Trying to decide if I should take up my friend's offer about replacing the 350 (matching eng # and VIN) vs. a 455 from a 1971 442 Cutlass. I was going to add an intake manifold, 4bbl, headers, and dual exhaust, shift kit, upgrade cams and valves to my 350. My friend offered to put in a 455 with all the goodies, upgrade tranny, and rear end all for about the same price.. I understand trying to keep all the original stuff, but I am leaning towards his offer. Any opinions about this decision? I just bought this 72 Cutlass for $7,000, so I want to think I got a good deal. This is my first classic and I am looking at another $3,000 to upgrade the engine.. I am not sure if I will get my money back if I sell it one day. I plan to keep it for a longtime though.. Thanks in advance to any responses.

 

What condition are the engines in? I might take all his parts with the upgraded tranny and rearend, depending on the condition of your current ones. That's a lot of upgrades to your original engine without going completely through it, especially if it is tired. You could certainly enjoy a strong 350 if your tranny and rearend are already good. What gear ratios?

 

Looks nice.

What's wrong with the engine again?

- Eric

 

You have a very nice Cutlass. I think originality has its place, however it's a Cutlass, so no worries. In most cases what I suggest is make the car into what you want it to be as the only person you need to please is you, (and possibly a spouse). I like big blocks, they fill up all the extra space under the hood. The fun pedal enjoyment increases dramatically with one as compared to the smaller brethren. The pitfall in the BBO is economy.

What I would do is take your friend up on his offer if the engine in question is serviceable and put your current powertrain in mothballs for another day or you feel you want to return it back to original. If you feel that returning it sometime in future will not happen, then sell it to offset the cost of your new setup.

 

Let me clarify, I am by no means a good mechanic, lol.. I'm not sure what gear ratio I have in the car now. As far as the engine in it now, not much power when I jumped on it, won't even spin a tire, lol.. So needless to say, I thought by going with the big block I would get all the power I need. I do trust my friend who I will be working with if I put the 455 in it. He has been working on Olds for a very long time, and owns 3 of his own..

 

According to the Cowl Tag & VIN everything in the car is original, that is why I am concerned about changing out engines.. But like you said I can crate the 350 in case I sell the car later down the road.. But I did fall in love with the car when I first saw it. I was not for sale, but I knew the owner was hurting for money.. He wanted $13,000 at first, but settled for $7,000... How can I find out what size valves gear ratio are in this car?

 

Here are some numbers if that will help me find more information..

 

Here is my 2cents.
1971/1972 (net HP CR 8.5:1)
2bbl single exhaust = 160 HP @ 4000, 275 ft-lbs @ 2400 (Your car).
2bbl dual exhaust = 175 HP @ 4000, 295 ft-lbs @ 2600
4bbl single exhaust = 180 HP @ 4000, 275 ft-lbs @ 2800
4bbl dual exhaust = 200 HP @ 4400, 300 ft-lbs @ 3200

In 1970 with 9.5 to 10.25:1
The cutlass sold engines rated for up to 325 Gross HP (subtract aprox 60 to convert to NET).
I have never rebuilt an engine.
There are many people on the forum that have taken an old rocket 350 engine and boosted it to well over 300 hp.
A good engine shop can take your 160 HP Net 2bbl and convert it to any HP you want between 160-300.

If I had the $$, I would find a shop and covert my matching number 350 engine to 250-275 net HP (roller cam, dual exhaust, etc).
Your existing motor will be able to make enough power to put a racing stripe in your shorts.

As for you transmission, I have heard that the Turbo 350 is ok for HP up to the 300+ range. So it’s possible you can keep your tranny. You will need posi-traction.
Miles

 

Well...you know...I'm sure there are good mechanics somewheres in Florida...like 60 miles south of you that might feel really generous with one of their Saturdays in the future...haha

 

BrownBomber I will keep that in mind, lol . Thanks

 

Talk to your friend about what you want in an engine, how you want to drive it, etc., agree with him on the work and parts needed to get to that point, and on how much money you will spend for that, write that number down, as many friendships have been ruined by each person remembering numbers a little bit differently than the other, pack up the 350 in a safe and DRY place, and put in the 455.

You will probably want a TH400 to go along with it (which will also mean changing the driveshaft, and emergency brake cables, and adding an electrical kickdown switch), but if you are not getting a real powerhouse 455, the TH350 will probably survive.

- Eric

 

I recently did updates to the 350 choice on my own car. If a 455 had been available I would have gone that way. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled with the performance of my 350, but I'd be even happier if it was a 455. - Steven

 

Thank you everybody for your replies, I think I am going to go with the 455 I can always keep the 350 in the crate... My buddy believes he should be able to get over 500 hp out of it when he is done.. I am looking forward to lighting up the tires.

 

Ummmmmm, how much are you spending and what is he doing? When people start throwing around statements of over 500HP around, my interest gets perked.

 

I'm not that mechanically inclined, but time will tell. I have a lot of confidence in the guy and seen a lot of his work.

 

I would go with the 455. Put the 350 away just in case you change your mind.

 

But if you're not mechanically inclined, are you capable of accurately interpreting what you've seen?

- Eric

 

I have a couple of other independent friends in the muscle car business that can verify things. From everybody I talked to in the Tampa area, he knows what he is doing and has a ton of experience.

 

Cool, keep us posted on what you decide and how it works out.