Okay; Who Pinched The Engine From My Criterion?
- Thread starter Robert Shepard
- Start date
I'd like to know more about the '57 Buick convertible...is that yours, too?
Jon VanDermark
PCS Member
Imagine what the children would look like! 
Imagine what the children would look like!
I said; Boy, she is not the gal for you. Sure, she has a real pedigree as a member of the Talbot-Lago family. Of course we all know about her past exploits at Le Mans and how other cars are still chasing her. However I think she is a couger and way too old and cultured for you. I mean look who is hanging around seeking her affections; a Brit and a German.. Give it up lad and come back to your senses.
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The 1957 Buick Roadmaster is not mine. It is an outstanding car with a full factory power package and air conditioning.
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Wassup?
So now we're curious, Robert. Why is the Criterion in the shop (aside from the great four-wheeled company) with her front end stripped down?
Enquiring minds want to know!
So now we're curious, Robert. Why is the Criterion in the shop (aside from the great four-wheeled company) with her front end stripped down?
Enquiring minds want to know!
As mentioned; the Criterion needs a new lease on life, as its engine and transmission are very tired and worn. I commisioned Antique Auto Restoration in Seaside, CA http://www.antiqueautorestorationca.com/ to remove and replace both units and perform some additional work on the car. The power plant is being rebuilt by Maximum Torque Specialties www.500cid.com in Apple Valley, CA, and the transmission is in the care of Quality Transmissions in Seaside. The engine has been disassembled, boiled out and baked, and being machined for a big power upgrade with their VT-Plus Long Block Torque Package with their #5 cam http://www.500cid.com/Stock Builds.htm. I have also ordered some additional power / torque upgrades to better propel the Criterion's 7,000 pounds of life saving bulk. They will also be porting and polishing the intake manifold and upgrading the exhaust system. When finished it will be putting out just shy of 400hp. The carb is also being rebuilt and tuned to the new engine specs.
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Sounds like a very interesting build Robert. Please post up what you think of the power & the way it drives after it's done! This sounds interesting to not only freshen up the driveline with a rebuild, you're squeezing some more horsepower out of it without going crazy & it'll appear stock.
I've seen that car before but not that much of it.
When you consider that by 1975, Cadillac had so de-tuned thier big block 501 that it only produced around 200hp. It did not have the power needed for a professional car with its 7,000 plus pound weight. I would venture to guess that my engine was not putting out much more than 125hp after 35 years and 106,000 miles of use. In CA my car is not required to have a smog certification, so that gives the builder some elbow room.
When finished, the engine will have a stock appearence, including the valve covers. It will breath much better and run cooler; not to mention the increase in HP and low end torque. Interestingly, I'll also see an increase in MPG. This will be brought about by hotter firing.
keep telling yourself this long enough and you'll start believing it. but at 106+ on her the power plant that was not good to begin with is indeed getting tired. I can't believe the difference in this 68 first gen 472 then the 70's stuff I have been playing with. you get your 500 back to that kind of power and you'll be vary happy with it.
The new cam will help. I chose their #5; however their #3 is a real fuel saver.
CAMSHAFT RECOMMENDATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
MTS #3 Series - "The Mileage Cam"
RPM range: Idle to 4,000 / Advertised duration range: 250-255* / Duration @ .050” range: 198-205* / Valve lift range: .470-.480”.
The MTS Mileage Series Cam is designed for maximum fuel economy, while achieving the original stock performance, and works best in low-compression engines. When tuned to run 92-Octane fuel, the record is 22 MPG from a 1976, 500cid in a full-size Sedan Deville. Great bottom-end torque at the expense of top-end performance as power peak is a slight bit earlier than the stock cam. Advances in cam technology has made this the perfect cam for those trying to get Honda-like MPG from a much more powerful Caddy Big-block engine.
MTS #5 Series - "The Performance + Cam"
RPM range: 1,000 - 4,500 / Advertised duration range: 258-266* / Duration @ .050” range: 208-215* / Valve lift range: .495-.510”.
The MTS Performance + Series Cam is an excellent choice to replace any year of the 472/500 stock cams. The Performance + grinds are a technology enhanced version of the “Hottest” cam used by Cadillac in their production engines. The 1973 Cad engines were equipped with a stock cam that had specs in this range. MTS made it better. These cams run more lift and duration than the 1968-72 and 1974-79 original cams. Stock-type idle with improved economy and a solid performance gain over the stock cam. Works excellent with the stock TH400 transmission shift points. Just leave it in drive, smash the gas, and let the tranny shift by itself. Peak cruise RPM for efficiency is 2,200-2,500.
MTS #10 Series - "The Stealth Cam"
RPM range: 1,200 - 4,800 / Advertised duration range: 270-285* / Duration @ .050” range: 220-228* / Valve lift range: .525-.538”.
Now we’re talking! The MTS Stealth Series Cam provides a major boost in mid-range and top end performance. At this level you really have to listen very, very carefully at idle to tell there is a hotter cam in the engine. The MTS Stealth Cam has a smooth and clean idle at about 800 RPM. Slide this cam into your Caddy, add a 2 ½” dual-exhaust system with H pipe connector for an awesome performance package. Your Caddy will sound and act like your daddy’s Caddy with no loss of your Cadillac’s excellent street manners until you romp the gas pedal. Ol’ Mustang-Boy next to you at the stop light won’t believe what just happened to his trampled ego.
This grind also works great with stock TH400 shift points. If this isn’t enough, there is even more on tap if you want to show off your Stealth technology. If you manually shift your trans, this cam seems to pull like a freight train to about 4800 RPM. Perfect towing grind for trucks with 3.73 gears. Raises peak cruise efficiency to 2800-3000 RPM.
MTS #15 Series - "The Thumper Cam"
RPM range: 1,500 - 5,000 / Advertised duration range: 286-295* / Duration @ .050” range: 230-238* / Valve lift range: .520-.540”.
Forget the stealth stuff now. The MTS Thumper Series Cam will have an impressive sounding "Thump" at idle, about 950 RPM. This MTS Cam can produce 500 HP with 600 ft-lbs of torque. Designed primarily for street use, there is more than enough vacuum to run power brakes.
The MTS Thumper Cam has very strong mid-range power, to an even more impressive, huge top-end power band. Rev it up to 5,000 RPM in first gear, shift into second gear, and watch your left front fender yank right up from the torque. MTS created this cam to become an animal and has awesome response to 150-200 hp shot of nitrous oxide.
RPM bands on the MTS Thumper Cam are right at the edge, if not over the boundary of safety, for engines with stock connecting rods. Forged “H” beam connecting rods are preferred. This is also the maximum grind for the MTS S/S Spring Kit. If you want durability, aftermarket rocker assemblies are also necessary at this level. Ported heads are strongly recommended to facilitate the performance. If you’re going to pump up your motor to this horsepower, you really need to make sure all of the components in your build can hold up to and help promote the performance of the cam. The MTS Thumper Cam cams works best with a 3.23 to 3.73 rear gear ratios. Toss in a 2,000 RPM Torque Converter ---- and stand back.
MTS #20 Series - "The Street / Strip Cam"
RPM range: 2,000 - 6,000 / Advertised duration range: 298* and higher / Duration @ .050” range: 240* and higher / Valve lift range: .550-590”.
If you’re considering the MTS Street / Strip Cam, you’re really talking about some serious torque and horsepower. The MTS Street / Street Cam requires forged “H” beam steel connecting rods, and aftermarket rocker assemblies are also mandatory. The use of our S/S/C valve springs and high performance ported iron heads or MTS Aluminum Heads are also needed to facilitate the power of this cam. Use of a 3.50 - 3.73 or higher (numerically) rear gear is recommended. At this level of performance, you and MTS should work together to discuss the proper setup and cam info sheet for best results. While this cam has the performance for the race track, street use is also not an issue as there is also plenty of vacuum to run power brakes. This cam rocks!
MTS Billet And Hydraulic Roller Cams
Available in any of the MTS standard grinds or let MTS help design a custom setup to fill your needs, these high-end MTS cams are built to obtain the best quality and performance in any Cadillac 501 series engine.
Copyright© 2010 Maximum Torque Specialties Inc
Rocky Fluegge
PCS Member
Looking great keep up the good work!
