Big Block C4 Quandry?
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 12
Big Block C4 Quandry?
Hey guys. Please don't judge me or fight me on this. It has been a dream of mine to own a big block 4 speed Vette for over 50 years, since I was 20. Now I'm trying to get it done before I die! I have the car, a 1987 Z51 Vette with the 4+3, and I have two big blocks; one of them I've already built.
Again, please don't judge me. This swap has been done, and it's great fun once done. Yes, there are hoops to jump through, and yes there are drawbacks. Yes, I might bust that tranny.
Ok, so I was going to put the built Mark lV in it, but now I have acquired a good Gen 6 454. I am thinking of going with that instead.
Just beginning to brainstorm putting the Gen 6 454 in, and right away a possible problem arises. I am told the C4 Corvette bell housing will only accomodate a 153 tooth flywheel. Any ideas where to source a 153 tooth flywheel for a late model (1999) Gen 6 454 w/one piece seal main? I have not found one.
Then next possible issue. The starters are different between 153 tooth and 168 tooth. Will the straighht across pattern 153 tooth starter fit/work on a Gen 6 454??
Everything I am finding points to possibly the Gen 6 454 was only ever set up with 168 tooth combos. Can I change it over to 153???
Help?
Thanks,
Vetterobert
Again, please don't judge me. This swap has been done, and it's great fun once done. Yes, there are hoops to jump through, and yes there are drawbacks. Yes, I might bust that tranny.
Ok, so I was going to put the built Mark lV in it, but now I have acquired a good Gen 6 454. I am thinking of going with that instead.
Just beginning to brainstorm putting the Gen 6 454 in, and right away a possible problem arises. I am told the C4 Corvette bell housing will only accomodate a 153 tooth flywheel. Any ideas where to source a 153 tooth flywheel for a late model (1999) Gen 6 454 w/one piece seal main? I have not found one.
Then next possible issue. The starters are different between 153 tooth and 168 tooth. Will the straighht across pattern 153 tooth starter fit/work on a Gen 6 454??
Everything I am finding points to possibly the Gen 6 454 was only ever set up with 168 tooth combos. Can I change it over to 153???
Help?
Thanks,
Vetterobert
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 861
Likes: 220
From: Tampa, FL
Hey guys. Please don't judge me or fight me on this. It has been a dream of mine to own a big block 4 speed Vette for over 50 years, since I was 20. Now I'm trying to get it done before I die! I have the car, a 1987 Z51 Vette with the 4+3, and I have two big blocks; one of them I've already built.
Again, please don't judge me. This swap has been done, and it's great fun once done. Yes, there are hoops to jump through, and yes there are drawbacks. Yes, I might bust that tranny.
Ok, so I was going to put the built Mark lV in it, but now I have acquired a good Gen 6 454. I am thinking of going with that instead.
Just beginning to brainstorm putting the Gen 6 454 in, and right away a possible problem arises. I am told the C4 Corvette bell housing will only accomodate a 153 tooth flywheel. Any ideas where to source a 153 tooth flywheel for a late model (1999) Gen 6 454 w/one piece seal main? I have not found one.
Then next possible issue. The starters are different between 153 tooth and 168 tooth. Will the straighht across pattern 153 tooth starter fit/work on a Gen 6 454??
Everything I am finding points to possibly the Gen 6 454 was only ever set up with 168 tooth combos. Can I change it over to 153???
Help?
Thanks,
Vetterobert
Again, please don't judge me. This swap has been done, and it's great fun once done. Yes, there are hoops to jump through, and yes there are drawbacks. Yes, I might bust that tranny.
Ok, so I was going to put the built Mark lV in it, but now I have acquired a good Gen 6 454. I am thinking of going with that instead.
Just beginning to brainstorm putting the Gen 6 454 in, and right away a possible problem arises. I am told the C4 Corvette bell housing will only accomodate a 153 tooth flywheel. Any ideas where to source a 153 tooth flywheel for a late model (1999) Gen 6 454 w/one piece seal main? I have not found one.
Then next possible issue. The starters are different between 153 tooth and 168 tooth. Will the straighht across pattern 153 tooth starter fit/work on a Gen 6 454??
Everything I am finding points to possibly the Gen 6 454 was only ever set up with 168 tooth combos. Can I change it over to 153???
Help?
Thanks,
Vetterobert
Might be worth while to take the 4+3 out, especially if it's still working, and sell it on eBay, and then use that to help pay for a rock crusher 4-Speed.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 12
Well, the 4 + 3 trans is actually a modified Borg Warner Super T-10. I have many years experience racing with those, and I've never broken one--> even running slicks and some really decent engines. I have researched the (+3) overdrive part, and people who build them say as long as I don't hot rod it in overdrive, I am not likely to break that either. I've looked at 5 and 6 speed swaps, but the kits are more than the car is worth!
Anyway, my racing days are over. I won't be doing drag race starts nor adding big sticky tires. It will be ok. (Hope!)
Man, those flywheels are expensive! I do like the idea of aluminum however, for weight saving, fast revs, and being easier on the trans and rear end. Faster deceleration too.
Vettepilot
Anyway, my racing days are over. I won't be doing drag race starts nor adding big sticky tires. It will be ok. (Hope!)
Man, those flywheels are expensive! I do like the idea of aluminum however, for weight saving, fast revs, and being easier on the trans and rear end. Faster deceleration too.
Vettepilot
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 861
Likes: 220
From: Tampa, FL
Well, the 4 + 3 trans is actually a modified Borg Warner Super T-10. I have many years experience racing with those, and I've never broken one--> even running slicks and some really decent engines. I have researched the (+3) overdrive part, and people who build them say as long as I don't hot rod it in overdrive, I am not likely to break that either. I've looked at 5 and 6 speed swaps, but the kits are more than the car is worth!
Anyway, my racing days are over. I won't be doing drag race starts nor adding big sticky tires. It will be ok. (Hope!)
Man, those flywheels are expensive! I do like the idea of aluminum however, for weight saving, fast revs, and being easier on the trans and rear end. Faster deceleration too.
Vettepilot
Anyway, my racing days are over. I won't be doing drag race starts nor adding big sticky tires. It will be ok. (Hope!)
Man, those flywheels are expensive! I do like the idea of aluminum however, for weight saving, fast revs, and being easier on the trans and rear end. Faster deceleration too.
Vettepilot
Thanks! I didn't know that (about the 4+3).
