Big Block into a late c3
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Big Block into a late c3
Hi everyone,
As the title refers to, is it feasible to put a big block engine into a later year c3, a 1980 to be precise??? Or has anyone done anything like this??
I have the oppertunity to get a pretty good deal on a really nice looking '80 but the engine is not in good shape (its a non numbers car to begin with).
My dad and i were thinking about doing either a 454 or just going all out with the 572. We know anything is possible with enough time and money, but we dont want to take on anything thats too involved, if you know what i mean.
Any and all input is greatly appreciated
Thanks...
--Mike
As the title refers to, is it feasible to put a big block engine into a later year c3, a 1980 to be precise??? Or has anyone done anything like this??
I have the oppertunity to get a pretty good deal on a really nice looking '80 but the engine is not in good shape (its a non numbers car to begin with).
My dad and i were thinking about doing either a 454 or just going all out with the 572. We know anything is possible with enough time and money, but we dont want to take on anything thats too involved, if you know what i mean.
Any and all input is greatly appreciated
Thanks...
--Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Lots of people have done it already.
Personally I'd say screw all of the added effort of putting a BBC in and just get a motown block and go with a 427 or 454 small block and have 500 - 600hp.
Personally I'd say screw all of the added effort of putting a BBC in and just get a motown block and go with a 427 or 454 small block and have 500 - 600hp.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Kalway
Lots of people have done it already.
Personally I'd say screw all of the added effort of putting a BBC in and just get a motown block and go with a 427 or 454 small block and have 500 - 600hp.
Personally I'd say screw all of the added effort of putting a BBC in and just get a motown block and go with a 427 or 454 small block and have 500 - 600hp.
Ok, that is pretty darn cool, i never knew of such a thing, that may be the way to go, thanks alot for the info.
Im sure ill have more questions along the way.
Thanks...
--Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by dcvingv6
Ok, that is pretty darn cool, i never knew of such a thing, that may be the way to go, thanks alot for the info.
Im sure ill have more questions along the way.
Thanks...
--Mike
Im sure ill have more questions along the way.
Thanks...
--Mike
Beware, though, to get one made from World Products is PRICEY. Go to a local engine builder and have them build you one with the motown block, it'll probably be half the price of WP's. The 454 Motown fully assembled and ready to drop in and go is $11k. My local engine builder estimated it'd cost way under $5000 for him to make one with all forged components and internally balanced. Good luck and have fun! 
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,932
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Go with the BB, it's not much more of an undertaking than swapping 350's. You'll need different front springs, larger rad etc but essentially the grunt work is the same.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
Kalway, put me in line for a couple of those under 5K 427 SBC's. With a block at $1500+, good forged internals and a decent flowing set of heads, your parts alone will be over $5000. I'm going big block with mine, can't get the cubes out of a small block that I want. You can build a good, strong 406 with a factory block, good internals and aftermarket aluminum heads for around 5K and it'll shred the tires off, something to think about. Good luck, keep us posted.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by L88Plus
Kalway, put me in line for a couple of those under 5K 427 SBC's. With a block at $1500+, good forged internals and a decent flowing set of heads, your parts alone will be over $5000. I'm going big block with mine, can't get the cubes out of a small block that I want. You can build a good, strong 406 with a factory block, good internals and aftermarket aluminum heads for around 5K and it'll shred the tires off, something to think about. Good luck, keep us posted.