Thread: Olds 455 rocket in a 97 Camaro..

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I have a 97 Camaro that Ive been wanting to fix up for a while now, just haven't had the time or money, now I have a bit of both... Originally i planned on putting an ls1 in it but a couple weeks back I went out to my parents and found an olds. 455 rocket in an olds 98 that still runs and sounds mean!! which got me thinking, if at all possible, what kind of medal fabs and mounting brackets would I be looking at just to get it in? Also what kind of rear end would you think would be the best to hold up to that kind of torque? I know A T350 is a chevy tranny but would it be possible to bolt it up to a BOP engine and would it hold up? Sorry for the inconvenience, but any and all advise would be greatly appreciated. thanks

i know some trans ams came with 403 olds engines ,, anywhere a 403 will go so will a 455 .. i believe they carry the same front end stuff as a camaro

Can you "transplant" the engine and trans out of the Olds as a unit? You know that transmission will withstand the brute torque of the motor. As to rear end, any number of aftermarket rear ends are available for your Camaro from bullet proof 10", 12" and the ultimate Ford 9 incher.

Keep us informed - this could be a lot of fun..

The Camaro's of that vintage have a considerable amount of the engine under the cowl, and the engine compartment is quite crowded with even an sbc in it...Might want to do some real careful measuring before you start!!!! Headers, engine and tranny mounts, and a whole host of other things will have to be scratch built. Any engine can be put in any car, just depends on how bad you want it in there!!!

Good points Dave - That 455 Olds is a full 4.5" wider, 3" longer and 4" taller than a 350. I think the starter is on the drivers side of the Olds too.

Would probably need a lot of sheet metal massaging as well as talcum powder and a big shoe horn!

But with enough desire, time, energy and some money - it could happen. But an LS1 sounds pretty good right now to me..

I love Olds engines and we built a 468 ci 455 for my Sons 30 RPU. We are running a 350 turbo and they are available in the Buick Olds Pontiac bolt pattern as you mentioned, or, you can buy a $ 75.00 adapter and use the Chevy bolt pattern 350 (or 400) I think you might have less underfloor clearance issues with the 350 than the 400..........but that is just a guess.

One problem area is that the 455 has the starter on the drivers side, so it might interfere with steering, if the box is over there (not familiar with your model). Motor mounts are common side mounts, so simple frame brackets would probably get those adapted. You will need a new transmission mount and driveshaft built.

The early 455's are the good ones and they started getting smogged around 72 or so, but were still good motors, just not as much HP.

Don

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Any engine can be put in any car

Right you are Dave, with a Sawzall, cutting torch, MIG and a good hand grinder, anything will fit anything.

Here is a link for engine dimensions:

http://www.carnut.com/specs/fengdim.html

I think I got here,but at the moment I am having a senior moment.

Is this going to be a race only car or streetable? reason I ask, I did a small block in my 97 s10 only to have emission laws change later and not be able to get it inspected due to OBD3 plug in requirement where I live. check on that if you want a street car before dropping the cash. good luck

Might fit if you cut out the shock/strut towers and put an axle under it...Might have to cut the dash out to service the distributor.. 4th gen F body is not a good candidate for ANY engine swap... I don't believe I'd want to even put a conventional small block chevy in one of those.

Believe me; you need a LOT of engine compartment space for an Olds 455. As someone said in here already, the distributor location will present some real problems. The engine in the later F-bodys sits way back into the firewall.

Originally Posted by falconvan

Believe me; you need a LOT of engine compartment space for an Olds 455. As someone said in here already, the distributor location will present some real problems. The engine in the later F-bodys sits way back into the firewall.

Stretch from the firewall forward, stretched cowl hood. It'll fit! Make sure to post pictures!

Guys,

Remember my recent questions about a 500c.i. Caddy???.Well they do fit in some Chevy vehicles...........Nawwww,never mind.