dnapOLDS

Hey guys/ladies. I just bought me a 455 olds complete engine and I want to rebuild it to get at least 500 hp out of it. And with some good tq low and high, what will be the best combo for me? The engine is stock out of a 1972 cutlass with E heads and never bored and all stoke.

65vistacruiser

Your question reminded me of this article from Car Craft which I found interesting enough to remember it years later.
They were doing a 455 BOP shootout and this is the Olds build-up edition. While their test '72 455 Olds engine only made 470 hp @5200 with a Performer intake, read to the end, they believe it would have been higher with a better flowing manifold.

Torque? Not a problem.

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...455ci-engines/

dnapOLDS

So this is saying I have to bore my block .060 over and get those parts? 470hp would be good with that much tq.

oldcutlass

Welcome to the site, a worthy quest.

chadman

A good recipe for around 500 HP:


455 block bored .030, .040 or .060 over. (no more than what's needed for clean up)
Icon 886 pistons
Eagle 6.735" rods
stock crank ground .010/.010 or what's needed
Edelbrock heads, preferably with some mild porting but out of the box will work
A hydraulic cam (flat tappet or roller, take your pick) in the 230-240 @ .050 range
Edelbrock Torker intake
Holley 850 DP carb
long tube headers
and of course the appropriate rockers, push rods, oil pump & pan etc.


This will not be a cheap project to do it correctly. I would estimate you will have $6500-$8500 into it depending on your choice of parts and who you use for machine work. This is basically what's in my '65 with the exception of the heads which mine are iron with a good amount of porting. Mine hasn't been on the dyno but my time slips indicate around 485HP. Hope this helps.

dnapOLDS

Could i get good hp and tq without the bore??? Because I heard the bore cause over heating problems. And can i just use my E heads and just work those at the machine shop.

chadman

The bore will not cause you any overheating problems. You won't find any good off the shelf pistons in a STD. bore and it's best to start with a fresh surface.


Your E heads will need a lot of work to make 500 HP. Bigger valves, port work, new springs, retainers, guides etc. It can be done but will be cheaper in the long run to start with a set of Edelbrocks.

dnapOLDS

O ok cool thanks a lot man. So do you know of anyone selling some for a low price summit racing wants 958 a piece for each.

dnapOLDS

Can I do a 496 stroker kit with my 455 olds?

chadman

Absolutely.

dnapOLDS

Where can I find the stroker kit? I know Eagle have one but I don't know if it's for chevy or an olds.

dnapOLDS

And what will be the best recipe for this build?

chadman

This is the Eagle kit for your block:


http://www.summitracing.com/parts/es...5060/overview/


You don't necessarily need a kit though. You can have your stock crank offset ground to 4.500" stroke and use 7" BBC connecting rods with either CP or Mahle pistons.