81c3 454 engine swap
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Brownsburg Indiana
81c3 454 engine swap
Hello all
first time post and first time vette owner
I purchased a 81 vette that I’m going to restore but not OEM , I’m going to make it my vette
I want to install a bbc instead of the 350
I know it can be done but I was wondering about the A/C and heat coil box on the fire wall
Will the passenger side head hit the box
What or how to get around this without removing the A/C all together
Any info will be a help
thanks
love this forum lot of info
first time post and first time vette owner
I purchased a 81 vette that I’m going to restore but not OEM , I’m going to make it my vette
I want to install a bbc instead of the 350
I know it can be done but I was wondering about the A/C and heat coil box on the fire wall
Will the passenger side head hit the box
What or how to get around this without removing the A/C all together
Any info will be a help
thanks
love this forum lot of info
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
The passenger side head should clear the AC Evap box, but you’ll likely have to run a short valve cover. Unless the 1980 evap boxes are considerably bigger then the earlier C3 evap boxes, you should be fine. It’s tight, but it should go. The rest of the conversion stuff is pricey so....look at everything before you take the plunge.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,337
Likes: 8,142
From: Napa Valley California
My 73 has the factory bb 454.
There is very little room between the valve covers on both sides and the power brake booster and a/c box.
I found several options for valve covers and running roller rockers, so it can and has been done.
if you do run into clearance issues, you can convert over the a vintage a/c system that eliminates the a/c box and run a smaller brake booster or switch over to hydra boost for power brakes.
There is very little room between the valve covers on both sides and the power brake booster and a/c box.
I found several options for valve covers and running roller rockers, so it can and has been done.
if you do run into clearance issues, you can convert over the a vintage a/c system that eliminates the a/c box and run a smaller brake booster or switch over to hydra boost for power brakes.
