Hello

Im restoring an 1987 cutlass 442. The main thing I wanted to change is the engine. I have a 350 rocket and a 455 and i dont know with I should rebuild first and drop in my '87. Im building the car for street. Any one know the max horsepower and torque for the two or any opinions

Hi tray629, everyone,

Welcome to TOC.


Correct terminology is an important part of accurate communication.

A restoration would involve returning the car to its original (from the factory) state. That state would include the 307 that came with your 442.


All Olds V8s, from '49 to '90, were marketed as "Rockets" which makes the term, as it is normally used, redundant. If you Choose to use it to make a distiction between your Olds 350, and the Chev/Pont/Buick 350s, you will also need to call your 455 a Rocket, as Buick and Pontiac also made 455s.

On an Olds site, it is normally assumed you are talking Olds engines, and any qualifiers need only be added to the "Brand X" engines.

Call them anything you want, just be aware of what you are actually saying.


I dropped a 383 Mopar once. Had to replace the fuel pump, fan, and oil pan, in addition to retouching the paint. Haven't dropped an engine since.

455 is a bit taller/wider, and a few pounds heavier. The difference is minimal but, in G bodies, the larger size does reduce airflow slightly. This has been blamed for 455s overheating, and aftermarket radiator/fan combos have been used to control engine temps.

There are no "off the shelf" headers that fit 400, 425, or 455, in a G body.


Doesn't tell us much. The words "building" and "for the street" leave a lot to the imagination.

A radical weekend cruiser/street racer that will not be driven to the next town, via open highway? A daily driver with the same characteristics as a "stocker"? Or something in between?

How are you planning on using it?
What is your budget?
What is your intended goal?
Now much loss in fuel mileage can you live with?


The original numbers will vary by year, application, and the methods used to measure them.

If you supply a specific year/app, we can give you the number, but changing pistons, camshaft, and head gaskets during the normal rebuilding process, will change them. Up or Down, and by how much depends which replacement parts are chosen.

All other factors being the same, torque numbers will always be higher with the 455. More torque can result in quicker acceleration, as long as the available traction is adequate.


You will need to choose a destination, before you can decide how to get there.

Regards, Norm

If you're using the car to cruise around and have fun with it, pop in the 350. If you wanna race, 455.

Pop?

Are you are saying, that a 455 is not a good "cruising" engine?


And, that a 350 is not a good "racing" engine?

I am impressed, that you know how to fill the OPs needs, without even knowing what those needs might be.

Norm

I know what the people want, I have a 6th sence, and its tingling, its telling me, that Coupe can't comprehend the simplicity of my genius post, and he's gotta bitch, wife won't give him any.

IIRC, Kooks makes them. American Racing Headers does small block g-body headers, although those might be made to order, i dont know. i cant code a like at the moment, maybe someone will chime in-

hope this helps, at least with that. The other advice should be followed first- plan a destination.

Andrew

http://www.kookscustomheaders.com/categ ... ock%20Port)&PHPSESSID=2a8f2a99351d18932b584b54e5cc1823

According to Kooks websight, they are still not in production. Looking under the hood of my G body, I can understand why.


Easier to accomplish, since the tubes and collectors are smaller, and there is more available space to work with.

Norm

Ever thought about doing a call-in radio show? Tips from the Grave...

I have a sneaking suspicion that even if Coupes wife didnt give him any, he would still answer the question in the same manner.

Unlike GraveReaper0, who is unable to answer the simplest questions about his own statements.

Here are the most recent examples:


Norm

Little does he know the fastest olds' on the planet is/are a 350 dx based build... oh well.


Norm, I know Terry at FCR sells those headers... we talked about it at the ROP Iowa bash. there were some threads on ROP awhile back about some of them fitting, and some not. maybe it was the initial run?

Andrew

And here's an example, blah blah, look at me quote shit caz I cant think of anything, blah blah blah. You make me laugh Coupe. Why don't you start smoking reefer or something so you can mellow the fuck out instead of acting like there's a broomstick stuck up your ass at all times. Do me a favor and don't quote my posts anymore, you're just wasting your time thinking its gonna insult me.

On another note, just got back from my first day of truck driving school. It was OK, no truck time yet, but tomorrow that'll change. The instructors are cool, one of em is an asshole, but only so you get your shit together.

hmmm....

I guess that means I'm having a little trouble keeping up.

Norm

Hell no, I didn't mean Coupe asshole. When were just sitting in class or waiting for the drivers to finish up their V.C.R.s, he's kool. He's into OLDS as well, today he was talking about how he used to own a 442.