Trevors

I have a 72 cutlass s I'm intending to buy a w34 455 out of a buddies 70 toronado. Also going to buy the th425 with it. Will this drive train fit? Thank you

CutLS442

Everything will fit with a little effort, but unless you are converting your Cutlass to a FWD, I would stick with a RWD tranny.


Morten

Trevors

So I'd need a th400?

CutLS442

Yes

Trevors

Thank you! I am not to famular with the trans option clearly hhaha, but what is your opinion on your average th350 behind a 455?

2blu442

Trevor, what's the story on the Toro? The Toro GT's have collectors value more than just the value of the engine. The W34 transmissions have a special code that's shown as OM on a tag on the driver side. The 455 has a better cam than the non-W34, but anytime you rebuild a 455 you can upgrade it to have more output than the W34 engine. So don't get hungup on it being a W motor, if the car is restorable its worth much more together as an original car than just an engine and transmission. John

Trevors

The car is way past the point of restoration, but the motor ran strong before it was pulled a few years back. Could use a full rebuild, and a good paint job. Was also looking into an upgraded cam. The only problem I am having is figuring out if I should get myself a th400 to live behind it or just stick with my stock th350. I've read up on It that the th350 can handle a mild built 455, so I'm thinking that I might just save the money and stick with my th350 until it goes then after that I will go with a sold th400. I'm open to any other ideas though. Also was curious on what cam upgraded cam I should look into. Thank you

csouth

If you buying a th400 will tie up funds and slow your enjoyment of the 455, I'd use the th350 until it goes out.

2blu442

Don't scrap the Toronado W34 transmission. There is demand for them and you or your buddy can sell to a Toronado collector or someone with a Motorhome that uses the Toronado drivetrain.

John

2blu442

If factory, the W34 transmission had the OM tag and should look something like this photo

DSCN3645.jpg