C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

engine

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 6, 2012 | 02:00 PM
  #1  
mk8035's Avatar
mk8035
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Westminster
Default engine

Have 350 in the car. What would i have to change if i dropped a 454 in her?
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2012 | 02:57 PM
  #2  
Matt Gruber's Avatar
Matt Gruber
Race Director
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Influencer
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,052
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
Default

headers, pulleys, WP, FP brackets, air cleaner, maybe radiator, maybe springs due to 140# more weight.
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2012 | 03:08 PM
  #3  
mk8035's Avatar
mk8035
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Westminster
Default Engine

Seems like no big deal
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2012 | 03:55 PM
  #4  
jnb5101's Avatar
jnb5101
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
Default

you'll need the externally balanced flex plate or flywheel. if it's a 4 speed you'll also need the 621 bellhousing to fit the 11" flywheel. i don't know(but i'd like to) if a 10 1/2 clutch will bolt to a 11 flywheel.
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2012 | 06:04 PM
  #5  
dtamustang's Avatar
dtamustang
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 721
Likes: 105
From: hernando fl
Default

your underwear after your first ride
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2012 | 06:19 PM
  #6  
Gordonm's Avatar
Gordonm
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Default

Rear tires more frequently!

On the flywheel some aftermarket flywheels are drilled and tapped for both 11 inch and 10.4 inch clutches.
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2012 | 06:43 PM
  #7  
Tim H's Avatar
Tim H
Safety Car
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by mk8035
Seems like no big deal
well jump right into it for a weekend project and be driving Monday morning to work!
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2012 | 02:40 AM
  #8  
oldalaskaman's Avatar
oldalaskaman
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Default

Originally Posted by Tim H
well jump right into it for a weekend project and be driving Monday morning to work!
amen on this one
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 7, 2012 | 03:25 AM
  #9  
3JsVette's Avatar
3JsVette
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Default

Originally Posted by mk8035
Have 350 in the car. What would i have to change if i dropped a 454 in her?
The frequency that you visit gas stations.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2012 | 06:37 AM
  #10  
fishslayer143's Avatar
fishslayer143
Drifting
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
Default

theres one more thing you will need that hasn t been mentioned.. a taller hood.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2012 | 07:58 AM
  #11  
KenSny's Avatar
KenSny
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Default

You will certainly need to get stiffer front springs and shocks otherwise the nose will be down. The weight difference is substantial.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2012 | 12:44 PM
  #12  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by mk8035
...Seems like no big deal...
I suppose that would depend on your definition of "big deal." The swap is possible. It will be more work than you might think.

Reply
Old Oct 7, 2012 | 01:12 PM
  #13  
Stingray-Jer's Avatar
Stingray-Jer
Racer
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 3
From: Presently working under contract in Alabama
Default

I'm not sure if you will need a larger radiator or not, but it is something to consider based upon the type of driving you will be doing. If not the radiator then maybe add and electric fan?
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2012 | 06:40 PM
  #14  
iokepakai's Avatar
iokepakai
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 62
From: Kona Hawaii
Default

Swap in a 427ci small block & OD trans.Then tell em you just got smoked by a 350!! Wanna See...
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2012 | 08:30 PM
  #15  
uxojerry's Avatar
uxojerry
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 896
Likes: 7
Default

For the price of a crate 454, you can get a lot more motor and horsepower. The following vendors have some nice choices.

1. Vortecpro performance.
2. ultrastreet.net
3. Nyes engines
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 10:43 AM
  #16  
Doug Kraft's Avatar
Doug Kraft
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 366
Likes: 7
From: Mobile Al
Default

Did the same 30 years ago. Get the right rad shroud, pulleys, headers and drop it in. I used the stock rad, springs and the bellhousing that came with the car, although I did put a new clutch on it. My motor had the balencer and flywheel already on it when I got it. When we were ready to set it in from the time I stopped the org 350 after driving over to my friends shop untill I started the big block it took alittle over 4 hours. Hardest part was driving back home thru town with the open headers. So if you ask me it really isn't a "big deal"
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 11:46 AM
  #17  
joewill's Avatar
joewill
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
Default

along with the taller hood, you will need to get it painted and fitted to match color and finish. good luck getting a shop to do that for you.. hood and paint probably add 1500-2000 to the project ... only if they can match it well..

engine itself, shroud, pulleys, belts, manifolds, exhaust, heavier front springs, heavier front sway bar, higher capacity radiator, wires, hoses, flywheel, damper, bellhousing..


while it is out.. clutch, restore engine compartment, rebuild tranny.. and more

at best a winter project and 10K, unless you pay someone, then 15K
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To engine

Old Oct 10, 2012 | 12:20 PM
  #18  
bashcraft's Avatar
bashcraft
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Default

Originally Posted by Doug Kraft
from the time I stopped the org 350 after driving over to my friends shop untill I started the big block it took alittle over 4 hours.
Originally Posted by joewill
at best a winter project and 10K, unless you pay someone, then 15K
Some people work faster than others.

I swapped in a 502 about 5 years ago. Used the SB radiator, springs, clutch fan and shroud. You'll need exhaust, accessory brackets, pulleys, belts, hoses and a case of beer.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 12:32 PM
  #19  
oldalaskaman's Avatar
oldalaskaman
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Default

it mostly depends on your experience, but amen on the beer
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 01:26 PM
  #20  
ezobens's Avatar
ezobens
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
Default

I think the weight difference between a cast SBC and a cast BBC is only about 100-110 pounds?
Slap some aluminum heads, intake and headers on the BBC and you can probably get away with using the stock SBC springs IMO.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:04 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE