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Swap 454 for a 383

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Old 05-03-2016, 05:16 PM
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WantaVette350
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Originally Posted by dosoctaves
If you would like to sell the 454 I am interested PM me.
If I do change to a small block I'll still keep the 454.
Old 05-03-2016, 05:18 PM
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WantaVette350
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Originally Posted by bashcraft
I suppose you want an automatic transmission too?
I didn't join the forum for sarcasm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Old 05-03-2016, 05:30 PM
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WantaVette350
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
been looking on/off for a cheap 454 core also (block)

OP already has a 383...at least he would have a good cooling system?
It wouldnt be expensive for him to do this

Have you thought about trying a small carb on the 454 to see what difference it makes? 2bbl? Bet you pick up a little bit. Tune it well and air the tires up....skinnier tires help too

FWIW my 383 gets single digits mpg even with a 6 spd but man is it fun
It's hard to believe you're in single digits. My F250 4X4 is in double digits.
I had a 79' Camaro with a modified 350 4 speed manual and I was in double digits
Old 05-03-2016, 05:35 PM
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cv67
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First off what kind of mpg are you hoping for before you part with your cash?

Maybe have fun with the challenge of seeing what you can squeeze out of a 454 and do NO swap

OD trans a 2bbl some headers (yes) and possibly even a custom cam albeit an expensive experiment. weight reduction could come close to sbc mpg as a 383.
Lots of "mpg" cams made in the last few decades

Still got your torque and the fat valve covers. Would be a fun goal to chase. Modern cyl heads a +. Aluminum parts, lighter wheels, narrower rubber higher psi etc

MoBandy in the C4 section converted his to electric no longer deals with smog, and it hauls azz to boot

Quote:
It's hard to believe you're in single digits. My F250 4X4 is in double digits.
Its nowhere near stock and more interested in power
When its empty you gotta fill it anyways why not enjoy it not everyones a power monger I get it.

I will say the old 327 with small cam, headers 3.08 gears etc mileage wasnt THAT much worse and it was gutless to boot.

Last edited by cv67; 05-03-2016 at 06:08 PM.
Old 05-03-2016, 06:02 PM
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AboveTheLogic
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Originally Posted by keithinspace
On a realistic note, I would second the thought of getting a cam as flat as Keira Knightley and put a 2 barrel carb on it. Keep your foot out of it and I bet you could get RELATIVELY respectable mileage out of the thing.


I really suspect the authenticity of this request.
Old 05-03-2016, 08:07 PM
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WantaVette350
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
First off what kind of mpg are you hoping for before you part with your cash?

Maybe have fun with the challenge of seeing what you can squeeze out of a 454 and do NO swap

OD trans a 2bbl some headers (yes) and possibly even a custom cam albeit an expensive experiment. weight reduction could come close to sbc mpg as a 383.
Lots of "mpg" cams made in the last few decades

Still got your torque and the fat valve covers. Would be a fun goal to chase. Modern cyl heads a +. Aluminum parts, lighter wheels, narrower rubber higher psi etc

MoBandy in the C4 section converted his to electric no longer deals with smog, and it hauls azz to boot


Its nowhere near stock and more interested in power
When its empty you gotta fill it anyways why not enjoy it not everyones a power monger I get it.

I will say the old 327 with small cam, headers 3.08 gears etc mileage wasnt THAT much worse and it was gutless to boot.
I was hoping for 12-14 mpg's.

The other thing about this 454 is it's only 270-5 HP.
I'm estimating that it would cost at least $3000 to get it up to 400 HP.
Old 05-03-2016, 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by WantaVette350
I didn't join the forum for sarcasm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's like spam and eggs. You need not order it!
Old 05-03-2016, 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by WantaVette350
I was hoping for 12-14 mpg's.

The other thing about this 454 is it's only 270-5 HP.
I'm estimating that it would cost at least $3000 to get it up to 400 HP.
I get that with my 396 on the highway. Look into a over drive trans
Old 05-04-2016, 12:49 AM
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ddawson
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Hell I get that on my 496. Just took a lot work dialing in the carburetor A/F
Old 05-04-2016, 05:21 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by WantaVette350
Hello All,
I'm new to this forum. I had a love for Corvettes for more than half my life and decided it's time to buy one.
I've been eyeing a "73" with a 454 and manual transmission. However I would like to swap out the 454 big block to a 383 small block.
I would like to know if anyone has done this and what parts are needed for the swap?

Thanks in advance
To my knowledge absolutely no one has ever done this..and if they did
Its a new car to you, don't do anything, just drive it for a while. Trust me there will be plenty of other stuff you have not dreamed of to fix first.

Gary
Old 05-04-2016, 07:07 AM
  #31  
bashcraft
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Originally Posted by WantaVette350
I didn't join the forum for sarcasm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No sarcasm, it was a serious question.

BTW, my 502 gets 13 mpg. I'm sure a 454 could do better.
Old 05-04-2016, 07:21 AM
  #32  
CA-Legal-Vette
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To answer your original question, all the brackets and pulleys will need to be changed. Water pump too. At least the exhaust manifold if not he whole system and the radiatorand fan shroud are different too. things that are different but you probably can get away with are the front springs and the engine wiring harness. I think the air cleaner assembly is the same but I'm not positive.

Originally Posted by High Altitude Vette
To my knowledge absolutely no one has ever done this..and if they did
Its a new car to you, don't do anything, just drive it for a while. Trust me there will be plenty of other stuff you have not dreamed of to fix first.

Gary
Nothing wrong with planning your swap but there is wisdom in driving it for a while first.

Originally Posted by WantaVette350
I was hoping for 12-14 mpg's.

The other thing about this 454 is it's only 270-5 HP.
I'm estimating that it would cost at least $3000 to get it up to 400 HP.
Might be easier and cheaper to accomplish your goal by switching to fuel injection. The kits aren't cheap but they are pretty much plug and play. Putting the electric fuel pump into the tank is the biggest job but there are lots of "how tos" out here.


Originally Posted by WantaVette350
I didn't join the forum for sarcasm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best stay out of the OT section then
Old 05-04-2016, 08:25 AM
  #33  
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The SB vette water pump was different than a regular short pump. So your 383 will likely need a new pump to get the fan to work with the shroud. That or switch to an efan.
Old 05-04-2016, 06:12 PM
  #34  
dmaxx3500
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Originally Posted by WantaVette350
I was hoping for 12-14 mpg's.

The other thing about this 454 is it's only 270-5 HP.
I'm estimating that it would cost at least $3000 to get it up to 400 HP.
a cam and real tune-up would probably wake it up,and hp doesn't make a car go torque does,

do you even know what is in this eng [454] now?
Old 05-04-2016, 06:24 PM
  #35  
WantaVette350
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Originally Posted by dmaxx3500
a cam and real tune-up would probably wake it up,and hp doesn't make a car go torque does,

do you even know what is in this eng [454] now?
All I know is that it's a stock 454.



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