I am looking at restoring/ doing up my '73 Estate wagon with the 455. However after calling about 150 places across North America and emailing about the same amount. I came to realize that NO one has aftermarket parts for these clamshell brutes. Now I was wondering if ANYONE can help. I am looking for rust free sheet metal. Also what sort of set up should I get to make about 500-600 horses? Should i stick with the 455 or do a transplant with a bow tie 454? Looking to spend no more than $8000 on the drive line.
Just for interest sake, what are you planning to use the wagon for? And remember, she's a heavy beast, so torque is what you need for off the line performance. The Buick 455 is a torque monster, with the peak low in the revs, unlike the Chev engines. So you might find the off the line performance worse if you look at the horsepower curve only. If you are planning to drive the old girl regularly, there are some NEAT options available. One unusual idea, and it works well, is to find a wrecked (rear end damaged) 07 or 08 Chevy Tahoe or Suburban with the 5.3. Transplant the engine and transmission, along with all the electronics, then do a proper exhaust and invest in a SuperChips performance turner, and use the high torque, tow/haul settings. You'll have about 425 net horse, and LOTS of torque and unreal fuel economy all in one. Plus, it sounds fantastic! A buddy has an 07 Tahoe and he has done the upgrades. It flies in a Tahoe, and he's doing about 8.8 l/100km highway, which is roughly 31 miles to the Imperial gallon, or about 27 to the U.S. gallon. In the Buick, the mileage would be even better. It spends much more time in 4 cylinder mode on the highway than it used to before the upgrades.
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Bmac I am a chevrolet guy who never thought much of the 455 Buick engine until my dad bought a '79 Nova someone shoved a 455 buick in. As MikeT1961 stated the torque is unbelievable. It was a '71 455 4bbl with a mini spooled 3.73 rear, that is it and it was a FUN car on the street. Now being a little older I would rather a posi rear for a street car but my point being the car was a beast for being a bone stock engine. So in my opinion with a small cam, good heads matched with a good carb and intake, long tube headers I think you would be pleasantly surprised at the performance and drivability of your wagon. Just my opinion and good luck, sounds like it is going to be a fun project.
