Bri7694

Still waiting on my 96 LT4 to sell before i really start hunting for my 68-72, but might as well start with the questions, right?! ;)

I am almost positive i will try to find a driver quality 427/454 4 speed.

I am however a horsepower junkie, but i would like to keep the car as original looking as possible. Have some of you done cam/heads/intake swaps, but then detailed the engine to look as close to stock as possible? Maybe paint some aftermarket aluminum heads orange? I am just wondering how close to stock appearing i can make a built motor.

Also, I am not very familiar with chevy motors. Are parts on the 427/454 interchangeable for the most part? Heads/intakes etc?

I would love to see pictures of your big blocks! :D

Brian

Larry B.

There are a few things you can do and some that you can't. With the stock hood you cannot use any intake/carb and air cleaners exect the original set-up or you can't close the hood. That's up to 72.. Now... 427's are internally balanced and 454's are externally balanced so the flywheels and balancer's are different. There are several head designs and each needs to match the manifolds. You find a lot of help here as lots of members have played around with theirs more than I have.

Bri7694

I was planning on using the original intake as I have learned in my reading that not much else clears the stock BB hood....unless i install a L88 hood, which i like.

I was more wondering about heads/cam suggestions. And then wondering if people have reinstalled stock valve covers and painted the heads orange to "appear" stock. I would really like some pictures of stock or stock appearing big block engine compartments that I can use as a reference.

Btw, all stock parts will be stored neatly in the basement for myself or the next owner to bring it back to showroom condition.

Brian


[Modified by Bri7694, 8:49 AM 9/26/2003]

GATOR454

These are from the AutoTader Website

LemansBlue68

The stock BB manifolds for Corvettes were a bit restrictive because of their low profile which was dictated by the hood design. About the only after market manifold that will fit under the stock BB hood that I've found is the Edelbrock Torker II and it is a single plane style. If you want a better performing manifold such as a Performer RPM you have to go with an L88 style hood. The availability of performance options improve significantly with the L88 design hood.

I don't think you should get too crazy with your cam and head choices if the engine doesn't breath well and the intake manifold is certainly a restriction you've got to consider.

Bri7694

Gator454- Very helpful pics, thank you!

Looks like to do what want i will have to go with the L88 hood. Wouldn't make much sense to add a nice head/cam package and then choke it with stock intake.

Thanks for the help everyone.........and someone buy my LT4!!!!


Brian

GDaina

Here's a 533 cube using the stock intake, stock 427 hood, roller rockers and stock valve covers







[Modified by GDaina, 1:35 PM 9/26/2003]

Robert N

There are a few options, even using all of the existing components with a few exceptions. FAST (Factory Apperaing Stock Tire) drag cars MUST appear perfectly stcok. Anything not visible is fair game. Heads can be machined (ported, etc) stock exhaust manifolds can be ported, modern ignition systems can be detailed to look stock including better wires, the cam can be swapped to keep in line with the increased flow from the "new" heads and exhaust manifolds. The car can be swapped or re tuned as needed.

Some of these FAST cars are breaking 12 sec on bias ply tires.

Turbo-Jet

I forget the fellow’s name, but I specifically remember he did exactly what you are thinking about. New GM crate 454 (or 502?), painted alum heads and intake orange, used original GM accessory brackets/components and routed lines and hoses just like stock. It looked awesome, and would pass off as original to 95% of people. I think doing something like this a great idea. You are limited by hood clearance, but unless your building a 500+ hp monster, then you can probably get by with a modified factory intake and carb.




[Modified by Turbo-Jet, 11:23 AM 9/26/2003]

Chuck Harmon

This is a very stock L88 that made just under 500rwhp. To fit under a stock BB hood, you would need either a 68-69 tripower setup or the 454 LS6 manifold. Such factory low rise manifolds are really very good. I doubt that I would lose 20 horse power if were to swap either of them for my factory L88 intake. (I actually do have one of each, but have never mounted them)

Chuck

ATHANASE

I can show you pictures of the 454 of my 1971 LS5 which I keep stock except for the air filter housing which is the one of a LS6, if someone can tell me how to attach photos to my quote.

DJ Dep

Hi Chuck!!! :jester
The ZL-1 motor is still in the works! :D

Dep

P.S. Chuck is right...I have the manifold he is referring to (LS-6), and you will NOT lose a noticeable amount of horsepower with it.

Flareside

Dep, you're really building a ZL-1? Can't wait to see it! Do yourself a favor and buy a kit from PAW, not an assembled motor. Lots of horror stories around about their assembly tactics.


Here's my stock 427:



and here's its big brother, my new tripower 540:

DJ Dep

Flare/Joe: DOH! We have two threads with same discussion. Go to: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zero...&id=1545261568

It's a list of the PAW kit for $7099. I need a kit because I will be installing some parts of my own choosing like heads (GM 2.25/1.88). May end up having Chuck hunt down a ZL-1 intake too. :)

Dep
P.S. You're giving me a woody with those engine pics!!! :cheers:


[Modified by Dep, 8:54 AM 9/27/2003]

GDaina

I have a ZL-1 intake, don't need it, used on a 69 Camaro

DJ Dep

George: Can you e-mail me with info on the manifold? (casting #, condition, price, etc). I'd appreciate it. :thumbs:

Dep

GDaina

Will do....will get that info this pm