The stock 455 in my '76 has pretty lethargic ratings and I've been pondering about doing something about that. I've done some research and my first step will be to get a good camshaft, so the engine breathes better and will respond more to the aftermarket intake and headers that'll bolt on later. I don't need a huge horsepower dragstrip monster by the way, I'm aiming for a more 'spirited' engine with a big flat torque curve that can burn some rubber if pushed hard. About 350hp would be fine and basically what this engine should deliver in it's stock form, but sadly wasn't allowed to in '76. All the smog stuff has already been removed though, that saves me some trouble. Now the (first) question this raised is: Can the camshaft be replaced with the engine still in the car? I couldn't find the answer on the net as well as in my '76 shop manual, all the information I found just assumes you're working on a removed engine... I sure hope it can though, that way I can do the cam swap myself, saving me a lot of money. Many thanks ahead!
I changed one in a non-a/c truck with it in the truck so I didn't have a condensor or anything to deal with. I did remove radiator and grill to give me enough room to slide it out and new one back in. I'm sure you already researched it but do your homework on cam choice. It can also hurt your performance. If you are planning on aftermarket intake this would be a good time to get a matched intake,carb and cam.Now I by no means am a expert on this subject but I am sure one of the Buick guys will be able to give you some good advice on what works well for what you are looking for. By the way a few years ago my dad and I had a '79 nova with a '71 455 buick in it.It was a stock 4bbl. engine.Don't remember specs but something like 300 hp and 420 something ft.lbs. torque. We had a 3.73 rear with mini-spool it was fun as anything I ever driven.From the torque I ended up needing to tie the frame! Still have the car less engine would like to find another engine like that.
From what you are saying....what you want and don't want....look into the Edelbrock Performer or Performer RPM cam, intake, carb set up. You can likely change the cam in the car by removing necessary items as per tiremans experience. One thing....I don't remember about the Edelbrock stuff but you will likely need to change things besides just the cam with some of them. Depends on several factors. You may need stronger valve springs, roller rockers etc. In which case the heads will have to come off.
Hey, my good buddy, give this forum a look. http://www.v8buick.com/search.php?searchid=4753917 I'm on there almost as much as here. Really great guys! Anything I want to know about my Buick 455, I go to V8Buick.com to find the answers. :2_thumbs_up_-_anima (Foxy knows of what he speaks...he really knows his BBB's!) David
Wixom has a point. Except, most engine builders want more out of an engine than what you will be satisfied with. I'm not contradicting what Wix recommends but I will caution you that when building engines/cars....one thing leads to another and another and another. Do one thing....it requires six other things most of the time. Just be sure to ASK what else needs to be done in unison with the parts anyone recommends.
I'm not sure about BBB but like the sb chevy as long as you don't go over around .465 lift stock springs are ok but you can upgrade to the early corvette valve springs as they were a little heavier and didn't require machining so for you maybe early 70's GS valve springs? Got the blood pumping now because this reminds me of building "Grass Roots" hot rods! Got me so excited talking about this but I never had a big pocket book so I had to relie on scouring junk yards for things like Ram horn manifolds and use a die grinder to open the ports, vega torque converters and any engine part we could snag off a corvette since they usually had better parts (such as valve springs) Well good luck and sounds like these other guys have plenty of good experience and advice on you Buick
how many miles are on your engine? and edit-YES you can change the camshaft without removing the engine-now-how is the oil pressure? You are about to embark on a journey that can make you weak at the knees---I have been a long long member over at v8Buick.com-owned/drove/raced 455 Buicks all my life until 2.5 years ago. dig up every thread you can over there about OILING and get a good understanding of how the oiling system in your engine works before you take it apart. Be prepared to remove the engine to replace the cam bearings if necassary and ONLY use the double groove brgs from TA performance in Phoenix. if your front cam brg is ok, know that the aftermarket cam and heavier springs starts you on the slippery slope of cam bearing failure if you don't do some oiling mods up front. and don't put a higher lift cam on those old, crap-to-begin with light valve spring Buick put in that engine 35 years ago. Dig around over there, the info is all on that website, one of the absolutely greatest automotive websites in existence with a lot of neat people. Mention my name, you'll get a rotten egg thrown at youafter fighting the Buick oil fight for half a lifetime, I went Ford-they still tolerate me over there though.
Thanks for the input everyone! Hi David! Everything running smoothly for you? Yes I found V8buick.com earlier, it's mind-blowing! I already registered, however have yet to receive the activation link. I contacted the webmaster about this, I'm still waiting for a reply. It's good to know it can be done. My Train of Thought just gathered some momentum! I figured I had to remove the radiator and grill. The A/C has luckily already been removed. I don't care for A/C, plus it eats hp, which is a no-no. If it weren't such a hassle I'd pull the power steering as well. But ok, ok... I have to admit, it does add a lot to the luxurious, relaxed feel when I'm cruising in my landship I also found a lot of info on the oiling problems of the Buick 455 (mostly on v8buick.com). I don't want any shocking performance from my engine so I think an oil pump upgrade to a high-flow, high pressure unit should cover it. I planned the oil pump upgrade anyway, adding an oil cooler as well. Call me european, but a vehicle has to be able to handle high speed cruising without a glitch. I intend to follow up the cam with a B4B intake and TA shorty headers hooked up to a good stainless exhaust system. The previous owner already mounted an Eddie carb. I've tried to look up some markings to determine the model but found nothing. Does anyone know where to look? Thanks again everyone!
Boy...did I ever misread your post, EZ. I thought you just wanted a little more snort on the cheap. I was going to recommend the cam and duals. It's obvious from your latest post that I misunderstood. A friend of mine just put a mild cam in his Olds 455 junk yard engine and, surprise, surprise, it perked it up considerably. If you want to go with more mods on that Buick engine then the others here have steered you right. You can't beat TA Performance. I worked with them way back when they were getting started. Great guys and very helpful. Now days they are the Buick Boys for sure. The cam that I referred to above that my friend used is a Performer. And...I was wrong anyway......come to find out, Edelbrock makes the Performer and Performer RPM for the Olds 455 but do not make a Buick 455 Performer cam. At least, not one I could find. Bottom line....if you are going with Buick engine mods, TA is the place to go. You will find a lot of info just hanging around over at V8 Buick, too. Sorry I misread your desires....I was just trying to give you what I thought you wanted on the cheap.
No problem silverfox, I welcome all input! I'm definitely going for TA parts, they have so many years of experience and still look for better solutions, rather than remaining stuck in a world of dogmas. You can't beat that attitude in my book, many kudos to them! Hi Rob, everything ok? My plan is to bolt on/in all the other stuff and swap the heads last, as they would benefit the most from the intake/headers etc. It'll be the most expensive upgrade as well I gathered, so I 'm putting that off for a while. I bought my apartment just two years ago so I have to keep at least some of those savings intact. Gotta be the adult at sometimes
