I'm starting to think about beginning a 455 budget build that may take a year or two to complete due to funds. My starting point is a 1970 SR. I have in mind a stock crank and pistons (If the bores check out), But where I will spend the big bucks is on Rods. I wanna be able to run it to 5500-5800, but want assurance if I goof and hit like 6500 max. Remember, I'm gonna run a manual gearbox. I will no doubt buy a real flywheel to, not a stock piece. So my biggest question is, what rods should I be shopping for? I wanna start looking now since this will probably be my biggest expense. This will leave me time to search for sale prices or swap meet stuff. Any input would be great. Thanks!!!!!
I'd use good set of worked over stock rods and spend some money on good pistons. A MSD box will protect agians high revs on a missed shift. Just something to consider.
I agree with Shayne on this. Have the stock rods checked, polish the beams, install 3/8 ARP studs and then resized. They'll live reliably in the under 6K range for a long time. Spend the money on a good quality lightweight piston. Gets all that weight off the end of the rod which is what will benefit you the most. I'd concentrate on cylinder head improvements. Stock iron heads can be made to flow great if you throw enough money at them. Or get more flow potential with some aftermarket aluminum heads. Whichever way you go (iron or alum.) make sure you match the compression ratio with that type head. I'd next concentrate on carb and tuning. The electronic boxes are easy ways to limit your rpm. Of course what goes without saying is using a good machinist who understands the peculiararities of our BBB engines and use good quality parts, such as the TA teflon backgrooved cam bearings, etc...
Good tips guys! Lightweight pistons and stock rods with some studs. I can do that. I have read much about the headwork needed here, so I didn't even ask about that. Are any BBB rods better than others?
floyds, use "good hardware" ARP. All stock big block rods are fine.Put your resorses in the heads!That's where the action is.The little 430 loved to rev to 6300 all day long. all the 430 parts had buick part #'s. - cam & intake. good luck.
Rod weight..... I have ran across rods that weight right in at 705gram range and others that fall in the mid 720 gram range. I can't see a visable difference but maybe the heavier rod is stronger??? I know of only one person that knowingly used a 700 gram set that gave up at 6700 with light piston. Lost 3 rods to be exact. As far as other people losing rods or having good luck with them, I don't know if there is a connection with the weight or year motor they were found in or not. Either way definitely get good light pistion. It will let you go a long way with any stock 455 rod. :TU:
What is considered a light piston. I have Ross Superlite pistons in my engine,that I bought 15 years ago. How do these compare to other pistons on the market.
how are the ta performance forged aluminum rods and the JE lite weight pistons offered by taperformance if I were to go with a high compression 455 built around a 308s cam?
