454 big block questions
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 767
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From: Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Cuba N/A
454 big block questions
If you've been following my earlier post you allready know i am gathering up my soon to be maxed out credit cards to order a ZZ4 from a dealer out of State this Monday. Yet, the full cost of shipping has yet to be nailed down. If shipping is any more then $400.00 or so then i got problems. Whats my back up plan! glad you asked.....Theres a freshly built 454 motor at the local hotrod shop for near the same price as the ZZ4. Why the odd cost? Its a Spartan motor offcourse, ( 1 year warrenty) yet with edelbrock performer manifold and maybe a few extras i cant remember off hand. I think it may have Chevy cylinder heads( have to remember to ask)!
Anyway, for the sake of argument lets say ZZ4 shipping is cost prohibitive. What would it take to drop the big block into the 77. New flywheel? All New accessories? New starter and fuel pump? WHat about new exhuast manifolds?
It maybe massive booty pain to get the job done but if the finished product is worth it then i dont wanna regret buying and shipping the ZZ4! I mean i cant just buy a ZZ4 and not seriously look into the power and torque of a big block.
Anyway, for the sake of argument lets say ZZ4 shipping is cost prohibitive. What would it take to drop the big block into the 77. New flywheel? All New accessories? New starter and fuel pump? WHat about new exhuast manifolds?
It maybe massive booty pain to get the job done but if the finished product is worth it then i dont wanna regret buying and shipping the ZZ4! I mean i cant just buy a ZZ4 and not seriously look into the power and torque of a big block.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: 454 big block questions (sharkthehunter77)
See if you can get the casting numbers from the drivers side rear of the block, where it meets the bellhousing. That'll tell you what BB you'll be dealing with. Mark IV's are '65-'89, then there's the Gen V & VI's. Some have provisions for pushrod fuel pump and some you'll need to use an electric.
Just off the top of my head though, you'll definitely need new headers or stock exhaust manifolds($$), you'll probably want to uprade your exhaust to a 2.5 in, don't know about a new hood for a '77, I needed a new hood, 550 front springs, BB front and rear sway bars, pullies and radiator. There is an adapter plate/bracket available to use your existing flywheel. I bought a new flywheel since I had the rotating assembly balanced.
That's what comes to mind right now, I'm sure there'll be other guys checking in to add what I missed. Might cost more than a simple SB transplant, but there's nothing like the torque of a BB! :chevy
Just off the top of my head though, you'll definitely need new headers or stock exhaust manifolds($$), you'll probably want to uprade your exhaust to a 2.5 in, don't know about a new hood for a '77, I needed a new hood, 550 front springs, BB front and rear sway bars, pullies and radiator. There is an adapter plate/bracket available to use your existing flywheel. I bought a new flywheel since I had the rotating assembly balanced.
That's what comes to mind right now, I'm sure there'll be other guys checking in to add what I missed. Might cost more than a simple SB transplant, but there's nothing like the torque of a BB! :chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 2
Re: 454 big block questions (1970 Stingray)
See if you can get the casting numbers from the drivers side rear of the block, where it meets the bellhousing. That'll tell you what BB you'll be dealing with. Mark IV's are '65-'89, then there's the Gen V & VI's. Some have provisions for pushrod fuel pump and some you'll need to use an electric.
Just off the top of my head though, you'll definitely need new headers or stock exhaust manifolds($$), you'll probably want to uprade your exhaust to a 2.5 in, don't know about a new hood for a '77, I needed a new hood, 550 front springs, BB front and rear sway bars, pullies and radiator. There is an adapter plate/bracket available to use your existing flywheel. I bought a new flywheel since I had the rotating assembly balanced.
That's what comes to mind right now, I'm sure there'll be other guys checking in to add what I missed. Might cost more than a simple SB transplant, but there's nothing like the torque of a BB! :chevy
Just off the top of my head though, you'll definitely need new headers or stock exhaust manifolds($$), you'll probably want to uprade your exhaust to a 2.5 in, don't know about a new hood for a '77, I needed a new hood, 550 front springs, BB front and rear sway bars, pullies and radiator. There is an adapter plate/bracket available to use your existing flywheel. I bought a new flywheel since I had the rotating assembly balanced.
That's what comes to mind right now, I'm sure there'll be other guys checking in to add what I missed. Might cost more than a simple SB transplant, but there's nothing like the torque of a BB! :chevy
IMHO, the answer is Big Block- to quote another wise forum member.
Don't forget- the C-3 is the ONLY Corvette series built to accomodate the Big Block Chevy -from beginning to end.
Once you go big block, you NEVER go back!
:yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 308
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From: Greenfield OH
Re: 454 big block questions (sharkthehunter77)
I know it ain't my money but I'm gonna throw in this cliche`. "Cost is forgotten long after quality is remembered". Do the big block and enjoy!!
Weasle :cheers:
Weasle :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: 454 big block questions (WeasleVette454)
You need an exterally balanced flywheel and balancer, Corvette specific exhaust manifold or headers. Headers are much cheaper by the way. Also you will need all of the BB bracketing which is hard to find and expensive. You may need a high rise hood depending on the manifold you plan to use.
[Modified by bluevetteman, 9:03 AM 7/5/2003]
[Modified by bluevetteman, 9:03 AM 7/5/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Are you getting price quotes reflecting the current "SALE" prices? I have seen ads announcing GMperformanceparts garage sale, and supposedly ZZ4s along with a bunch of other great stuff is on sale. Make sure you are getting the best price!! :) MJ
Here is an example:
GM Performance Parts Cleans House For Garage Sale
The second GM Performance Parts "Garage Sale" begins July 1 and ends September 30, 2003, and offers customers opportunities to save on some of the brand's most popular performance enhancers.
This year's Garage Sale includes such popular GM Performance Parts as cams, intake manifolds, heads and cylinder blocks. More than 80 part numbers are being offered to dealers at discounted prices.
"We're offering some of the items most requested by gearheads with a need for speed, including the 355-horsepower small-block ZZ4 (5.7 liter) crate engine and the ZZ502/502 Rat motor," said Gary Penn, GM Performance Parts assistant program manager - crate engines.
According to Penn, the sale is timed to coincide with the height of the racing season, whether its circle track, drag or off-road and also coincides with the height of the summer street rod season.
GM Service and Parts Operations, headquartered in Grand Blanc, Michigan, markets automotive replacement parts and accessories worldwide under the GM and ACDelco brand names.
[06-25-03]
[Modified by MNJack, 1:03 PM 7/5/2003]
Here is an example:
GM Performance Parts Cleans House For Garage Sale
The second GM Performance Parts "Garage Sale" begins July 1 and ends September 30, 2003, and offers customers opportunities to save on some of the brand's most popular performance enhancers.
This year's Garage Sale includes such popular GM Performance Parts as cams, intake manifolds, heads and cylinder blocks. More than 80 part numbers are being offered to dealers at discounted prices.
"We're offering some of the items most requested by gearheads with a need for speed, including the 355-horsepower small-block ZZ4 (5.7 liter) crate engine and the ZZ502/502 Rat motor," said Gary Penn, GM Performance Parts assistant program manager - crate engines.
According to Penn, the sale is timed to coincide with the height of the racing season, whether its circle track, drag or off-road and also coincides with the height of the summer street rod season.
GM Service and Parts Operations, headquartered in Grand Blanc, Michigan, markets automotive replacement parts and accessories worldwide under the GM and ACDelco brand names.
[06-25-03]
[Modified by MNJack, 1:03 PM 7/5/2003]
