New member needs help installing BBC .
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
New member needs help installing BBC .
Hi i'm now a C3 vette owner, I will be sending it to the shop to go through the entire front end and rear end bearing suspension etc, I have a gen VI BBC sitting in my storage unit that I would like to install along with Comp hooker headers and would like to use a polished Airgap and the MSD Atomic EFI can anyone tell me what to expect as far as fitting , it has A/C , power brakes etc thanks in advance for any help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Big blocks had a unique pulley and mounting bracket setup for vettes. First big hurdle there. Cooling the beast is another consideration. Depending on the year of your car, the transmission crossmember can be a problem (catalytic converter cars used the single opening on one side). Other than that, just the usual nuts and bolts things to make it work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Several vendors have aftermarket kits such as serpentine setups. Otherwise, start advertising on the forum for C3 Parts Wanted and searching eBay. They will be expensive no matter which you choose. You can use the search function on the forum as many members have gone through the same circumstances. And your '77 has the single exhaust crossmember so you have to run both pipes down one side or find an earlier model bolt-in crossmember (the one with two holes for real duals). It will be rewarding to have a big block under the hood if you don't mind paying the price.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: coon rapids mn
you will need a vette water pump.you will need to modify the gas tank and fuel lines for FI.you can use sbc pulleys, get them for short water pump from jegs or summit.you can buy pulley shims to align the pulleys .
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 259
Likes: 5
From: Valrico Florida
Hi i'm now a C3 vette owner, I will be sending it to the shop to go through the entire front end and rear end bearing suspension etc, I have a gen VI BBC sitting in my storage unit that I would like to install along with Comp hooker headers and would like to use a polished Airgap and the MSD Atomic EFI can anyone tell me what to expect as far as fitting , it has A/C , power brakes etc thanks in advance for any help.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 90
From: Sacramento California
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2018 C2 of Year Finalist
The 77 should have the dual crossmember. I think it was 80 and later that had the single exhaust cutouts.
As said previously, the brake booster and valve cover clearance will be an issue with the tall block.
As said previously, the brake booster and valve cover clearance will be an issue with the tall block.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
My 77 had the dual hole crossmember,
The brake booster clearance can be resolved with a Hydra-boost set up.
if the low valve covers can be used you shouldn't have valve cover to fire wall clearance issues.
I was good until I went to the fabricated covers, the driver side cover had to be worked on to clear the fire wall.
Neal
The brake booster clearance can be resolved with a Hydra-boost set up.
if the low valve covers can be used you shouldn't have valve cover to fire wall clearance issues.
I was good until I went to the fabricated covers, the driver side cover had to be worked on to clear the fire wall.
Neal
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 110
From: Garland Texas
The Gen 6 454 is a short deck block. It comes with or without the fuel pump boss. Without is prefered, better coolant flow around #2 cylinder. It came in two versions, L17 and L29. L29 uses peanut port heads. This may be an issue with the airgap. DeWitts is the only way to go for the cooling system.
All the brackets are readily available for the swap. The most expensive piece being the $300 water pump pulley. Still the whole setup costs less than the serpentine system.
The MSD fuel injection doesn't require fuel tank mods but that is not the issue. The vette tank is not baffled and you can cavitate the pump when cornering with a low fuel level. There is a company building special tanks for C3's with FI, Zwede has their info.
Be sure to put some money aside for diff mods and spindles.
Mike
All the brackets are readily available for the swap. The most expensive piece being the $300 water pump pulley. Still the whole setup costs less than the serpentine system.
The MSD fuel injection doesn't require fuel tank mods but that is not the issue. The vette tank is not baffled and you can cavitate the pump when cornering with a low fuel level. There is a company building special tanks for C3's with FI, Zwede has their info.
Be sure to put some money aside for diff mods and spindles.
Mike
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
I have had this motor for a while I have built many cars but never a Vette, When I had moved I kept this motor hoping to put it something one day I do believe the day is here!! I think it is an ole ZZ-454 I don't have the numbers handy but it came with a forged crank, Pistons and rods. It has Rec port heads and a bowtie intake no fuel pump boss. Thanks for the Info about the tank, I'm sending it to Rick's Rods in Lafayette, La to start going throught it, it is in good shape but I want to go completly through it, I was thinking of putting and Aubrun or Detroit locker in it, Can you give me some info on the spindles do they have HD versions. This forum is awsome for some great info!!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Yea I'm thinking it will be an issue and I hate to change the hood I like it,its a small cowl, it is a 1977 L-48 White Blk int stock rims, What is the widest 15" tire I can put, I was thinking some 17" torgue thrust what are the tire sizes for 17" that I can put I was hoping 255-45-17 and 285-40-17. any input would be great.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 33
From: ct
Gen V and VI need the correct oil pan. There are some aftermarket ones. I went with the GM performance 4 quart pan kit. Fits perfect with PS. I used all stock pulleys and brackets. All bolt right up. Fuel pump boss should be there on a Gev VI no boss on a Gen V. If it is a Gen VI you need to put a fuel pump push rod in and use one made for a roller cam. You also need a flywheel for a one piece rear main seal. They come with an automatic one. I used the GM performance one for a stick. It was less money than any aftermarket ones and fit as it should.
Last edited by aworks; Feb 25, 2013 at 06:22 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 110
From: Garland Texas
Count the bolts on the timing cover. 10 bolts=Gen5, 6 bolts=Gen6. It sounds like you have the L17.
Forget about the Auburn or the locker. Neither one are good choices for a vette. Regardless of the type of carrier the stub axles and spindles won't handle the torque. At the very least you need to upgrade to 30 spline stub axles, and 31 spline spindles. Differential will need to be upgraded to a Super 10 or a 12 bolt. Which one depends on how you plan on driving it. To run a wider wheel you will need to do something with the trailing arms. Either offset arms or Global West arms. I prefer the GW arms because of their tubular design and the 3/8 mount versus the stitch welded c-channel and 1/4 mount on the offset arms. Rear spring clearance may be an issue and VanSteel has a very nice shorter, low arch spring.
Mike
Forget about the Auburn or the locker. Neither one are good choices for a vette. Regardless of the type of carrier the stub axles and spindles won't handle the torque. At the very least you need to upgrade to 30 spline stub axles, and 31 spline spindles. Differential will need to be upgraded to a Super 10 or a 12 bolt. Which one depends on how you plan on driving it. To run a wider wheel you will need to do something with the trailing arms. Either offset arms or Global West arms. I prefer the GW arms because of their tubular design and the 3/8 mount versus the stitch welded c-channel and 1/4 mount on the offset arms. Rear spring clearance may be an issue and VanSteel has a very nice shorter, low arch spring.
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
Last edited by John 65; Feb 25, 2013 at 09:37 PM.