Buick 455 in a MK4?

[phutch]

Has anybody put a Buick 455 in the roadster kit or know anyone who has? I'm in the process of rebuilding a 455 that's been in the family since 1970. I know it's crazy, and quite probably stupid, but I'd really love to put that motor in a MK4. I'm sure there's a lot of stuff I'll have to figure out along the way but right know it's the obvious things like transmission adapter kits, motor mounts, and headers that I'm wondering about. Any advice or experience would be much appreciated.

[2FAST4U]

Stick with a Ford engine. Cheaper and better resale value

[phutch]

Your suggestion makes sense but, with respect, I don't have any Ford engines that have been in my family since I was three. This motor literally has a lifetime of memories built in so that's what I'm sticking with.

[jayguy]

I can't recall any Buick motors, but there have been a few big block Chevys. I think the biggest challenges will be motor mounts and exhaust. You'll probably have to build your own in both cases.

[MPTech]

I'm sure it could be made to fit, it's gotta be smaller than the Coyote.
All depends on you abilities and desire.

I'm sure there are aftermarket trans adapters and motor mounts could be fabricated, the headers may be the tricky part.

Have you considered stuffing that bad-boy in a '33? May be more "appropriate" for a HotRod.

[edwardb]

Lots of guys have put engines other than Fords in these things. LS, Viper, Buick Grand National V-6, etc. just to name a few I've seen. So anything's possible I guess. But just be prepared (as already stated) that you will have a bit of an orphan and will really affect the resale if that matters to you. Plus you will be doing lots of frame and driveline mods, headers, etc.

The suggestion for a '33 is a good one. Similar chassis setup and construction techniques. Much more of a "hot rod" platform where most anything goes. Plus it could be easily made into an all-weather car with a top, doors, windows, A/C, etc. That's what I would do.

[phutch]

It looks like americanpowertrain.com has some things I can use to put a manual trans behind the Buick. I'm not worried about the resale value. We've had that motor for over 40 years so it's staying put one way or another. I might have even found something useful for the headers. It looks like there are exhaust modeling systems out there that let you mock up a system in plastic before any cutting and welding of metal starts. There's a lot more research to be done of course but it looks like there's hope. The '33 is a good idea but my wife and I both have our hearts set on the Mk4. Motor mounts are still a mystery at this point but we'll see.

Thanks for all your suggestions so far!

[Doutie]

O, Ha I see no reason not to do it. I had a good friend in high school that had a very good running 455 in his beautiful 1970 Gran Sport. It was a low end torque monster that surprised a lot of people. A lot of people think such projects are undoable because this part or that isn't in Summit's Racing catalog. When I was a young boy my erector set came with pictures of things I could build, but I had my own machines in mind. If I were doing your project, I'd stick with the opb turbo-400 trans and have a driveline shop build the necessary adaption into the driveline to get to IRS because IRS goes with a BBB (Big Block Buick) build. Hang the motor and trans into the bare chassis in the proper position and angle then hire a good fabricator to make the motor and trans mounts. When it comes time for the exhaust, check out Stainless Steel Headers company, They do awesome custom applications and amazing work. Oh, If you do it, we will help you over the bumps and I want a ride. Good luck, Doutie

[phutch]

Thanks Doutie! I used to have a 70 GS and this is the motor was in it back in the late 80s. The original 455 was hurt when I bought the car. Torque Monster is right! I appreciate all your comments and you're top of the list when it comes time to take it for a ride! I'm still in the very beginning of the planning phase but it looks like there are a couple of adapter kits for mating a Tremec TKO 600 or T56 to this thing. I'm leaning that way but we'll see what reality has to say about all this.

[McObra]

There is one running around with a BMW V12 under the hood. You can put any engine you want in these cars, although Ford is the best way to go.

[Blue MK3]

I understand your attachment to the 455, but consider this; after all the mods required to install it and when you eventually sell the car, you'll be facing a bigger task. That is assuming that you keep the 455. So then you'll have to get a Ford engine, undo all the mods, install the Ford, and sell the car at a considerable loss. I doubt you could give away a Cobra without an engine and set up for the 455. So keep the 455 for another project and go with a SBF now.

[rich grsc]

Why are so many people set on talking him out of doing the build his way? If he's had the engine for 40 yrs, what make you think he won't keep the roadster just as long. DO IT

[Blue MK3]

I yield to the OP. He didn't come here with the question of whether SHOULD install the 455, he asked for advice on HOW to do it. Hey, it's his car and his engine. As long as he's been made aware of the pitfalls, he surely can do whatever he wants. Good luck, Plutch.

[2bking]

Headers shouldn't be a problem as Stainless Headers will send a kit for mocking them up and then make them for you.

[2FAST4U]

Making your own exhaust system is not a big deal if you can weld. I'm making my own complete system. Motor and transmission mounts are a bit trickier though.

[Cobradavid]

Why are so many people set on talking him out of doing the build his way? If he's had the engine for 40 yrs, what make you think he won't keep the roadster just as long. DO IT

X2

If you're building the car just to sell it, maybe a Ford engine is a better choice. But it sounds like you intend to keep your roadster for a while, so build it how you want!

I didn't build my cobra for resale value - I built it to be how I wanted it. Unless someone offers me the "right amount" (enough to pay for another build plus some money in my pocket), I'm going to keep my cobra a LONG time.

Resale value will be the concern of my estate, not me.

David

[phutch]

Thanks guys. Just to get this out there, I have no plans to resell the car! Rich and CobraDavid nailed it. The motor has been in the family for 40 years and my kids will have to figure out what to do with the car once I've put a couple hundred thousand miles on it. First priority is to get the motor rebuilt then I can worry about the rest. I'm aware of the "pitfalls" but they're just puzzles waiting to be figured out.

Aut inveniam viam aut faciam

[skullandbones]

phutch,

The big Buicks and Olds engines have amazing torque. That's a seat of the pants feel that is hard to beat. I got stuck on BBC early on with the 348/409. It's hard to describe the experience when those things hook up and start pulling hard.

Do you plan on building it up a lot or keep it close to OEM? What hp range? Personally, I think modifying the mounts for the build will be a piece of cake. It's almost like a blank slate between the frame rails. You might have to modify the trans adaptor but not bad. With the new offerings for custom headers, that will even be doable. I remember when we had to use welding rod and templates DIY to get anything like that. I would be most concerned with the cooling aspect. You might look into a Davis radiator (lots more fins per inch). If you arranged it vertical instead of canted, it would work great and also present a great look for the engine bay. I've seen some aftermarket intakes that look pretty nice. It's one of those things that will never get old. I'd like to see the looks when you raise the bonnet!

Good luck, WEK.

[myjones]

I'm aware of the "pitfalls" but they're just puzzles waiting to be figured out.
Aut inveniam viam aut faciam

I took the same approach on my 33. I put a modern Hemi in it and worked out the puzzles as they came up. Custom oil pan from my template, custom headers with 3 tries to get it right
from a great vendor, custom tranny mount by me, custom motor mounts by me, custom unisteer mount/location by me, shortened driveshaft locally. Lots of puzzles but worth the effort to
get the one of a kind car that I wanted. Resale is for the next generation if they are crazy enough to sell it. Build it your way and enjoy it.
DB
Hemi33

[VdubJoe]

Great idea. Build what you want . Like some said if selling stick with Ford. But if not make it your own that's really all that matters.
Keep posting if you get going with it.

Joe

[Olli]

I think that it is fine that you want to put a Buick engine in BUT do research your state's titling requirements. They might require proof of origin of the motor. You saying that you have had it for 40 years won't mean much to a DMV clerk. Go for it, but you should do some research first. Hopefully you won't find any potential roadblocks. Good luck with the build.

Olli

[phutch]

skullandbones, I'm going to keep it fairly mild but that should still put me well into the 400 hp range. I'll do a little bowl porting and put larger valves in the heads, Edelbrock intake, and a mild street/strip cam. That, along with a free flowing exhaust (and the fact that the 455 made 510 ft/lbs at 2800 rpm stock) should make for an entertaining ride.

As far as titling goes, I've found that dealing with the DMV is always challenging but Buick actually stamped the VIN on the block in the 70's so proving origin shouldn't be that hard.

By the way all, please don't mention resale considerations again. For the last time, I'm not going to sell it!

[Olli]

"origin" not as in, it's a Buick, but being able to prove that you obtained the block legally. You don't tell us where you are from but in some states titling can be a real pain.

Olli

[phutch]

Olli, I'm in Florida now but the plan is to move back to Colorado in the near future, at least before the car is running. This motor was OEM in a '70 Buick Estate Wagon that my father purchased new. That wagon is now history but the car was never titled to anyone other than my dad. Thanks to your good suggestion I did a little looking at titling kit car/custom cars in Colorado. I may have to do a little hunting but it looks like I should be able to provide anything they require.

[riptide motorsport]

Title it in fl. Very simple and easy, you can do it with just the paperwork, car does not need to be inspected. Its just paperwork, you can do it now and there is no number inspections. Once you have the fl.title, its just a matter of changing it over the Colorado title when your finished.

[Olli]

Title it in fl. Very simple and easy, you can do it with just the paperwork, car does not need to be inspected. Its just paperwork, you can do it now and there is no number inspections. Once you have the fl.title, its just a matter of changing it over the Colorado title when your finished.

Good advice.

Olli

[Garry Bopp]

phutch,

Best of luck in your plan for the 455 Mk4. It will certainly be a unique car ... hope you like lots of attention. You will have many miles of smiles, once you are on the road.

Garry

[CHOTIS BILL]

I read somewhere that some GM engines that were attached to automatic transmissions didn’t have a pilot bearing bore in the end of the crank. If your engine didn’t come with a clutch you might want to check to see if there is a pilot bearing bore and if not have one bored while the engine is being rebuilt.

Bill Lomenick

[phutch]

Thanks Garry, I'm looking forward to building it almost as much as I'm looking forward to driving it. The keyword for both will be "carefully".

Bill, thanks for the advice on the pilot bearing bore! That had never even crossed my mind and I'll definitely look into it. I'm sure I'll still stumble into some surprises during the build but each one I can find and eliminate beforehand is very much appreciated!

[CraigS]

look for some pics of FFRs w/ j-pipe exhaust. Basically it's a shortie header that you install opposite of the normal side of the engine so the exit is to the front. Then a j-pipe to connect to the sidepipes. I suspect there are some reasonably available headers like that for you engine. W/ 455 cubes it's not like having less than perfect headers will hurt the performance much.

[phutch]

Thanks for the tip Craig! I'll give that a look.

[Avalanche325]

Title it in fl. Very simple and easy, you can do it with just the paperwork, car does not need to be inspected. Its just paperwork, you can do it now and there is no number inspections. Once you have the fl.title, its just a matter of changing it over the Colorado title when your finished.

Here in FL, you can walk up to the counter and say "I just stole this car. It has no brakes, lights, seatbelts, or exhaust system.", and walk out with a title and tag in your hand.