CorvetteSkip52

Has anyone installed a Big Block Chevy engine in a 95 Corvette Convertible. My thought is a 572 cu in blower motor. Is this a good or bad idea???

hcbph

Check here: http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/...90ff6937f5c3ad

If anyone's done it, I would expect it to have been Grumpy.

whalepirot

There was a judge in SD who did that. My concern would be all the custom fitment of exhaust, etc., and the extra weight's effect on handling, given the output possible with the newer SBCs. C3s were much better balanced with a SBC vs BBC. That is why I built a stroker; similar torque capability without the fitment issues. I briefly considered an aluminum block BBC, until I checked the cost!

My recent acquistiton of a C5 leaves me very impressed with the LS's amazing low end torque.

aklim

Oh, that kind of BBC. Wasn't sure what you were looking for and whether it fit into the scope of this forum.

What exactly do you want to do with the car? My neighbor has done something similar and has a hood scoop sticking out almost to the height of the roof. Probably not street legal and probably doesn't handle for crap so, if it is for drag racing, sure. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't drive it unless the day was perfect.

Kevova

Chevrolet actually built a BBC C4 I believe it's at the NCM. Chevrolet was considering replacing the LT5 with the less expensive BBC. Grumpy has install info.

dizwiz24

if youre going to do that, i would put a cadillac 500 cu in v8 in it to do something different vs. the everyday lsx swap you hear about here

Pwnage1337

Why build a BBC and go through the hassle of having to rearrange the entire engine bay to make it fit when you can shove an LS in the same spot and make just as much power? LS make stupid power on the cheap and take a beating while doing it.

Just my 2 cents. The next motor i build will be an LS. Heads/Cam and wham 400whp easily. It's not even fair anymore

belairbrian

Tommy Morrison (Morrison Motorsports) had a C4 with a factory 454 prototype in his shop back in the early 90s. IIRC the hood was stock height. Didn't really notice if they had to modify the frame.

TA

I can't imagine opting for a BBC. Its way too easy to build a stout SBC or an LS engine and save 200 lbs.

bjankuski

I understand your position but I suspect you have never played with a 555 bbc, stupid power is an understatement, and the wow factor is impressive.

FrankieD

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com...gine-swap.151/

cv67

no production LSx will match a blown 572
Op....it will be a tough fit, weight and youll bust everything behind the motor plate.
cool yes but big $$.
Consider a big ci sbc with a blower much easier to fit..striaght axle, T400 there you go.
akliim gives new meaning to " low end grunt"

esham

I remember a couple of years ago you were working on a C4 big block. Any updates?

zapc

a bbc really is almost a bolt in believe it or not as long as you use a low intake manifold.
the best tip is that if you do an internally balanced motor as opposed to the factory externally balanced motor, you can use a 1 inch smaller harmonic balancer and eliminate having to modify the cross member. headers and oil pan from a c3 big block fit almost right out of the box. not a very hard mod. if you use aluminum heads and intake the weight difference is less than 150lbs from a sbc. also not to start a whole other debate but I am friends with several motor builders and when I bring up the LS they say they are great up to 500hp or so after that they require lots of mods to stay together, a BBC in the long run will be much cheaper, make way more HP for a lower $. and have that way cool factor. an LS is of course capable of big HP, but it will cost you and in my oppinion not a very pretty motor to look at, back when the LS first came out it was cool to see them retrofitted, but now because of custom install kits ,headers etc, they are a bolt on kit in just about everything, I walk by a car with an LS without even looking. now a BBC in something that never had one is a stop to look. would you bother to look at an LS in a vega, probably not, But a BBC in a vega, absolutely, sorry so long and just my opinions of course

mxnuke

if the opportunity ever comes up for me ,my 427 sbc would be on my zero turn mower ..i love the idea of a big block c4.

bjankuski

I changed direction and I am not sure if I will be happy with the direction I went. I was planning to install my 582 with Pro-filer 12 degree hitman heads but once I put the engine in there was almost no room for the headers so I decided to instead use that engine for my drag car. (My plan was to be able to run at least 8.5's with the original combination but still have it street legal)

So instead of building a big block with more conventional heads so it would fit better, I decided to tame down my build and instead built a 700 Hp LS LS7 FOR the car instead. That engine is in and now just needs fine tuning to complete.

Even though I have this new LS7 and have not even driven it yet I keep wishing I would have put the big block it it with more conventional heads like AFR 377 or 385's. (I admit I have a problem)

esham

That sounds like a fun ride!