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

Big Block Crate Motor Recommendations

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 1, 2015 | 07:02 PM
  #1  
Kid Vette's Avatar
Kid Vette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
Default Big Block Crate Motor Recommendations

I have a buddy who owns a '68. Originally was an L-71 but now has a small block in it. He wants to put a big block back in it, though not an L-71 clone. It will need to fit under a stock big block hood, oil pan needs to clear, nothing radical on HP, price needs to be reasonable. But the engine needs to be reliable; if he has problems with it he'll be in trouble with his wife.

So, any recommendations?
Reply
Old May 1, 2015 | 07:41 PM
  #2  
MrJlr's Avatar
MrJlr
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Default

ZZ572
Reply
Old May 1, 2015 | 09:52 PM
  #3  
ddawson's Avatar
ddawson
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Default

With all the issues I've read about GM create motors I'd order a 468 from one of the well known builders.

Someone like Mark vortecproperformance.
Reply
Old May 1, 2015 | 09:57 PM
  #4  
diehrd's Avatar
diehrd
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
Default

Why not go with a big cube SBC .. 427 or 434 or 454 ? Easier , plenty of power to compete with even a 572 .. No bracket or pulley changes all items are direct bolt on...
Reply
Old May 2, 2015 | 03:07 AM
  #5  
Lobzila's Avatar
Lobzila
Pro
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 607
Likes: 122
Default

Find a local engine builder and talk budget and fit. If there is a problem, you have a local contact to work with. I got a 460 with aluminum heads done for under 4500 out the door with dyno and break in already done. Had a couple of questions, and they answered them and were ready to help.
Reply
Old May 2, 2015 | 05:22 PM
  #6  
mikem350's Avatar
mikem350
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
Default

I used a ZZ454/440 horse from GM Performance, alum heads, fit nice. Check the water pump though. Has very mild cam, could make muck more hp with bigger cam.
Reply
Old May 2, 2015 | 11:18 PM
  #7  
ajrothm's Avatar
ajrothm
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Default

www.vortecproperformance.com

Mark's most mild engine is around 500hp, $5300 intake to pan. Blueprinted and dynoed. Mark is VERY meticulous on his machining and assembly....Simply can't build one for what he charges and damn sure not make his power.

http://www.vortecproperformance.com/...binations.html
Reply
Old May 5, 2015 | 12:22 AM
  #8  
Kid Vette's Avatar
Kid Vette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
Default

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like VortecPro might be the way for him to go.

I know there is a lot he could do with the small block he has, its still in good shape. However since it originally had a big block he is determined to put one back in there.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Big Block Crate Motor Recommendations

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:30 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE