Deliver me from temptation - LS1 swap

I plan to get back in the game by purchasing a 65 Skylark to replace my 64 Special of yesteryear. The top contender is a pristine survivor with 60k on the odometer that I am looking to buy next month.

I have always been a Buick man first and foremost with a love of the 455. But, the cost of the build and the famous fuel guzzling nature has me looking at an LS1 that my buddy has sitting on the floor of his shop.

In my heart of hearts, I would rather have the 455. But, man oh man. The cost of doing the build right is discouraging. The LS1 has 40k on it. It has all the brackets and everything ready to go. Edelbrock makes a carburetor conversion kit with manifold and timing computer for $750. The swap kit is $700. I can have this motor for $1500.

I have a few price quote requests out there for 455s but I have built a few in my day and I have a pretty good idea what this deal will cost.

Deliver me from temptation.

 

The little dude in red standing on your left shoulder says "Do it".

Devon

 

put a buick in it everyone has chevies

Cody

 

i will deliver you TO temptation lol...

 

Hold out for the 455! The torque will eat you up. There IS a difference.

 

If you put in the LS1, God will kill all of the puppies in the world. :ball:

True story!

 

You should be able to put togeter a pretty stout 455 for the $2950.00 it'll cost you to do what everybody else does...

 

I think the next thing for these cars is the LS series swap. You might be ahead of your time. They run soooo good make big power and bring the car to this generation. Now, before I get flamed I have an aluminum headed 464 BBB in my GS!! So there. Peace, Mike D.

 

The LS-series is not a Chevrolet engine. Designed by GM Powertrain, not Chevrolet. None of the LS-series parts interchange with SBC parts.


The LS is a great engine. Absolutely world-class for a pushrod V-8. Even so, a Buick deserves a Buick engine.

 

Put this one in! If I had the money would do it in a heartbeat.

 

I just Spanked one yesterday with my Big Century! :beers2:

 

It is your car so do what you want to do but please don't come on and expect too many people around here to pat you on the back about it. I'm sure there are a few people on this site that are interested in the details but there's got to be a LS swap site where you can get together with like minded people.

Better do it in a hurry. In a few years when everybody has them in their car yours will just be one of many.
Just like the SBC cars of today. :sleep:

Most times if people worry about gas mileage I usually say you need another hobby but in this case I'd say why not a turbo V-6? A V-6 was available in your car from the factory.

 

you can make a 455 go fast cheap. mine ran a 12.25 the only time i ever raced it. the heads are unported stg 1 with valves from 1970, unported iron intake stock pistons from 1970, kb 107 cam 1 7/8 headers rejetted q-jet with an old carter 7 psi pump in a 71 skylark

 

WoW! I'm torn as I have both my Buick and an LSX car.

But to be true to your Buick, and not have it become like "the new generation" of so many of those older rods you see at the Car Shows (pre 1950) that wear all the other manufacturer's badges, but share the same "smallblock" Chevy motor.... I say Go Buick.

But why not go with a 700r overdrive tranny, and 3.08 or 3.23 gearing.

The O/D and gearing get's you the mileage benefit you mentioned, while the 3.06 1st gear ratio vs. the 2.48 in a Turbo 400, get's you out of the gate as if you had 3.90-4.10 rear with a T400. Nice no compromise approach. (in my opinion)

Alot of 700R tranny's out there have been built to handle up to 450 RWHP too! :3gears:

 

A few good arguments from both sides. I am a bit surprised.

I have a quote request in to Jim for a build. We will see what the number ends up being. Unfortunately, economics is part of the decision for me.

If I build a 455, it will be a 9 to 9.5:1 mild build (ta 212 cam & performer intake). Something I can drive whenever and wherever I want. I will probably run 3.55s with a GN TH200-4R.

 

I was in a similar situation with my 72, and I went with the Chevy. Yeah I would love a 455 and plan to do one eventually, but I love the Chevy in it now. It is really a nice motor, and runs/sounds great for a fraction of the cost.

 

You take a $1k 6.0 out of a wrecked truck, $700 conversion kit, $500 for cam and springs, and a $350 nitrous kit and youll have 500rwhp all day long for a whole lot cheaper.

 

You basically said it yourself. You don't want to do this. Stick with the Buick, you don't want all of us to hate you now do ya?

 

455=big bore and short stroke which=cheap power. i had about $900 in everything just to freshen and true things up. crank was ground (rods and mains) studs in the main caps,clearances were set, rods were resized with arp bolts, block was align honed, the deck was milled true. new rod,main, and dual groove cam bearings new rings new gaskets. i put it all back together and it ran what i posted above. i realize it could be faster with other stuff but i was in the same situation, i was on a tight budget so i had to use mostly stock parts that i had. buy some mounts and some used headers and go. and you can find alot of good deals on stuff here also.

Cody

 

Heck Rupert, I don't want me to hate me!