I may be trading a transmission build for a 1988 Estate Wagon, and I was wondering about a 455 swap. It now has a 307 Olds/200R4 setup, and I know I can make a 200R4 last a while behind a mild 455, but if I get serious with the motor I'll go TH400. My questions are : Do headers for the mid sized A&G bodies fit this late, big (B?) body? What kind of rear axle, 10bolt 8.5? Is that strong enough for the girth of this wagon with a 455? Does anyone offer traction friendly suspension upgrades (control arms, etc.) for this ship? Any advice, links or referrals would be appreciated. Thanks! RB
I'm new here and I don't know if you are still wanting answers. I built an '88 Electra wagon with a 455. The Olds 455 bolts right up and, depending on whether or not you wish to retain AC etc, there is little other modifications required. A little trim off the heater and some bracket creativity using the car's stuff. The Buick will not bolt up. You are better off to use the 2004R than switching to the TH400....many reasons. Do a few things to the 2004R and you will be much happier with it. Guys put them behind 800 HP engines. If I can be of help just yell here.
Thanks! I figured the Olds family would hit the same mount as my current 307 (Olds), but I was trying to see if the Regal frame mounts for a 455 Buick would just snap right on the B-body Estate crossmember with bolts or welding and sit at the right position. I have put a BB Chrysler in an AMC Gremlin, but I was hoping this would be a bolt-in. I am not concerned with keeping the A/C, P/S or maybe even the power brakes if I can get the weight down to where I want it (>4000lb.). I have an S-10 manual steering box that I was told would fit a Regal but I'm unsure if it fits full-sized (?), and I think someone offers a brake booster elimination "block" for the firewall. I got online with Metco and Spoahn about traction devices, Spoahn had everything including the anti-sway bar for a good price. I assume air bags (or at least a right side bag) would be needed for the coil springs, the bags are available from many sources. I want to use a 4.10 or maybe a 3.90 rear gear if the weight can be managed, and they're on sale along with mini spools at Summit right now. What does your wagon weigh with the (heavier, I assume) Olds 455? I have a '76 Plymouth GranFury wagon (think: Bluesmobile!) with an all iron 440 and all accessories that weighs-in at just over 5000lb(!), so I would hope with lightening countermeasures this goal of extra heavy Skylark/GS-type weight could be achieved with this big Estate. I've always loved my 455 Buicks, and my brown Ply. wagon is getting too well known by the street Mutang and Clamato guys at our local tracks... RB
I would say that if the Olds 455 fit, then the Buick will. T/A Performance should have the frame pads that you will need for the swap. Doug
If it's a full size wagon, there are some problems trying to put that Buick in there. Been there done that.
It's the biggest wagon available from Buick since 1977. It may not be called an "Estate", it might be "Roadmaster" or "LeSabre"/"Electra". I can't verify because I don't have it in my possession yet. I have to finish the night-and-weekend repair of a GMC truck 4L60E trans and P/S pump to trade for the running/driving wagon. I will post the actual specs when I get it, probably in another week or two. It was an inherited car, I knew the owner well, and he died before I could buy the Buick. His son in law needed the truck trans rebuilt and proposed the swap, with a nod from his wife who actually inherited the wagon. Problems like what on the swap? If a 455 goes into a Regal with some effort, I figured this would be cake. Mounts I can modify/space-out, but headers need to be a bolt-on if possible. I don't want to attempt to fab those at all cost... RB
I finally got the car! It's a '87 Electra Estate wagon with a 307 Oldsmobile motor. It runs great, though sluggish with a 5.0L motor pulling all that glass! The 200R4 works fairly good and it cruises well. I am going to change the oil and put a new battery in today, then drive it while I prepare the 455. I still need some help with header choices, I want full-length 1 7/8" (maybe 2") primaries. Any brands/models that are a KNOWN good fit??? I think I'm staying with the O/D trans and putting in a 4.10 gear and Posi unit, which will launch like a 4.56 gear using a TH400, yet in O/D it should cruise like a 3.08:1. I can have PTC build me a 2500+ converter with lock-up, so it can be engaged by a dash switch/disengaged by vacuum and brake switches. Will post pics soon, I gotta wash it... RB
There is someone on this forum that has put a few 455 Buicks in the '77-'90 B platform, do some searches and post in the Big Block section. I'm thinking that you are going to want to keep the power steering and power brakes on that car, I've got a '88 with a small block and I couldn't imagine driving the car without either. As that is a fairly heavy car I can't see the stock 200R4 lasting very long behind a 455 if you are going to rat on it. It would be a few $$ to build one that would, you maybe better ahead using a TH400 and an overdrive if you wanted to use 4.56s. Your car probably has 2.93s or 3.23s. I would wait to see how she launches with either before you go into a lower gear too quickly. My .02 Regards, Greg
Thanks, Greg! I plan to keep the P/S and P/B, so I will be limited on camshaft some. My partner and I own a transmission shop, and have built some mean 200R4s for GrandNationals and one 6-71 blown sb Chevy in a '65 C-10 pickup. I think with our usual HP mods and a PTC custom converter, it should be OK for a while. I really need to check the gearing, it's pretty peppy for a 307 Olds with the CEL lamp on, carb stuck full rich and a computer controlled distributor with no advance. I'll bet 2.93 until I pull the cover and count the teeth. Still needs a posi unit, though... RB
