My '72 Skylark has a 350/3 speed with the Q-jet. I know from this forum that the 350 has potential to build HP/torque, but I'm toying with the idea of just yanking out the 350 and getting a 455, rather than sinking $ into building up the 350. My question to all of you BB boys out there is (biased as you are), is it honestly worth the trouble to switch to the 455 from the 350? I know that if I went the BB route, I'd have to do a ton of other stuff, such as new radiator, engine mounts, God knows what else (different tranny, carb, drive shaft, rear end???). Yet, it seems to me, a BB novice, that there is a ton more performance stuff for the 455 than the 350. I'm looking for a 400-450 hp range mill...easier with the 455? Stick with the 350? If the 455 is the way to go, where can I get one that won't need a complete re-build? Does anyone make built-up 455's that you can just take out of the box and pop her in, ala Crate engines? Sorry if I seem niave & ignorant on this issue, but I am! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. PS...how did the 455 compare with the 426 hemi in terms of torque & hp to weight ratio? I know the hemi is legendary, but it seems those B body mopars are awful heavy. Now, a 426 in a Dart would be another story. Maybe counter with a 455 in a Skyhawk :laugh:
hi-my names charlie. i have a 1970 skylark that had a BEAT 350 in it. before the 350 became completely useless, i toyed with the idea of rebuilding that, but like you said, theres less stuff for them. i dont know much about their performance abilities, but the BB has more in any case, plus it is already packing just stock with all that torque. so ultimately the road i chose was the BB. i went with a crate long block (heads and valvetrain installed) fromhttp://www.wiegand-liners.com/index.html i am very satisfied with the motor, and it only cost about 1800 to my door. it might cost more if you are looking for over 400 hp becasue with mine i got a comp cam and timing chain upgrade, but ive been told i probably wont make above 400 hp without some head work. im not sure if you can order the motor with upgraded heads, or if you have to just buy the shortblock and install the heads yourself. in terms of changing stuff for the BB, it isnt as bad as i thought it would be, but it definately costs a lot more than i expected. expect to spend at least 5500 ish to do it right (i got a be cool radiator, tilton superstarter etc), plus another 800 for a new tranny if you get one. by the time im done it will be about 8000. im only seventeen and a senior in highschool with low income, but im learning a lot, and believe it or not its coming along pretty well, so i would say its definitely possible. .....and its all in the name of great cars right! hope i was helpful. goodluck!
I did this changeover to a 455 and it isn't so bad... I got the 455, built it and then: 1. rebuilt the TH-350; any decent tranny shop can beef it up. 2. new driveshaft. Must be one piece and a little shorter than the stock 2 piece unit you have 3. new exhaust system for 455 4. frame pads and motor mounts 5. new starter 6. A/C brackets may be different for 455 Drive it some, and decide what you need to do next. The medium duty rear end will hold up unless the car is raced a lot. If you do plan on doing a lot of 1/4 mile runs, the TH-350 may not last too long. Some other 455/TH-350 owners may have to add to this thought... Russ Waters 1970 Skylark Convertible 455:3gears:
You may want to visit the small block section of this board go to " she's alive". We are doing some dyno pulls on a 350 Buick, so far , it's made 527 horsepower. SO yes, we can build a 400 to 450 horse 350. crate motors are available. I would put a good 455 up against a hemi anytime. Jim Burek P.A.E. ENTERPRISES
BIB BLOCK BUICKS ARE JUST PLAIN COOL!! the first time someone ask you,''whats under the hood''?, it makes it all worth while!! but i am bias. Kelly
but to say.. yea i have a 350ci with 450 hp... and when you go and woop on a chebby guy with a 454... and get to walk away with a smile ear to ear. I'm seriously torn between the 350 now and 455 rebuild. i have a 75 455 with 71 heads ready to be rebuilt... and the car currently has a 70-350. Jim I need prices on a 450hp 350... including head work and intake (when one is figured out) heck give me a price on what it would be to do a 450hp rebuild on a 455 too. nate
True, but i bet the 454 wasnt 450 h/p, there are low powered bigblocks, a 450 h/p big block will walk away from a 450 h/p small block, and even a 500+ h/p big block will pur like a kitten at a stop light. Remember im bias, just my 2 cents Kelly p.s. sorry hoopdog9 i wasnt paying attention to your question, but going to 455 is relitivly easy, big thing are frame pads, about $50, 4 row radiator $170, fan shroud $100, then try to find a complete moter with all the assorys $200-$400. thats the big stuff i can think of.
The small block Jim is doing for me is a street motor, not a race motor. It'll be used for street/strip, but mostly on the street for having fun. With the 350 being stronger and lighter than the 455 it'll be a better engine to use since there is less weight being shifted around, especially if it's being used in a streetcar. Plus, if aluminum heads ever came out for the small block, I think it could easily run with any 455. There are good reasons to use the 350 over the 455 and once the performance market sees the potental of the small block there will be more. The one main reason is not having to worry about the bottom-end going out, where the Y-block design of the 350 can handle up to 700 hp without a girdle.
While this is very true, which is the reason I have always liked the 455, I must admit, this little 350 Buick is definately impressing me. The biggest difference is the 455 still out torques it, but close to 500 foot pounds is plenty for most any hot street car. Jim Burek
