Engine swap

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Jan 21, 2012 | 07:10 PM

Tommy8770

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Engine swap

Looking at a 1976 with a 350 motor and transmission. To put a 454 or a 502 into the car will it go in without cutting for more room.

Jan 21, 2012 | 07:24 PM

72LS1Vette

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 4,883

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From: North Easton Mass

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy8770

Looking at a 1976 with a 350 motor and transmission. To put a 454 or a 502 into the car will it go in without cutting for more room.

They will fit. 454 was an option for a number of years. There might be an issue of deck height as I think the truck blocks had a higher deck height. The other problem is exhaust headers but you can either find commercially built ones or have some custom fabricated. You will need a new hood also. You may also have to hunt for accessory brackets.

Search the forum for something like 'big block' and you will probably come up with lots of info.

Rick B.

Jan 21, 2012 | 07:32 PM

Tommy8770

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Hey thanks for the info. The last swap I did was a 1979 chevy pick up with a 6 cylinder and 3 on the tree. I put a 350 engine and trans in it from a 73 gmc. It was very little trouble. Even used my drive shaft without having to change the length of it.

Jan 21, 2012 | 07:49 PM

milo30

Drifting

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From: Arlington texas

I researched it not long ago. The engine compartment is the same. Size won't be an issue. It's all of the littles that add up. Radiator, brackets, etc. People selling the BB corvette brackets are proud of them. Might be able to buy a serpentine system cheaper.

Be prepared to spend more than what you have allowed in the budget for the engine itself. If the budget isn't a problem then swapping for a BB isn't either.

Jan 21, 2012 | 10:17 PM

uxojerry

Burning Brakes

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Lots of engine builders are getting up to 454 on SBC builds, and up to 502 using the newer tall deck blocks. Take a look at ultrastreet.net for some examples. I bought one of their motors and was very happy with the whole process.

Jan 21, 2012 | 10:32 PM

TheSkunkWorks

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2007

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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray

If you do the BB swap, stick with the standard 9.800" deck height. As mentioned, the swap itself isn't difficult if you have the budget.

Jan 21, 2012 | 10:33 PM

Ben Lurkin

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 5,557

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From: Oquirrh Mountains

St. Jude Donor '09

To install a bb into a sb car you will spend probably $1200 in brackets, pulleys, oil pan, water pump, front springs because they're corvette specific. It's a drop in installation but you need the right parts.

Jan 22, 2012 | 07:51 PM

Tommy8770

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Looked at the ultra street site and wow very impressive. Staying with a big small block looks like the ticket. Price of the motors for the $ looked reasonable for what you were getting. You say you used their motors with good results? Thanks for the input.