[455Dave]

A friend of mine has a 78 T/A with a 71 455 HO. He rebuilt the engine years ago using stock rods, forged pistons and had the heads ported, but I can't remember if they were milled. The rotating assembly was balanced. He installed an 041 cam with 1.65 rockers and has made 600 passes on the engine so it's time to freshen it up.

He's leaning towards a hydraulic roller cam and is wondering what to use as far as lift and duration. I've got a good idea on cams for d port heads, but I've never looked into flow numbers for the 71-72 round port heads and don't have any experience with them.

He's also planning on installing nitrous this go round.

The car weighs around 4000 lbs with 3.42 gears and a TH400. He also picked up a Performer RPM and will run a quadrajet to keep the shaker on the engine.

JMHO, but I think he should buy some good rods and lighter pistons, but I don't think he's listening to me. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Any recommendations for a cam?

Dave

[455Dave]

A friend of mine has a 78 T/A with a 71 455 HO. He rebuilt the engine years ago using stock rods, forged pistons and had the heads ported, but I can't remember if they were milled. The rotating assembly was balanced. He installed an 041 cam with 1.65 rockers and has made 600 passes on the engine so it's time to freshen it up.

He's leaning towards a hydraulic roller cam and is wondering what to use as far as lift and duration. I've got a good idea on cams for d port heads, but I've never looked into flow numbers for the 71-72 round port heads and don't have any experience with them.

He's also planning on installing nitrous this go round.

The car weighs around 4000 lbs with 3.42 gears and a TH400. He also picked up a Performer RPM and will run a quadrajet to keep the shaker on the engine.

JMHO, but I think he should buy some good rods and lighter pistons, but I don't think he's listening to me. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Any recommendations for a cam?

Dave

[78 GHOST]

If he ain't listening, you're probably wasting your time reasoning with him. Why is common sense not so common??

My neighbor (a professional race engine builder) and I were talking about rollers and he's running one in his 455 72 LeMans. He mentioned something I didn't realize, the hidden cost in rollers is in the extensive machining of the engine to make things work. There were a number of changes required in pushrod length, valve spring seat height, etc. But, he didn't realize the extensive changes necessary to reap the full benefits of the roller cam.

I'm certain the knowledgeable guys will chime in with specifics. But with a T/A, I'd bet his money would be better spent on the chassis.

Check out the following address, especially Jim Hand's combo and results:
http://www.boyleworks.com/ta400/psp/featuredcars.html

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"Don't tell my Mom I'm in aviation..she still thinks I play piano in a whore house."

[455Dave]

78 GHOST

Because he's a very good friend of mine. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

I wonder if he would do better with a solid cam instead of upgrading to a roller. I'm not sure if cost is an issue, but it always is with me.

BTW, I've seen the car launch and when it hooks, it's gone. I think the chassis may be pretty close right now.

Also, I'm planning on sending a link to this thread to get Barry to join and ask his own questions. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Dave

[77TA]

I see Oil lots of oil and Broken pieces with smoke and tears in his eyes after the NOS blows the bottom end out of his rare HO. Tie him up and make him agree to beef it up to handel the 550-600 hp he's gonna probably hit it with if the heads flow good ! It would be a shame to see a 455 HO killed like that !

[455Dave]

These are the kinds of posts I was hoping for. I'll post the thread link to Barry now.

Thanks guys,

Dave

[78 GHOST]

Dave: Buddy Turrin has a '70 GTO with a well set up 455+ that runs like a scalded a55 ape. there is another "redline for 455" thread which he replied to. check out his profile and cars. I'm not an expert racer, but his car runs exceptionally well. Consistent very low 12's and occasonally lower [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

I think Buddy has the right approach in developing a goal, and following meticulous preparations to get there. His "race" car is cleaner and more tight than most "show-n-shine" cars out there.

Buddy dynoed his combo after assembly and tested a few induction combos. I believe he has had good success with the new Edelbrock Q-Jet.

I hope Buddy doesn't get mad at me talking about him, he has good results with careful planning and attention to detail. He won't tell you that himself, he's very quiet about his success.

Dave, what are Barry's performance goals? Where is he at now?? Seems like a good place to start. take care Dave -Matt

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"Don't tell my Mom I'm in aviation..she still thinks I play piano in a whore house."

[matt66gto]

The RA4 or a copy is not that bad for his application I would say. Maybe a little more lift and duration on exhaust, but with HO heads it should work good. Might as well spend the money on more NOS and engine parts to handle it. Put some rods in it and a dedicated fuel system. A lot of people like loose motors for nitrous. I probably wouldn't rebuild if the bores are fairly straight. Save the money for any necessary repairs.

[This message has been edited by matt66gto (edited 11-14-2001).]

[Jim Hand]

Ghost,
You are right about Buddy's car as a great example. Check it out - address below. He may have run different numbers by now, but excellent as is. Jim Hand
http://performanceyears.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ubbmisc.cgi?action=getcar&Us erName=Buddy+Turrin&carprofile=0

[This message has been edited by Jim Hand (edited 11-14-2001).]

[455Dave]

78 Ghost:

Wow: Buddy's looks very nice and is making a lot of power. I think he did a heck of a job.

I think Barry wanted to pick up 50 hp on this go round with the engine. The performer RPM and a cam were most of the changes he had planned on.

matt66gto:

That's pretty much my opinion, a little more lift and duration. He has a dedicated fuel system already.

With the engine apart, I'd replace the rods even if I wasn't going to run nitrous for added insurance. Then I could always change my mind later and add nitrous. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Dave

[Redlined455HO]

Thought I should jump in here to defend myself. As to the present condition of the car you can see it and the specs at http://users.imag.net/~bar.bsimpson/78%20TA.htm Currently it runs 12.5s on a hot day, 12.2's on a nice cool one, 60' is in the low 1.7s without the CalTracs which I intend to reinstall. My primary goal this winter was to rebuild and strengthen the bottom end which is basically stock. I was thinking Eagle rods but now know of some others that I will check out. I changing from a Performer to a Performer RPM, but while the motor is out would like to pick up the extra horses to get it to 12.0 on a hot day. Nitrous has been discussed but I'm not that comfortable with it and would like to get there without a bottle. Current cam is the 041, converter flashes to 3200, rear gears are 3.23. I'm prepared to spend some money as I only do this every 5 years, unlike 455Dave who does it 5 times per year.

[455Dave]

Welcome aboard Barry!

BTW, you have to blame Phil in Rome, he was the one who told me to post the cam question here. Well, I see it worked, you joined PY. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Although the T/A looks good in the pictures, it appears almost showroom new when viewed in person. This is one of the nicest 78 T/As I have ever seen and runs 12s to boot.

Dave

['ol Pinion head]

Welcome aboard. Really sweet car Barry!

I noticed in your buildup specs, that your 197's had been ported. Any idea how much? thanks, Roger

[Redlined455HO]

Roger - the heads were ported using the HO Blueprint and Assembly manual guidelines for street/strip round ports - plus my builder has about 30 years of race experience so he may have added just a little more to it (or taken a little more away).

They really seem to work well but I haven't had them flow tested, I may this winter before reinstalling.Barry

[6567GTO]

That is a beautiful car Redlined. It must be a thrill to drive. Nice work.

Oh - and Welcome Aboard too.

[78 GHOST]

Barry- Welcome aboard!!! I checked out your site which is very polished. Your T/A is really great. I also have a '78 which I think is a great car, fun to drive and handles well.

I have the totally stock engine and can't wait to work it or yank it and drop a 455 in with some goodies internally. Your car really surprises me with how well it hooks, I'm going to re-evaluate my performance goals in light of your success.

It's good to have another T/A nut aboard, take care -Matt

P.S. '70 455 powered GTO's are cool also [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

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"Don't tell my Mom I'm in aviation..she still thinks I play piano in a whore house."

[David Holmberg]

Barry, Was your TA at Norwalk? If so I saw it in person and Dave is right, Looks brand new!

Welcome Aboard.

[455Dave]

Dave:

I also got to drive it on some Georgia back roads. All I can say is being a 4 speed guy, I forgot to put it in 1st gear manually, but it was still a hoot laying a hundred feet or so of 295 Cooper Cobra street tires in second gear. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Dave(darn automatics)

[Redlined455HO]

Dave H

I was at Norwalk this year, went to the quarter finals in the racing on Sunday.

Went to the final round in the races at the TA Nats and broke out by .003, had fun this summer.