--How much can the Olds 403 and T350 take?--

[79 Bird of Prey]

Hey everyone. Ive got a 403 Olds engine coupled with a T350 transmission in my TA. my question is, how much power and torque can the stock 403 engine take (internals and block). also, what internals (forged) from other engines (stock or aftermarket) are there that fit this engine.

also, how much torque and power can the transmission and rest of the drivetrain take, stock? thanks! :)

[Croaker]

The Olds 403 is a boat anchor, sorry :(

It's basically a lost cause. It's like building up a Chevy 305 - why bother when you can build a 350 for the same price and get so much more.

[79 Bird of Prey]

damn, thats a shame. i woulda thought itd have a little more potential than stock.

however, i have another question regarding the engine. everyone simply writes the Olds engine off as junk. why is this exactly? someone please provide some reasoning and numbers behind this. did the Olds 403 simply get a bad rap (perhaps because people were upset that the Pontiac 400 was gone), or was there something seriously wrong with it. my 403 runs great, and its got over 100k miles on it.

now, what about the drivetrain?

[ill deuce]

the t-350 is stone reliable to about 400hp or so,a few mods and its good for more.if you go all out,you can make one that'll handle more power that you can make.

the 403 isn't a boat anchor.a lot of people automatically consider something a "boat-anchor" if it don't have stroker kits an alum. heads available:rolleyes:

edelbrock makes cam an intakes,you can get headers an exhaust,you can always have headwork done,mill the heads for more comp.the bottom end isn't the strongest in the world,but with the work above 450 or so hp shouldn't be that hard.

yeah,you could get that out of a 350,but what would you have,another fuckin' 350:rolleyes:
dare to be different,thats what hot-roddin' is all about

[Jeffro]

The Olds 403 isn't as bad as people here would say. It's a good reliable engine.

http://www.texastransams.com/articles/2002ron_l_403_article.htm

[79 Bird of Prey]

thought so :). thanks

[Red Alert]

I would rather see a Pontiac or Buick 455 in that engine bay :drive:

[79 Bird of Prey]

me too, but hey, whatever works :)

[triggerjerk]

I say be different and build the olds
http://www.mondellotwister.com/engines.html
Check out the second motor...
And http://www.mondellotwister.com/ArtUnsungH.htm

[jmd]

Originally posted by 79 Bird of Prey
however, i have another question regarding the engine. everyone simply writes the Olds engine off as junk. why is this exactly? someone please provide some reasoning and numbers behind this. did the Olds 403 simply get a bad rap (perhaps because people were upset that the Pontiac 400 was gone), or was there something seriously wrong with it. my 403 runs great, and its got over 100k miles on it.

now, what about the drivetrain?

TH350 and the 8.5" rear aren't going to have many problems.

The reason the 403 isn't as good a candidate for big power is that the main webs are windowed. This is due to the larger 403 piston skirts. Despite what (Mondello) says, there are no solid web 403 blocks.

If you want big small block cubes, and big power, you may as well go for the thicker diesel 350 block. Those can be bored & stroked out to big cubes, but are pricy. They have BBO mains but SBO features otherwise for the most part.

IMO, Olds had a better engine family than Pontiac or Buick. Notice which one GM produced through 1990, and which ones died around 1980.

HTH

[Zig'sbird]

Personally, I would get rid of the Olds and put a Pontiac engine in your TA.

And as you are throwing away that damn boat anchor, think of me and my poor Cutlass which needs a 403 :D

[Hoodshaker]

Here is another great site for building up yor olds- http://www.realoldspower.com/phpBB2/index.php
Run a search and you will get tons of info on building the 403 and plenty of help for us T/A guys as well. Boat anchor, huh :rolleyes: