jon96ctd

Hey I recently picked up a '64 Buick Wildcat, 4 door hardtop, it's got a 401 Nailhead and an ST400 trans. I'm thinking about swapping it for a mid 70's Buick 455 and turbo 400, not the Stage 1 or anything, just the base model engine. I know the 401 had 445 lb-ft and was not a poor engine, actually a lot of the rat rod guys are picking them up because they're relatively small/light for their power output and strength.
but I like the 455, being 150 lbs lighter than a BBC 454, base model having 500 lb-ft/370hp and having somewhat of an aftermarket support...I mean, I can get an intake, cam and ignition stuff pretty easy. I'm thinking about putting a Performer intake and low rpm cam on stock heads and short block, I have a couple holleys to pick from to put on...or I could do dual 600's for no good reason.

so anyone on here have any experience with the older buicks? I'm all over the small block chevy, know all the quirks and performance stuff but I'm completely new to the buick world, especially the big blocks.

Redleg

I'm more of an olds fan, but I'd look for a 72 or earlier. See if your library has a chiltons from around then. You could probably find a larger model that used the same performance engine as the GS without the hype, a lot easier in a scrap yard or somewhere. For example, you could get a toronado 455 with the same performance engine as a 442 W30.

SRTchris

i'm not sure but i think the pontiac motors are the same as well. i have a set of ram air 3 heads from a 69 goat i was gonna use but for the same money to make those really worked over a set of edlbrock heads costs less and make more power outa the box than those #48's will done to the max, anyway i have a set for sale if intersted pm me.

Redleg

The engines are not the same, I was just useing the olds models as an example to hunt through buicks. All were different back then, right up til they merged to become B.O.C..

PanteraGSTK

kenne-belle made a 455 buick with twin screw chargers for about 750hp. Sounds good to me. I thought the pontiac/buick aftermarket was crap. Aren't there only a few companies that make 455 parts?

jon96ctd

well, crap compared to the aftermarket for small block fords/chevys but it's not all that bad. there are companies like TA performance and Edelbrock and others that make BBB stuff. rebuild kits aren't unreasonable, they're not $250 like for a 350 but for only being run about 10 years they're pretty popular.

rustbucket

My cousin put a early 455 buick in a 68 I.h. four wheel drive,it had to be the fastest old I.h. around. It was typical old I.h. and had plow gears in the differentials.and it would smoke all four tires from a dead stop.He was never beat in eighth mile drags,and didn't do to bad in the quarter mile,considering the way it was geared.

mcoleman

For the ignition you can pick up stock HEI's out of the mid 70s 350 Buick engines for cheap. Just change out the gear for the one on the 455. Unless you go with an 850 Holley the Quadrajet is the best carb for a 455. TA performance would be my choice of intakes unless you can pick up an old B4B Edlebrock. The new performers don't add hp they just drop weight. They moved the carb mounting so the factory air intakes would hit the factory holes on the GS cars. The Ram Air never worked over 20 mph in the 1st place. Don't count out the old 430 engines made prior to 1970. They work great also but will require premium fuel due to the compression. I put a 71 Skylark into the 12 teens running a stock 430 with a B4B intake, custom 850 cfm Quadrajet, Kenne-Bell mark 107 cam that I bought used and a set of headers. Along with a recurved HEI distributor. The internals of the engine were all stock. Check out v8buick.com for parts and pieces.