weight difference BBC/SBC?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 7
weight difference BBC/SBC?
How big would the weight difference be from a stock 350 SB, with iron intake, copper radiator, iron waterpump to a 454 BB, with alu heads, alu intake, alu waterpumpe, alu radiator?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 291
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From: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (home in Colorado Springs)
Front springs will have to be replaced for the extra weight. VBP sells a mid-range set of 400ish pounds and actually lowers it by 1 inch. F-41 springs were 500+ I think, where as stock were under 300 pounds.
Also note, most BB Vettes had a rear anti-sway bar.
As for handeling...the shear dynamics of the mass & weight physics would suggest there will be some handeling diffrences. Heat buildup, fuel economy, Corvette envy, increases in traffic violations and a host of other factors come into play when upgrading to a BB.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
Rowdy Rat sent me the following information:
Front Springs:
350 (no A/C) - Part #3931823 - "HS" - 250 lbs/in
350 (with A/C) - Part #3931824 - "HT" - 264 lbs/in
454 (no A/C) - Part #3931825 - "HU" -284 lbs/in
454 (with A/C) Part #3931826 - "HV" - 325 lbs/in
F41 (all) - Part #3832518 - "EA" - 550 lbs/in.
cc
Front Springs:
350 (no A/C) - Part #3931823 - "HS" - 250 lbs/in
350 (with A/C) - Part #3931824 - "HT" - 264 lbs/in
454 (no A/C) - Part #3931825 - "HU" -284 lbs/in
454 (with A/C) Part #3931826 - "HV" - 325 lbs/in
F41 (all) - Part #3832518 - "EA" - 550 lbs/in.
cc
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
So really what you are saying is you have no clue.....
Ronaldo.....I've done the conversion of my SB Vette to a 454 BB, and you will DEFINITELY need to upgrade your front springs....I lost 25mm of ride height in the front after installing the 454, and this made the oil pan way too close to the ground....I would also recommend that you upgrade the rear sway bar....
I had the suspension, brakes and steering rebuilt while it was still an SB, so, in my opinion, the handling with the 454 is much, much better....especially at wide open throttle and the upper MPH ranges....the added weight in the front seems to make it hold the road better....but in saying that, it's also harder on the brakes....
Don't look for excuses to not do the conversion.....the torque of a big block is an amazing thing
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 7
Nice... I don't care if I have to change the front springs. Im going to rebuild the suspension anyway before I put a new engine in it. I just wanted to know if the car handles like **** with a BB. Thats what I have been told.
I already have a big block rearend/single fuellinje, so maybe the car was a big block originally.
I already have a big block rearend/single fuellinje, so maybe the car was a big block originally.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
The bigger question is whether or not you have the budget for a BB, as IMHO the available performance makes the weight comparison moot if you go with alum heads (~75# savings vs. iron)...
I've had 3 sharks, all BB's. One was a '69 L71 427. Another was a '70 ZR1 that was re-engined with a 427 before I bought it. And my SA has had one BB or another in it most of it's life (two 427's, and a 496 in the works). I wouldn't have it any other way.
If it's handling you want, you'll be fine if you do your homework before getting to work on your suspension. Don't be afraid of stiff springs.
I've had 3 sharks, all BB's. One was a '69 L71 427. Another was a '70 ZR1 that was re-engined with a 427 before I bought it. And my SA has had one BB or another in it most of it's life (two 427's, and a 496 in the works). I wouldn't have it any other way.
If it's handling you want, you'll be fine if you do your homework before getting to work on your suspension. Don't be afraid of stiff springs.
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Feb 13, 2008 at 07:19 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
But did you convert from an all iron SBC to a mostly aluminum BBC? According to his first post, and the difference in parts, I don't think he'll have the kind of weight increase you experienced when you did your swap. I would be interested to see the actual weights but he is either very close to same weight, maybe even a hair under.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
Not to hijack, but how much lighter is a full aluminum LS engine than a stock cast iron block/heads/water pump, aluminum intake 350? That's the direction I'm headed, looking for both big power and good handling.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
Complete cast iron heads are around 72 - 75 lbs apiece, I ship 'em all the time, so that's one number I'm familiar with.
Viperbaron, be careful if you're planning to swap big block heads in-car, those heavy suckers are tough to handle and can do plenty of damage to fiberglass in the blink of an eye.
Viperbaron, be careful if you're planning to swap big block heads in-car, those heavy suckers are tough to handle and can do plenty of damage to fiberglass in the blink of an eye.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (home in Colorado Springs)
Complete cast iron heads are around 72 - 75 lbs apiece, I ship 'em all the time, so that's one number I'm familiar with.
Viperbaron, be careful if you're planning to swap big block heads in-car, those heavy suckers are tough to handle and can do plenty of damage to fiberglass in the blink of an eye.
Viperbaron, be careful if you're planning to swap big block heads in-car, those heavy suckers are tough to handle and can do plenty of damage to fiberglass in the blink of an eye.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
But did you convert from an all iron SBC to a mostly aluminum BBC? According to his first post, and the difference in parts, I don't think he'll have the kind of weight increase you experienced when you did your swap. I would be interested to see the actual weights but he is either very close to same weight, maybe even a hair under.
You are saying that a BB with aluminun heads and intake will be "very close or even a hair under" an all iron SB?
Think you need to do some homework
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
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