Swap TO BIG BLOCK
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 49
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From: Sault Ste Marie Mi
Swap TO BIG BLOCK
I am pulling my 79 350 L48 stock engine to rebuild and am considering pumping her up as much as possible.With this engine having a 2 bolt will it hold up to a street application? Also in the meantime I have the opportunity to install a 396 or 454 in her. Will both slide in without major changes? If so which would be perfered and why? How about tranny upgrades? It's currently a TH-350 automatic. I'm looking for the meanest streetable setup between the 3 engines mentioned.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 498
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Re: Swap TO BIG BLOCK (Mighty Mouse)
I looked into swapping to a 396 or 427, but the cost of all the brackets and messing up the ballance of the car swayed me back to a mouse. If you can find a good 400 SBC, I think it is a good compromise. Of course I might be biased!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 0
Re: Swap TO BIG BLOCK (Mighty Mouse)
First question ----> Yes, 2-bolt for the street is fine & it'll hold up to virtually anything with 'normal' aspiration <no blowers, etc.>
Second - 454 is the Meanest ! :D
***side note about SBC 400's - these guys use 'steam' holes which are prone to running 'hot' & have a tendancy to blow head gaskets / ...they work well in race applications - but reliability is a ? in my mind. :chevy
However, there are some other little details - switching to a B.B. means getting the right brakets / re-tuning your front end suspension / getting a bigger radiator / different pulleys - It's not just an 'easy' swap. :eek:
But, the good news is that a mild/stock 454 puts out way more torque than the more expen$ive super-modified 350 engine..... You'll have more fun with the Big Block, too ! :cool:
Second - 454 is the Meanest ! :D
***side note about SBC 400's - these guys use 'steam' holes which are prone to running 'hot' & have a tendancy to blow head gaskets / ...they work well in race applications - but reliability is a ? in my mind. :chevy
However, there are some other little details - switching to a B.B. means getting the right brakets / re-tuning your front end suspension / getting a bigger radiator / different pulleys - It's not just an 'easy' swap. :eek:
But, the good news is that a mild/stock 454 puts out way more torque than the more expen$ive super-modified 350 engine..... You'll have more fun with the Big Block, too ! :cool:
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 1
Re: Swap TO BIG BLOCK (Mighty Mouse)
The BB Brackets and stuff for the change over add up pretty quick.Near all else but cam and lifters cost more for the Rat Motors. You did not mention what rear gear you have or if you are willing to change.Also a well built Rat will be very hard on the Turbo 350 trans
Yes a BB will go fast but do your homework because if not,a hard hitting properly geared 383 or 400 will do it to you .Seen it done many times and imo building a 396 would be a waste of time and money if HP for the money is factored in
Another bit of advice would not to directly follow another forum members combination of motor parts or a Magazine Article either.
Yes a BB will go fast but do your homework because if not,a hard hitting properly geared 383 or 400 will do it to you .Seen it done many times and imo building a 396 would be a waste of time and money if HP for the money is factored in
Another bit of advice would not to directly follow another forum members combination of motor parts or a Magazine Article either.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Swap TO BIG BLOCK (mountainmotor)
The same question was asked in one of the Vett Mags and the tech guy said forget abought installing a BB in a SMB Vette, if done properly it would cost a ton of money for all the mods you have to do. He said cheaper to buy a big block. That is what I did nothing compares to a BB at any speed it just hauls butt. The other day I fried the rear tires filled the cabin with smoke in less then 50 feet. That is why I call this thing a Monster. I know there is a ton of HP untaped in this Monster I am looking for a Dyno shop that can do a real Dyno Tune-up
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
Re: Swap TO BIG BLOCK (Mighty Mouse)
Mighty Mouse,
I think you should go for the 454. As long as you know that you will have to spend alot of $$ on the correct pulleys/brackets for the alternator, waterpump and p/s. I dropped $500 with http://www.corvette-paragon.com this week on those components. These items must be used as the configuration for Corvettes is much different than for a Chevelle/Camaro, etc.
The p/s pump must be for a '74 BB unit and it must be mounted low like your L-48 mouse.
The alternator must be mounted on the driver's side and up high.
The short '71-74 Corvette water pump must be used as well. I just ordered a Stewart Stage 1 pump also this week.
I know that it will be worth it in the end.... I wish that end was near so I could go driving.
You could also go aftermarket with the pulleys/brackets for around the same price but I wanted to stay stock.
I can provide you with part numbers from Paragon that I plan to use when you are ready to order........
You will have to change your username to "Mighty Rat" when you are done with your mouse motor.
Bob :cheers:
[Modified by Bob Turner, 5:40 PM 4/5/2002]
[Modified by Bob Turner, 5:41 PM 4/5/2002]
I think you should go for the 454. As long as you know that you will have to spend alot of $$ on the correct pulleys/brackets for the alternator, waterpump and p/s. I dropped $500 with http://www.corvette-paragon.com this week on those components. These items must be used as the configuration for Corvettes is much different than for a Chevelle/Camaro, etc.
The p/s pump must be for a '74 BB unit and it must be mounted low like your L-48 mouse.
The alternator must be mounted on the driver's side and up high.
The short '71-74 Corvette water pump must be used as well. I just ordered a Stewart Stage 1 pump also this week.
I know that it will be worth it in the end.... I wish that end was near so I could go driving.
You could also go aftermarket with the pulleys/brackets for around the same price but I wanted to stay stock.
I can provide you with part numbers from Paragon that I plan to use when you are ready to order........
You will have to change your username to "Mighty Rat" when you are done with your mouse motor.
Bob :cheers:
[Modified by Bob Turner, 5:40 PM 4/5/2002]
[Modified by Bob Turner, 5:41 PM 4/5/2002]
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 683
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
Re: Swap TO BIG BLOCK (verskel)
Verskel, why do you perpetuate the myth of 400 sbc engines "running hot and blowing head gaskets"? Yes, 400 blocks have steam holes, and if your heads and gaskets don't have them, you will have problems. But it is very easy to build the engine properly, and drill the heads for the steam holes (if using non 400 heads). Have you ever owned a 400? I have, and currently am installing one in my 74, and have never had overheating or blown head gasket problems. They will run 100,000 miles in stock form without a problem. Even GM's bow tie blocks have the siamesed cylinders (actually gives better strength than non joined cylinders). As long as one knows how to build a 400 properly (adding steam holes to non 400 heads and using the right gasket) there shouldn't be any issue!!
And in my opinion, they are the best engine for a vette. Almost big block power, and the light weight and handling of a smallblock. End of rant!!
And in my opinion, they are the best engine for a vette. Almost big block power, and the light weight and handling of a smallblock. End of rant!!
