TechCam97

Hey all, I just purchased a Buick 455 for my 1981 Trans Am project. I know, I know, it's not a Pontiac motor but a $100 for the complete engine is a deal that I couldn't pass up! (Besides, it's a little easier to swallow than a 301 Turbo or a 305 Chevy that originally came in these cars!) I'm going to tear it down and rebuild it and I was wondering where I can find parts for it? I see that Summit has a few things, but I KNOW there has to be a place out there that has more stuff available for them, especially since the Buicks that they came in are being restored all the time. Anyone know of a place that sells the kind of stuff I'm looking for? Also, I have a Chevy TH350 tranny and I was wondering if there is a conversion kit that will let me bolt it up to a BOP engine? Or am I stuck looking for a BOP TH400 or 350 tranny instead? Yes, I know that technically it's "easier" to just get a BOP tranny, but I'd like to get this puppy back on the road as quick as I can since I had to sell my 93 Z28. Any information is very much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

angel71rs

T/A performance has parts for Buicks, including new front timing covers. These house the oil pump and the biggest problem for years with Buicks was finding a good used front cover.

http://www.taperformance.com/

455 Buicks are probably the best of the 455s. One of the rags had a build off of the 455s a couple years back and the Buick won IIRC. And the Hemi vs GS shootouts in Muscle Car Review magazine in the 80s (GS won) showed the big BUs could run with any engine.

As far as far as tranny, you can get adapter plate to fit a chevy to BOP pattern. Some TH350s came with a dual pattern, but not very common.

BTW, the 75 up X bodies have the same basic front subframe as 2nd gen Fbods, so if you can find a Buick Apollo with a V8, you can use it's mounts to pop the 455 in you car. I was going to put a 455 Olds in my 71 a few years back, but got an offer for the engine after I had it built on my stand, so off it went. I was going to try using off the shelf Cutlass 455 headers cause I saw in the catalogs that the 403 T/A (Olds small block) took the same header PN as the 350 Cutlass. 2nd gen Fbods have more room in the front cause the steering box isn't beside the engine and the frame rails don't kick in like on the A bods, so I figured it would work. Or require minor mods to the headers at worst. So maybe GS/Skylark 455 headers would work in your app.

TechCam97

Awesome, thanks! I hear ya on the Buick 455 being one of the better 455s, that's one of the reasons I decided to 'settle' for it! I figure it won't be too hard to redo it and put it in the T/A, I just need to find the right places to get all the parts. As for the adapter plate, do you know who sells those? Thanks again!

JakeRobb

My father in law has a GSX with a built 455. You can find him and many other guys with lots of info on the forums at v8buick.com. It says they're updating the server right now, but whenever that's done, the guys on those forums will be able to help you out a lot.

JakeRobb

Just to get you started, though... all of the Buick guys will tell you to use a 200R4.

angel71rs

Transmission companies like TCI should have adapter plate, if not, call up Summit tell the rep what you need and I'm sure they'll hook you up.

TechCam97

JakeRobb - Thanks for the site! I'll def. go sign up and check it out! And a 200R4? Really? I didn't think those where very good trannys. hmm....I'll have to look into that, thanks!

angel71rs - Yea, I did a search on Google and found a few places, but I'm going to probably contact Summit or Jegs first and make sure I'm getting the right thing.

JakeRobb

200R4's are beefy little things. That's why they used it in the Grand National and the Turbo Trans Am. My father in law has one in his GSX, putting something like 500hp to the ground.

TechCam97

Wow.... I never really thought of the 200R4 as a viable tranny for high HP applications. I remember poking fun at my buddy with his mid 80s Z with one and he was always breaking it, lol. I guess I'll have to go there and see what kind of rebuild kits and shift kits they are using and check into it! 200R4s around here are dirt cheap, so that's some really good news! Thanks again!

JakeRobb

Again, the guys on v8buick.com will have lots of info. You might also check turbobuick.com.

My father in law is "sailbrd" on v8buick.com. Ask him about his tranny.

Max 93

Transdapt makes an adaptor plate for the trans.

Bodacious Critter

You got a hell of a deal. These things are torque monsters. Buicks have always been known for that. While I'll assume this is not a '70 Stage one version, simply upgrading to those or similar specs will net you a solid 12 second car with decent gearing and slicks. If you can find any of those early heads, that'd be great. But I would think that any of them could be ported to be at least their equal.