403 suggestions

[mikereblusmc]

I just out the marines and on limited budget.. I just purchased a 74 oldsmobile that has a 403 in it.. It had a qaudra junk to start with. It has an aluminum intake with a now 600cfm holley. Any suggestions to make this a nice street and track car?

[DirkaDirka]

First of all thank you for your service.

Second is the motor stock??

If so try some good heads and a nice mild cam. I cant tell you much info on what kind of heads and cam but that should get you started. I know the guys on here can give you more info as to what size cam and the best heads to go with on a budget.

[mikereblusmc]

Yes its completely stock other than the carb and intake.. I have been lookin around and it seems like most things when it comes to cars that there is so many number ones.. thats why i was asking. But thank you though

[cepx111]

Welcome to the forum.

I'd start with a few bolt on's first.

The carb swap was a good start but alittle on the small side IMO.
A 650 or 750 cfm unit would give better performance.

Headers and a free flowing exhaust system.

Install a free flowing air filter like a K/N, their worth a couple ponies.

An electric fan will free up some Hp.

Upgrade the ignition system to a MSD or equivalent.

A small cam & roller rockers would wake things up.

373 gears / posi rearend.

Street slicks or drag radials for better traction.


Goodluck, Cp

[mikeracing]

first thing you do is plug the oil filter preasure regulator bypass or you will end up spinning the 8th rod bearing a couple times

[engineaction]

I just out the marines and on limited budget.. I just purchased a 74 oldsmobile that has a 403 in it.. It had a qaudra junk to start with. It has an aluminum intake with a now 600cfm holley. Any suggestions to make this a nice street and track car?

We just had our hands in a 403 olds in a trans am for a friend of mine, We installed a new camshaft, larger valves and did some minor port work. We flat milled the heads to acheive 9.8:1 compression. Added an edelbrock intake and a 750 cfm carb and the guy loves it. Milling the heads reared some intake fitment issues (port alignment) that required milling the intake as well to get everything back inline. It was a budget project and he felt it was worth every penny. His short block is of the stock configuration yet.

[badrad]

Good luck in civilian life! As far as the 403 Olds engine aren't fans of RPMs so focus on the low end power range, think all TQ with decent HP. Here's a link to a couple of Olds articles.

http://www.compcams.com/Community/Articles/Details.asp?ID=1110579621
http://www.compcams.com/Community/Articles/Details.asp?ID=-1413219732

Hope these help.

[CamBirdRacing]

Somebody must have put it in there b/c Olds didn't make a 403 in 74. Go to a junk yard and get you a 455 to put in it.