Gmpp 454 ho

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Feb 14, 2009 | 10:56 PM

CheezMoe

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 3,456

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From: Piedmont Va

St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20

Gmpp 454 ho

Greetings all,

I am considering swapping out the SB for the 454 HO in my 73 coupe. What technical difficulties am I looking at?

Will the OEM water pump fit? Will my cowl hood clear the OEM instake with a Holley and decent air cleaner? I found some hooker headers which look like they will work, and I have new exhaust otherwise. What else will I need in the way of brackets pulleys etc? Anybody done this one?

thanks in advance, peace out.

Feb 14, 2009 | 11:02 PM

DVNTST8

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 2005

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From: if you have a ? on my avatar, please contact me directly, you spineless twit

St. Jude Donor '09

You'll need different springs on the front end, IIRC.

Feb 14, 2009 | 11:22 PM

71coupe454

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 1,224

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From: Clarksville Indiana

I went though some hassel with missing pulleys and brackets on my 71. That crap adds up quick! Not sure but I dont think much of your small block stuff is gonna work. Maybe finding a donor engine with all that stuff in tact would be the best way? I would encourage the change over but let all these guys in here tell you the most painless way.. maybe a newer donor car with serp belt system?

Feb 15, 2009 | 10:37 AM

CheezMoe

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 3,456

Likes: 102

From: Piedmont Va

St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20

Figured I'd give this a bump since I posted it late. I'm hoping maybe I can use stock brackets and pulleys for 73 454. My big concerns are intake/hood and valve cover/ brake booster clearances.

Thanks again in advance.

Last edited by CheezMoe; Feb 15, 2009 at 10:41 AM.

Feb 15, 2009 | 10:51 AM

Glass Act

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 2,545

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From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM

Alot of little things that add up fast.
Hoses, some wiring, fittings, pulleys / brackets / belts, exhaust re-done, fluids, the list goes on.

I decided not to go BB and built / installed a SB 406, it's lighter so no front spring change and cheaper to make HP. (parts) It RW hp on dyno at 477hp @ 5200 rpm.

Good luck with your swap.

Feb 15, 2009 | 10:55 AM

Glass Act

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 2,545

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From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dosoctaves

73 could be ordered with a BB so clearances will not be an issue.

Feb 15, 2009 | 12:47 PM

chevymans 77

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 2,717

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From: Sulphur LA

St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25

Quote:

Originally Posted by dosoctaves

Stock brackets will work form a BB, Intakes that will fit have been discussed here many times I don't have the list, might try a search here. The factory short valve covers will clear the brake booster, tall covers wont. Keep in mind that our cars vary and every once in a while someone gets lucky and parts fit that don't normally. BB headers are a good example they fit fine on some and on others they have to be massaged to fit.

Feb 15, 2009 | 10:33 PM

bstbrgr

Pro

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 523

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From: Elmhurst IL

Just go to Billet, they sell all the brackets for the swap. I will not look original but will have a polished dressed up look to it. I also have a 454 LS-7 GM crate motor for sale, but it's more of a high perf motor. Not for you if you plan to drive your car a lot.