455 and 700r4 swap in 70 cutlass
455 and 700r4 swap in 70 cutlass
I have searched through the forms and a few other sites and there are a few questions that I have not found definitive answers too. Hopefully someone that has experience with this swap can answer a few questions I have. I want to make sure I have everything lined up for the swap in spring.
1. I know my 350 mounts will work with the 455 but I have also heard the motor will sit higher. My motor will have a procomp intake. Will I have hood clearance issues with using the aftermarket intake?
2. Will the 455 headers have more of a fitment issue because of how the the motor sits with the 350 mounts?
3. I have the adapter plate and shiftworks dualgate adapter for the 700r4. I have read that the crossmember will have to be moved back and the driveshaft will have to be shortened. Will the shortened stock driveshaft be strong enough? I am waiting on dyno sheets but the motor is supposed to be 500hp and around 600ft lbs of torque. I have also heard that the parking brake lines will need to be changed; will th400 lines work with this setup? Also what transmission mounts should be used? Is there anything else I will need for this transmission swap?
4. Will stock fuel line size be okay?
Thanks,
Carter
1. I know my 350 mounts will work with the 455 but I have also heard the motor will sit higher. My motor will have a procomp intake. Will I have hood clearance issues with using the aftermarket intake?
2. Will the 455 headers have more of a fitment issue because of how the the motor sits with the 350 mounts?
3. I have the adapter plate and shiftworks dualgate adapter for the 700r4. I have read that the crossmember will have to be moved back and the driveshaft will have to be shortened. Will the shortened stock driveshaft be strong enough? I am waiting on dyno sheets but the motor is supposed to be 500hp and around 600ft lbs of torque. I have also heard that the parking brake lines will need to be changed; will th400 lines work with this setup? Also what transmission mounts should be used? Is there anything else I will need for this transmission swap?
4. Will stock fuel line size be okay?
Thanks,
Carter
I have searched through the forms and a few other sites and there are a few questions that I have not found definitive answers too. Hopefully someone that has experience with this swap can answer a few questions I have. I want to make sure I have everything lined up for the swap in spring.
1. I know my 350 mounts will work with the 455 but I have also heard the motor will sit higher. Yes, due to the taller deck height of the BBO over the SBO. It's not due to the mounts. My motor will have a procomp intake. Will I have hood clearance issues with using the aftermarket intake?It likely depends upon the air cleaner that you use.
2. Will the 455 headers have more of a fitment issue because of how the the motor sits with the 350 mounts?It has nothing to do with the motor mounts; the 455 headers will have less room due to the wider engine.
3. I have the adapter plate and shiftworks dualgate adapter for the 700r4. I have read that the crossmember will have to be moved back and the driveshaft will have to be shortened. Will the shortened stock driveshaft be strong enough? I am waiting on dyno sheets but the motor is supposed to be 500hp and around 600ft lbs of torque. I have also heard that the parking brake lines will need to be changed; will th400 lines work with this setup? Also what transmission mounts should be used? Is there anything else I will need for this transmission swap?
4. Will stock fuel line size be okay?
Thanks,
Carter
1. I know my 350 mounts will work with the 455 but I have also heard the motor will sit higher. Yes, due to the taller deck height of the BBO over the SBO. It's not due to the mounts. My motor will have a procomp intake. Will I have hood clearance issues with using the aftermarket intake?It likely depends upon the air cleaner that you use.
2. Will the 455 headers have more of a fitment issue because of how the the motor sits with the 350 mounts?It has nothing to do with the motor mounts; the 455 headers will have less room due to the wider engine.
3. I have the adapter plate and shiftworks dualgate adapter for the 700r4. I have read that the crossmember will have to be moved back and the driveshaft will have to be shortened. Will the shortened stock driveshaft be strong enough? I am waiting on dyno sheets but the motor is supposed to be 500hp and around 600ft lbs of torque. I have also heard that the parking brake lines will need to be changed; will th400 lines work with this setup? Also what transmission mounts should be used? Is there anything else I will need for this transmission swap?
4. Will stock fuel line size be okay?
Thanks,
Carter
Can you tell us what else is in the engine? If you're interested I can probably tell you what it’ll be making even before you get the dyno sheets.
Last edited by cutlassefi; Feb 26, 2018 at 03:27 PM.
Thank you for the info on the intake clearance and headers. I think I have 3/8th lines so I shoul;d be good. I can throw the parts list on here when I scan it. I saw the thread on motor mounts but I am unsure if there are separate mount numbers for the transmission or if it just sits on the cross member. I don't have any experience with this. The business building the motor is giving me a 2 year warranty on the transmission so we will see if it holds up. I looked at the 4l80e before but I didn't want to deal with the computer and wiring. If the 700r4 doesn't hold up I may eventually go that way.
I have the same combination in my 70 Cutlass S with Procomp and using the small block motor mounts. The hood is still off right now and not in the same shop but it looks iffy. I'm going to try a low 2" air cleaner with the filter on top as well to get the airflow required. I had no idea the small block mounts would leave it an inch higher, should pay more attention to these threads. That extra inch could make all the difference. ..."That's what she said!" Lol
The BBO is about an inch taller than an SBO (which is WHY it's called a big block).
I can deal with finding a shorter air cleaner. Good to know the big block mounts do not make a height difference. I have a console shift so I won't have the column shift problem with the headers. I don't see a point in listing everything in the motor since I trust the shop and he has built and dynoed many 455's identical to the one he is building for me. I think I will move my transmission questions to the transmission forum since that is now my main concern. Thanks.
I guess what I meant is that it would not help answer my questions providing the build when I trust the builder. The list he sent me is a few pages long but it includes srp forged pistons, port and polish stage 3 for head work. I can upload the quote when I figure out how to take my payment info off.
I guess what I meant is that it would not help answer my questions providing the build when I trust the builder. The list he sent me is a few pages long but it includes srp forged pistons, port and polish stage 3 for head work. I can upload the quote when I figure out how to take my payment info off.
I think the point here is that we are all rabid gear heads and love to hear about proven engine combos. I haven't built an Olds engine yet, only repaired them so learning what works is great. Bench racing an engine is always a lot of fun and no disrespect is intended towards you or your engine builder. Just like seeing pictures of car builds we like to see engine build component lists. Cutlassefi is an engine builder so he can most likely verify your build from the parts list. Not to bash your builder, but maybe make a recommendation or two that can improve the output.
I am working on the same combination for my car (1967 cutlass convertible). I already have a 700R4 behind the 350 that's in the car now. The trans cross member does need to move back. That does require an adjustment to the emergency brake cables but the rears don't need to be replaced. I bought a short intermediate cable then extended the threaded rod using a coupling nut and some all-thread and made a new hooked rod for the passenger side. I did this so I would not have to replace the front cable. Since my car is a convertible and has a boxed frame I had to make frame brackets for the inside of the frame rails so I could mount the trans cross member in its new location. With regard to your drive shaft strength, the guy at the driveshaft shop sold me a new drive shaft since mine was a two piece with a rubber insulator and would not shorten it, you may need to replace yours if it is like mine.
Thanks danktx. I think I have everything I need now for the swap. Some of the parts/specs in the build include:
- 268/276 lunnati camshaft
- port and polish stage 3 C heads
- resized rods
-bored to 461
- holley 80528-2 carb
- srp 206072 forged pistons
There is a lot more machine work and parts on the list but those are the main parts. It was just dynoed at 520hp and 566ftlbs. The 700r4 is built up somewhat so hopefully it holds up. Ill find out in a couple months when I get it all installed.
- 268/276 lunnati camshaft
- port and polish stage 3 C heads
- resized rods
-bored to 461
- holley 80528-2 carb
- srp 206072 forged pistons
There is a lot more machine work and parts on the list but those are the main parts. It was just dynoed at 520hp and 566ftlbs. The 700r4 is built up somewhat so hopefully it holds up. Ill find out in a couple months when I get it all installed.
I have searched through the forms and a few other sites and there are a few questions that I have not found definitive answers too. Hopefully someone that has experience with this swap can answer a few questions I have. I want to make sure I have everything lined up for the swap in spring.
1. I know my 350 mounts will work with the 455 but I have also heard the motor will sit higher. My motor will have a procomp intake. Will I have hood clearance issues with using the aftermarket intake?
2. Will the 455 headers have more of a fitment issue because of how the the motor sits with the 350 mounts?
3. I have the adapter plate and shiftworks dualgate adapter for the 700r4. I have read that the crossmember will have to be moved back and the driveshaft will have to be shortened. Will the shortened stock driveshaft be strong enough? I am waiting on dyno sheets but the motor is supposed to be 500hp and around 600ft lbs of torque. I have also heard that the parking brake lines will need to be changed; will th400 lines work with this setup? Also what transmission mounts should be used? Is there anything else I will need for this transmission swap?
4. Will stock fuel line size be okay?
Thanks,
Carter
1. I know my 350 mounts will work with the 455 but I have also heard the motor will sit higher. My motor will have a procomp intake. Will I have hood clearance issues with using the aftermarket intake?
2. Will the 455 headers have more of a fitment issue because of how the the motor sits with the 350 mounts?
3. I have the adapter plate and shiftworks dualgate adapter for the 700r4. I have read that the crossmember will have to be moved back and the driveshaft will have to be shortened. Will the shortened stock driveshaft be strong enough? I am waiting on dyno sheets but the motor is supposed to be 500hp and around 600ft lbs of torque. I have also heard that the parking brake lines will need to be changed; will th400 lines work with this setup? Also what transmission mounts should be used? Is there anything else I will need for this transmission swap?
4. Will stock fuel line size be okay?
Thanks,
Carter
I would like to add to this old thread and mention that olds performance engines out of British Columbia should not be used. I have been battling with Cliff for years them for years and am in a scam situation. i have only received a portion of the order and am worried about the quality of the build based on recent horror stories posted in another thread.
Last edited by CP888; Apr 22, 2025 at 08:36 PM.
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