New project help???
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
New project help???
I have a 76 c3 that I'm trying to hot rod. This is my first project car and I need some help. First, I pulled the small block and the th350 to install a bb454 stroker and a th400. What types of issues do I have to look forward to? Besides the transmission brackets?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Wow, so you just went ahead and yanked the old motor out, along with the transmission and now you're asking for help?
I would've thought you'd have it all planned out first, or was there enough beer in the fridge to make it all the way through the afternoon?
I would've thought you'd have it all planned out first, or was there enough beer in the fridge to make it all the way through the afternoon?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,380
Likes: 415
From: N J
None that cant be overcome. My latest vette is a 77 and I am doing the same thing. Removed everything I didnt need from under the hood and cleaned it up a little bit. Put in the 454 and a little 5 speed. For starters you will obviously need a better radiator. You can use the same motor mounts and with a little creativity you will be able to use the same stock hood also if that matters. As long as mine wasnt going to be correct I didnt use any of the corvette big block only $$$ brackets and pulleys and went with a long pump and put the alt and ps pump at 1 on each side. No surprises with the exhaust, a stock bb system will work fine. Perhaps front springs will be needed and a rear sway bar also cant hurt. Lots of fun for sure. 
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
John- thanks for the reply, I've cleaned and painted under the hood, I bought a 4 core radiator with 2 electric fans. (I'm probably going to make my own brackets so I don't have to pay $$$ for a corvette bracket) I'm looking at the Hooker exhaust side pipes for big block corvettes. I'm not sure what I'm going to do for water pump, ps or alt brackets... Did you have a clearance problem with the brackets or valve head clearance with the brake booster?
Rocco-the trans came out of a 68 chevelle, it is a 400 short shaft which corvettes have (short shaft trans). I'll probably have to have a drive shaft made anyway.
Thanks everyone for your replies
Rocco-the trans came out of a 68 chevelle, it is a 400 short shaft which corvettes have (short shaft trans). I'll probably have to have a drive shaft made anyway.
Thanks everyone for your replies
Last edited by Fitterguy597; Feb 26, 2013 at 03:27 PM.
