as of now my c3 has the 350 but a man earlier today offered my his suburban with a 454. i just want the engine but would this be a good idea to put that in my car he was only asking $600 sounds like a good deal im just not very familiar with engines so i wanted to see what you guys say!

 

you will have to spend more than $600 for all the additional parts you will need.
And if this suburban is that cheap - you really want to put an used, old engine in your vette?
Anyway, the truck-454 could be a cheap base for a new built BB.

 

it should be a regular height deck, so the block is the same as a 2 bolt main vette engine. it probably has a low rpm cam, which would be unacceptable for your use. an engine builder would probably charge $2500-3000 to machine the block, heads and crank, and install new internals. then, as mentioned above, accessories(water pump,intake, brackets, exhaust manifolds or headers, change exhaust pipes to 2 1/2 inch, etc) would set you back $1200-1600 more. then changing the springs for the extra weight(unless you go with aluminum heads-more $$$), and while you're at it the bushings-well you get the idea. bb does not stand for big block, is stand for big bucks. the $600 engine will be by far the cheapest item in the change.
but, man-o man, when you nail that pedal, you'll forget about the money!

 

Don't forget a new radiator. I looked into it several months back and it was just going to cost more than I wanted to spend. As said previously, the engine is the cheap part in this situation.

 

It sounds like a fun project. Yes it will cost more for parts vs a small block rebuild, but machining costs shouldn't be much different. As mentioned, it will be all the conversion parts that will add up. If you feel adventurous, spend a few hours researching exactly what you'll need. Get a really close ball park figure then decide. A big block powered corvette was my dream, until I talked to a few guys who have had them. They tend to run hot, are heavy, and you'll need to put gas in it more often. I opted in rebuilding my 350 into a 383.

 

Don't do it.
Spend the $600 on some goodies for the 350.

 

 

I'm all for BB'ing your C3 (did my '78 ages ago), but if you don't budget to replace the "truck" bits with "perf" bits, you'll have a 'vette that runs pretty much like a Suburban. FWIW, high-perf BB's cost a bunch more than similarly built SB's. If you have the funds to it right, I'd go for it, but if not I've got to agree you're better off investing in your SB.

 

So heres what I can tell you.....Ive got a 82 Camaro with a very worked 350. He pushes about 400 hp, and Ive got about 2800 invested in it. ( I built it on a serious budget.) With a 3 speed auto hooked up to it, it actually faster than my Corvette with a 454...HOWEVER...

My Vette has GOBS of torque. That 454 throws me around. Its a totally different feeling...Its a rough, brutal feel. Everybody talks about how much heavier the 454 is, but in reality its only about 100 lbs...Thats like having a small passenger in the car with you. You wouldnt buy new shocks over a small woman in your car, would you? Anything big block is more expensive.....but its relative. Its all about 20% more, which makes sense based on the sheer size of the stuff.

Now, will the truck 454 fit? Yes, it will drop in. Will it feel better than your 350? No, its going to be sluggish and unresponsive. However, you will be able to tow a boat with it. You will at LEAST need a new cam, intake and carb. (another 500 bucks, bare minn) I dont know how mechanically adept you are, but the vette doesnt have much room for an engine swap, its going to take quite a bit of time and shoehorning.

Bottom line. If this was a fresh 454 or an engine that was meant for a vette Id say go for it. However, n its current state, you are just buying a worn out engine thats going to need serious work to perform better than a SBC. If you have the time, mechanical know how and an extra 3k, DO IT! If not, walk away.

 

Unless you're planning on rebuilding it with some better heads and intake, pass on it. You will likely be another $600 in just brackets and engine pulleys.

Having said that, if you do decide to build a hipo 454, it will flat out murder a 350. There's no comparison. With AL heads and intake, they're about the same weight as an iron headed SBC.

 

Agree with all the comments above.

OTOH, $600 isn't a bad price for a builder 454....especially if it comes with a car. Buy the 'Burb, pull the engine, sell the rest for $400 and start saving for a rebuild.

How much is it worth answer the question "is it a 350?" with " ...nah, it's a 454 ".

:-)
John

 

Pull the engine, scrap the truck. Maybe keep the tanny, Port the heck out of the heads at no cost,(won't flow like aftermarket) but for a driver would be OK.
It's true all the rebuild stuff would be more expensive, but a BB IS fun.

 

some Incentive for you, my car came with no motor,
so I choose the biggest, Bang for the Buck !
454 block sent out machine work, 10:1
can't beat a reasonable 454 build cost wise, parts are plenty avalaible.
you wll need lots of things to make the switch,
pulleys, brackets. an more.
I am just now getting to drive it! Glad I went with 454!
disregaurd the breather on the motor.

 

If you do have the budget and time go for the 454.
Did my 76 4 years ago. Took me 2 years to collect all the parsts and the project took 6 months from start to finish. Swapped a 406 for a blown 496.
No problem with overheating. DeWitts radiator with dual fan, one starts with the engine and the other kicks in at 195.
Temperature here is around 85-90 year around.
Front suspension was changed for monoleafspring and steering was changed for a rack and pinion.

 

If you do, please keep the original 350 so you wont completely lose every dollar of value on this deal. Dont let someone tell you its not worth anything with that car.

 

sounds like i'm just going to be better off "working over" my 350. a BB would be awesome and fun but i dont know if my time and resources would support it.

one day though!

 

buy the big block and sell it to pay for your sb crate motor.

 

Question is, how much will you have in the swap without a motor? Say you had a fully rebuilt motor, how much more will it be?