squeeze a 455 into a 350 engine compartment?

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by GONZO, Nov 13, 2002.

  1. GONZO

    GONZO Well-Known Member

    Could a 455 be squeezed into a 350 engine compartment on a 71 Buick GSX??? With A/C, disc brakes.


    see picture of 350 in engine bay here:

    http://www.raceway.com/motion/350engine.jpg

    Could a 455 get in there????/
     
  2. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    Yes, I know another person who made the same switch in a 71 Gsx.

    Jim Lore
     
  3. 71GS455

    71GS455 Best Package Wins!

    Of course it can... it was an option.
    It shouldn't fit any different than my 71 GS455 other than the AC stuff on the firewall, which I don't have.
    Is that the correct air cleaner in the photo? That looks like the snorkles from a 72 GS car.
     
  4. alan

    alan High-tech Dinosaur

    If it will fit in here, it will fit in almost anything! :laugh:
     
  5. GONZO

    GONZO Well-Known Member

    will it fit

    I was just wondering, with all that AC stuff on the firewall, whether or not it would fit. Not sure about air cleaner assembly.
    Not my car.
     
  6. 71GS455

    71GS455 Best Package Wins!

    Many years ago my dad and I put a 400 into a 72 GS350 that had AC (also not hooked up). I don't remember any problems with clearance.
    It does require different frame pads (what the motor mounts mount to), among a few other things.

    I think there's a list of information at www.buickperformance.com regarding the 350/TH350 -> 455/TH400 swap.
     
  7. 462CID

    462CID Buick newbie since '89

    As an FYI, I swapped a 455 out of a '73 Riv into my '70 Skylark, not a single problem, as mentioned by others. There is room to spare under my hood for two A/C compressors, but I got that convertible thing that keeps me cool....so long as I'm moving:TU:
     
  8. Marco

    Marco Well-Known Member

    That's the engine compartment of the 1971 red GSX clone (Skylark VIN) that was on Ebay. Were you the high bidder GONZO?

    Here you go -
     

    Attached Files:

  9. GONZO

    GONZO Well-Known Member

    were you

    No, I was not, I did not even bid.
     
  10. Chris Lott

    Chris Lott 4 speed finally

    Gonzo, is yours an original '71 GSX with a 350?
     
  11. GONZO

    GONZO Well-Known Member

    nope

    Actually, I do not have a GS yet, I was just asking the question, since I have seen quite a few 350 GS cars. And those usually can't sell for much.
     
  12. Marco

    Marco Well-Known Member

    Re: nope

    The 350 cars were more common than the 455 cars. You can check out GS production figures on the website in my signature.

    Good luck in your search.

    PS - It's OK to use at least your first name here so we know who we're 'chatting' with. This is a close community.

    Thanks!
     
  13. Chris Lott

    Chris Lott 4 speed finally

    Marco, did that GSX clone on ebay ever sell? I sent him an email about the car but he never emailed me back. I was curious if he ever pulled the auction like he should have.
     
  14. Marco

    Marco Well-Known Member

    The auction continued, and I don't believe the reserve was met. The guy stated he may hold the highest bidder liable to complete the transaction anyway.

    I wouldn't be surprised if we see it again.
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2002
  15. Chris Lott

    Chris Lott 4 speed finally

    Along the same lines, check out this auction and read towards the bottom where he talks about "fake bid buddies." Ebay GTO Judge Don't really know how to feel about that, I can see where he might be coming from through. It just seems to me that if someone goes to that much trouble, they might be hiding somethin. :puzzled:
     
  16. GONZO

    GONZO Well-Known Member

    clone Judge

    A Judge clone and not a very good one, as ALL 400ci Judges 69-70 came with a RAM AIR motor, at least a RAIII. That means it has the wrong aircleaner assy right off the bat. RAIII and RAIV's are considerable faster than standard GTO's.

    RAIII...different camshaft, Ram Air, different exhaust manifolds, slightly different carb


    RAIV..different intake, different heads (much bigger intake ports and round exhaust ports), wild 308/320 duration .527 lift cam,lighter swirl tip valves, forged rods and pistons,4 bolt mains,different exhaust manifolds, Ram Air, different carb, 3.90 / 4.33 gears, 1.65 ratio rockers

    among the main differences

    The only exception to this was that there were 17 455 non-RA Judges made in 1970
     
  17. skitzofrenic66

    skitzofrenic66 What's an Import?

    I yanked my tired 350 out and slapped in a fresh 455 with little problems. Changing motor mounts and coil springs were the only hang ups I had. The switch is VERY much worth any work you have to do.
     

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