I would like to know how much it would cost to rebuild and build up a 1973 455 to around 400-500 hp? Just wondering just how much this would cost. I would also like a rough idle. Brett
A lot depends on what needs to be replaced. If you just need/want new pistons, but can reuse the rest of the bottom end, a new cam, intake, headers/exhaust, carb, ignition: my guess is you'd spend about $3,000 - $4,000 or so. Your HP goal is easily obtainable. You wouldn't even need a very aggressive cam. If you need something that shakes the car a little, T/A's 413 cam or Poston's 113A cam would probably do nicely. Getting to that 500 HP mark would require some head work or a set of T/A's aluminum heads.....which are on sale now for $1,850 right now I believe.
Brett, Call Jim Burek at PAE Enterprises, he can help you out. He also has a website and online ordering. The guys at TA Performance can also help you out. They too have an extensive web site...but no online ordering yet.
An example of what your considering would be one of our recent customer engine combination that included forged pistons at 9:1 compression, competition valve job, 500 cam, custom Q-jet, and headers netted over 450HP. This engine has untouched stock cast intake manifold and no port work to the cylinder head. With untouched stock cast manifold the engine made over 430HP. Paying special attention to detail such as the valve job, cylinder hone, oiling system, bearing clearances, fuel system, suspension modification, exhaust system, and custom torque converter is far more advantageous that spending your well earned dollars on the trick part of the week that was part of someone elses combination. Make sure that you map out a complete plan that included much more that just your engine. This will ensure that you get the most performance for your budget.
400 h/p is an easy # to hit, and you can still run a mostly stock set up, and not have to much problem breaking things, its when you start to creap up to that 500 h/p # with iron heads, thats when you will most likely need a stall, upgraded fuel and cooling system, headers and a 2 1/2 exhaust, upgraded suspention if you want it to hook up. i droped $10,000 in my car when i went from the stock 455 running high 13's set up ,to my 520 H/P 462 set up, that i am hoping to hit the 11's with.
