I'm new to this forum and pretty new to owning this buick. I have a 1964 buick skylark HT with 300 auto air. Basically I want to rod out this car from what it currently has. I want to swap a chevy engine in it and convert it to a 4-speed. I know there are similar posts about 69-72 but has anyone converted an auto to a 4-sp from 64. With the engine swap I need mounts, is there a company that specializes in engine swaps and tranny swaps from chevy to buick. I want a 454 with a th-400 tranny or i was thinking something like a ls1 from an late model ss camaro. Any help would be appreciated.
Why don't you just go with a 455 th-400 swap?More power and fun to drive than a Chebby.And it won't be just another Chebby.
In a nutshell, use the same stuff you would use for a 64 Chevelle. Unless you are looking for alot of abuse, I'd try a chevy board. Alot of guys take the chevy swap thing personal here. As was mentioned, why not be different from everybody else and put a 455 buick in that car? I did and it was worth it.
That is what i originally thought but someone told be in order to build up a 455 it would be a lot more money and hard to find than a 454. I want 450-500 rwhp, i dunno, i just dont want to be dissapointed. I heard that they are making new 455 blocks, is that true and if so how much if finding 455's are truely scarce. Thanks Chris
You are misinformed. You can buy 455s for $100-$500 all day. Heck, a 430 will be cheaper. Find an older one with high comp pistons and your looking at a good cam, good headwork, and an oiling mod for your 450 HP. As for the Chevy 454, them Chevy guys sell them like they are gold. Betcha you pay minimum $1000 for an abused 454. I like the stick idea though. But like the other guy said, if you really wanna go Chevy, you are best to hang out on some Chevelle boards. Good luck with your project! :TU:
Look at it this way. You can get a pro built engine at different levels at trishieldperf.com. Check the prices there, and that is an engine built by a Buick specialist. If your machininst is already pushing the 454, my bet is he doesn't know anything about building a Buick, and you wouldn't be happy with what you got from him if you went Buick anyway. If you build a buick the same way as a Chevy, you're not going to have good results. Regardless of where you live in the country, somebody on the board here can recommend a Buick specialist machine shop in your area you can call and talk to about what the true cost is and compare with the Chevy on equal terms. Best of luck...
