FAQ |
Members List |
Social Groups |
Calendar |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#41
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Now 421 is, I have it as my race car number at our track. |
#42
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Jon.
__________________
"Good carburetion is fuelish hot air". "The most expensive carburetor is the wrong one given to you by your neighbor". If you truly believe that "one size fits all" try walking a mile in your spouse's shoes! Owner of The Carburetor Shop, LLC (of Missouri). Current caretaker of the remains of Stromberg Caburetor, and custodian of the existing Carter and Kingston carburetor drawings. |
#43
|
||||
|
||||
This:
Quote:
__________________
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” ― Calvin Coolidge |
#44
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#45
|
||||
|
||||
Call Len Williams for a mild 455.
__________________
frittering and wasting the hours in an off hand way.... 1969 GTO, 455ci, 230/236 Pontiac Dude's "Butcher Special" Comp hyd roller cam with Crower HIPPO solid roller lifters, Q-jet, Edelbrock P4B-QJ, Doug's headers, ported 6X-8 (97cc) heads, TKO600, 3.73 geared Eaton Tru-Trac 8.5", hydroboost, rear disc brakes......and my greatest mechanical feat....a new heater core. |
#46
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
You not only benefit from having a lot of the work already done for you, when you get the motor, you also benefit from newer technology. Lessons learned since your current engine was designed/built. My vote: 455. Ponchy
__________________
|
#47
|
||||
|
||||
Does the original/current engine run? Run well or well enough to drive?
My advice, from personal experience, is to never completely disable a vehicle, unless it’s in need. A driver 389 is a good engine, but search out a 455 like mentioned above. Like post 44
__________________
1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A. I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977. Shut it off Shut it off Buddy, I just shut your Prius down... |
#48
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
The 389 does run, but needs tune up, oil change, etc. But runs good... and sounds good (better when I get headers and dual exhaust). But I would really like the torque... Butler said it’s doable with a 389 to get the torque I want with the stroker kit and heads I was looking at? But majority on here I still saying go for the 455...
__________________
Mike |
#49
|
||||
|
||||
Drive and enjoy the current 389, tune it up and do the basic maintenance.
Any exhaust system components you purchase will transfer directly to your new, more powerful 455 engine. A good free flowing 2.5” dual exhaust is all you need, headers are optional and are often more trouble than they’re worth. Keep the 389 around as a spare after you install your new engine, that is if you have a decent place to store it. It’s always nice to be able to drive your classic while getting another power plant put together, that way you don’t lose interest and can still have fun with your car. Keep it simple and let the cubic inches do the work, a completely stock 455 with a mild camshaft upgrade makes for a trouble-free reliable engine with enough grunt to propel your big Pontiac into the low-14s or high-13s in the 1/4 mile. The 455 really doesn’t care which rear end gears are behind it, tall highway gears work fine when backed by a torque monster 455.
__________________
1964 Tempest Coupe LS3/4L70E/3.42 1964 Le Mans Convertible 421 HO/TH350/2.56 2002 WS6 Convertible LS1/4L60E/3.23 |
#50
|
|||
|
|||
If you want to spend a few bucks and make some unreal power, contact Don Johnston at DCI Motorsports in Akron, OH. His aluminum Ram Air V heads can be had for $3500 (bare) - $5000 (assembled), you'll need his headers and intake as well:
https://www.dcimotorsports.com/produ...ir-five-heads/ The minimum power you'll get with his RAV heads on a 455, naturally-aspirated on pump gas, is 650HP, that's un-ported as-cast 380 CFM per head (for comparison, Edlebrock's aluminum D-ports flow 260 CFM as-cast). He has available options for much more (800HP+). But as others have said, when you get into this power range, the whole drive train should be upgraded to handle that power: transmission, driveshaft, rear end. |
#51
|
||||
|
||||
Some of you guys are a little over the top...remember this is a 1966 Bonneville street cruiser, not some all out race car.
|
#52
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Since you state the 389 runs, and runs well; why not do the tune-up, and drive and enjoy the car for six months. During this time you can determine if you NEED more torque, or if you are happy with the way the car drives. During this time you can do a cost study on the costs of replacing the 389 with a 455 (and replacing the automatic transmission that the 455 may destroy); as well as look for bargains on these parts. When you do a conversion such as this, there are always issues you didn't think of, and no one mentioned. As an example, when I put long branch factory headers on a 1974 GTO, I found they would not clear the steering box; even though two well-meaning friends had assured me they had done the same thing. Turns out I had power steering and they didn't. The manual steering box was easy, but it required a different drop link, which took a year and a half and $180. to find. It just might be that you will be happy with the existing engine, and thereby save several thousand dollars. And possibly some headaches! Jon.
__________________
"Good carburetion is fuelish hot air". "The most expensive carburetor is the wrong one given to you by your neighbor". If you truly believe that "one size fits all" try walking a mile in your spouse's shoes! Owner of The Carburetor Shop, LLC (of Missouri). Current caretaker of the remains of Stromberg Caburetor, and custodian of the existing Carter and Kingston carburetor drawings. |
#53
|
||||
|
||||
Tomaso,
Listen to b-man. He speaks the truth. Headers are a money pit. New exhaust PIPES and muffler with the cast manifolds will do you just fine. Build your heavyweight Bonneville as a slick street cruiser and let the big engine speak when you need it to. 4-bbl., dual exhaust, HEI...maybe 1.65 rockers. It would do that setup just fine. If you can get the 455 now, make the change. If you have to search one out, do the maintenance on the 389 and drive it until you can locate a suitable 455....and who knows, maybe by that time, you'll find you're actually quite happy with the 389 as is (like carbking said). Either way, you got a nice ride. Enjoy it. -b Ponchy
__________________
|
#54
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Thanks guys! I added the links given to my favourites for future use. My mechanic just called, and said the car needs brake lines, and fuel lines, and for engine just needs an oil change, filter, and spark plugs... I will just get dual exhaust for now, and drive it the way it is until I can source a 455. But won’t be in a big rush for it... Thanks!
__________________
Mike |
#55
|
||||
|
||||
Enjoy!
Jon
__________________
"Good carburetion is fuelish hot air". "The most expensive carburetor is the wrong one given to you by your neighbor". If you truly believe that "one size fits all" try walking a mile in your spouse's shoes! Owner of The Carburetor Shop, LLC (of Missouri). Current caretaker of the remains of Stromberg Caburetor, and custodian of the existing Carter and Kingston carburetor drawings. |
#56
|
||||
|
||||
Link to a mild 455 I used as a daily driver some years back, it always started with a flick of the key and never left me stranded.
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...22&postcount=4 The Tri-Power setup and HO exhaust manifolds could have been replaced with a much less expensive common iron Quadrajet intake and carb along with standard log exhaust manifolds with little to no performance loss.
__________________
1964 Tempest Coupe LS3/4L70E/3.42 1964 Le Mans Convertible 421 HO/TH350/2.56 2002 WS6 Convertible LS1/4L60E/3.23 |
#57
|
|||
|
|||
Huh? Studebaker had a 289 as well as Ford, but I’m aware of only one 389.
__________________
“It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.” Dr. Thomas Sowell |
#58
|
||||
|
||||
AMC did have a 390. Could be an older six cylinder engines, too.
Some of those old hulks got pretty big. GMC had an inline 6 that displaced 503 cu.in., so if he's looking at the brown Motor's Manual, which would be for commercial vehicles, then it could be that's what he's remembering. ---------------------------------------- b-man, Looks like a winning combination. Dead simple, stone reliable, and it still made power.....Pontiac Power! =)
__________________
|
#59
|
||||
|
||||
My car had to come apart because of body and frame damage but if it wasn’t for that I would still be cruising my little 326 2 barrel and having a grand old time. My cars been torn down 2 1/2 years now. I am making good progress on my limited budget but I wish I could drive it. My freshen up turned into a frame off
__________________
468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior. |
#60
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Jon
__________________
"Good carburetion is fuelish hot air". "The most expensive carburetor is the wrong one given to you by your neighbor". If you truly believe that "one size fits all" try walking a mile in your spouse's shoes! Owner of The Carburetor Shop, LLC (of Missouri). Current caretaker of the remains of Stromberg Caburetor, and custodian of the existing Carter and Kingston carburetor drawings. |
Reply |
|
|