I am in the process of rebuilding my 1978 Pontiac Trans Am. I have a 400 block and a 455 block. I want to put the 400 block in the machine shop and build my true race motor out of it. But Thats a long term project... and I want to get something going a little sooner.... The 455 block has the crank and pistons installed already, there is very little wear in the cylinders, the guy i bought it from said that it was recently rebuilt, and I do believe him, although I know its not always good to take someones word for things, I figure since this will be my temporary motor Id go with it. Im not sure what all has been done to the lower end, but I am pretty sure its fairly new though not much more than stock. I want to get some power out of this thing...
I was thinking of using a COMP Cams SK51-245-4 - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-SK51-245-4/
and possibly this intake
Edelbrock 7156 - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-7156/
although I notice the power ranges are not quite in sync... would they work well together?
I have the stock Dport heads, although they have been completely reworked, have screw in studs and springs for a high lift cam... they unfortunately are not ported.
I have a Holley 650 Double Pumper im thinking of getting rebuilt and souped up a bit... any suggestions??
I was thinking of putting roller rockers in the car, although i dont know much about them or anything about compatibility... i thought i might buy this set
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-1451-16/
what gains and advantages would they give me? Would they be compatible with my setup?
I want to put new hardened push rods in it, but I don't know the best brand, and was curious what length I needed...
Let mw know any modifications I need to make to this setup, tips, etc.
The car has a 3.43 rear end. I have a TH-350 which i realize normally isnt recommended for the torque, but I have a hell of a transmission guy and he guarantees me he can build it to hold up, it will be full slap shift, and he is going to put it in a bop housing. I was curious what type torque converter/stall convertor i should use with this setup... originally I was thinking 2500 stall, but with this being a torque based engine I was thinking thats probably a little High considering I really dont want to push it past 5500 rpm.... i was thinking something that locks up at around 2000.... any suggestions....?
I think im going to do away with the powersteering, put an underdrive pulley for the alternator, and an electric waterpump. Also im going to have hooker comp headers, crossover xpipe, have chosen my mufflers yet, I am open to suggestions, although I do think im going to buy cutouts and electric cutout valves... Im also going to have a a high volume oil pump, that doesnt really fit in place here, but I thought I would mention it ;-)
Please any and all suggestions.... Any idea approximately what HP this would be? I know its a lot of stuff for a "temporary" motor, but I figure alot of it can be used on the new motor I build. Thank you.
I was thinking of using a COMP Cams SK51-245-4 - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-SK51-245-4/
and possibly this intake
Edelbrock 7156 - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-7156/
although I notice the power ranges are not quite in sync... would they work well together?
I have the stock Dport heads, although they have been completely reworked, have screw in studs and springs for a high lift cam... they unfortunately are not ported.
I have a Holley 650 Double Pumper im thinking of getting rebuilt and souped up a bit... any suggestions??
I was thinking of putting roller rockers in the car, although i dont know much about them or anything about compatibility... i thought i might buy this set
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-1451-16/
what gains and advantages would they give me? Would they be compatible with my setup?
I want to put new hardened push rods in it, but I don't know the best brand, and was curious what length I needed...
Let mw know any modifications I need to make to this setup, tips, etc.
The car has a 3.43 rear end. I have a TH-350 which i realize normally isnt recommended for the torque, but I have a hell of a transmission guy and he guarantees me he can build it to hold up, it will be full slap shift, and he is going to put it in a bop housing. I was curious what type torque converter/stall convertor i should use with this setup... originally I was thinking 2500 stall, but with this being a torque based engine I was thinking thats probably a little High considering I really dont want to push it past 5500 rpm.... i was thinking something that locks up at around 2000.... any suggestions....?
I think im going to do away with the powersteering, put an underdrive pulley for the alternator, and an electric waterpump. Also im going to have hooker comp headers, crossover xpipe, have chosen my mufflers yet, I am open to suggestions, although I do think im going to buy cutouts and electric cutout valves... Im also going to have a a high volume oil pump, that doesnt really fit in place here, but I thought I would mention it ;-)
Please any and all suggestions.... Any idea approximately what HP this would be? I know its a lot of stuff for a "temporary" motor, but I figure alot of it can be used on the new motor I build. Thank you.