Thread: Engine Builder/Shop for BBB

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Hey guys,

Soon enough I'll be able to finally get an engine to drop in my Buick I recently bought. It's a 73 Riviera and although it runs strong, my intent in buying it was always to put a motor in it that could give me a reliable 400+ HP at least. I had a Monte Carlo, but living in CA the only way any engine I found could be put in is if my car was pre-smog. So I got one.

Problem for me now is I cannot for the life of me find a reputable builder for crate/custom 455s that will give me what I want. I know about AM&P, but it seems like he's retired and since I'm essentially shopping around I wouldn't want to bother him since I'm not ready to buy yet. I live in Northern California so the closer the better, but so far the only place I have found that even does 455s like what I am after reputably and consistently is a shop in the Carolinas, cmmachines I think its called.

Anybody have any builders or recommendations? Thank you all in advance.

If I lived in northern California and wanted a hot rod 455 Buick, I'd likely contact TA Performance in Scottsdale, Arizona and have them build a crate motor for me, then ship it to CA.
TA Performance Products Inc. - Your Leader in Buick Automotive Parts and Accessories

Alternately, I might ask around at the car clubs and local hot rod meeting places and find out who in the area is a respected engine machine shop and builder. Surely there has to be at least one good shop within 50 miles of you. Then I would contract with the local shop to work with TA to supply parts and have the local shop put the motor together, fire it and run it in.

Now, knowing that the Buick is probably going to cost twice what a good BBC would cost, I might be convinced to drop a 454 into the Buick. If a guy was starting with a good bare block, I would think that a 0.060" overbore and a 4 1/4" crank, rods and pistons would make a nice 496 that would haul the big Buick for a ride. I would build it at about 9.0:1 static compression ratio with a short hydraulic roller cam (210-215 intake duration @0.050", ground on a 112 LSA to help power brake vacuum) to provide plenty of low-end grunt. Don't overlook the cast iron peanut port BBC heads, they are perfect for a warmed-over street cruiser that won't see over 5K revs and the price is right.
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For any engine build needs I'd trust Scott Sehr at Sehr Performance Machine - http://www.sehrpower.com/ 100% honest and above board, and totally knows what's needed to make the power you want, and has some tricks for holding some of the Buick blocks together that are very cool.

Well if I go with the 455, I'm glad to know TA does crates,
I browsed their site and didn't see anything,
But was left with the impression (since they sell and make practicay everything a crate 455 would need) that they did. So thanks for confirming they so, but I'd be lying if I wasn't thinking of going with a 454 or 502 BBC.
As far as going with a BBC, would there be any reason to think there would be a headache involved getting it swapped? Would I have to mess with the rear end or if I went 502, does anyone know off the top of their head if I'd likely face any clearance issues under the hood?
I honestly love the idea of having a BBC instead, it'd lighten up the nightmare of getting parts on my Riviera,
And I'd like to swap my transmission for a newer one anyway.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

If I lived in northern California and wanted a hot rod 455 Buick, I'd likely contact TA Performance in Scottsdale, Arizona and have them build a crate motor for me, then ship it to CA.
TA Performance Products Inc. - Your Leader in Buick Automotive Parts and Accessories

Alternately, I might ask around at the car clubs and local hot rod meeting places and find out who in the area is a respected engine machine shop and builder. Surely there has to be at least one good shop within 50 miles of you. Then I would contract with the local shop to work with TA to supply parts and have the local shop put the motor together, fire it and run it in.

Now, knowing that the Buick is probably going to cost twice what a good BBC would cost, I might be convinced to drop a 454 into the Buick. If a guy was starting with a good bare block, I would think that a 0.060" overbore and a 4 1/4" crank, rods and pistons would make a nice 496 that would haul the big Buick for a ride. I would build it at about 9.0:1 static compression ratio with a short hydraulic roller cam (210-215 intake duration @0.050", ground on a 112 LSA to help power brake vacuum) to provide plenty of low-end grunt. Don't overlook the cast iron peanut port BBC heads, they are perfect for a warmed-over street cruiser that won't see over 5K revs and the price is right.
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Originally Posted by Bldman90

Well if I go with the 455, I'm glad to know TA does crates,
I browsed their site and didn't see anything,
But was left with the impression (since they sell and make practically everything a crate 455 would need) that they did. So thanks for confirming they do, but I'd be lying if I wasn't thinking of going with a 454 or 502 BBC.

As far as going with a BBC, would there be any reason to think there would be a headache involved getting it swapped? Would I have to mess with the rear end or if I went 502, does anyone know off the top of their head if I'd likely face any clearance issues under the hood?
I honestly love the idea of having a BBC instead, it'd lighten up the nightmare of getting parts on my Riviera,
And I'd like to swap my transmission for a newer one anyway.

Shame on me, I just assumed that TA still put crate motors together. I just called them and they have stopped that service because of the time involved in changing parts around, although they are still a great source of Buick parts, they will not build the motor for you. The last time I had any dealings with them, they built crates, but have stopped without my knowing. Sorry.
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No worries at all, it seems like it would be something I'd have to call and see if someone was willing to do.
And again, I was starting to lean towards a 454 anyway simply because they are tried and true, nevermind the fact it'd be cheaper and infinitely easier to find.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

Shame on me, I just assumed that TA still put crate motors together. I just called them and they have stopped that service because of the time involved in changing parts around, although they are still a great source of Buick parts, they will not build the motor for you. The last time I had any dealings with them, they built crates, but have stopped without my knowing. Sorry.
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