Firebird Resto input

[mbryson]

That Indian 455 would be pretty stinkin' reliable. I don't think you'd have much trouble finding parts, but maybe? They are getting kinda old with the last one built in 1975.

I had a friend with a '69 GS 400, 3.08 rear and a Muncie knock down about 20 mpg pretty regularly. The 400 is the same design as the Buick 430-455. With some mild gears (say 3.55s?) and the 6 speed, I'd be you could pull some mileage out of a big cube motor.

For a "pro touring" type car like you're describing, it'd be ultra-hard to beat the mentioned LS motor/trans combo. Probably a fairly common and relatively easy swap, though and it looks as if you're wanting something unique.

That's awesome that it's a family car and you're building it how you want it. ChevyCrew is dead nuts right on the fix it yourself factor of a carbed, HEI older motor though. Not much to go wrong with one of those.

 

[BlackDog]

And a big block can be thrifty... I could pull on occasion 20 ou of my leSabre... which had to weigh twice what you do, and.. had way lower compression (75 model year 455)

I like the idea of ported/polished balanced headered lightly supercharged 455 with Carburetion , early GM TBI, or even Holley EFI... that coupled with a 5 or 6 speed manual trans, will give you useable power, and enough of it that it will feel like a muscle car, final drive it around 3.75 or even 4.10 if you end up with the 6 speed ratio that was posted above...

Low 20's... Brag points of a 455... and Pontiac throughout...

 

[Tacoma]

There are new parts being made for Pontiac motors now.. I think someone started making blocks not too long ago....

Multiport EFI and a Tremec 6spd. Helll yes

 

[soda blaster]

I can hook you up with pretty much any Vette motor you want, I have a zo6 full drive train out of a 2003 right now. I soda blast a ton of Vette parts for different companies.

 

[Hickey]

IMHO the appeal of a high HP motor wears off pretty quick. A smaller motor that has been modestly built for good power and great reliability will be more fun to drive for hours on end. I lose interest with any car build when they go straight for the biggest motor they can get. Bigger is boring. Character is what attracts me.

 

[spencurai]

IMHO the appeal of a high HP motor wears off pretty quick. A smaller motor that has been modestly built for good power and great reliability will be more fun to drive for hours on end. I lose interest with any car build when they go straight for the biggest motor they can get. Bigger is boring. Character is what attracts me.

Ding Ding Ding!!!

 

[4554x4]

400

I know you didnt list a turbo 400 in your selections to vote on. I have an extra turbo 400 that would fit your Pontiac motor. Call me if interested. Wayne 801-661-3306

 

[Tacoma]

You've got a BOP 400, Wayne? sweet!

 

[Greg]

IMHO the appeal of a high HP motor wears off pretty quick. A smaller motor that has been modestly built for good power and great reliability will be more fun to drive for hours on end. I lose interest with any car build when they go straight for the biggest motor they can get. Bigger is boring. Character is what attracts me.

I know what you're saying, but I respectfully disagree...


400-500 HP can be reliable... Build it right and drive it right and it will be fine. I took a big roadtrip with a friend of mine in his Formula 400 Firebird with a well-built Pontiac 400, we drove from UT to Oregon and had no problems.

There's no question that the technology going into the LS-series engines is some of the best ever. Comparing one of those motors to late-60's engine is apples to oranges. If I were planning on driving a muscle car all over the country, I'd want simplicity under the hood. If it breaks down, it's usually an easy diagnosis and simple fix.

I still think a 455 with Edelbrock aluminum heads & intake, a good roller cam and 10 to 1 compression would be a great combo. Top it off with a big Holley vacuum secondary carb and a good ignition. Shoot for 450 HP and Ft/lbs, which is not crazy power out of 455 cubes.

Pair that engine up with a 6 speed manual Tremec and 3.55 or 3.73 gears... looks like that trans is rated for 450 ft/lbs max, so keep the motor under that. The Tremec's have either .50 or .62 overdrive ratios in 6th gear.

3.55 gears with 27" tall tires and a .50 OD in 6th gear at 80 MPH = 1767 RPM.

A healthy big-block will have the torque to push low RPM's at higher speeds and still get decent mileage, IMO. There's your character...

 

[mbryson]

I know what you're saying, but I respectfully disagree...


400-500 HP can be reliable... Build it right and drive it right and it will be fine. I took a big roadtrip with a friend of mine in his Formula 400 Firebird with a well-built Pontiac 400, we drove from UT to Oregon and had no problems.

There's no question that the technology going into the LS-series engines is some of the best ever. Comparing one of those motors to late-60's engine is apples to oranges. If I were planning on driving a muscle car all over the country, I'd want simplicity under the hood. If it breaks down, it's usually an easy diagnosis and simple fix.

I still think a 455 with Edelbrock aluminum heads & intake, a good roller cam and 10 to 1 compression would be a great combo. Top it off with a big Holley vacuum secondary carb and a good ignition. Shoot for 450 HP and Ft/lbs, which is not crazy power out of 455 cubes.

Pair that engine up with a 6 speed manual Tremec and 3.55 or 3.73 gears... looks like that trans is rated for 450 ft/lbs max, so keep the motor under that. The Tremec's have either .50 or .62 overdrive ratios in 6th gear.

3.55 gears with 27" tall tires and a .50 OD in 6th gear at 80 MPH = 1767 RPM.

A healthy big-block will have the torque to push low RPM's at higher speeds and still get decent mileage, IMO. There's your character...

I'm with Greg.

 

[Tacoma]

I'm with Greg too, except I'd want fuel injection.

I got 15mpg out of a very well-tuned 396 with a 4spd, in a big old GMC truck, it can be done.

Big blocks are fine.

 

[jamesgeologist]

The Moser 9" is built with a 3.55 ratio. A deep overdrive will definitely keep the R's down while cruising America's highways. The 400 Pontiac is almost a no brainer. It was an option on this car and if I were to find a good transplant, I would use it. Soda blaster has me dreaming of late model power too. Good discussion folks. Thanks,

James

 

[BioNuke1]

An '02 LS1 Camaro with the 6 speed manual trans has an EPA sticker rating of 19/28mpg.
With a turbo you could safely be at 500hp/tq. and increase mpg to over 30. Also, a fully dressed LS1 weighs around 450lbs. Honestly, this is all hard to beat, and theres -Nothing- plain or boring about a turbocharged V-8.

 

[jamesgeologist]

Well, I have a TPI system sitting in the garage, just no motor to put it on. Spencurai took my one good motor and douched it all to hell. The system is a late 90's camaro unit I bought off of Matt Holme. It's tuned for torques and grunting big tires around the comp scene.....

 

[jet_aj]

my vote is ls1 and a 6 speed. My brother has built an 87 transam that is pretty neat. It still has the stock motor, but he put the 6 speed out of a lt1 car and we installed an STS turbo system. With a very mild tuning code (almost stock) in the CPU it produced 327 HP and 450 Ftlbs of torque... He gets pretty decent MPG on the highway because of the 6 speed and better breathing intake/exhaust. With an LS1 motor you could get even more power and still have the reliability and fuel mileage
My brothers car
Dyno Run a few years back

He now has a new intake with larger throttle body, but hasn't dyno'd it since the new changes

 

[Gravy]

turbo scat v4
unique, light and great mileage
...expensive though...

 

[spencurai]

Here is the paint test...it was cloudy today but you can get an idea. If the size is too big...go die in a fire!

 

[spencurai]

Guys...if this doesn't make the front of your pants fit a little more snug...you had better check for a pulse!!

 

[spencurai]

 

[spencurai]

And this is waiting in line behind James' car...getting a tune up and hydraulic brakes...then it will get driven as is...SWEET!!!!