Luke in SA

Anyone thought about putting one of GM's new ZZ427 crate motors into a early C3 ??

Anyone already done it ?

I have a 68 with 327/auto and it does sound like an interesting idea.
My driveline is a little tired although still going ok for now.
Guess I would need a L88 hood and a few other bits & peices..
Bigger radiator, new headers, modified wiring...

Haven't had a lot of time with my corvette, how easy/hard would it be to to russle up all the parts needed?

boltnut

Better break out the wallet for all the drivetrain, suspension, and brake upgrades you'll need. Not to mention the chassis work.

BPHORSEGUY

That would be a lot of "russeling up" !

Ironcross

almost a drop in, GM made thousands with the same frame and suspension......for the better part of the cost in related parts is no more for a BB than a SB and most available through your local parts stores with few exceptions......it would make a neat package and the bragging rights that go with it.....

mvette76

me and the old man put one in his 66 conv. it burned oil about a quart every 100 hundred miles. he did a lot of calling and bitching to gm before they agreed to pay to fix it but we still had to pull it. had a local engine builder go through it put new pistons and rings in it and all is good now 489 hp 480tq

BPHORSEGUY

Okay, we have 1 guy here who says it isn't much more then a drop in and 2 guys who think it would be a mini "project". I say go ahead and do it and let us know who is right!!! In the end you are going to have one sweeet ride either way!!



Who can help w/ a cheap BB hood...... anyone?

boltnut

well, im sure you could drop it in and drive. i wouldnt expect the stuff you got in there to last long if you havent upgraded yet. i just dont spend other guys money like it grow on trees when i give a little input. i went the hight HP route and there are a lot of surprises down that road.

tt 383

It is a mini project, if swapping from SBC to BBC. If not swapping then its a drop in.

HamadUP

I don't why GM invented the so called "low tension piston rings", they cause A LOT of blow by from day one and the engine will burn oil as fast as fuel. I would stay away from any GM performance engine and just ask any reputable engine builder to build me an engine from scratch.

tt 383

Yea, I didn't look at the price of the engine, but something from Vortecpro, or Mike Lewis for the same amount of money will absolutely outrun that engine. For less money you will still be faster. I would give either of them a call.
http://www.vortecproperformance.com/...binations.html


http://www.lewisracingengines.com/

7t9l82

big block bolts in. rear is the same big or small block suspension, the front springs are different but work fine maybe a better radiator. same brakes for big or small block. incedental wiring differences. it is not a complicated swap. i have heard that Chevy has taken care of the ring seal issue but check around. I'm thinking of doing a rat motor for mine too.

Luke in SA

Lots of interesting replys.

I get the funny feeling that buying a BB car would be the easy way out.

Will keep looking into it.

BPHORSEGUY

You may have more trouble sourcing parts in AUSTRALIA then some others realize!

shmoky

The previous owner of my car swapped out the 327 for a 454. Of course it is a BLAST to drive. I don't think here was a LOT of changes he had to make. The rad and the rad supports and surround were different and I believe he added bigger springs to the front end. I'm still driving with the same rear end and half shafts and I'm not very easy on it either. YMMV

shmoky

OzzyTom

You could put a stroked small block in and achieve similar (or better) performance than the zz427.
Small block 383 ci, 396, 401, 427 or 434 are relatively easy to build (or buy ) and they will drop straight in.

But with 450+ up, you will still need a good cooling system for the Ozzy summers!

Big Block 69

There were no wiring changes with mine, same distributor and same alternator. I bought new springs(big block w/air)from Chevy Dealership.
Car does not have A/C but I like the way those springs make the car sit. I used the same motor mounts, starter, clutch, pressure plate, flywheel and radiator. I even used the same bellhousing for a while, then replaced it with a Lakewood bell.
There is a guy on the NCRS board who said he did a BB swap using a low rise 3963569 intake and a small block hood.

7t9l82

I've seen stock rebuild 454 engines with a cam, intake and headers go 450-500 h.p. strokers are nice but aren't as perfect or cheap as people think. one area of concern is rod angle most are not ideal for a long bore life. another area is cylinder heads with a big strokers its going to be tough to make 500 h.p with stock heads. I'm not against stroker motors, i built several in the late 70's and they were the thing but it takes alot to get 100k miles on one.

68sbcoupe

I have been agonizing over deciding to do this swap, the ZZ454 swap ($3,000 less and more power), or an LS Swap. While deliberating, I pulled my iron head 427, rebuilt my original 327 and added some top shelf stuff, and now it runs like a SOB. I love it. So, decision has been put off until winter time.


BUT, back to the ZZ427. I've done many bb-SB, and SB-BB swaps. You will need:

Radiator and support
fan shroud
clutch fan or electric fan
Front Springs (even though the ZZ427 is only 100 pounds more then your SB)
Headers (I have a 2 month old set if you need them) weld up to your existing pipes, if 2 1/2". If not, get chambered exhaust kit.
alternator bracket, PS bracket if applicable, pulleys & BELTS
PB booster, if applicable.
fuel lines (pump-carb)
L88 hood, OR BB Hood with 67/427 hood grafted on it for clearance
thicker front sway bar
rear sway bar
torque converter
trans cooler


I recommend new gas shocks and a set of good, sticky tires

starter, alternator, distributor all fit the 427. I think the ZZ motors come with an HEI, but no tach drive.

Big Block 69

I also used the original small block clutch fan and shroud, radiator and support. The only parts I had to buy were headers. My car does not have power steering. I already had pulleys, water pump and alt. bracket from 68 Camaro or Chevelle (I forget which). These work fine for me on my car. Others may only want Corvette parts on their Corvette.

ajrothm

You should REALLY look here....

www.vortecproperformance.com

His engines will spank any GM crate for 2/3s the cost....and don't drink oil like gasoline...

His cheapest, BUDGET engine will put a C3 vette in the mid 11s....