Hey guys, just did some work for an old farmer and traded him for a 78 stingray, he parked it in 91 when the motor started knockin with 30k original on the odo and covered it, talk about a hell of a freebie anyways i've got the old small block out and I'm wondering what all engines will fit in this bad boy without major mods, I have another 350 I just picked up for a few hundred to get her runnin, 4 bolt instead of the 2, but the old man at the wreckin yard had a 454 guarenteed to run for dirt cheap, any ideas? I've seen a few threds on swappin an ls1 but it seems like more work than its really worth for the end result, however badass I'm new to this world being 22 and coming from building performance subaru's so any help I can get, web pages, tech docs, old school trial and error, all are appreciated.
Looking forward to the responses
-Matt-

 

Have you looked at new crate engines? GM performance parts has a good selection of 350's that will drop right in. $2,000-3,500 would put you a nice new motor in that bad boy. If the car's been parked since '91, there'll be other things needing attention after the motor is installed. Brakes, hoses, etc. Good luck.
KC

 

I was you 9 months ago. Got a 79 & thought well I'll throw a new motor in it. No big deal, I'll be cruzing in no time. Now I have psyatica & water on the knee, (from crawling under it so much) bouts of depression, insomnia a little mania (from trying to figure out the mysteries of forgotten technology) NO MONEY & I've still never driven it!

Granted I'm pretty sure forum members here would agree I do have the worst luck in the world with mine & I'm incredibly stubborn (or masochistic) because I want to do it myself but you should watch my video series. You may run across something that will help when you run into problems. More importantly you may see what NOT to do. (fire etc)

http://members.streetfire.net/profile/MrGoFaster.htm

 

Most any SBC can fit the only thing to watch out for is the air filter to hood clearance. Its a small gap as is and a high rise intake will most likely not fit. i would stick to a small block unless you want to go through quite a few mods and probably a new high rise hood. but then again its your car and how you want it to look is up to you.. nothing can replace BBC power

 

The big block will physically bolt to the same mounts and transmission, but then you
have to come up with brackets, pulleys, and various other items to complete the swap.
Its almost impossible to do cheaply, depending of course on what you think is cheap.

 

Good info so far, god I want the big block, I'm up for the idea of the 350 but again being the newb here i'm not sure what my best route would be, I'd like to get this car into a low 11, high 10 range and I am quite familiar with nitrous and boost technologies, what seems to be the better solution for the chev's? I'm planning on rebuilding the motor no matter what unless I get a crate, and would prefer to go FI but also know it won't be cheap. The bracket accessories do sound like a pain but if it came down to it I could fab some. Oh and update I started pullin my block apart only to find the #1 sparkplug was actually a drain plug for the water being stored. Ah well I called and their gonna swap me for it.

MrGoFaster thanks for the heads up, i'm excited to see what the fire is about and i'll check your videos soon. What can be done as far as goin to a manual intead of the auto trans?
Thanks Guys!!

 

If you dont have a problem running nitrous or boost, then you definitely dont need a big block to accomplish your goals.
I would take one of the 350s that you already have and turn it into a 383. Its not too dificult to get 500 hp out of a 383 and that is enough power to run low 11s without power adders as long as you have the rest of the car properly set up.

 

You're going to set the car up for just drag racing?



I'm opinionated here.....but to me, that seems like a huge waste.

If you want fuel injection, then go with an LS1 swap. Read the pinned thread about it. It's no picnick, I think guys have an easier time getting the LS1 into RX7s, lol. But FOR that trouble, you get an aluminum block, hard to beat. Light weight, has a lot of aftermarket support, and can make good power.


But if weight and FI is not a major concern, go with the 350 4 bolt you already have. You said you were planning to rebuild it anyway, right?

 

LSx motor - That's what I'd do

 

Good barter for the Vette, load up some pictures love to see what shape she's in.

 

There are many things that will need to be rebuilt or replaced if the car has been sitting for so long. Hopefully it was stored in a barn and not outside. Posting some pics of the car, including the frame, suspension, engine and interior will give those of us who have torn a Vette apart an idea of the condition of the car. We can then advise you whether you have a good car or if the old farmer pulled a fast one.



Rick B.

 

Pics go a LONG way on this forum & you might save yourself several headaches & a money pit by avoiding a rebuild on a car that is just too far gone for the effort like me but then again, I'm going ahead with it anyway.

I found a 400HP circle track motor for mine for $1200 but its a 2 bolt instead of a 4 bolt. It was something like $20 more than buying everything needed (mines machine shop costs) for a 383 kit. I looked into that option as well. I just went with another motor because #1 my original block had been decked & the casting numbers were gone to prove it was the original block. (No point in keeping it.) & #2 I hadn't rebuilt one before & for about 20 bucks difference I could avoid all those problems of figuring it out.

Sounds like you already have a mechanical grasp on motors & just new to the specifics of domestics, unless I'm reading you wrong?

If you find out that your block is shot there are some pretty good deals on the GM website for crate motors in a variety of packages & costs & (correct me if I'm wrong) I think they have a warranty.

Another option to consider is buying a motor prebuilt from ebaY. You're going to get what you pay for when it comes to the internal parts being made in USA or China but there is a verity of motors (350, 454 LS1 etc) for a verity of applications (daily driver to all out dragster) worth searching through & checking out.

To post a pic, upload to any image hosting site, right click the pic, hit properties, copy the address of the pic, come here, click the yellow button that says Insert Image above where you type, past addy into the space given, click OK & it will do this with your pic.



Here is when I first got mine.

 

Alright boys here she is, one small blemish on the nose from when the old farmer parked it (hit a ping pong table? hahaha), plus about a decade plus of dirt and mouse infestation but she was barned and covered, I've yanked the interior and caught the hanta virus doin so, j/k, wrapped all the solid pieces in a nice black suede and i'm starting to switch the old electronics over to a new micro relay sys, although the damn window motors were burnt out and I discovered that there is almost no room for door actuators!!! And With the one mile security system power locks are a must kid I've started removing the ignition and replaced it with an experimental usb key design that I’ve been concocting for a bit with a push button starter, began designing the fiberglass boxes for the rear speakers and I'm loving the rear compartments as they will have ample space for the 4 chan amp and capacitor. The photos only show progress up to a few weeks ago but I will have more soon, I misplaced my camera on a "festive birthday" weekend. Hey KevinK As far as making the car "Just a drag car" I don't plan on putting much into stiffening the body or suspension, I honestly do not see much potential in the car as a track machine, with the long body and what would seem as a poor overall weight distribution it would seem a pricey and lengthy project to even bring it up to snub with my wrx, I'm putting down almost 530 to the wheels in an AWD electronically controlled diff, she runs a 10.7 at my mile high Colorado track and will pull enough G's to make a man sterile. I can appreciate an all around car, but would like to spend more money and attention to making this a "true" old school American muscle straight line beast. If I wanted to get a track car I’d invest in a Nissan GTR (SEXY!!!) Not to be disrespectful brotha. Anyways I'm gonna paint the interior with a good sealant and dynamat everything, I'm gonna just order a carpet kit and fiberglass all other interior parts I see as obsolete. I would like to go to an all digital HVAC system but I'm having trouble finding one, any suggestions boys? I'll pull the whole gauge cluster and upgrade to a new digital sys, maybe just do a touch screen ICC (in car computer) I guess this would be a good time to mention I'm a Master MECP install tech so I'm a wicked nerd. Anyways keep firing at me I love the support and ridicule!! It makes me think twice about everything!! peace out yall!!
-Matt-

 

also if anyone has an rx7 FD shell for cheap i'd love to swap out an LS1 into one of those bad boys and I pay cash!!!

 

Well, I gotta say, it looks pretty good for sitting for all those years.

Best of success with your build

 

Thanks cap!! I cant compain being that it was bought for a few hours of work, as far as I can tell the body and frame are emmaculate, I do want to do something about that ghastly pneumatic knightmare that seems to be the headlight assembly, I found almost ten vacume hoses that link to the system, what the eff? anyone done an electronic swap an what have you done for such? I'm so excited to hit this with a 21st century luv, let me know boys!!
-Matt-

 

Nice looking car.

There are several guys on here that have done an electric conversion with salvage Trans Am parts that are upgraded with metal gears. It requires some light custom fabrication but noting serious.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ts-how-to.html

If you're thinking about going all digital dash & you've got the coin, then you have to check this out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-...spagenameZWDVW

 

Matt

Welcome to the forum.
PL were avail. in the 78-82 body.
Your interior mods like "black suede" would make a good topic in C3 General.
You should start a new topic on the "digital HVAC system". I have thought about making another change to mine as Heat is the default position (due to being designed in the north) instead of vent!

Now about your issue w/ C3 weight distribution- what did you think it was?

 

Thanks man!! I will do, and I'll try doin a search about the actuators, factory units intrigue me...

So as far as doin a stroker who makes a good reliable kit that I could possibly run boost on later? and how is the driveability of said engines? I want it to be reliable but capeable of throwing down if the need arises

 

Well, I hate to tell you...the corvette is not a muscle car. Muscle cars came with solid axles, and drum brakes.

Also, with the SBC 350, the weight distribution is darn near 50/50.

I'm not saying it's EASY to get these cars up to par with newer cars...but it can certainly be done.

My neighbor drives an STI...and not to brag, but he swears my car handles better. His is a bug eye...not sure what year yours is.

Just saying.


If you want a muscle car, get a nova, chevelle, monte, or go ***** out with an el camino. Big block + 2000 pound car = fast quarter mile times.