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Zz427 In a 1981 Corvette

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Old May 30, 2015 | 01:09 PM
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Default Zz427 In a 1981 Corvette

I want to put a zz427 in my 1981 corvette .
I also have side pipes on the car now and I would like to keep them .
But I will get the big block one's .
But the question is will the side pipes fit ???.
And can I still use my original hood or do I have to get a hi-rise hood ?.
Oh sorry I also have a Kessler 5speed in the car now.
Thank 's for all the in put from every one .
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Old May 30, 2015 | 01:45 PM
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You may be able to fit the setup under the hood with a drop base air cleaner - I suspect that that intake is significantly taller than the one that's on there. You'll have to do some measurements and find out.

Finding a pair of big block side pipes that will work should be fine.

Which Keisler 5spd?
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Old May 30, 2015 | 03:14 PM
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why do you want to put a zz427 in your 81? not trying to talk you of it bbc are cool and I have a 454 in my 75!
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Old May 30, 2015 | 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by mvette76
why do you want to put a zz427 in your 81? not trying to talk you of it bbc are cool and I have a 454 in my 75!
Not trying to talk you out of it either but I have a 600HP 427ci small block in my '80 and you wouldn't have to change sidepipes and other components that are different with a big block.
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Old May 30, 2015 | 04:54 PM
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I was able to fit a 427 BBC in my 74 with the stock cast iron intake and a edelbrock triangle foam air cleaner. That air cleaner is a fire waiting to happen FYI.
Side pipes are pretty generic for 68-82 BBC
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Old May 30, 2015 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by corieb
I want to put a zz427 in my 1981 corvette .
I also have side pipes on the car now and I would like to keep them .
But I will get the big block one's .
But the question is will the side pipes fit ???.
And can I still use my original hood or do I have to get a hi-rise hood ?.
Oh sorry I also have a Kessler 5speed in the car now.
Thank 's for all the in put from every one .
Sounds like a cool project.

You'll want to have some custom side pipes made up for that engine anyways, the stock style side pipes will severely choke it.
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Old May 30, 2015 | 09:54 PM
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I think you can get away with the ZZ intake and other than that, it should bolt right in. Make sure you have your front belt system figured as it costs to do it more than once....
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Old May 31, 2015 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Shark Racer
You may be able to fit the setup under the hood with a drop base air cleaner - I suspect that that intake is significantly taller than the one that's on there. You'll have to do some measurements and find out.

Finding a pair of big block side pipes that will work should be fine.

Which Keisler 5spd?
The perfect fit no cutting the floor in the driveshaft ,my torque is 500. I know the zz427 is 490 torque ,but will I have to change the motor mounts ?.
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Old Jun 2, 2015 | 06:38 PM
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Just at a glance, the value for performance of the zz427 is pretty unimpressive in my opinion. To each his own, of course, and I mean the previous statement with the utmost of respect.

You could build a 400 sb that would beat up on this thing, and would be totally inconspicuous under the hood, and as a previous poster mentioned, you wouldn't have to change the pipes, or much else for that matter.
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Old Jun 2, 2015 | 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Big Block Dave
Just at a glance, the value for performance of the zz427 is pretty unimpressive in my opinion. To each his own, of course, and I mean the previous statement with the utmost of respect.

You could build a 400 sb that would beat up on this thing, and would be totally inconspicuous under the hood, and as a previous poster mentioned, you wouldn't have to change the pipes, or much else for that matter.
But it still wouldn't be as cool as a big block. I would go zz454 or zz502 though, the 427 seems over priced. But either way, still cool
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Old Jun 3, 2015 | 05:51 AM
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There's something magical about the number "427"
Here's a link to the first of a four part bbc swap http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...k-engine-swap/
I want to do the same with my 80, I've got a fair bit to do before I worry about another motor though.
And I just had a shoulder reco, so I'm out of action for three months

Last edited by waljr; Jun 3, 2015 at 07:00 AM. Reason: Link fixed
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Old Jun 3, 2015 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by qwank
But it still wouldn't be as cool as a big block. I would go zz454 or zz502 though, the 427 seems over priced. But either way, still cool

I have two C3's with 454's in them and I can certainly say "there's no substitution for cubic inches". The massive torque at a low rpm is awfully nice to have; especially as I live in the mountains.
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Old Jun 3, 2015 | 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by qwank
Sounds like a cool project.

You'll want to have some custom side pipes made up for that engine anyways, the stock style side pipes will severely choke it.
I think you're referring to the factory 69 sidepipes sold only in that year. Yes, they are reportedly restrictive even though they are noisy!! The hooker style sidepipes are not restrictive...depending upon what mufflers you decide to install or not install.
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Old Jun 4, 2015 | 09:17 AM
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Originally Posted by 68/70Vette
I think you're referring to the factory 69 sidepipes sold only in that year. Yes, they are reportedly restrictive even though they are noisy!! The hooker style sidepipes are not restrictive...depending upon what mufflers you decide to install or not install.
Yes, I was. he didn't specify which he had, so I let him know if they were the stock style they would choke it.
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Old Jun 4, 2015 | 12:20 PM
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GM crates def cost more than a rebuilt but its all new....not rebuilt
Id imagine it would hold up longer than what some machinist did also.
could go either way. Sometimes its just easier to pick up the phone have it dropped off, install and fire up. Keep us posted on your impression when you get it running, 427 is plenty to power that car
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Old Jun 4, 2015 | 05:48 PM
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I've heard stories about the GM crate engines having piston ring issues, especially the big blocks. any one know anything about this?
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Old Jun 15, 2015 | 03:00 AM
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ZZ427 mcjacks headers and Sweet Thunder "Give No Mercy" pipes. Mine isn't using any oil I couldn't be happier with it.

Check out my thread for an idle video:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-no-mercy.html

Last edited by donkeyboy; Jun 15, 2015 at 03:33 AM.
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Old Jun 15, 2015 | 01:16 PM
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I put a ZZ454 in mine and love it. I had to change the factory oil pan as it was almost dragging the road. I put a Edelbrock #75614 air gap intake on it with an L88 hood. It is 1/4" away from hitting. I also added a set of stainless side pipes from XS-Power.
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Old Jun 15, 2015 | 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by waljr
There's something magical about the number "427"
There's something even more magical about the number "502".
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Old Jun 15, 2015 | 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by qwank
I've heard stories about the GM crate engines having piston ring issues, especially the big blocks. any one know anything about this?
At one time, they were using low tension oil rings. I don't know if that was in all big block crate motors or not.
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