Ok I have finally decided to put my 455 block into my 84 t-type after debatting on 4 different motor combos, here's some info I need. 1 Wheres the best place to get engine rebuild kits for this thing can I use stock replacements or do I need to upgrade. the motor hopefully will see 500hp. nothing to extreme I don't think for these motors. 2 What kind of pistons will work the best for my set up 3 Any companys other than TA and Postons to deal with for parts (I found out Kenne Bell no longer deals with parts for these motors) 4 Any advice for better oiling for the motor 5 And always the best fit and engine mounts to use for it 6 Gear ratio to run (I now have 342 gears in it) #1 is the most I'm worried about right now so the most help on that would be great. I'm trying to get ahold of Brian from earick racing engines to discuss the build since hes right down the street from me. let me know Thanks
Try these guys and tell em Running sent you, I could use the points :TU: They have two really fast Regals and many more Really fast Buicks.. TCI.com will have the formulas for gearing.. Good luck :laugh: http://www.finishlinemotorsports.com/index.htm
You might shop www.northernautoparts.com for some of the components. Timeing chains, oil pump, water pump, gasket kits, even rebuild kits. You should ask about upgrade options and or delete items credit such as you probably don't want a stock replacement cam. I have always had good experiences with northernauto as far as price, service, shipping, availability & even parts quality. After that I am done saving money & cheaping out. Get Earicks to help you with cam & heads options etc and have them do the machine work and assembly. This should include or as a reasonably priced option tuneing her in and maybe some type of dyno time. If you go this way you will be very pleased with the end product which is way more important than saving a few bucks and leaving power and durability on the table. My 2 cents. I take you want a hot driver not a weekend only race toy. If so you have a great transmission (stock BR code 200-4R) to build up for a street strip car. If its healthy and you don't plan to keep slicks on her you might get by at least for a while with just a good shift kit and a big tranny cooler. CK performance transmissions has an excellent shift kit and its on special right now. Without the computer to run your lock up converter you will also need a GM vauum switch part # 14014519. You may also want a manual lock up toggle for at the track. Unless you go wild on the heads and cam the stock Heavy duty D5 lock up converter that came with that trans should work well. It should stall around 2400 behind a big block. The other thing I have for you is to think / research useing new school technology in the fuel system. You have that option with g-body and especially since you have a Ttype as you should have some of the key components to make it cheap eazy low hassel and bullit proof. At least for the 500 HP that your talking about. In this section I posted info and links under a thread titled fuel tank by dloyd. If this link don't work look it up and check it out. www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=114331
There's a thread about this here: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=116086 It already has 500 torque, who needs HP? Frankly if you want the big 500 number the best way is to spend the money on AL heads and GOOD machining. If you want to stay more of a "nice driver" aim for about 450 and put in a good rear end. You'll have plenty of tire spinning power and the care will still turn in a nice low 13. Machining will be your big problem... a large percentage of Buick engines die on the machine shop floor due to "chevy factor" and machinists that still think "one thou per inch of journal bearing" <---- STUPID ou: :af: Take a look at that thread above, hypers or stock will work, but for a real strong combo you want to go forged. TA performance has a great selection. PAE Enterprises also resells parts and does engine work. Tri Shield Performance is also a reputable engine builder. Onthe whole going direct to TA or Poston is your best bet. Yup, second post in this thread: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=116068&highlight=oil+mods Here's a write up. I've tried a lot of different combos and the TA pads are the best: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=57077&highlight=center 3.42 seems the best balance for street with some limited strip use. Any higher (numerically) and you start to find the car is a bit heavy on the RPM. With an overdrive tranny (200) you might be OK, but you need it built to be able to handle the 455's torque... I've not seen any longevity stuff from Brian so i can't comment, but he has been on here before and posted some numbers. At the very least he knows Buicks so odds are good that you won't get Chevy-Screwed. The main gains for BBBregals are heads and rear end. Set up a solid 3.42 posi (preferably 8.5") and you'll love how the car pulls from the line. Spend the money on heads (the biggest choke factor for Buicks) and you'll see some good performance. Best of luck!
