87 442 getting a 455 olds any tips

[spudd]

i think i am sold on the 200r now.a lot less BS with the changeover.
did a bit of research today on exhaust manifolds and found a lot of problems with header fitment...has anyone used the manifold off a 76 455 delta and make them fit?.talking to a guy and he seams to think they had more clearance then others.any thoughts?

 

[dogsht]

Olds 455 Gbody headers are hard to find used and expensive to buy new with the only source being Dick Miller racing. Manifolds with the slag ground off & deburred with good bell-mouth work on the outlet to fit and used with larger 2.5 or larger pipe coming off the manifold works well and usually doesn't cost much if any power below about 450 HP. I don't know about the Delta manifolds specifically.

 

[Blake442]

Hooker makes headers for the swap too... Much cheaper than Dick Millers.
Reproduction W/Z exhaust manifolds are a good compromise as well...

 

[Peter]

after my experience with olds motors, if you doing anything with the valve train i would ditch the stock setup and go with a chevy style individually adjustable rocker arm setup. I spent way too much time getting my lifter preload right on my small block and i still feel there is power sitting there waiting to be unleashed if i switched my rocker arms myself.

 

[L92 OLDS]

whats your take on the 200r?i didn't think it would hold up. as of right now the motor build will be about 500 hp and the same torque.i am not doing the engine.i have left that up to my uncle as he dose high performance engines for a living...

As recommended, above,..go with a properly built 200R4. Also, make sure your uncle knows how to build an Olds 455. If he doesn't know how to address 455 oiling issues you will be sorry. Spend some time on realoldspower.com or oldspower.com to educate yourself. Many have done the 455 in a G body with good results.

 

[spudd]

whats your take on the 200r?i didn't think it would hold up. as of right now the motor build will be about 500 hp and the same torque.i am not doing the engine.i have left that up to my uncle as he dose high performance engines for a living...

As recommended, above,..go with a properly built 200R4. Also, make sure your uncle knows how to build an Olds 455. If he doesn't know how to address 455 oiling issues you will be sorry. Spend some time on realoldspower.com or oldspower.com to educate yourself. Many have done the 455 in a G body with good results.

is funny you should bring that up.he dose know about the issue.we just talked about all the things i need to do as far as mods to the crank,block and rods..i am learning alot about the 455 from him.he did a lot of 455 olds.most were in the 750 to 900hp range.i have no knowledge as to the olds engine
as of now i think i'm going with the edelbrock heads and roller rockers.not sure on intake manifold yet.
i did find a guy that is a wiz with the 200r trany so that is covered

thanks so much for the input guys.everything is helpfull even if it seams to be simple to some people.this site rocks!!!!!!!!!