I am going to put aside my numbers matching 350 for another engine. Any suggustions? I like the 455ci but I am thinking about uping the ci's. Butler Performance offers a 474 or a 501 that sounds good. Any good advice??

Ron
'69, 4-speed

Ronfox@newhorizonscorp.com

Buy stock in your favorite tire company. Better yet, get a tire sponsor

I know. But Sal you are running a 455 also right? I guess I am getting greedy huh?

Just a note.
If you go with to much power, you will be replacing trany, rear end, and suspension parts.

Trust me, i know.

Hey, just passing on advice given to me.

My "back door" to prevent drivetrain issues is to never put slicks on and to avoid flogging my car.

One can always enjoy that kind of power by "punching it" while already moving in 3rd gear on dry pavement.

I believe the smiles on your face after a "Butler Transplant" will be worth it as long as you also don't flog it too much.

I am not a gear head like most in here who build most if not all of their cars. I have found a good car and engine builder who gives me great advice and options on the different ways to go. After a year or longer on contemplating on what to do with my engine my builder and I came up with a plan to le Butler Performance help me out.(since Butler is an hour or so away from me). I have owned my '69 Firebird for the past 25+ years and my main concern was not to damage the original engine. The OD on my car reads 30,000 miles pluse. I always thought it was a 130,000 mile car by my builder says it is a 30,000 mile car (by looking at certain parts taken off my car.)

The 455ci sounds good to me. I know the 455ci is probably all I need but adding a few more ci's is only a few dollars away. And yes, with more ci's I will need to step up the trany (which I already have), rear end (probably GM 12), and suspension.

I don't plan on racing the car at the track but having fun with it on nice, sunny, dry days. But if a Camaro drives up beside me I may "flog it" alittle while smiling ear to ear.

Do you think the 455ci (with upgrades) is all I need?

Thanks for everyone's help.

Ron
'69, 4-speed

Ronfox@newhorizonscorp.com

Why not build a nice 400 or 350 HO? It doesn't matter how big it is, it's how you use it.

I have made my self sick thinking between what I need and what I want for an engine. Yea, a somewhat wild 400 would be good or a mild 455 would be good also. Is the torque stronger with a 455 or is it about the same as the 400?

But I do have time before I choose an engine since the car is about to go through metal work.

Ron
'69 Firebird, 4-speed coupe

Ya, thats what i thought too...at 1st.
After only 15 runs, my daughter say's low 12's/high 11's @ 113 mph isnt enough for her.
She wants low 11's this year
I want low 10's for me

455 is a better street engine.
It makes more torque and hp at a lower rpm.

Sounds like your daughter only wants the best for you, Ponchoshop.

So the 455 is a quick, good throttle response engine? Is it good in the low to mid range? (which would be good for the street)

Ron
'69 Firebird, 4-speed coupe

Ya right.
She was my pit crew and starting line helper year before.
Let her drive it last year at the Pontiac Nationals cause two lifters collapsed the week before.
Now thinks she's the driver, and i'm her builder, crew chief, machanic, etc.

Ya, built the same, a 455 will win every time.
Another plus is a larger cam doesnt affect drivability as much as it would in a 400.
If you want the best of both worlds, put stroker kit in a 400 block.

You need to build her a car. But it sounds like you are getting her ready for her career in racing after you retire lol.

The 455 still stands out to me.

Ron
'69 Firebird, 4-speed Coupe.

Got a 68 GTO couple yrs ago.
Its waiting in line for an engine an repaint.
She wants me to set it up for her, but may have to sell it cause the FB and house are drain'n my wallet.

I am finding out now how much money it takes to build a car. But I plan on keeping the car and having fun with it.

Ron
'69 Firebird, 4-speed Coupe