Caddilac Engines Whats The Best

Thinking of using a Caddilac motor in a future project, What's the best one to use ??? Are speed parts available for all of them ??? Which are most readily available ???

appreciate your comments.

Steve.

 

472/500 series is a good one to use,lots of race parts being made now.go to cadillacpower.com for more info
randy

 

I'll second the motion for 500-472 caddy motors

Tim

 

depends what you want it for steve, but id say with the kinda stuff you build youd want something more period-correct and probably more 6os style than the later 472-500s?

ive picked up a '59 390ci for my A. it looks the part with the beehive oil filter and script valve covers, and ive also got a vintage Detroit Racing Equip. 2x4 manifold to go on. theyre hydro lifter but can be converted to solid using sbc lifters and stude rockers. they only ever came with a 2 speed auto, but quite a few places make adapters to chevy or ford 4 speed manuals.

 

The earlier Cads. have more speed goodies available but the 472-500 make alot more torque and H.P. and more speed parts are becoming more available all the time.I chose the 472 for my 55 Chevy because of the power they have in stock form.Just add a Edebrock intake and carb of your choice, there are cams and lifters, HEI units and if you run a stick, flywheels too.Just my 2 cents. Good luck

 

I agree with the other guys -- but with one addition avoid the 64-67 429's there are no speed parts available for them. I'm going to pull the 429 out of my 67 and replace it with a 68 472.

Rich -- seems like you know something about sticking a manual trans onto a big cad motor. Any chance of a link or two or an idea of where to go for info? I really want to put a manual trans in my car but haven't had any luck finding info.

Thanks, Chris

 

Chris PM sent

 

The 472/500/425 have a GM BOP bellhousing any trans from buick,olds,ponch, should work... if you have a flywheel. I have a 472 in my 52 Cad sedan, and the 331 is waiting for a hop up and will be stuffed into something cool in the future.
The only "bad" Caddy engine in my opinion is the 63 390. one year only. 429's are good, but as mentioned, speed parts are rare. Not to say they cannot be made to run stronger. Met a guy with one in a Shoebox that ran in the 9's. Called himself the Cadillac Cowboy, and allways raced in boots.

For a "traditional' styled car, 331-390 is usually the way to go.

For an I don't give a ****, catch me if you can, torque monster tire burner...472-500. Definately. Cheap to buy, easy to build, parts at any parts store. Smaller than a BBC and barely heavier than a SBC.

 

I run a 512cid caddy (bored .040 or was it .060, have a balanced crank, a cam, slightly ported heads, edelbrock intake & carb) in my model A RPU. It's not real traditional but it's the fastest thing I've ever been in. It doesn't take a lot to build 500hp with one of these, and the torque is unreal. Besides I like big engines.

 

all kinds of hot rod engine parts ae available for the 472/500.
www;cadillacpower.com is the place to get info and parts.

 

my dads 55 cad has a 331 and it seems to move the 2 and a half ton car along fine~!

 

There's more info and dealers than you could want for the 472/500. Come and join us at the Cowboy Seven Forums. Try the Big Block section first, after you're done reading that, join us Caddy fools in the off topic section 4 months later.

 

Thanks guys that's exactly the info i wanted.

Steve.