403 OR 455 IN 83 CUTLASS??

[BosMobile]

HEY GUYS ,ive got nice 83 cutlass w/307,it runs great for 212k miles. my 72 cutlass is a factory 455,i love it. when i bought the 83 it came with extra 403 .i know the 403 is a simpler swap,but the car will be dragraced.ive run the 72/455 /400/3.73,for a long time. i dont overrev it .anyway im die hard OLDS!!i know about the main webs ,is it that much weaker than the 455?? i also have a 73,350 sbc,and trans out of a truck,and a 89 350 lt1 ,700r4. they are all doable .some guys with 403 or 455,please give input!!!how much more work to goBIGBLOCK??THANKS,BO P.S.musthave more power!!

 

[midwestls]

I vote big block.

 

[dan2286]

The 455 will not take much more to install. You would need the accessory brackets from the 455. You wont be able to use a/c unless you modify the 307 bracket. I think the hardest thing is getting headers. Not many people make them, and they are expensive. Or you could go with dual exhaust manifolds, repros are still kinda pricey but not as much as headers. I believe you might need to use the valve covers off the 307 for it to clear everything.

These are known to be one of the best headers, http://dickmillerracing.com/store/page8.html

Other than the things I mentioned, I believe everything is is pretty straight forward.

 

[BosMobile]

thanx guys ,yeah ive researched some,seems the headers are the BIG thing. will stock 455 manifolds work?i guess not or folks wouldnt be paying 400-700 for headers.the 83 has true duals/flowmasters now.will the 307 manifolds work on the 455.the car sounds mean,but it doesnt run,i guess once you go big block ,you dont go back!! thanx BO

 

[dan2286]

thanx guys ,yeah ive researched some,seems the headers are the BIG thing. will stock 455 manifolds work?i guess not or folks wouldnt be paying 400-700 for headers.the 83 has true duals/flowmasters now.will the 307 manifolds work on the 455.the car sounds mean,but it doesnt run,i guess once you go big block ,you dont go back!! thanx BO

Actually, I think you can use the 455 manifolds. I believe what some people will do is block off the crossover that is supposed to go to the other manifold. I dont know how good it is for performance, but it works. The 307 ones will bolt on, but the ports are a lot smaller and will flow like crap.

I believe you can use this manifold for the drivers side and use the stock passenger side one. http://www.themotorcompany.com/Full-Siz ... 16158.html I am not positive about if it will fit a g body or not, Im sure someone else will chime in.

 

[Blake442]

I have essentially the same combo in my 442 as you have in your '72...

Don't use that manifold shown above, it's not the one you want.
I believe the factory hi-po manifolds were marked X and Z or something like that... repops are on eBay, though the price for good manifolds is creeping up in the same territory as headers...

Put a 455 in there, you'll be glad you did. 8)

 

[BosMobile]

dan ,thanx,my 72 had factory duels,no crossover.[remember the good old days]so maybe aset of those would work.looks like theres room for headers in there.a 455 would be better,icould probaly trade the 403 for one.the decks 1in taller,and with a elderbrock even more,got to find someone thats already done this swap thanx again,BO

 

[BosMobile]

Thanx blake442,me and you have alot in common!just saw your car on nov. pic. sweetride!!i have 83 cutlass,72 445,and my driver 78 pontiac safari wagon.i want to put a 455 in the 83.i see youve done it w/elderbrock ,and the hood shuts!! can ya hook a olds brother up??thanxBOsmobile

 

[Blake442]

Yup, my hood shuts and clears, though I'll admit the clearance between the front of the air cleaner and the inner hood brace is about the thickness of a nickel. If your body mounts are sagging more than mine, you might run into trouble. I also have a drop base air cleaner.

If you have any more q's just let me know...

 

[foxtrot]

How about these BBO manifolds:
http://www.tntmusclecars.com/manifold.html

I've used the SBO version and thought that they were great!