Ok, so I'm wondering if between all our Buick brains, I can get some help composing a list of what parts (OEM or aftermarket) are compatible/swapable, with minor to zero tweaking or custom fabricating, between a 1970 Buick LeSabre 455 Coupe and...well, basically anything. i.e. Brakes, Rearends, etc., as well as aftermarket parts that are a definite fit on other models with the same engine. An example would be, an aftermarket dealer stating that an exhaust header will fit a '70 GS with the same 455 (non-Stage 1) as the '70 LeSabre , but states that it won't fit the LeSabre. Advice, suggestions, & comments are extremely welcomed!!
I can tell you a few things that come to mind right away. The radiator is the same as a-body radiators, so if you want to swap in an aluminum radiator, it's easy. Scarebird makes a bracket to install front disk brakes if you're interested (scarebird.com). The rear in your LeSabre 455 is a big car 9 3/8 rear that has no aftermarket support at all. The width is larger than that of a Skylark, so their rear won't work. However, the non 455 LeSabre's have a wider 10 bolt rear that is not the big car rear. It's a 8.2 10 bolt, just like the Skylark, but a bit wider. Not that you'd really want that rear with a 455 behind it. Somebody at some point made headers that'll fit this car. I have a set on my 455 car that I got from a guy who really had no clue what brand they were. I had to chop out the two cross braces to get them to fit, but I don't really care. That's about all I can think of at the moment!:TU:
Yeah, I've been looking for some tuned headers for a while, but to no avail. I think I will have to get someone to custom make some, depending on how much that will cost. Hey, thanks for the tips!! I have the rearend diff. gears out of, I believe, a '70 GS. At least that's what the guy I bought it from told me he had done. He was going for more top end speed I believe. I personally would rather have more get up and go from the line seeing as how I don't get much of a chance to open her up to 130+ MPH :3gears: I will definitely look into the aluminum radiator for sure. What would the disk brakes need to come off of? Or would I have to purchase new ones? Ok, so the list so far is: Rearend diff. gears from '70 GS Any A-body radiators Rearend from a non-455 LeSabre (8.2 10 Bolt) Front Disc brackets from Scarebird.com
Try the shorties at www.TAperformance.com. They are only a few hp short of the full length. If the rear is your 455 LeSabre is a 9 3/8" it will not interchange with those from a GS which for 70 model US cars would have been an 8.2".
Jim's correct about the rear of a GS not fitting, but the internals will fit into a non 455 LeSabre's rear as it is also an 8.2 10 bolt. The only difference is the axels are longer. Another option you may want to consider is a 12 bolt or 9" Ford rear as your 455 will make short work of a 10 bolt in that heavy car. I don't know of any swappable rears, but you could get a 12 bolt from a Chevy of about the correct width (56" backplate to backplate if I remember right) and have the brackets welded on to make it work. That would be a better choice than building up a 10 bolt. Might be cheaper too; just take a look at prices for an 8.2 10 bolt posi and gear set. For the brakes, if you go to scarebirds website, they list what you need to make the conversion. :beer
Charles: Nice to see another LeSabre 455 on the board! There are no headers that will fit our cars. The big issue is not the frame, it's the steering box. Romy has a car with a full set, not shorties, but he did have the frame cut to install them and the headers are right up against the box (Romy - still can't believe you got those headers stuffed in there!) A few people have modified headers to clear the steering box, and my plans are also to modify a set. Romy's car also has an alum radiator that looks really nice. Easy swap. The rear end is unique to the big Buick cars and there are no replacement parts available. TA Performance is currently evaluating whether they will produce parts and/or a replacement unit, so we can only hope. Glad to help you in any way I can, just let me know. Also, does your LeSabre 455 have factory air conditioning? Paul
Thanks for all the advice guys! So I guess for the time being (short of a hefty custom swap) I'm stuck with the rearend setup that I have in the car now. Speaking of which, anyone know exactly how many teeth are supposed to be on the gears from a '70 GS opposed to a '70 LeSabre? Because the next time I get a chance, I'm gonna open up my rearend diff. and count them if I have to so I can figure out whether the guy I bought this car from is a genius or a liar. No headers either...crap. Well I know a guy who some some AWESOME metal work and has done some tuned headers before. Should I bring him a new set to modify, or would it be better to just let him make them from scratch? I'm definitely dropping in a an aluminum radiator ASAP. That would look really nice and help the cooldown and weight a little too. Yeah, my car has factory A/C. I actually put a can of R-12 through it last weekend, but it's still not blowing cold. All the components seem to be working properly (compressor, clutch, controls, etc.) so I think I'm gonna hit it with another can and see what happens. When I put the R-12 in this weekend, I think I'm gonna try replacing all the bushings on the frontend. They're BAAAAD. Hopefully I can get all this accomplished over the weekend...the LeSabre is my daily driver BTW. My truck has been in the body shop for almost 3 months :af::rant: Thanks for the heads up Paul. It is nice to see another true LeSabre 455! I don't see many, that's for sure (not in my part of town anyhow). Thanks for the assist, I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions where that came from.
