Looking for suggestions and expert advice: Upgrading my 1970 455 engine to a modern 455 engine

I have a 1970 Buick that started life as a base 455/450 HP.
When the 455 engine in this car was rebuilt in 2012, it was upgraded to Stage 1 specs.
Has a Comp cam that is a little more powerful than the original Stage 1 camshaft.
Retains all its original cast iron engine parts, including intake (port matched) and exhaust manifolds. Has 750 cfm, 4150 Holley double carb with mechanical secondaries.
This will NOT be a drag strip car, I would like a more powerful streetcar.
Somewhere in the 450+ HP range. To accomplish this, I may not have to do all the engine upgrades I have listed below. This is where I need help with. Feel free to make modifications/ suggestions on my engine build suggestions.

My last engine build I did was in 1970 and it was on a SB 327 Chevy, I was able to obtain 450 HP out of it by starting with a 1964 Covette 327/365 HP, big value Corvette iron heads, port & polished. 90% was using factory performance parts, 11 1/4 CR dome pistons, 30/30 solid lifter Duntov cam. Corvette oil pump. 409 chevy mechanical fuel pump. No boring or decking on this engine.


With the exception of aftermarket performance adds:
(1) Offenhauser Low Profile Tunnel Ram Manifold.
(2) Holley double pumper carb.
(3) Headman headers.
(4) Borg Warner T-10, 4-speed.
(5) Zoom 4-56 differential.
(6) Accel ignition system.
(7) Cyclone valve springs.

This is my first BBB, so I'm totally out of my comfort zone with this engine.

This is what I'm think about doing and money is an issue, so Aluminum heads are out of the question.
Not sure if I need or want to spend money on roller rockers???

(1) Install a B4B double plane aluminum intake manifold so I can retain and use my original Ram Air system and have it port matched.
FYI: Current Iron intake is port matched.
(2) Install modern flat top pistons with valve reliefs. Have not ID'ed piston manufacturer yet. Maybe go with what TA performance offers.
(3) Zero deck engine to take advantage of Squish band performance. Using .040
Felt Pro head gaskets.
(4) Install modern Roller Hydraulic Cam from TA, a little more Cam than I have now.
(5) Current Comp cam specs:
Comp Cam - specs in my 1970 Buick GS 455
Gross valve lift: Exh. Lift. .496”
Gross Valve lift: Int. Lift. .478”
Duration @ .050: Exh. Duration .231
Duration @ .050: Int. Duration .218
Lobe separation: 112 degrees

(6) Replace 750 Holley with 850 CFM Holley double pumper.
(7) Headers from TA.
(8) Dyno tune after completion of rebuild.

(9) Oil mods were done when engine was rebuilt with 5/8 inch pick-up.
(10) Has new 2 Core Griffin Aluminum radiator.
(11) Has TA's high volume water pump.
(12) Has new Fan-clutch.
(13) Has high volume thermostat.
(14) Has new timing chain cover & timing chain.
(15) Has New MSD ignition & coil.
(16) Has rebuilt BA T400 Trans with shift kit.
(17) Has F-41 package.

Looking for suggestions and expert advice I always get from this forum.

Question, I'm hoping I'm going in the right direction here?
I need a solid plan before I dump a lot of money in the wrong direction.
VET (Navy)

 

Its such a nice sweet pretty strong running car now I wouldn't touch it.. That's me though and understand.
The buckets, console rally wheel and F41 you added really made perfect..
If your still running the 2:93's out back "I forgot"? a swap to 3:42's as you know would wake it up more. A upgraded converter too.

I think the B4B won't allow the factory ram air unless they changed it to but the Eldelbrock performer will work with it.
Maby worth 5 to 10 hp but the weight savings will be worth it.

A 800 Q-jet from Every Day performance I heard is great.

 

I have been wondering if it worth the money investment.

I believe you are correct that it's the Elderbrock Performer that works with my Buick Ram Air setup.
Yes, I still have/using the 2:93 posi. You are right on, a swap to a 3:42 would really wake-up this Buick. Hum, I need to really consider doing this.

I keep hearing from most of the Buick guys, the 800 cfm QJet is the way to go. Hum, another major consideration. Gee, just bought this Holley because I couldn't find a trusted vendor to buy one from. I have to check online this Every Day Performance vendor.

As far as an Upgraded Converter goes, I understand Jim W makes the best.
I have to tell you, I don't understand how a converter works, I have always been a 4-Speed guy. This is my first automatic performance car.

I will seriously take your recommendations to heart.
Didn't realize anybody was paying an attention to my upgrades.
I'am suppose to get my car out of the shop sometime next week.
The shop owner is going to do a QC inspection on all the work they have done and also supply Mr with all the warranty info for all the parts they replaced.
Also demo to me every thing I have questions on.

I think I catch him off guard when I asked him if he provided this to all his customers and he said yes.

When I sent him my list of things for Jim to do, his response was, this is the longest email I have ever seen.

I said, that's because you had my car for 2 years, there is a lot of work your shop did.
O' Ya, don't forget to return all the parts you took off my car that I can resale!

Thanks PGSS for your advise, I really appreciate you taking time out to do this. VET

 

Hey PGSS, I checked your profile and found we have something in common besides Buicks.
I see you are a Screw Machinist Tool Grinder. I'm a retired machinist & Tool & Die Maker for over 40+ years.
One of my first experience with a Tool Grinder was when I had a production job to do, and I kept looking at the blueprint and
thinking, if I knew a Tool Grinder, he could make me a milling cutter that can do two milling operations with one cutting tool.

I told this to a machinist friend, and he said he has a friend that owes a tool grinding company. We went to his business and showed him the blueprint and told him what I wanted, and he said no problem, I can do that.

Took his cutting tool back to my company when I finished the production run, the company double their profit. Fantastic, because my boss was very impressed, and I soon got a raise shortly thereafter. Ya, I like Tool Cutter guys, they do amazing work. I did a lot of grinding work in the Tool & Die profession but nothing as complicated work as you do.

Also, you're from Mass. I spent time in the Boston Naval Yards waiting for the new ship I got assigned to be completed.
I was Home ported out of NewPort RI, from 1968-1972. Liked the North except for the cold winters.
Used to go to Epping NH to drag race with my Navy buddies.

I live in Northern Virginia, about 12 miles south of Washington DC.

 

Where I work, we have a couple Walter's Cutter grinders on site at each of our machine shops.
Troy

 

If you go with the Qjet you're better off with a iron manifold so you can have a choke. Do some plenum work and it will be within a few hp of the B4b. Better check head cc. with zero deck and iron head your compression may be too high for pump gas unless you have pistons with over 20 cc dish. Hyd roller is a great choice for power and streetability, however currently hard to get.

 

just going to say this a 450 hp sbc and 450 hp big block buick are different animals. Buicks are low reving torque engines. So making 450 hp in one is more like making 550 in a sbc imo. Your 455 at 450 hp will make 500 plus ft lbs of torque your sbc is probably at 400. To me you want it like a modern car you need gears and overdrive.

 

You can have a choke with a Qjet on an aluminum intake. There are electric choke retrofit kits. I have one on my 71 GS.

 

Before you decide to change the rear gear confirm what BW T10 you have. They came with myriad gear packs and as low as a 3.44 first gear.

 

Tuning makes a huge difference. See: https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/power-timing-your-buick-v8.63475/

Agree on the rear gear ratio - easy seat of the pants difference. Use one of the guys on this board, Brian or Monzaz

My 2 cents - If you want a hot rod - buy a skylark to modify - leave your nice car nice.

 

You can, doesn't work as well though. The electric choke works ,we've put it on several cars.Everyday performance sells/installs a nice unit.

 

No, it isn't.

 

Great, thanks for this info. VET

 

I've been in contact with JD Race, I'm in good hands. Thanks for the heads up. VET

 

I'am I'm contact with Monzaz now.
I hear you, but don't have space for another car.
May have to reduce my HP wants.
I will take a look at your tuning info, thank you. VET

 

Dear VET and fans of assertive Buick engines,

You might know that I have a fairly modern engine in my trusty wagon that was built by Jim Weise. The original built thread is here:

https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/new-buildup-448ci-stg-2-se-hyd-roller-an-mpg-motor.252771/

Unfortunately, things didn't work as well as I would have hoped. In the end I didn't make my goals for the engine very clear. The intention was to create a robust tow vehicle engine so that my wagon could pull a mid sized Airstream travel trailer. The resulting engine was more of a street/strip engine. Still there is a lot of modern technology that you might consider.

On the other hand, if you have a reasonably original engine, that's important too. You might want to consider exactly what your goals are. Even straight from the factory these engines were producing more power than most of us really need.

Good luck in your upgrade plans.

Edouard

 

I have read Larry's post before regarding tuning. In fact I cantacted him regarding what tuning specs I should be using on my Buick and have it tuned to his recommended specs.
He, as we all know, is super knowledgeable about Buicks and how to tune them. I really appreciate his help. Thanks Larry, you're the best, regards VET

 

Thanks Max, that was short and sweet. Lol, VET (Navy)

 

Thank you, I will keep all what you told me in mind. I really can't afford to make any mistakes. VET

 

If you want a more modern engine, perhaps you could just add fuel injection? That engine sounds great and in my ever so humble opinion, should not be opened up and fooled with.
For a cruiser, you have all the power you need. I ended up with 450HP and 540 tq and that is just fine for me.