Best manifold and carburator combo for under $800

[algae65]

hey guys

I'm new to the G-Body scene. I'm looking for a manifold/carburetor combo for under $800. When I have been on forums for other cars that I have owned, I could always find the indy or underground brand that everyone raved about but was less expensive than the better known brands. Looking for that lol! Carburetor should be around 600-650 cmf. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My apologies if it's already been discussed a million times in other threads.

BTW - car is a 78 cutlass brougham t-tops with 260 V8

 

[Peter]

you dont need to be anywhere near 800 dollars. the stock quadrajets are great when tuned correctly and a nice dual plane edelbrock intake is a great thing. that would put you around 400-500 if your buying all new. You can certainly find some of this stuff used at deep discounts and save a lot of money

 

[CHRIS.O]

From experience with that exact engine I would advise you don't waste your time trying to modify it. Also, you can't. There isn't an aftermarket 4bbl intake for a 260 that will work. The only way you can put a 4bbl intake on that engine is to install different heads. Then you run into more problems, valve clearance, cutting the heads to bring the compression back up, etc. If you have 800 to spend you could buy an olds 350 running and ready to go and install it in your car and get double the power your 260 could ever make. Its not often that you find an engine out there that has no performance potential at all but I have to say from experience the oldsmobile 260 is one of them.

 

[Peter]

From experience with that exact engine I would advise you don't waste your time trying to modify it. Also, you can't. There isn't an aftermarket 4bbl intake for a 260 that will work. The only way you can put a 4bbl intake on that engine is to install different heads. Then you run into more problems, valve clearance, cutting the heads to bring the compression back up, etc. If you have 800 to spend you could buy an olds 350 running and ready to go and install it in your car and get double the power your 260 could ever make. Its not often that you find an engine out there that has no performance potential at all but I have to say from experience the oldsmobile 260 is one of them.

good catch my eyes missed that it was a 260

 

[fly1]

I have a olds 350 with a 600 cfm eddy i can sell you. the 260 is not worth it. I cant think of anything good to say about it.

 

[sidestep]

i agree, save your money. i have a 79 cutlass with the 260, nice cruising car and i can spin the tires on wet pavement. if you wont to run, bigger motor. i run a 383 in my 86 monty ls and it isn't big enough. the price per horse power is as cheep as i have ever seen. shop around, you can find what you are looking for.

 

[algae65]

Where can I get a 455? I assume that the price is somewhere are $2500-3000. Is that the biggest direct fit engine for this car?

 

[maliburacinfreak]

Where can I get a 455? I assume that the price is somewhere are $2500-3000. Is that the biggest direct fit engine for this car?

check some derby forums. alot of guys run older big GMs and yank the big motors in favor of a small block chevy. should be able to find a used 455 for $500 or less. i picked up a buick 455 from one of my derbying buddies for 200 bucks

 

[CHRIS.O]

You might be able to find a running 455 for way less than that. I picked up a 1968 455 Big valve C heads, headers for a g body and a carb for 600. Oh yea it came with a t top 84 cutlass too haha. I got a great deal but seriously if you want a 455 there not too hard to find. 2500 bucks is what I would expect to pay for a car with a running 455 already in it. So if you have that kind of cash maybe consider buying another car and enjoy your mellow 260 for cruising around. If you want to put a 455 in it then hit up craigslist and the car forums. Not a whole lot of them left in the junk yards. What type of power do you want? A 350 may be better suited for your needs.

 

[FE3X CLONE]

As an FYI, you'd never find an aftermarket intake (Edelbrock, etc.) that would even fit the 260. Ports would be way off.

As others have said, look for a 350, 403, 425, 455 instead. The 350/403 would be a direct swap, the 425/455 would be a *little* bit tougher but nothing bad.

Way back when I bought my 455 running with a TH400 attached to it for $400. Came out of a '76 Custom Cruiser station wagon that the guy was putting in a derby. Actually kind of sad as the car was still nice without a spec of rust on it. At least he was smart enough to sell off the engine.

If you go with a 455 you'll likely have to beef up the trans that's behind the 260 otherwise it'll grenade on short order.