Thread: Question about 500 and a 454 big block

Tweet

I can get a 1976 caddy 500 big block and tranny for $450.00 but I think I saw on the internet that this motor only has 170 horsepower.. Is that right? That just seems crazy to me. I can also get an 454 cast number 14015445,(top right side)D84,(middle)H1-P5R PA88F4 the 88 on last number was unclear could be slightly different. that is sezed from over heating. he said that he took the oil pan off and there was no metal shavings and that it is a 2 bolt main. Is either one of these worth getting??

thats hard to say the caddy guys build them and can run .the over heated 454 would have to be very cheap you would have alot of work in to it and could very well be junk they just do not lock up and not hurt any thing

The Older Caddy 472s and 500s up to 1972 are the better ones to build . I did work on a 1972 with a 472 . I think the thing with the caddy engines is not so much it's HP . But it's that engines Torque . that what get's the job done . The older ones have the better heads . But even the newer 500 Caddy with a mild camshaft and a better intake with a curved HEI . And a nice Dual Exhaust sys Will be a nice Low RPM street engine . If you want more info on Caddy engines I can post it . As for that TH400 . It's a Long Tail type . You can use them and they do have HD cases . But you will need a short drive shaft .

I can get the 454 for $400.00. I am interested in this caddy engine. and would like to know more. I want to have 400 - 500 horsepower when I'm done and not have to spend a fortune on it. I figured for $450.00 for a running motor and trans it's the best deal I'm gonna find for a good big block. Please let me know if I'm mistaken.

You have to consider the fact that the low rating is "installed", that is, more like rear wheel HP with all the accessories hooked up, etc. Engine output could be almost double that. Many 500's were rated at 502ft.lb. torque!

Speedway motors have a lot of hop up parts for the caddy and just taking off the polution devices helpa lot . Francis

Here are some links to Caddy HP engine builders www.cadillacperformanceparts.com and cadillac high performance, cadillac 500 parts, cadillac 472 parts, I have some more info on budget building the 500 Cadillac . I will post it later . COOL

On the 1976 Cadillac 500 . The factory HP rating was 190HP and 360 lbs torque . On the info I have . By taking a 1976 500 and removing 0.020 from the cylinder head deck from the stock 120cc chamber Heads . This will bump the C/R from 8.5 to 8.7.1 . Also do a std valve job with new springs 105 pound seat pressure with HD retainers . With every thing else stock inside the engine . Then with a tune up ( good set of wires and cap-plugs ) install a 750 Edelbrock #1407 with an adapter plate on the stock manifold . With only these mods you will have 303HP at 3900 and 468 lbs torque at 3300 . This is near base level HP building . I have more info if you want more HP . Also an Edelbrock performer intake #2115 will add up to 25 more HP . And cut some Lbs frome that 600 Lbs engine .

Cool Thanks alot for all the info I'll probably pick up the caddy motor in a few days.

Originally Posted by duct996

Cool Thanks alot for all the info I'll probably pick up the caddy motor in a few days.

There are a bunch of companies making parts for the 500 in Caddy.
The first one I can think of is Cadillac Motorsports out of Florida.

ok ifI buy this motor for $450.00 and build it to have a camparable horsepower around 400 to a 454 with 400 which would be cheaper to build?? what do you think I could fiind a 454 for? or do you guys think that this 500 is the way to go for the money?

Yeah, whoever rated such things changed the way they rated horsepower.

My old Chilton manual shows the '71 500ci engine with 8.5 cr to have 365hp@ 4400 rpm and 535 foot pounds of torque@2800rpm. The '76 shows 190@3600 and 360 foot pounds @ 2000.

If this was done to confuse people, it works.

The Cad 500 is quite a bit lighter than a Chevy big block and is only about 50# heavier than a small block. It's also smaller dimensionally than a BBC despite it's greater displacement, and it has a reputation for better gas mileage.

In his book "Big inch Cadillac" Doc Fromader says you can get the Cadillac to crank out 400hp and 550 ft. lbs. using just stock parts. If you should choose to go that route be sure to get advice first. For example, if you mixed early heads with late pistons, or late heads with early pistons, you would wind up with a compression ratio of 5.6:1 or 12.5:1, either of which might be a tad inconvenient.

Cad after-market stuff is comparatively expensive. I know. I ordered a complete overhaul kit from Northern Auto Parts (They had the lowest price i could find) and it cost me about $750. Their price for a 350 Chevy? about $160.

Read all you can. If I can help you with information or sources, I'll try.

Good luck,


Jim

Originally Posted by duct996

ok ifI buy this motor for $450.00 and build it to have a camparable horsepower around 400 to a 454 with 400 which would be cheaper to build?? what do you think I could fiind a 454 for? or do you guys think that this 500 is the way to go for the money?

In the long run the 454 will be cheaper to build and make more hp for the dollar.

If you have a 454 or if you can find a complete one cheap . But I am real good at finding used engines . And I can say the BB Chevys are hard to find cheap . And I would try to buy down on that Caddy 500 from that $450.00 asking price .

The best info I have every seen on a budget Caddy 500 build . Was in Hot Rod mag's July 2000 . I have the info but it's not a clear copy and hard to read .