how strong is the 455 ?

Discussion in 'High Tech for Old Iron' started by 72buick350, Jun 6, 2002.

  1. 72buick350

    72buick350 i love my BUICK

    i want to get a twin turbo system on a 76' 455 that i'm in the process of getting for my 72 lark . how much PSI can a 455 hold. will the bottom end hold up? i want it to last a long time.

    Any suggestions????
     
  2. alan

    alan High-tech Dinosaur

    There are things you can do to make it stronger, but the bottom line is the block is the weak link. You can buy aftermarket everything except the block.

    More important than PSI, how much HP are you looking to produce? That will really determine what needs to be upgraded.

    Is this a a race engine, street/strip or street only? (I hope not street only! :grin: )
     
  3. 72buick350

    72buick350 i love my BUICK

    this engine would be a sreet/strip. not really sure how much psi i want to run. it would be more psi on the strip then the street.
    this is just an idea nothing is for sure!!!!how much do think it the 455 take and still be safe????

    THANKS!!!!!!
     
  4. alan

    alan High-tech Dinosaur

    I'll pull a number out of my wastegate and say a STOCK low compression 455 with GOOD head gaskets should be able to stand 5 to 7 lbs. But that is only a guess.

    I'll let you know different when I find out! :laugh:
     
  5. Mike T

    Mike T Well-Known Member

    Its not about PSI its about detonation & power. I would not care to push a stock 455 over 450bhp with stock pistons, rings, oiling system, block & rod bolts.

    Michael Tweedy
     
  6. Buicks4Speed

    Buicks4Speed Advanced Member

    I'm guessing money is no object?:Do No: Because you'll need custom, high dollar, fuel injected, lab top, ect, ect, everything. There's better way'S to make a wicked fast street car than trying to put turbo's on a 455. Not that turbo's aren't the best way to make power, but it not that simple on a Buick 455. You interested?:Brow:


    FLYIN' oN tHE JUICE!!! :stmad: :stmad: :stmad:
     
  7. 72buick350

    72buick350 i love my BUICK

    I'm very open minded, talk to me......
     
  8. Buicks4Speed

    Buicks4Speed Advanced Member

    (910)426-8195- :Brow: The motor I race build up specs are in the race section here. It easier to get an idea of what your looking for over the phone. Alot of responses here are limited to short more simple questions. There's alot of options and not enough room to write. I should be home most of the weekend. Or you can give me a # and I'll call you. Unfortunately, I dont have anything to sell just alot of very useful information to get you on the right set of "tracks" to get you where your going. There's alot of money you can waste on your Buick if you don't have the right information. Most people don't have the money to do things once not to mention twice.


    FLYIN' oN tHE JUICE!!!:stmad: :stmad: :stmad:
     
  9. bobc455

    bobc455 Well-Known Member

    Bah- it ain't that much- I had a guy quote me $7,000 for a twin turbo arrangement (including custom headers, ICs, and turbos). Add about $5K for a nice FI system, and you're still only about the price of a Honda Civic.

    Oh yeah, and don't forget that there is the rest of the motor to consider (pistons, rods, girdle, cam, etc.)

    -Bob Cunningham
    bobc@gnttype.org
    (who has seriously considered dropping the $7k to do it!)
     
  10. Buicks4Speed

    Buicks4Speed Advanced Member

    I feel when you go to make a "max effort" 455 you need to either go turbo $$$$$$ or put nitrous on it. Reason being is lets say a block full tilt will only take 1100-1200 hp. If you need horsepower to make horsepower (supercharger) you limit what you can get to the flywheel if it take 100 - 175 hp to spin a supercharger given block limitations. Turbos are the best way to make high power setups but it would cost almost twice dollar wise to build over a nitrous build up. Lets say $20,000+ for a nitrous car and 35,000+ for a turbo. I'm probably a bit low on the figures but you get the idea. If you put 20k + in a turbo motor just to learn the block wont stay together, it might just burn you out on Buick all together. Just ask Scotty G. Plus it takes alot of tuning to get a turbo motor dialed in to were it makes power and can get a good et out of it.:blast:
    I'm not "nitrous only" minded, I just feel that a power-adder set-up is best started out nitrous. You can go to turbos later once you get the hang of keeping the block together and getting you car down the track straight. Thats how I feel about it. Work smarter not harder. :TU:
     

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