Is the 455 a direct bolt in in these cars?uzzled: Does someone make motor mounts and headers for them.I am looking at something different to bracket/street race,well not streety race but street driven. Thanks in advance Kevin
i belive the 455 will bolt in if you move the mounts forward about 1 inch the problem with the headers is the steering box is in the way so they would have to be modified hope this helped scott
I used Electra motor mounts with the 455 bolted to the TH350 that was behind the 3.8 V6 in my '78. Then I found clutch linkage in a Nova. So, now it is 455 with an M20 Muncie four speed. Then I found a rear end from a '74 Nova that was an 8.5. Added 3.42's and a posi from a Suburban rearend. I have the T/A chrome 1-7/8" headers (for a'68-72 A-body Skylark/GS) . I did have to heat up the trans cross member and dimple it inwards to clear the collector flanges. But, it all fits like it was made for it. My X-body is of the Disco Nova variety...1978 Skylark. White. Steel wheels with dog dish hub caps, 10.1 455 with Stage 1 cam, the above mentioned four gear, multi-leaf springs, bench seat and really quiet super turbo mufflers and 2-1/2 exhaust. Runs low 12's all freakin' day. TOTALLY awesome to drive. I let my girl friend drive it for a while, now it needs a second gear syncro and after 10 years...the motor freshened up...plus, they now have Cal-track bars...and I have scored an Offy and a B4B for it. I'll dig it out and snap some pics.:3gears: Oh, you know, drag radials were not even that big when I parked it...the rage was IMCA tires, G-60 15's. WOW, its been a WHILE. You know, I lost some interest in it when I couldn't find reproduction interior parts...do they make any yet? Even for a Nova?
73-4 apollo have no bolt in header options, the steering box is behind the crossmember not allowing enough room for bolt in ones. That is if you are using a buick motor, I have also heard of putting a 2nd gen f body subframe to move the steering back in front of the cross member, this will allow the use of any header that will fit an a-body. I plan on installing a rack and pinion steering in my car, not sure yet if it will make enough room though.
I've also heard of mod'ing a later (75+) x-body subframe into the earlier cars to get the clearence you need.
455 does fit , very tight especially if you have AC, I move the motor tranny forward 2 inch, in cradle, used Electra mounts and cradles drilled in, YOU MUST mount your cradle in trial fit, NO holes in cradle that fit a 455 motor mount cradle. I used a flex fan direct to water pump, and have the tranny cross mount moved forward to front bolt holes in rail sides only. Headers NO unless you use headers by ed and pay 1500.00 for customs. This was reason I moved motor forward. Used Electra 71-73 cast manifold with a concave to fit around the worm gear box. Gear box is you biggest problem. I used an Electra/98 olds, drive shaft custom fit with "chevy" ends to rear end. Stock manifold intake with air box electra lesabre will fit under hood, higher intake hood wont close. craig 612-803-4918
