Choices BBB or SBB

Discussion in 'V-8 Buick Powered Regals' started by regalT, Oct 3, 2006.

  1. regalT

    regalT Member

    Well I can get a 455 from a bone yard for $550 and a 350 for $450 from same yard...my question is would it be worth it to get the Big block over the SBB I am not trying to run 10's or be a drag race king just want nice hands on power for shutting ppl down at the light when need be...would the SBB be good for that or would the or would the BBB be better to show them my cars :moonu: ....

    mind you I have about 3k to spend

    and this is all going into a 85 n/a regal with the V6 *sighs* and pokes his 110hp...this smiley does a longer burn out then me :3gears:

    I look forward to you alls help :grin:
     
  2. regalT

    regalT Member

    And what all would be needed extra if I did the BBB swap to make it go into my regal and would the n/a regal accessory bracket and items still be able to be used.
     
  3. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    Down here you often can get 350 Buicks for little or often nothing. I would not pay that for one. That is also a premium for the 455 with a j yard unknown history. If you want stoplight power the 455 is the ticket.
     
  4. regalT

    regalT Member

    So would the 455 at that price be alright and would about 3k be enough to get done whats needed to have it run(it may run but being in boneyard may need rebuild) and mount in car? or should i but it plus a brand new 455 long block and switch parts over...or should a rebuild kit do it?

    or any tips here would be good.
     
  5. Vern

    Vern Well-Known Member

    If you want power out of a driver cubes are your friend. Big cubes or little a street strip port & vavle job on your heads is also money well spent. Assuming all they have for you is a rebuildable core I don't think offering them $400 is out of the way. You can always come back a day later and offer them a little more.

    I would also ask this and or other Buick boards for experienced Buick engine builders around the Atlanta area. For power longevity and no hassles it would be worth a couple hour drive to have a Buick experienced builder do your motor and heads. They also should help guide your parts selection for your goals and budget. I would think $3,000 is a little slim for a strong dependable Buick engine but not out of the realm of possibility for the thrifty.
     
  6. regalT

    regalT Member

    I understand that but I am not trying to get up to 500 or so horsepower I would just ask for a basic rebuild then add intake and headers would do me well. I just want to have a fun car to drive with nice power and be able to turn heads when need be.

    I mean I can get it ported later on I would just need a basic rebuild. so would 3000-3500 be enough for a basic rebuild plus headers (what would be best headers to get to fit into a 85 regal I am looking at TA performance comp ones) and maybe an edelbrock performer intake.... if need be I will leave out the intake till a later date after the initial install...

    I will even supply the rebuilt kit.
     
  7. Leviathan

    Leviathan Inmate of the Month

    Probably more options for parts if you got the 455. If you plan to do a basic re-ring and bearing set then the 455 will give you the benefit of power at the light. A stock 455 will not be a 13 second car by any stretch, but will have an edge over the 350. The swaps are the same effort IMHO, might as well go the 455 route.

    If all you want to do is spin the occasional tire and drag away from a light then you could just change out the rear gear.... that'll often do more than an engine swap.
     
  8. regalT

    regalT Member

    I see, so do you think that would get me there 3000-3500 or would I need to up it a grand or so?

    And would the accessory brackets from my car 3.8 fit the 455 also I know it fits thr 350 i ask just incase they dont sell that to me also...

    And what kind of gain would the intake and headers give me over stock
     
  9. sharkmonkey

    sharkmonkey Give me something to hit!

    I could make all of my accessories/brackets/pulleys/motor mounts fit the 350 when I did the swap but when I went with the 455 I had to use most of the 455 stuff or fabricate my 3.8 brakets to fit.

    You'll need an HEI distributor and drill for new frame mounts for the engine. Headers will fit with modifications. Change the springs, radiator, fan shroud, etc., etc.

    You won't get much HP increase with an alum intake but you will save some weight. Headers are a good bang for the buck and you might as well invest in a better cam while you're in there.
     
  10. regalT

    regalT Member

    ok so add in a cam...I dont know how cams work with intake and durations numbers but how is this one. valve lift: int-.470 exh-.470 duration: int-270 exh-270 on hydralic cams 109 degree lobe center.

    and what else besides radiator and fan shroud need to be replaced....
     
  11. Leviathan

    Leviathan Inmate of the Month

    Basic cleanup, rehone, bearings, rings, gaskets, pumps, Q-jet carb, HEI, and starter it would run you under 3k.

    Intake and headers...wrong order....that engine will be head limited, spend your money on Stage 1 heads and port work or the intake and headers wil not be worth much. while it's apart for rebuild is the right time to go all out on the heads IMHO.

    I suggest fixing up the rear to a 3.42 gear and a posi before upgrading the engine though. You'll get more bang for your $$$ that way.
     
  12. regalT

    regalT Member

    the ones i have seen are 2500 hundred more...so umm stage 1 may have to wait. I mean ok with engine rebuild unless I do it myself which I am sure I can since I do know several engine builders who will do it for me for a pretty low price if need be...but I dont have 2500 more to just add into the cost for the engine. So anything else I could do to add some sort of performance and I may need to get the headers anyhow as I dont want to use any cracked exhuast manifold, but i will hold out on the intake then.

    and I alread planned on this with the rear end
     
  13. regalT

    regalT Member

    :( Ok I can no longer get the 455 it was sold and I cannot for the life of me find another...so umm what can be done to have a stout 350 sbb. with that same amount of money plus the engine which is $150. so now I can still use my v6 mounts and accessory bracket...what would I need besides a rebuild to make that engine turn some power
     
  14. regalT

    regalT Member

    my friend called me and told me of a junk yard nearby that has a A1 1974 cadillac engine I presume its either thr 472 or 500 from the year and its at 100,600 miles said to be in great shape. How hard would it be for that to fit the regal *eyeshift* reading these forums and looking over the small block buick guide I just had to ask that question if its even feasible or else I will stick with the 350 idea unless I run across another 455.

    *Continues his 455 search* the lady at the junk yard told me earlier that I would have a better chance finding a needle in a haystack
     
  15. sharkmonkey

    sharkmonkey Give me something to hit!

    Why don't you look through the "Parts For Sale" area on this board.
     
  16. regalT

    regalT Member

    Ok so when I get the 455 if I can get it I would need the conversion mounts from TA for thr 85 regal...and what fan shroud would I use? I have looked over the parts list in the swap message but I am not sure what is needed specific to make it fit into the regal g-body not an a-body

    sorry if I am being annoying I just see you all know so much about this and I like to ask questions.
     
  17. sharkmonkey

    sharkmonkey Give me something to hit!

    #1 - Your not being annoying
    #2 - Ask all the questions you need to
    #3 - Most of us like to help others

    I pulled a fan shroud out of an early 80's Cutlass that had a V8 in it. If the front springs look good in that cutlass, go ahead and pull them out too. You'll need them for the extra weight of the 455. I bought my frame mounts from Poston but I don't think it matters if they are Poston or TA.

    See my messy picture of my shroud when I had the Regal.
     

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  18. regalT

    regalT Member

    I see, So do you think it could be possible to drop the engine in a day if you got all the tools, as I am seeing post of ppl taking a week or two to complete...I was thinking on finding the headers that will work then drop in and bolt down trans hook up the drive shaft and then mark off the placement of the mounts as that way the engine should be mounted the way the body would let it align...or did I read that wrong? and that would allow the engine to sit to the passenger side a bit more as it seems it wont sit directly straight in the compartment...but what would you say is the best way to mark the holes maybe a painted outline?
     
  19. Leviathan

    Leviathan Inmate of the Month

    Just about any fan shroud from a V-8 G-body (they were called A-bodies until 1983) will work. You'll have to redrill the holes for mouting ot the rad support.

    In addition to your frame mounts, I suggest spendign the $35 on new engine mounts as well. The test fit will go a lot easier (less movelment form test fit to final install) and the engine will feel much less rattly in the car.
     
  20. regalT

    regalT Member

    Dont TA sell the complete eng. mount and frame mount kit...And with the TA shorty heads...would getting a nice head job be a good investment?
     

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