1979 TA hi performance motor

[njsteve]

If you go peruse this thread by BentwheelBob (who now owns and restored my black 455HO Formula) you can see what he did. He built a 461 stroker with 474hp/550 torque off the original 400 engine in his 78 T/A. Bob is a great guy and quite entertaining to read. And he had a set of modified 6X heads built for the project (similar to the heads that I used on my 455, from the original 350)

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=755425

engine info here:
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=755425
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...755425&page=18

dyno results
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...755425&page=39

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by fortim

Save the numbers engine for when you sell it.

Excellent strategy and sound advice !

Originally Posted by njsteve

... 461 stroker with 474hp/550 torque.... Bob is a great guy and quite entertaining to read.

Bob Rocks !

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Just to get you fully prepped -
Open Shaker vs. Closed Shaker is 2 different worlds completely.

You'll want to find a substitute 77-80 shaker top to cut open - if yours isn't already cut open. I think they might even offer an electric "functional flapper" D-I-Y upgrade for these now ?

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

Just to get you fully prepped -
Open Shaker vs. Closed Shaker is 2 different worlds completely.

You'll want to find a substitute 77-80 shaker top to cut open - if yours isn't already cut open. I think they might even offer an electric "functional flapper" D-I-Y upgrade for these now ?

This is the guy who sells the parts: http://pontiactransamshakers.homestead.com/

I actually used original 70-72 parts for my project since they were easily locate-able in my basement. :-)

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Man
we are Hooking this dude UP with the mojo stuff

We Rock !
lol

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by njsteve

He built a 461 stroker with 474hp/550 torque off the original 400 engine in his 78 T/A.

Knowing Bob , it didn't seem kosher that he would have used the #'s engine from his low mile Gold Y88 4spd Survivor to do that build .

He didn't use it
He used a donor "garden variety" 400

The original W72 engine is on a stand and tucked away. I pieced together a spare XX block that is stroked, 6X-4 heads with the full SD Performance port and polish job, and an original intake that was also heavily worked and cleaned up by SD.

The carb is a spare with rebuild kit by Cliff, and the distributor is an aftermarket HEI. It was dynoed at Kauffman

The numbers were peak HP of 474 at 5100 rpm and peak torque of 549 at 3600

I think Bob might have went a bit "soft" on the Cam.
HP and peak rpm could have been moved on up - if he had wanted to.
I'm sure he got what he was wanting to get though.

[njsteve]

These days some guys are getting some crazy power with modern roller cams in old Pontiacs. It is truly amazing.

Bob did have to do some parts chasing though - like the spacers for the valve covers to clear the roller rockers...and messing with the A/C brackets so they would clear over the passenger valve cover...and getting the air cleaner plastic elbow to fit without hitting the driver's side valve cover, etc.

Bob and his "youthful ward" are experts at solving problems. In the end it was an amazing result that looks totally stock from the outside.

I'm a cheap old bastard so I went the old school route with the $90 Summit racing cam, forged pistons, ARP rod bolts, and traditional hipo parts. 400 HP and 500 lbs of torque ain't bad for a low budget 455 build.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

I'm the same way - cheap old bastard / spend thrift.

He went beyond necessary in several areas of his build for that level of power. But thats Bob. And its bulletproof.
And i know he is happy.

That platform could have went around 600hp , possibly more.

400 HP and 500 lbs of torque ain't bad for a low budget 455 build.

a blind squirrel could find that nut with an 068 base cam and JC Whitney re-ring kit
lol- just jabbing with you Steve
But it really is about that easy.

[Craig_Maiorana]

Years ago we took an 81 Bandit and put a 69 400 with a set of Edlebrock alum. heads and it made for one mad bandit .. cars is still running that set up to this day .. just a thought

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Did that 81 have a "Turbo" style hood
or
Shaker style hood ?

Mostly asking because can't remember for sure if 81 was even offered with a Shaker.
Know it could be swapped if desired , either way.