Yanek Yakubov

There's a 70'Cutlass for sale with a 496 stroker that was used for drag racing. I realize a lot of money was put into the build but I'm not sure if I should buy the car because I do not know the engine condition (even though it looks good in picture), plus I plan on abusing the power.
Would the best choice be to sell the engine and use the cash to get an olds 455 plus other goodies? Or would it be better to use the 496 and take it to the shop for maintenance? Thanks for reading

Charlie Jones

A lot depends on how you want to use the car .
A 496 built for drag racing can only do one thing . Take you 1/4 mile in the fastest time . I don't think it would be practical on the street.
I think your idea of selling the 496 and getting someone to build a streetable 455 is a good one . If you want to enjoy driving the car .

Yanek Yakubov

If I want something that'll perform well under heavy wear with atleast 375hp, would a 350 suffice or would I have to get a 455? (Budget 5-6k)

oldcutlass

I would go through the 496 and see if it can be made streetable.

wr1970

There is a guy who has a 496 that is street able on ROP Tom Coyle.

Charlie Jones

If you want "at least 375 hp " a 455 will probably get you there cheaper and easier than a 350 .

wr1970

I agree with this statement. There are pump gas 496 engines that can and have been raced with cast cranks. So don't rule them out.

TripDeuces

My 496 is plenty streetable as are dozens more here. Why would you think a 496 isn't streetable? My cam at 242@ .050 might be ragged for a smaller engine but right at home in a 496.
What cam is in this 496?

Rallye469

I like this route.
As long as the comp ratio is reasonable and doesn't need race gas or anything, you can make anything fairly streetable. It won't be a daily driver, will it?

Check the engine over well, figure out who the builder was and do some homework.
Tearing it down for a check over isn't a bad idea either.
You could be thousands ahead of the game.

-pete

fleming442

This!^^^^^^^^;^
I believe someone once said "There's no replacement for displacement"

wr1970

I don't think this poster has been on ROP to see what is out there. Bill T has been doing these 496 engines for several years now. Brian Trick had a 507ci now a 517. Ci is everything and you can still use it on the street.

Charlie Jones

The OP told me he had a " 496 built for drag racing " . That meant , to me , that it would have a very radical cam , compression somewhere up in the stratosphere , and some kind of a "megasquirter " or such carb that only works well at full throttle . Why would anyone build one any other way if they were seriously going drag racing.

I have no doubt that streetable 496's can be built. My advice was based on the theory that the 496 might bring enough money , to the right buyer , to darn near build TWO 455's that produce " at least 375 HP ".

fleming442

Megasquirt is EFI, thus making it even more streetable.

Yanek Yakubov

Crazy thought but would a Chevy 454 be better since they can produce massive power with the right engine parts? Or will that be too much of a hassle?

wr1970

Being a drag racer that i am. I think just the opposite without more info it is just a big ci motor that someone used for racing. I am sorry if my reply's offended you. Your way of thinking is typical of a lot of guys who are not into drag racing.This line is why. {Why would anyone build one any other way if they were seriously going racing} Has nothing to do with racing or what you think your theory of a race motor is.Many guys don't do what you describe in theory as a race engine. Does that make there motors not race engines.I race in the pro bracket racing no E . My car has run low 11's This 496 engine is very capable of this if car is set up right.Again i hope you are not offended.

natedrag

"but would a Chevy 454 be better since they can produce massive power with the right engine parts?"

No. A chevy 454 making "massive power" is as unstreetable as the "drag race" Olds 496.

", plus I plan on abusing the power."

But you just want 375 hp?

Maybe to get the best help you should post the specs of the 496. "Drag race" engine could mean anything. I'm with Rallye469 on the best build.

mrrjay243289

if I may ask what cam are you running?

TripDeuces

Exactly the same as yours. A Bullet HR. 242 at .050, mid .600 lift. ~ .665 with a 1.7 rocker

BangScreech4-4-2

Great idea, but I wonder how many sellers will allow you to do this?