[TATA79]

Well I figured why just rebuild the top end, if I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna do it right. I'm having my 455 bored out, and crank turned down. I'm trying to find a deal on some forged .60 pistons, I've got my SD rods to use. What I really want is an insanly radical motor, but I still have to drive it on the street, it'll be going in my 79 tenth anniversary, probally mated to my turbo hydro, along with 3.73's. I have access, to RA4 heads, and or some 72 HO heads. I figure I can use Roads lifters and use a more radical cam (hydrolic). How radical can I get and still have vaccume for my brakes and somewhat of an idle. I have a performer intake for it, I also have an HO intake too, I've been told to go with the HO. This project is budget minded, I'm 18 and christmas is right around the corner, everyone knows how that is. What do you think I can get out of this skeleton of a motor I have so far. The block is a 2 bolt main 73'. Thanks for reading this, I really do appreciate all the help I recieve, this is where the true pontiac lover come!!

[TATA79]

Well I figured why just rebuild the top end, if I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna do it right. I'm having my 455 bored out, and crank turned down. I'm trying to find a deal on some forged .60 pistons, I've got my SD rods to use. What I really want is an insanly radical motor, but I still have to drive it on the street, it'll be going in my 79 tenth anniversary, probally mated to my turbo hydro, along with 3.73's. I have access, to RA4 heads, and or some 72 HO heads. I figure I can use Roads lifters and use a more radical cam (hydrolic). How radical can I get and still have vaccume for my brakes and somewhat of an idle. I have a performer intake for it, I also have an HO intake too, I've been told to go with the HO. This project is budget minded, I'm 18 and christmas is right around the corner, everyone knows how that is. What do you think I can get out of this skeleton of a motor I have so far. The block is a 2 bolt main 73'. Thanks for reading this, I really do appreciate all the help I recieve, this is where the true pontiac lover come!!

[Brian Baker]

My advice? Build it to run on pump gas. A R.A. IV spec cam will work well (especially with Roades lifters) and will still pull enough vacuum to operate the power brakes. At one time I was running a cam with 237 degrees @ .050" on the intake with a 110-lda, using standard lifters, and it pulled enough vacuum to operate the power brakes in my 79 T/A. I also ran a 238 @ .050" cam on a 112-lda with Roades and that combo had much better street manners. You're young and you have plenty of time to build that "radical motor". Stick with a basic pump gas friendly 455 with a R.A. IV type cam and it will get you easily into the 12's. I'd opt for different rear gearing however, something between a 3.23-3.55

[TATA79]

Thanks for the advise, I did plan on running pump gas, and I do have a blueprinted RA4 camshaft in the basement. Which heads should I use, and the intake? I plan on getting sub frame connecters, air shocks for the rear, and maybe a little down the line a roll cage, you know for some effect, any advise.

David

[Brian Baker]

6X heads are plentiful, cheap, and will make a nice pump gas friendly 455. A little port cleanup will help them as well. A Performer or Performer-RPM intake will work fine. The RPM will not allow the shaker to be mounted in it's OEM configuration without the Blocker system (do a web search on BHVIS). 1-3/4" headers with 3" collectors into a true dual exhaust is all you need. Subframe connectors are a great idea, but only after replacing the body to front subframe bushings first.