Has anyone thought about lowering their engine? (BB guys)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC, Canada
Has anyone thought about lowering their engine? (BB guys)
We all know the limited choices of dual-plane intakes for big block Vettes due to hood clearance. I am one of those guys that would never put a high-rise hood on my Vette because I prefer the stock look. Even a L88 hood is not on my option list.
So... hypothetically, is it possible to remount the engine a little bit lower? Exactly, how much space is needed to use something like a Performer intake? What about an EFI system? Are we talking .50' or 4.00"?
What would be involved? How could the following issues be solved?
driveline geometry
engine mounts and brackets
transmission mount
general clearance
oil pan ground clearance
clutch linkage and bracket
shifter position
[Modified by Turbo-Jet, 1:39 AM 2/10/2004]
So... hypothetically, is it possible to remount the engine a little bit lower? Exactly, how much space is needed to use something like a Performer intake? What about an EFI system? Are we talking .50' or 4.00"?
What would be involved? How could the following issues be solved?
driveline geometry
engine mounts and brackets
transmission mount
general clearance
oil pan ground clearance
clutch linkage and bracket
shifter position
[Modified by Turbo-Jet, 1:39 AM 2/10/2004]
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
Re: Has anyone thought about lowering their engine? (Turbo-Jet)
The first thing you would worry about is the balancer/pulley clearance on the crossmember. If you recess the crossmember then you worry about sump and exhaust against the ground. You also have to maintain the angle of the engine so the bubbles created in the engine can escape to the front or it will overheat. You will also get vibes from the driveline if you change the engine angle.
More problems arise than solutions for a tall manifold.
:cheers:
More problems arise than solutions for a tall manifold.
:cheers:
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
Re: Has anyone thought about lowering their engine? (comp)
Yeah Bubbles!
Steam bubbles form around the combustion chambers and unless the motor is tilted back they will be trapped and cause the radiator to puke.
:U
Steam bubbles form around the combustion chambers and unless the motor is tilted back they will be trapped and cause the radiator to puke.
:U
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Has anyone thought about lowering their engine? (Turbo-Jet)
You can't get enough clearance to mount the intake you'll want with a carb, that's for sure. The high rise intakes are taller than a stock manifold by a few inches at least. You don't have much room to work with before the oil pan hits the steering linkage and the pulley hits the crossmember. Then you'll have to deal with the trans mount and shifter...
I have a custom EFI Victor Jr. intake with a Holley throttle body that fits under the stock big block hood just fine. I can post some pictures if you're interested.
I'm totally with you on the L88 hood thing. My new 68 has an L88 on it, but I really miss the clean lines of the stock hood. I'm still trying to decide what to do here.
[Modified by Flareside, 9:14 AM 2/10/2004]
I have a custom EFI Victor Jr. intake with a Holley throttle body that fits under the stock big block hood just fine. I can post some pictures if you're interested.
I'm totally with you on the L88 hood thing. My new 68 has an L88 on it, but I really miss the clean lines of the stock hood. I'm still trying to decide what to do here.
[Modified by Flareside, 9:14 AM 2/10/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Re: Has anyone thought about lowering their engine? (Flareside)
You can't get enough clearance to mount the intake you'll want with a carb, that's for sure. The high rise intakes are taller than a stock manifold by a few inches at least. You don't have much room to work with before the oil pan hits the steering linkage and the pulley hits the crossmember. Then you'll have to deal with the trans mount and shifter...
I have a custom EFI Victor Jr. intake with a Holley throttle body that fits under the stock big block hood just fine. I can post some pictures if you're interested.
I'm totally with you on the L88 hood thing. My new 68 has an L88 on it, but I really miss the clean lines of the stock hood. I'm still trying to decide what to do here.
[Modified by Flareside, 9:03 AM 2/10/2004]
I have a custom EFI Victor Jr. intake with a Holley throttle body that fits under the stock big block hood just fine. I can post some pictures if you're interested.
I'm totally with you on the L88 hood thing. My new 68 has an L88 on it, but I really miss the clean lines of the stock hood. I'm still trying to decide what to do here.
[Modified by Flareside, 9:03 AM 2/10/2004]
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Has anyone thought about lowering their engine? (groovyjay)
I think hogans style EFI manifold would give you more clearance? I'm I wrong? :confused:
Just gotta deal with that $2500+ price tag for the manifold.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Re: Has anyone thought about lowering their engine? (Flareside)
I think hogans style EFI manifold would give you more clearance? I'm I wrong? :confused:
Yep, I think you're right Jay. Check out this one from the C4 forum:
Just gotta deal with that $2500+ price tag for the manifold.
Yep, I think you're right Jay. Check out this one from the C4 forum:
Just gotta deal with that $2500+ price tag for the manifold.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Has anyone thought about lowering their engine? (Turbo-Jet)
I ran a LS6 high rise intake and holley 850 double pumper with milled off choke tower and shortened vent tubes with a dropped base air cleaner and 2 inch element under the stock 75 hood after cleaning up the underside. The hood closed and only a light scrap mark from the wingnut on the underside of the hood.
As for lowering the motor, the steering linkage would need to be dropped and that is a big no no for bump steer.
As for lowering the motor, the steering linkage would need to be dropped and that is a big no no for bump steer.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 0
Re: Has anyone thought about lowering their engine? (Turbo-Jet)
.....And for the reasons above is why the L-88 hood was designed. :chevy
Big Blocks are just plain big......how it's crammed into such a tight space causes spectators to oooohh and ahhhhh all day long ! :thumbs:
Three cheers for BIG BLOCKS ! :hurray:
Big Blocks are just plain big......how it's crammed into such a tight space causes spectators to oooohh and ahhhhh all day long ! :thumbs:
Three cheers for BIG BLOCKS ! :hurray:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Re: Has anyone thought about lowering their engine? (Turbo-Jet)
Good post - I've been considering that for my car as well. If you are planning on lowering it, why not move it aft and a little to the right at the same time. You would need to shorten the driveshaft & mod all of the mounts, but you colud avoid trimming the front crossmember.
Probably the easiest way to plan this would be to use one of thoes lightweight plastic motors they use for displays or mockup installations.
Tilting the motor and traping air pockets in the cooling system is a good issue to bring up. However, that can be solved by installing a remote bleeder or a Schrader valve at a high point to release the air. BMW's have this and it's really nice to be able to bleed out all of the air with a pressure tester. It would need to be a sealed system with a recovery tank to work properly. It's probably a good modification to do anyway considering that their is always trapped air in Chevy V-8's
:cheers:
Probably the easiest way to plan this would be to use one of thoes lightweight plastic motors they use for displays or mockup installations.
Tilting the motor and traping air pockets in the cooling system is a good issue to bring up. However, that can be solved by installing a remote bleeder or a Schrader valve at a high point to release the air. BMW's have this and it's really nice to be able to bleed out all of the air with a pressure tester. It would need to be a sealed system with a recovery tank to work properly. It's probably a good modification to do anyway considering that their is always trapped air in Chevy V-8's
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Re: Has anyone thought about lowering their engine? (71coupe)
FYI - as far as a Big Block intake selection, Edelbrock's Torqer will fit with a stock BB hood. It's a single plane, but with a 454 you probably won't miss a little low end torque anyway.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Re: Has anyone thought about lowering their engine? (Turbo-Jet)
You guy's better be carfull!! Before you know it you will dupe yourself into doing what I did :_dupe:
Bullshark
Bullshark