I have a 1970 lesabre custom 2dr 455 and have always tried to keep my numbers matching engine as stock as possible with minor exceptions. I recently just landed a running 455 from a 70 electra (guy was doing an LS swap, his loss my gain ). My plan is to rebuild it with some performance goodies and drop it in the lesabre while I do some spring cleaning on the stock motor. So my question is, what the heck should I slap on this bad boy? I'm not trying to go to the strip and do wheelies . Just an aggresive, rowdy motor that I can beat on for a little while and have some fun. Aluminum heads? TA shorty headers? Maybe play with EFI? I feel like a kid in a candy store...... Suggestions?
Aluminum heads, DECENT PISTONS with PROPER COMPRESSION HEIGHT. Lots of folks would suggest aftermarket rods. While I despise Communist Chinese products in general, with a Buick the rods make more sense as the engine becomes much easier to balance properly. Stay mild on the camshaft unless you're going to Jay Leno the rear axle to get decent gears back there. A gigantic tank like that with the original highway gears needs all the torque it can get. Consider spending a little extra to have the (flat-tappet) cam hardened (Nitrided). Used to cost an extra ~$110; I suppose that's increased due to Biden Inflation. https://www.streetmusclemag.com/tec...aft-technology-what-is-the-nitriding-process/ Or avoid that with a roller-cam set-up (not really cost-effective, but kinda fun if you can source quality roller lifters.) And, given the lack of easy choices for rear-gears, you might consider a "tight" high-stall torque converter. I can't make good recommendations there except to say you should talk to TSP about the converter and the pistons. Stock or dual-plane aftermarket intake manifold, Q-Jet carb calibrated to the engine. Maybe the original Q-Jet, recalibrated--but my preference would be for a newer one. PS: Nice engine hoist. Ex-Cel? I have one just like it, but with a swivel hook, damaged paint, and a replacement air-over-hydraulic ram. Did you get yours at Sams Club? My original ram had an air leak at the pumping piston--it would put air into the cylinder so that the cylinder got "squishy" as it was pumped-up. I couldn't find a stupid O-ring of a suitable size to repair it. Probably Metric. That's OK, I'm really enjoying connecting the new ram to shop air, squeezing the trigger and having the thing pump itself up. Core Caddy 500, Turbo 425, "subframe", suspension 'n' steering, brakes 'n' tires getting loaded onto a trailer when I moved.
230/240 Cam/valve springs, pistons/deck height/balance (SCR/DCR dial in), Q-Jet calibration/distributor curve, pocket porting and competition valve job (big or small valve), blueprinted front cover/oil pump, with all block oiling mods. That right there will get you a streetable 400 hp/+/- 500 tq and be all you need to surprise the hell out of just about everyone. Dont go catalogue shopping, work at making what you got work.
Looks like my hoist, I bought mine from Sams Club years ago, super heavy duty, BUT super heavy too! I bought it cause it said “ MADE IN USA”
