Thread: New Street Rodder from IN

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hey everyone, im 18 from IN. Ive been around engines and rebuilding them for quite sometime now, but i have never done anything with performance. i have a 1971 oldsmobile cutlass i got about 1 year ago, recently the engine went out. i just purchased a 1970 455 for it. but it needs rebuilt and i was wondering if anyone could tell me the parts and where i could get them for the most performance out of this 455. if you could i would greatly appreciate it, thanks.

Welcome to the forum. Ya, Oldsmobile, you're talking my language now!! Olds are my favorites by far, and that 70 455 is a great one to build. Good compression, not much smog stuff yet, and as strong as a bull.

We built a 455 for my Son's '29, and didn't really have to do much to it........forged flattop pistons, pretty radical Crane cam, Ga heads that have SS bigger valves, good ignition, and a tripower setup from a '66 Olds 442 (don't look, they only made 1200 of them ) Haven't had it fired yet, but it should move the car pretty well.

Mondello's is a good Olds source, but I would think that a good rebuild, some cleanup on the heads, an aluminum intake with a good Holley or Edelbrock carb of about 800-850 cfm, some headers, decent street cam and ignition, and you would be very happy with the results. My other Son had one in his '65 Jetstar convertible, and he surprised a few cars with it.

Here is the one we built for the '29.

Good luck,

Don

The big inch engines don't require a lot for street use, a good valve job, pistons to get the compression to a decent level, hei ignition, cam, intake, and headers is about all it takes. Build the engine and pick the components, especially the cam, to make low rpm torque and it will be a pounder!!!

Still the best way to make more power is to make the car lighter. A good guide for weight reduction, every 100 pounds you take off will speed the car up by about .1 second....Takes a lot of $$$$ to buy enough horsepressure to take a few tenths off your et!!!!

Welcome to CHR, enjoy your project, post us some pics as you go, and keep us updated. Good to have folks on here building something besides just another chebbie!!!!!!!!!

Welcome aboard Chris! Olds' engines are fairly easy to get parts for unless you got an old one like mine. Replacement stock and mild performance rebuild parts are available form a number of sources, such as PAW and Egge Machine. As for performance upgrades, advice from Don and Dave is a good place to start. They won't lead you wrong. Good luck on your rebuild.