WantaVette350

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

ddawson

Why? Less weight?

Take that 454 and make it a 496 if you want a stroker.

WantaVette350

Too much fuel consumption.

Crimson Thunder

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.

rdroket

You can buy a lot of gas for what the swap will cost....jmo

WantaVette350

I already have a 383 from a different project.

Jebbysan

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

Lobzila

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.

The13Bats

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.

530planeman

Springs are different and if you have power steering brackets are different ,also exhaust hook ups and depending on length o0f water pump may need another fan shroud
Wes

Nowhere Man

Your buying the wrong car if you care about fuel millage

The13Bats

someone said mileage?!?!?!

I have owned a lot of vettes from 66 to 86 and the bb cars always got better mpg than my sb cars

69427

Hey man, it's your car, so your preference is the only thing that matters.

(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.)

Danish Shark

You could probably swap parts with one of the many people who does the opposite of what you want to do.

COOLTED

BB to SB is going the wrong way, IMHO.

CheezMoe

If you would like to sell the 454 I am interested PM me.

cv67

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

bashcraft

I suppose you want an automatic transmission too?

keithinspace

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.

76Rat

If you have a SBC 383 already you will need brackets (a/c, p/s, alternator), exhaust manifolds or headers, intake, water pump, flywheel. I'm sure I missed a few things.

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"