455 peak RPM?

Hi all,

I would like to know how high I can turn my 1973 bone stock 455 (occasionally)on the street.  What would I have to do to be safe at 6500 RPM?

Also, when I bought the GTO I found a tach thrown in a box of junk that came with it. The tach is a stock pontiac unit identical to the one used in 1967 rally gauges but has a redline at 6500. Someone told me it doesn't go with the v8 family. any one know?  
Good Judgment comes from Experience...Experience comes from Bad Judgment

To turn it 6500rpm you will need at least forged rods and forged pistons but if it is bone stock it will put it's peak power out around 4500-5000rpm.  
professional hi-performance engine builder

Horsepower sells engines and torque wins races

stock cast connecting rods are good to 5500 rpm max. 455 pontiac engines have tons of torque from idle - 5500 rpm. you don't need to twist them higher, if you want higher revs, you'll need to spend alot more money on the reciprocating assembly. hope this helps, tom  

Unknown engine 455 rpm 5000 RPM  Tach probably redlines at 5500-5800 if I remember
correctly is it a hood tach or in dash unit  

6500 RPM? Car go boom no more 455.Mines somewhat beefed up and I set the shift light at 5200 RPM. Ponchos make the torque early and do not need to rev like a small block chev.  

6500rpm from a stock 455? Better build a catch pan under the motor and keep a tow truck on speed dial.
Steve  
A little help... 'cause we don't all have to learn the hard way!

5500 is a safe RPM with stock rods. You need a forged H beam rod for over 6000rpm, so you should also buy forged light weight pistons as you would have to re-balance anyways. To avoid costs you can take your rods to get SHOT PEENED at your local aircraft propeller shop. This will insure absolute safety for 550 to 6000 RPM.

Remember a 455 has a 4.25 stroke, same as a 540 Chevy. They make huge torque. I have built many 500hp to 600hp Pontiac's that all make peak HP at 6200. Any higher RPM for peak HP and the torque values drop huge.

With ported cast heads, TRW forged pistons, and a solid cam any 455 can run high 11s and make 500hp.  

GotMyGoat here,
Having problems logging in. I seem to be locked out or something.

Thanks for all the advice. The 455 is tired but still a virgin. I will be rebuilding it soon so I can make a few upgrades then.
What about the crank? will a stock crank hold up to 6500rpm? If I need to replace it do I need a forged one?

The tach is a dash unit.  
.

Good Judgment comes from Experience...Experience comes from Bad Judgment

The stock crank will hold up fine as long as it is prepped right I would get the rotating assembly balanced as well as some eagle forged H-beam rods and light weight forged pistons with moly rings.  
professional hi-performance engine builder

Horsepower sells engines and torque wins races

Thanks .
I will definitely use forged pistons
Any suggestions? Keith Black? Ross? TRW?

I have never run an H beam. is there any secrets?

I will be using 6x 4 heads.  
.

Good Judgment comes from Experience...Experience comes from Bad Judgment

No problem.
No secrets just forged eagle H-beam rods.
I prefer keith black or ross but they are on the expensive side.  
professional hi-performance engine builder

Horsepower sells engines and torque wins races

Contact those in the know   Torque is what moves your car not horsepower
On a graph these cross at a certain point    pontiacman8 is correct  barneyformula these guys will direct you I am a 54 yr old pontiac man also who at present is busier than a 1 legged man in a butt kicking contest