standup

I've been offered a complete 454 (LS6 specs) at a good price as a replacement for my 350 (not original). My 350 is a poor performer in low end torque, and I was planning on improving that through heads and cam, but it may be cheaper for me to go for the big block.

My question is...what other components will I have to change (apart from hood) to accomodate the big block? My setup is an non A/C 4 speed....????

Larry B.

It is pretty much a bolt in, but you will need all of the correect brackets and pulleys along with A corvette water pump. The radiator may not be large enough. You will also need headers or CORVETTE BB exhaust manifolds(expensive). Remenber that even with a stock BB hood you are pretty much limited to a corvette intake and a Q-jet carb. Other combinations require the L-88 hood.

Ganey

Upgrade sus. to FE-7 rec.. Chevy did not consider FE-7 appropriate for the street w/o 73 up body mount bushings which should help eliminate the creaks that some complain of w/ early Vettes.

1Bad69

go big block...if you want lots of torque you will get it with the BB easier than the SB...optimum torque # is 1.1 per cubic inch...to get more than that you have to start doing some radical things and really increase your cr. i have opted to not do any more mods to my motor and wait untill i have the spare cash to do a 540... :thumbs:

standup

Thanks to all...I guess I'm going to have to take a closer look at this motor.

Cheers

Turbo-Jet

if your funds, and world fuel reserves permit, go for the big block!

gdh

Take your time to fully identify what you really want out of the engine performance/cost/fuel wise first. After spending $3 - 7000 regrets would have to be a terrible feeling. I went through this same debate last year and with MountainMotor's expertice I decided to go with a 383 stroker MM style. No regrets at all but my requirements would in all likelihood be different than yours eg. I am not into neck snapping bottom end torque but love an engine that is rev happy and the power curve comes on in a big way from 3500 - 7000 rpm, can turn low 12's with potential in the 11's given a cam swap and still get 18 mpg on the hiway.


[Modified by gdh, 7:44 AM 3/21/2003]

groovyjay

I swapped my tired sb to a 454 LS6 long time ago and there's no turning back. Next step for me is to get all aluminum BB :yesnod:

QuickVet

as much as i love a strong small block, you have to go with a big block. they just look so impressive under the hood :cheers:

Edzred72

Like it says in one of the Forum members signatures....
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE QUESTION IS, BUT THE ANSWER IS BIG BLOCK!!!
Go for it......
Eddie

Cor6996vette

Too late for me now unless someone give me an offer for all my engine compartment parts included header and pipe i mean everythings, then I will start all over again. Think hard before you go SB or BB.

Glensgages

If you've ALREADY got a car that the numbers don't match, and you want more bottom-end torque, you probably CAN'T beat the Rat-motor. It certainly won't 'hurt' the car's value, and I'd think you'd LOVE it! I'd think the two biggest detrements (?) would be lower MPG, and possibly a cooling problem, unless you have a HD radiator. A Rat, with a stick, in a C3? :cool: :eek: :D :steering:

bence13_33

I went the big block route...I only regret not saving my money and doing a big inch 540 block instead. Lots of cubic inches is an easy way to make power.

You will need to get the brackets for a big block (none of the small block brackets will work with a big block). The radiator is another weak point, I spent $500 on an aluminum Be Cool radiator. You will need a short style big block water pump. Whatever you do try to avoid putting on a stock cast iron big block intake manifold. Aside from weighing a lot the cast iron intakes were not performance oriented. Your intake choices are limited but a Torker II or an LS6 intake manifold may work for you. I didn't change any of my springs and it didn't drop the front end very much at all. Depending on the motor size you are going to need a carburetor. If you are going the 454 route an 800cfm is recommended at least.

All in all I love the big block. Running 116mph down the 1/4 mile is always a blast. Gas mileage is definitely the weak point. I'm getting around 6-8MPG with my 468, 4.11 gears and 4 speed transmission.

standup

Cheers to everyone who has posted here and also to those who have e-mailed.

The interest here was enough for me to spend an hour checking out the motor (instead of mowing the lawn :) )

This 454 is supposed to be from a '70 Chevelle, and going by the block casting number, it's definitely a '70-'76 block. New pistons, cam, Torker II intake and electronic distributor. Comes with alternator bracket, flywheel and Vette headers (since it was destined for a '73 Vette). No water pump or carb......

My initial thoughts are that I am probably trading a tired 350 for a tired 454, but since I need to improve my cooling system and suspension, I might as well uprate them to handle a future big block!!!

myisa69--point taken....I hope I haven't gone too far since I've recently bought new valve covers and a Holley Hi Tek for the 350...oh well, there's always a swap meet somewhere!!!!

And, for the record, I didn't buy a V8 Vette to worry about MPG :)

Thanks again

MassVette

Big Block...........absolutely! Torque City-------------
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:

Rockn-Roll

Just ask yourself how it will feel to upgrade your 350, and then pull up next to a vette with a BB. :banghead:

467-Ratman

After making the change to my Big block the only negative is poor gas milage. After that, if you don't mind having a big grin on your face all of the time when you drive the car, I would say go for it! My 71 coupe is a different machine now , I love it, you will too..... :flag

JoeC427

:iagree: :)

INTIMIDATOR ZO6

:seeya The answer is "Big Bock" :yesnod: