307 to 455 in a 1987 442. Should I??

[olds307 and 403]

Two year old thread. I will be testing my stock with some upgrades 2004r on my 424 ci 403 stroker by the end of next year, hopefully. Vern did you use the Extreme Automatics torque convertor with your builds? If so, what stall and what did it flash stall? I am upgrading the convertor for sure, bottom feed filter, hardened pump rings or rebuilt pump, new big trans go kit with servo. I think I will set the TV cable with a gauge or get the proper, stock style cable from EA.

 

[dogsht]

Yes. 3,000 stall with the GN & 2,800 with the 509 Caddy. Flashed about the rated stall.

 

[L92 OLDS]

Yes. 3,000 stall with the GN & 2,800 with the 509 Caddy. Flashed about the rated stall.

Did you go aftermarket for the stall speed or because the factory converter would grenade with higher HP / Torque?

 

[dogsht]

They were rebuilt factory "D5" lock up converters. Furnace braised, anti balooning, bla bla modified stall $300. There are better more expensive converters but these work well unless you NEED more than 3,000 stall.

 

[Bar50]

Once you drive the 455 Olds in your Cutlass, you'll wonder why they don't sell cars like that! Gas mileage be damned, its not that bad. Think smiles per gallon!

You will not regret it!

 

[dogsht]

Big block cars are fun & stealthy to drive because they don't have to be radical & unreliable or less street-able like the old small blocks to go fast. They will eat a little more fuel especially in town but with an overdrive, lockup converter, reasonable cam, & Q-jet they can be both fast and reasonably fuel efficient. Actually by the time you modify an old small block enough to go as fast they often eat at least as much fuel. My 509 ran easy mid 12s in as you drive it trim and got 17 hwy. My buddys Navigator only gets 18.

 

[Burnhard]

If you are not racing I would go with a olds 350. Start with a low mile engine or build one.

1.Its a great engine
2. They should not be hard to find 68 to 75/76? solid main web
3. Lighter than a 455
4.Better mpg
5.Will bolt right in
6.They love headers,after market intake.and cam shaft
7.There are lots of good builds that you can base resuts off of
8.New and used HP parts are cheeper and are not hard to find
9. I think they are more reliable than any other olds engine and have a good bore to stoke ratio.

 

[Bar50]

If you are not racing I would go with a olds 350. Start with a low mile engine or build one.

1.Its a great engine
2. They should not be hard to find 68 to 75/76? solid main web
3. Lighter than a 455
4.Better mpg
5.Will bolt right in
6.They love headers,after market intake.and cam shaft
7.There are lots of good builds that you can base resuts off of
8.New and used HP parts are cheeper and are not hard to find
9. I think they are more reliable than any other olds engine and have a good bore to stoke ratio.

If you are not racing, go with a 455 because:

1. Its a greater engine than a 350
2. Came in the same cars from 70-76
3. 100 more cubic inches than a 350
4. Buy a Prius is you are worried about mileage...did I mention 100 more cubic inches and around 500 lb/ft of torque stock!!!!!
5. Will bolt right in
6. They love all the same parts, but are not needed, because they are 7.5 liter, with 100 more cubic inches
7. Stone stock like they came in motor homes and 5000 lb Delta 88's that flew down the highway effortlessly!!! Mild cam at the most!
8. Used 455 Olds parts are more easily found than 350 Olds, uh, hello jet boat guys??? See that note about 500 lb/ft of torque???
9. See that note about grandpa's Delta 88 that would knock back 17-20 on the highway in a car that weighed more than most new trucks, at 70 MPH, and make 100,000 miles or more. Toronados, and the same set up in 'Stripes' style GM motor homes with FWD. You could almost put a G-body in the trunk!

Look, a stock 455 Olds, take apart, clean, inspect, re-ring, re-bearing, valve job, and new oil pump. Ready to go, it will be so much fun it is insane! Heaven help the chassis and rearend. Even more sickening if you add merely a 100-125 HP nitrous shot, thats all it will need, even on those stocker cast pistons. Been there, done that, so many times its not funny, best part, I would do it again, I am always on the hunt for big GM cars at tow-in yard auctions...

Parts cost the same, big or small when its Olds, so, use a motor that will post the results with 'needing' headers or an intake.

 

[CUTLASSJESSE]

who can say no to a big block?? in stock form if your not looking to race or run stoplight to stop light they will still get pretty decent milage!! if you are planning a little strip use here and there headers mild cam and a decent intake and carb will do wonders easy 12s in a g body plus you will lose about 50 pounds going from the stock cast intake to aluminum...those 3-4 upgrades will run 500-600 depending if you can find good used parts or get them new