468 Big Block Conversion
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 534
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
468 Big Block Conversion
I finished my big block engine swap a few months back, but haven't had a chance to post about it, so I thought that I would share my experiences and photos.
The motor is a Mark Jones (VortecPro) 468, which dynoed at 622HP/602TQ. Mark was the BEST! He helped me pick the motor, answered all my questions, met all promises, always had time to talk to me and an absolute pleasure to deal with. But, most of all he delivered an absolute fantastic motor. It's got crazy power, shreds the tires and is a lot of fun to drive!
The transmission is a M23 from AutoGear. Nate at AutoGear is a wealth knowledge and was a big help in specifying parts.
I still need an L88 hood, correct upper radiator hose, and some exhaust work, but I'll take care of that this winter. It's been running great all summer. I'll probably need some new tires next year....
[/URL]
[/URL]
[/URL]
[/URL]
[/URL]
The motor is a Mark Jones (VortecPro) 468, which dynoed at 622HP/602TQ. Mark was the BEST! He helped me pick the motor, answered all my questions, met all promises, always had time to talk to me and an absolute pleasure to deal with. But, most of all he delivered an absolute fantastic motor. It's got crazy power, shreds the tires and is a lot of fun to drive!
The transmission is a M23 from AutoGear. Nate at AutoGear is a wealth knowledge and was a big help in specifying parts.
I still need an L88 hood, correct upper radiator hose, and some exhaust work, but I'll take care of that this winter. It's been running great all summer. I'll probably need some new tires next year....
[/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
That looks nice. Looks like your radiator inlet comes straight out without the 90 degree on it. Mind does also. I'll post a couple of pics and a part # for the hose I used. I used one hose with a Torker II intake but when I did the ZZ454 swap I needed to use the best parts of two hoses. I got a 3 inch connector to put the pieces together. Maybe it will save you from hours in the back of the parts warehouse looking for a hose that would work like I did.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,017
Likes: 2,261
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Mark does build a killer engine. No doubt you're having fun with 600+ HP and a 4 speed.
JIM
JIM
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 534
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
That looks nice. Looks like your radiator inlet comes straight out without the 90 degree on it. Mind does also. I'll post a couple of pics and a part # for the hose I used. I used one hose with a Torker II intake but when I did the ZZ454 swap I needed to use the best parts of two hoses. I got a 3 inch connector to put the pieces together. Maybe it will save you from hours in the back of the parts warehouse looking for a hose that would work like I did.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 409
Likes: 3
From: St. James, NC
I finished my big block engine swap a few months back, but haven't had a chance to post about it, so I thought that I would share my experiences and photos.
The motor is a Mark Jones (VortecPro) 468, which dynoed at 622HP/602TQ. Mark was the BEST! He helped me pick the motor, answered all my questions, met all promises, always had time to talk to me and an absolute pleasure to deal with. But, most of all he delivered an absolute fantastic motor. It's got crazy power, shreds the tires and is a lot of fun to drive!
The transmission is a M23 from AutoGear. Nate at AutoGear is a wealth knowledge and was a big help in specifying parts.
I still need an L88 hood, correct upper radiator hose, and some exhaust work, but I'll take care of that this winter. It's been running great all summer. I'll probably need some new tires next year....
[/URL]
[/URL]
[/URL]
[/URL]
[/URL]
The motor is a Mark Jones (VortecPro) 468, which dynoed at 622HP/602TQ. Mark was the BEST! He helped me pick the motor, answered all my questions, met all promises, always had time to talk to me and an absolute pleasure to deal with. But, most of all he delivered an absolute fantastic motor. It's got crazy power, shreds the tires and is a lot of fun to drive!
The transmission is a M23 from AutoGear. Nate at AutoGear is a wealth knowledge and was a big help in specifying parts.
I still need an L88 hood, correct upper radiator hose, and some exhaust work, but I'll take care of that this winter. It's been running great all summer. I'll probably need some new tires next year....
[/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 534
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
The engine looks beautiful in your Vette, I bet it is a blast to drive. Mark is building an engine me; good to hear everything turned out so well. I was looking to do a new engine for my 1971, and I heard good things about Mark Jones. It sealed the deal when I saw the iron head BBC engines he builds. These engines really look like they belong it our cars. Mark is setting my engine up with an OEM intake manifold, Q-jet, and a custom ground roller-cam. The engine should make big HP and torque numbers and look very similar to the #s matching LS5 that is coming out.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
what are you running for heads? they are not vortecs i assume? they are nice in the 400 hp range but to breathe enough for 600 would take so much porting they wouldn't be L29's any more.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 534
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut