engine swap, few questions
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
engine swap, few questions
I'm new here and my dad recently bought a 1979 Vette, it has the stock 350 in it. My dad wants more power 
He's looking into a crate 502 Big Block (500+hp and 550+ torque), he and I don't know much about engine swapping in a vette. Can you help us out?
What will we all need, will the rear end be able to handle the power, what about the trans.
thanks in advance
He's looking into a crate 502 Big Block (500+hp and 550+ torque), he and I don't know much about engine swapping in a vette. Can you help us out?What will we all need, will the rear end be able to handle the power, what about the trans.
thanks in advance
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I'm new here and my dad recently bought a 1979 Vette, it has the stock 350 in it. My dad wants more power He's looking into a crate 502 Big Block (500+hp and 550+ torque), he and I don't know much about engine swapping in a vette. Can you help us out?
What will we all need, will the rear end be able to handle the power, what about the trans.
thanks in advance
He's looking into a crate 502 Big Block (500+hp and 550+ torque), he and I don't know much about engine swapping in a vette. Can you help us out?What will we all need, will the rear end be able to handle the power, what about the trans.
thanks in advance
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
You'd be surprised at how many late C3's have BB's under the hood. Threw out the L82 that came in my '78 SA many years ago in favor of a 427. Never a second thought...
btw... 1980 was the year the rear diff setup was changed over to the Dana 44, so I believe the '79 ought to still have the good half-shafts, but you should go thru everything and make sure it's in tip-top shape before pouring on the extra torque.
btw... 1980 was the year the rear diff setup was changed over to the Dana 44, so I believe the '79 ought to still have the good half-shafts, but you should go thru everything and make sure it's in tip-top shape before pouring on the extra torque.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
There's plenty of high rise hoods available, should it not fit under the stock one...
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,346
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
figure whatever he thinks he's going to spend on an engine and that's how much he's going to start with keeping the drivetrain under it.
if you're seriously thinking of throwing 500-600hp at a c3, you better come with buckets of cash. once the cash is spent, you can use the buckets to collect all the broken little drivetrain parts.
if you're seriously thinking of throwing 500-600hp at a c3, you better come with buckets of cash. once the cash is spent, you can use the buckets to collect all the broken little drivetrain parts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
figure whatever he thinks he's going to spend on an engine and that's how much he's going to start with keeping the drivetrain under it.
if you're seriously thinking of throwing 500-600hp at a c3, you better come with buckets of cash. once the cash is spent, you can use the buckets to collect all the broken little drivetrain parts.
if you're seriously thinking of throwing 500-600hp at a c3, you better come with buckets of cash. once the cash is spent, you can use the buckets to collect all the broken little drivetrain parts.
btw... should have mentioned not putting in a solid tranny mount, which will help avoid causing quite as much drivetrain carnage...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 950
From: Keizer Oregon
A big block may bolt right in, but be prepared to mod many small things. Even my sb stroker motor build required new brackets, fasteners, belts and etc. Why not consider a hot stroker small block? Much easier to swap, as far as parts, mounts, and etc. and more then plenty of ***** available.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,504
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
You've obviously never driven a good big block car...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
You may have a hot stroker SB that you cant drive in town with the same amount of HP that you can easily drive in town with a big block...Besides I've found the BB to be more fuel efficient... My dad gets 7-8 mpg on the highway with his heavily modified 355 L82 and another forum member with a ZZ502 told me he gets 8 - 10 mpg!
Also I have done some research in 1971 the LS6 supposedly got better mileage than the LT-1 and in 1973 the LS4 got better mileage than the L82... I don't remember what the exact numbers were but GM claimed that the big blocks got better gas mileage by atleast 2 MPG
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Seville Ohio
figure whatever he thinks he's going to spend on an engine and that's how much he's going to start with keeping the drivetrain under it.
if you're seriously thinking of throwing 500-600hp at a c3, you better come with buckets of cash. once the cash is spent, you can use the buckets to collect all the broken little drivetrain parts.
if you're seriously thinking of throwing 500-600hp at a c3, you better come with buckets of cash. once the cash is spent, you can use the buckets to collect all the broken little drivetrain parts.
I see someone is wanting to do the same thing. I have a little experience under my belt now so I may be able to help others.