1980 Trans Am

[SHines-IT]

just like anything from the 70's (after 71 or so), they're choked down in the heads, compression, and cam. You could say that most 454's and all 400 sbc's are pigs. All you have to do is swap some earlier heads on it for cheap. Just don't rev it because it'll explode. Olds make power without revving anyway.

Yea, stupid 15 year old brother just took the Vette and spun the tires down the driveway... Have to kick his ass, hears to hope he's not dead before I get a hold of him.

[Smittro]

just like anything from the 70's (after 71 or so), they're choked down in the heads, compression, and cam. You could say that most 454's and all 400 sbc's are pigs. All you have to do is swap some earlier heads on it for cheap. Just don't rev it because it'll explode. Olds make power without revving anyway.

That's because Olds was known for torque more than HP.. Also not only did they down size the heads, they used shit for compression pistons too. Pop the head off of an Olds 350 rocket, and have a bowl of cereal lol. 155-175 HP SB were common back then lol. Then add a (factory) quadrajunk carb for lots of noise and you got a car that can't get out of it's own way lol.

[SHines-IT]

That's because Olds was known for torque more than HP.. Also not only did they down size the heads, they used shit for compression pistons too. Pop the head off of an Olds 350 rocket, and have a bowl of cereal lol. 155-175 HP SB were common back then lol. Then add a (factory) quadrajunk carb for lots of noise and you got a car that can't get out of it's own way lol.

8.0:1 compression ratio... Seems kinda low.

[Smittro]

8.0:1 compression ratio... Seems kinda low.

It is... The only thing GM managed to do for the most part in the 70's, and early 80's was build gas guzzeling gutlass pigs that fell apart under the massive weight. There where a few cars that were good but not many. Think about it, how many v8 passenger cars GM produced from say 75 to 85, then think of how many are still on the road today. The answer is very few, Gm made one hell of a bed for themselves to lay in that resonates to the present day! My father in law used to work for Chrysler back in the 70's. He'd told me stories of guys hiding tin cans in the body panels of brand new cars on the assembly lines. He's in his 50's now so I'm willing to bet a lot of them still hold UAW jobs @ the BIG 3 today.. Kinda makes you wonder huh?

[wheeliE-maxx]

Like that article someone posted said, all you have to do is get some earlier Olds 350 heads and bam! You're back up to 9.5-10:1. 64cc chambers I believe it said. I would take any BOP 350-455 any day over my 350. Even a 403. Except for the price of a running smogger Olds I could have some Patriot Vortec heads and then I'd be in business with the ole tree-fiddy. I love how instead of putting any design money or thought into combustion chamber design or engine cooling to run regular unleaded, they just slashed combustion and killed the motor. Vortec headed 96+ trucks have 9.7:1 compression and run all day on 87 with a shrimp dick cam, very high dynamic compression. And the 92+ big cars with the iron headed version of the lt1 had even higher compression on 87, but they had the reverse cooling. Those are both computer controlled of course, but people build relatively high compression sbc's with vortecs and they run great on pump.
Oh and Smittro, I can't wait to get some compression into my engine, with a thinner head gasket than stock and vortecs I should be right at 10:1. With a stock or rv cam it oughta be pretty crazy right off idle on 93 pump

[SHines-IT]

Like that article someone posted said, all you have to do is get some earlier Olds 350 heads and bam! You're back up to 9.5-10:1. 64cc chambers I believe it said. I would take any BOP 350-455 any day over my 350. Even a 403. Except for the price of a running smogger Olds I could have some Patriot Vortec heads and then I'd be in business with the ole tree-fiddy. I love how instead of putting any design money or thought into combustion chamber design or engine cooling to run regular unleaded, they just slashed combustion and killed the motor. Vortec headed 96+ trucks have 9.7:1 compression and run all day on 87 with a shrimp dick cam, very high dynamic compression. And the 92+ big cars with the iron headed version of the lt1 had even higher compression on 87, but they had the reverse cooling. Those are both computer controlled of course, but people build relatively high compression sbc's with vortecs and they run great on pump.
Oh and Smittro, I can't wait to get some compression into my engine, with a thinner head gasket than stock and vortecs I should be right at 10:1. With a stock or rv cam it oughta be pretty crazy right off idle on 93 pump

Sounds good may have to look into it a bit. Could be a nice temporary mod... I would honestly see changing the motor and drivetrain over time. I just got the insurance quote back. It's cheaper then dirt! My only question is, is it worth to get full coverage? I am afraid they will be like it, it's an 1980, does not worth anything here's a $1,000...

[Transamws6]

Sounds good may have to look into it a bit. Could be a nice temporary mod... I would honestly see changing the motor and drivetrain over time. I just got the insurance quote back. It's cheaper then dirt! My only question is, is it worth to get full coverage? I am afraid they will be like it, it's an 1980, does not worth anything here's a $1,000...

Dude, you did that last time with your 98. Get the full coverage. Don't be stupid.

But anyways, this is the car thats gonna get an LSX 434 right?

[SHines-IT]

Dude, you did that last time with your 98. Get the full coverage. Don't be stupid.

But anyways, this is the car thats gonna get an LSX 434 right?

I can get an LSX 454 block for the same price... I am unsure, venturing into other LSx blocks. But it's very weary about insure older cars, with a insurance company not specializing in collector cars.

[Transamws6]

I can get an LSX 454 block for the same price... I am unsure, venturing into other LSx blocks. But it's very weary about insure older cars, with a insurance company not specializing in collector cars.

Yea, well you knoooooow you can always get an LS1 right? Those don't cost much and are pretty easy to get from what I know of. And I think you would know the potential they have when it comes to modding them.....

[SHines-IT]

Yea, well you knoooooow you can always get an LS1 right? Those don't cost much and are pretty easy to get from what I know of. And I think you would know the potential they have when it comes to modding them.....

Yes, but I don't really want an Aluminum block... I want to bore/stroke. I am looking at LQ9 options. I want to put at least a 400 CI in there, bragging rights you know. It's like, my "unit" is bigger then yours.

[Smittro]

Yes, but I don't really want an Aluminum block... I want to bore/stroke. I am looking at LQ9 options. I want to put at least a 400 CI in there, bragging rights you know. It's like, my "unit" is bigger then yours.

Well if your gonna fool around with BB's I'd have to say find a 425 Olds (arguably the best BB Olds ever made), or a 421 Pontiac they were basicly out of the box drag motors.. Would make it pull so hard you'd have to pick your head outta the back seat! lol

[wheeliE-maxx]

My truck is insured for our purchase price... Full coverage. My last one caught on fire and it was covered, they gave us what we payed for it. Without full coverage you're sol. This is with State Farm in Texas. When my truck was added to our insurance it basically didn't change the price.

[wheeliE-maxx]

Well if your gonna fool around with BB's I'd have to say find a 425 Olds (arguably the best BB Olds ever made), or a 421 Pontiac they were basicly out of the box drag motors.. Would make it pull so hard you'd have to pick your head outta the back seat! lol

No love for the 455's? You talking about one that will actually rev? 455's won't do that for sure, but don't really need to either.

[SHines-IT]

Well if your gonna fool around with BB's I'd have to say find a 425 Olds (arguably the best BB Olds ever made), or a 421 Pontiac they were basicly out of the box drag motors.. Would make it pull so hard you'd have to pick your head outta the back seat! lol

How easy and how much would it cost to build this motor? I know nothing about them? I seen an LSX 454 build that I loved. N/A, had almost 700 RWHP, and did not cost more then a LS7. Built T-56 would not be to costly, throw in a nice 12 bolt with 4.10's. That's what I was thinking, nice suspension with modern 4 disk brakes.

[Smittro]

No love for the 455's? You talking about one that will actually rev? 455's won't do that for sure, but don't really need to either.

I like the 455 too but believe me from one old school guy to another the 425 Olds and the 421 Pontiac are far better choices and yes they were screamers too. They were notorious for their strength too.

[Smittro]

How easy and how much would it cost to build this motor? I know nothing about them? I seen an LSX 454 build that I loved. N/A, had almost 700 RWHP, and did not cost more then a LS7. Built T-56 would not be to costly, throw in a nice 12 bolt with 4.10's. That's what I was thinking, nice suspension with modern 4 disk brakes.

Well rumor has it under rated stock @ 415hp to say 425hp, but the skinny is they had over 500 out of the bag..

[LT1 > LS1]

with some good heads, that big bore/short stroke combo will make for a dam good revving motor.

[Smittro]

Here's the 421 motor under rated.
http://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/...r-duty-421.htm

Here's an open head 425 Olds lol..
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-FyVll6T5o[/ame]
Too bad it's owned by a yoyo lol.
Parts for both motors are available on Egay too..

[Smittro]

Or you could get a W30 for her and scare yourself!lol
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X2T1cqgtmU&feature=related[/ame]

[SHines-IT]

Or you could get a W30 for her and scare yourself!lol

442 out of an Olds? I can get a hold of a block, if my step grandpa will sell it? You really think I should stick with a BB, instead of a modern SMC?