1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread *UPDATED*

[dogsht]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread

Did you put in bigger valves and at least open up the bowls? Horsepower has little to do with cubic inches and everything to do with flow. The power is in the heads. Torque on the other hand does come with cubes and you will have plenty of that and down low where you can enjoy it with a relatively long stroke 455. 8)

PS Headers or WZs are worth the money. WZs can be opened up like a cone and used with some 2.75 or 3" pipe that later necks down to 2.5 for the tailpipes if you want. Just trying to help you not leave any power on the table.

 

[STL84Calais]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread

Did you put in bigger valves and at least open up the bowls? Horsepower has little to do with cubic inches and everything to do with flow. The power is in the heads. Torque on the other hand does come with cubes and you will have plenty of that and down low where you can enjoy it with a relatively long stroke 455. 8)

PS Headers or WZs are worth the money. WZs can be opened up like a cone and used with some 2.75 or 3" pipe that later necks down to 2.5 for the tailpipes if you want. Just trying to help you not leave any power on the table.

The 455 came from a 70 Toronado, so it already got the E heads w/ BIG valves (2.07 int, 1.65 exh), and they opened the bowls a little. I'll be running WZ manifolds 3" w/ x-pipe all the back to race mufflers, dumped. With the cam it'll sound pretty mean.

 

[86cutlassrules]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread

You might want to check out 2 sites to really get to know the Olds 455 which you are going to love by the way.
The Olds FAQ
www.442.com/oldsfaq/oldsfaq.htm

Real Olds Power
Realoldspower.com

Warning the guys on real olds power can be not so nice but they really know a lot and may have some of the parts you want. E heads are very good and I got away with running them for years with no lead additives and the exhaust valves were fine I just pulled them for a set of C heads.

 

[supreme_eighty5]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread

nice project man, its pretty much the same im doing :lol: i have a '70 olds 455, E heads, pretty sure it was out of a 98 though. Its going in my 85 cutlass, I just started pulling it apart yesterday. I'll be checking in here and comparing ideas im sure 8)

 

[MOTORHEAD_INC]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread

thats a pretty cool project. i myself am doing the same, correction, have done the same but have lots left to get it driveable. 455 out of a 72 cruiser, th400 trans, and not sure on the rear. i have a 12 bolt waitin to be built to go in but i hear its about 2 inches wider than the original rear. not sure if it will work or not. :? my father is the one who started this project and once it was runnin just kind of passed the torch. haha so im not real familiar with it but lookin forward to get rippin into this thing.

 

[FE3X CLONE]

Re:

Besides, I've heard from die hard Olds' guys that it really doesn't matter with regards to the soft or hardened valve seats with Olds heads...

Correct. Once you do a valve job on the "hardened" seats, you pretty much remove any of the hardened material and its not any stronger than a non-hardened seat.

I ran my J heads for years (which also have hardened seats) that had a 4 angle valve job without any problems. Same goes for my brother's 403 with the 7a heads. Both had valve jobs that would have removed the hardened material on the seat.

 

[MOTORHEAD_INC]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread

so which heads are the best do you all think?

 

[beeterolds]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread

so which heads are the best do you all think?

Compared to many modern heads out there.. All olds head suck.. no matter which way you cut it.. however.. from the factory C's RARE D's and F's E's and Gs are ok.. The intake side of Js arent too bad.. but the exhaust bowls blow goats.. properly worked Js can provide some awesome performance tho

 

[MOTORHEAD_INC]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread

well i have Ga"s. So i guess these are decent. my pops said he had these PnP'd, i was thinking of gettin a full roller setup. anyone know if there is like a full kit or any advice? like i said really not to familiar with this engine but anxious to learn.

Im a ford tech so thats pretty much my story there. lol but i guess even the ford guy has a gm packed away somewhere. thanks for the help guys and hope i dont bug anyone with the questions.

 

[dan2286]

Re: 1984 Cutlass Calais / BBO 455 build thread

well i have Ga"s. So i guess these are decent. my pops said he had these PnP'd, i was thinking of gettin a full roller setup. anyone know if there is like a full kit or any advice? like i said really not to familiar with this engine but anxious to learn.

Im a ford tech so thats pretty much my story there. lol but i guess even the ford guy has a gm packed away somewhere. thanks for the help guys and hope i dont bug anyone with the questions.

I think full roller is a waste unless you plan on really high rpms which really isn't needed on a 455.