Swap 454 for a 383
#1
Swap 454 for a 383
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
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
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AboveTheLogic (05-02-2016)
#4
Burning Brakes
I hate to sound like a "purist" but if its a matching numbers 454 car you may want to look for a small block car to start with. Small block to big block swaps aren't cheap and I'm guessing its expensive going big to small as well.
#7
Dr. Detroit
Member Since: Mar 2012
Location: New Braunfels Texas
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You can do what you like sir....but if it has a Rat in it now.....tweak it in and enjoy it.....
Nothing like a Big Block Vette.
Jebby
Nothing like a Big Block Vette.
Jebby
#8
What? Utter blasphemy! Ban him now!
If your going that route, might as well start with a small block car. The purchase price difference alone will save you a ton on the install and restoration. But if you go the other route, my only advice is save all the parts you take off of it.
Good luck.
If your going that route, might as well start with a small block car. The purchase price difference alone will save you a ton on the install and restoration. But if you go the other route, my only advice is save all the parts you take off of it.
Good luck.
#9
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2003
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I had a really nice 383 in my 69 and was and still thrilled a forum member swapped me his 454 because he felt it too radical,
swapping engines isn't really hard at all, when things vary like power options exhaust tranny etc it might slow things down a hair but still a 73 odd one year coolness with a bb and stick, I am the last one someone would call a purist but leave that bb there.
swapping engines isn't really hard at all, when things vary like power options exhaust tranny etc it might slow things down a hair but still a 73 odd one year coolness with a bb and stick, I am the last one someone would call a purist but leave that bb there.
Last edited by The13Bats; 05-02-2016 at 08:15 PM.
#10
Drifting
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
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
Wes
#11
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Your buying the wrong car if you care about fuel millage
Last edited by Nowhere Man; 05-02-2016 at 08:37 PM.
#13
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Jun 2004
Location: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
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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
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
(Just a suggestion though. Put some time into getting the distributor curve modified, and perhaps a different geared rear pumpkin, and you'll get some acceptable fuel mileage out of a 454 car.)
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WantaVette350 (05-03-2016)
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cv67 (05-03-2016)
#17
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05
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
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
Last edited by cv67; 05-03-2016 at 11:27 AM.
#19
Drifting
That's what I was thinking. My original bore 350 is lucky to get 10 MPG going downhill with a tailwind.
Well...I guess I don't REALLY know that since I always have my foot into it.
Suffice it to say that if you want splendid MPG, feel free to perform a 4 cylinder swap. I have spent some time on tractor forums and remember guys putting Kubota tractor engines into cars. Decent pickup and 50+ MPG. Anything is possible.
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.
Well...I guess I don't REALLY know that since I always have my foot into it.
Suffice it to say that if you want splendid MPG, feel free to perform a 4 cylinder swap. I have spent some time on tractor forums and remember guys putting Kubota tractor engines into cars. Decent pickup and 50+ MPG. Anything is possible.
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.
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AboveTheLogic (05-03-2016)
#20
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
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
Don't let these guys get you down. You would think it's a sin around here to get rid of a BBC.
I heard that it automatically makes your car faster just by saying" I have a Big Block"
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WantaVette350 (05-03-2016)