Big Block 572 in a C3
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Big Block 572 in a C3
I am interested in dropping a 572 in a '70 model Vette and interested in anyone with experience. I am particularly interested in hood clearance. Will a big block hood or a L88 hood clear the carb? Any other issues anyone has experienced? I know the 572 block is somewhat larger than the 454 or 502 and would like to know if anyone has done it.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,892
Likes: 13
From: Pettis Performance 565 with two stages of Nitrous Supply nitrous 1.082, 4.61 at 155, 7.17 at 192
Hood clearance will be a major issue. Even an L-88 hood will be at least 2 in. too short.....do a search you can probably find some more info
Nice motor, btw
Nice motor, btw
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
If it is based on a low deck block it is NO problem. It fits just like a 454. No one could tell the difference. I am running a 540 and all 454 parts switch right over.
If it is based on the tall deck then NO it is a problem. With the taller deck the motor is alot wider, the heads hit the steering box, the distributor needs to be longer and a special intake is needed.
If it is a GM crate motor I believe it is low deck but not sure.
Durango boy why does he need a special beefy tranny and heavy springs. I run more power then the 572 can put out with a normal tremec TKO and liked the small block springs.
I also ran a stock corvette rearend with slicks and a nitrous big block for years without a problem.
The 540 is an alternative and it uses all 454 parts and is a guaranteed fit.
If it is based on the tall deck then NO it is a problem. With the taller deck the motor is alot wider, the heads hit the steering box, the distributor needs to be longer and a special intake is needed.
If it is a GM crate motor I believe it is low deck but not sure.
Durango boy why does he need a special beefy tranny and heavy springs. I run more power then the 572 can put out with a normal tremec TKO and liked the small block springs.
I also ran a stock corvette rearend with slicks and a nitrous big block for years without a problem.
The 540 is an alternative and it uses all 454 parts and is a guaranteed fit.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Durango boy why does he need a special beefy tranny and heavy springs. I run more power then the 572 can put out with a normal tremec TKO and liked the small block springs.
I also ran a stock corvette rearend with slicks and a nitrous big block for years without a problem.
The 540 is an alternative and it uses all 454 parts and is a guaranteed fit.
I also ran a stock corvette rearend with slicks and a nitrous big block for years without a problem.
The 540 is an alternative and it uses all 454 parts and is a guaranteed fit.
He probably doesn't have a TKO, and a lot of people don't like the bounce you get from a big block in a small block car over bumpy terrain.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,892
Likes: 13
From: Pettis Performance 565 with two stages of Nitrous Supply nitrous 1.082, 4.61 at 155, 7.17 at 192
The GM crate motor (572) is a tall deck with a tall single plane intake.....ain't gonna fit with an L-88 hood, not even close. Some here have modifed the L-88 to make taller motors fit....do a search
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 81
From: Nashville, TN
Cut it! Just do it and be done! I quit trying to work around it, #'s matching guys cringe when they see me coming, but they are also way behind me when were leaving, lol! Mines just a sb, i can only imagine how nice your 572 would look coming up through that hood.
Last edited by King Lear; Jan 24, 2007 at 01:37 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
The tall deck is just to difficult to fit in our cars. The increased height is only .400 but it makes the motor alot wider, especially when you combine it with raised exhuast ports.
As for the bounce with small block springs I really liked the ride that my 280 pound springs gave. I combined it with a huge sway bar for cornering and drove that combination about 15 years.
I tried 460 and 550 and hated both of them.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Other then cutting the hood what else can you do? I really wanted the tall deck and the passengers side I wouldn't hesitate to cut the frame for header clearance but the steering box is the problem. You header tubes run right into the box.
Suprisingly with the raised exhuast ports even normal headers don't work. 3 of the spark plugs run right into the tubes.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
572 in a C3
While the height issue is one problem and what kind of after market hood would fit if an L88 isn't tall enough, the other issue is the width and size of the heads.
Will it hit the frame, steering box or power brake master cylinder? I can modify headers to wrap around, under and through but I can't change the basic dimentions of this monster.
Any help from someone who has done this would be great!
Will it hit the frame, steering box or power brake master cylinder? I can modify headers to wrap around, under and through but I can't change the basic dimentions of this monster.
Any help from someone who has done this would be great!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 1
From: Nederland Texas
Other then cutting the hood what else can you do? I really wanted the tall deck and the passengers side I wouldn't hesitate to cut the frame for header clearance but the steering box is the problem. You header tubes run right into the box.
Suprisingly with the raised exhuast ports even normal headers don't work. 3 of the spark plugs run right into the tubes.
Suprisingly with the raised exhuast ports even normal headers don't work. 3 of the spark plugs run right into the tubes.
First I would like to say what a big help you have been to me over the years here. So here comes the "but". I didn't have any head-to-steering box issues. I did have my Hooker Headers touch the box slightly so I "massaged" it with a hammer and then ground a small amount off the lip of the steering box. I cut the stock flanges off the Hookers and positioned new ones on the raised-port heads and re-welded. Not a big issue. I cut a small amount of fiberglass off behind the driver's side valve cover so I could remove it while the engine was in. No other engine bay mods except for the raising of the L-88 hood. I have zero plug-to-header issuues and the wires clear fine.
BTW, your hydraulic clutch advice worked perfect, thanks!
-Patrick
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 1
From: Nederland Texas
GAndrus,
PM me for any detailed engine or installation info. There are a lot of CF members in your area that were a great help to me. I believe there is a meeting this weekend at 427Hotrod's house to assemble Vetmaniac's 638 for his 72. Also, check out nwhoustonvette-rods.com for TShort's new BB install and other cars in your area.
-P
PM me for any detailed engine or installation info. There are a lot of CF members in your area that were a great help to me. I believe there is a meeting this weekend at 427Hotrod's house to assemble Vetmaniac's 638 for his 72. Also, check out nwhoustonvette-rods.com for TShort's new BB install and other cars in your area.
-P
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I see you have manual brakes. It would seem impossible to run a vacuum booster, so anyone with that large of a motor would have to have manual brakes or a Hydroboost assist unit right?
What springs did you use?
What springs did you use?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I would have gone the tall deck route if I thought I could clear the steering box. The year before I went with the Brodix heads that had .600 raise exhuast ports and plugs 1,3 and 4 ran right into the header tubes. I had to cut and move all 3 of these tubes. While these heads cleared the steering box, I also ran hydroboost so valve cover clearance wasn't an issue. I also cut and move the firewall in one spot so the heads could be pulled up and over the studs without hitting the firewall.
You did do alot of exhuast work and this is one of the worst jobs I can think of. I don't mind cutting and modifying a frame but those header tubes are no fun.
You have a beautiful setup but for the average guy the 540 is not far behind and fits without a problem with all the 454 parts.
If you are willing to take an overbore the 572 can be made with the short block but it leave you with no overbore left in case of a problem.
I was just too chicken to take the challenge of the tall deck.
You did do alot of exhuast work and this is one of the worst jobs I can think of. I don't mind cutting and modifying a frame but those header tubes are no fun.
You have a beautiful setup but for the average guy the 540 is not far behind and fits without a problem with all the 454 parts.
If you are willing to take an overbore the 572 can be made with the short block but it leave you with no overbore left in case of a problem.
I was just too chicken to take the challenge of the tall deck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 1
From: Nederland Texas
Norval is correct. You will have more power than you can imagine with the 540. I looked at the short deck 572 but engine builders seemed to be concerned about wrist pin interference when twisting the engine up. The talldeck took away the issue and also provided lots more cubes which allowed for more HP without sacrificing drivability as much. The engine makes 800+ and is pump-gas friendly. Of course that blower sticking thru Norval's hood makes me jealous!
-P
-P
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
with regard to engine height it seems to me that custom engine mounts could be fabricated to drop the motor an inch. Stock mounts are quite thick. The engine supports could be reworked as well to drop the engine in the bay even further.
Run a small block hood to have a real sleeper. Everyone expects you to be faster than God with them enormous hoods or stuff sticking thru, so you will never surprise anyone ......only dissapoint.
Last edited by turtlevette; Jan 24, 2007 at 08:02 PM.