455, built up real nice, rips like all heck. It should be fairly easy to put a BBB in on of thoose years since some came with poncho 455's and olds 455's.... The later years would be tighter fit...
I was daydreaming the other day and came up with a good combo. 60s 70s and early 80s Mercedes Benz sedans can be found pretty cheap, rust free and in good shape. Howzabout a big ol S class benz with a balls to the wall 455 in it? Even better if you use a diesel as a starting point since the diesel ones are slow as dirt. Plus they are smog exempt here in cali (for now). Some AMG suspension bits, throw some cash down for some bling bling wheels and you would have one heck of a car for not a lot of dough. I dunno, I was also thinkin a 455 in a early 70s camaro would be pretty cool. Years ago I almost bought a 65 Chevelle that was a Chevelle, Camaro, Buick GS Hybrid. It had a stage 1 455/SP400 combo. GS (esque) hood with ram air. 12Bolt posi rear with discs all the way around. Aluminum dash with gauges, IROC bucket seats and 16in 5 spoke wheels. It also had all the SS trim and badging (was not a real SS tho). Fully caged too. Thing ran like a bat out of hell (guy said it had run 12.0s W/lots of tire smoke, at Carlsbad Raceway) and was pretty cool looking. All it needed was some wiring work, interior finish and odds and ends (rechrome bumpers and trim). Guy wanted $1,800 for it and I was falling all over myself trying to find the money to buy it. But alas I was 19 and had very little extra cash. I often wonder what became of that car.
Re: Lemme tell ya... Interesting that you said that.... I'v got a friend with a 86 BMW 325 with a bad motor, and I'v been twisting his arm to drop in a built buick 350 (that's conveniently sitting in my garage) along with a 200 R4 tranny. That would make an ultra cool combo in my opinion... Under 3000 lbs, over 400 ft/lbs of torque, and world class handling:Brow:
Re: Re: Lemme tell ya... My first thought? Turbo 6. That should scare the pee out of just about anyone in the passenger seat. It would also make for a serious bowl of this: :Brow: But, if you have the motor handy, what the heck. Use what ya got. - Freed
How about an awd AMC Eagle 2dr hatch back with a 455? I'll bet it would fly. Or maybe an older jaguar XJ6. Or maybe a 91-96 roadmaster wagon. or maybe an 87-93 mustang. ________ Web Shows
ok ok... while were dreaming. 93 honda civic hatchback mid engined 455 hmm... can a 12 bolt be narrowed that much?. (we'll keep it an auto to make the shift linkage easier.) would it even need a 12 bolt since the car only weighs 1500 lbs? power to weight ratio??? hella lot to itty bitty amount. I still want my built up 92 olds bravada. All wheel drive smoke all 4 wheels... nate ok i'm done now
I actually saw a Ford Focus with a 302 in it!. It was at the Pomona Winternationals in a Ford aftermarkets parts display. They claimed it had won a "best engineered" prize from some VIP's. It was amazing! The motor sat low in the engine bay and it had a solid rear axle. It looked like a stock car inside and out.
