txrancher47

I would like to know if a big block v8 will fit into a c4, c5 or a c6? If so, does the car require any major mods to accomplish the task?

Thanks for any help

jpee

I have seen a big block in a C4... don't know about a C5 or C6.. I'm sure ANYTHING can be done given enough $$ & time

Mez

There were a few big block C4 conversions. Lot of work to make it fit. Not worth it in my opinion. It would be tougher in the smaller C5 and C6 engine compartment. Better of with one of the aftermarket LS blocks since you can bore/stroke one of them to 500ci.

dads toy

agreed, why would you want to add the weight of a big block on a C5 or C6 when you can get a "small block" that is up to 500 cubic inches and will out run most of the old school big blocks. The LSX block can hold up to 2000 HP. what more do you need? If more, I want to be first in line for a ride!

FU

Why ? It's like reverse technology , or going backward in a race............
I have 2 stroker C4 ZR1's. I'd love to pull one of those engines and put a LSX in it's place. Don't tell any of the ZR1 guy's though

sallen619

I've seen one in a C5....He owns his own shop...

timd38

You can get 454 inches out of an LSX and that is the same as the most common big block and the LSX weighs a bunch less.....

Bill Dearborn

In the high performance versions the 454 BB didn't produce as much HP as a 427 BB and the only high performance versions of the 454 came out in 70 and 71. The LS7 has 427 cubes and is considerably lighter than the old Big Blocks. The LS6 454 that I had in my 71 Vette was close to 800 lbs even though it had aluminum heads. It always made me nervous when we pulled the engine and backed the lift up to swing the engine over the front of the car.

Bill

txrancher47

Thanks for all the replies. Even though the small block can hold up to 2000 HP, is the technology out there to do so? My friends are all saying that if I am to build a race car, I should try to go with a big block engine. I would prefer the small block, but they are telling me I can't compete with a big block engine using a small block in a car.

AirBusPilot

Probably because they think it's still 1975.

AirBusPilot

I have a friend that has a LPE 415ci C4 ZR-1. That car has run 10.40's at 134 mph and purrs like a kitten.

Imagine if GM would have continued to develop that engine.

jpee

Are you planning to drive this on the street or is it "TRACK ONLY" ...

Only reason I ask is if its track only, I have driven a 290 ci small block that made 791 HP on the dyno... It was a D/A Camaro... Tube Chassis.. built from the ground up as a drag car... it was even towed back to the pit spot after a 1/4 mile run... so "YES" you can make a Helluva" lot of HP from a small block... but it won't be streetable (is that a word)

NHRA Pro stock car are making over 1500 hp from a 500 ci Big Block... For me personally if I were going to have a "TRACK ONLY" car it would be a small block... (I don't know if you/anyone can get more HP from an LX block than the old Bow Tie engines...

Would be interesting... although I have not seen the new GM small block in ANY "Comp Eliminator" cars.. they all use the old small block...

SpinMonster

Im not sure what their experience is with the corvette or it many drive line issues but here are a few based in real world experience:

The LSX engine at 434 displacement has run 7 sec passes with 1400 HP in Phil97SVT's mustang. His car has run 7.9 at 191mph. You can boost power from there but thats not the limiting issue.

The corvette's issues with big power arent with making it. Single rear turbo kits will allow way more HP than any trans and diff that fits the car. Independent diffs cant handle this power. The Z06 diff when coupled with an A4 worked trans gets you into the 1100 rwtq range but its iffy after that.

None of the manuals can take that kind of abuse due to the shock. My friend backed his power off after cracking 3rd gear 3 times on his turbo car doing roll=ons on the hiway.

Talking 1000+ HP is just that:talk. Actually making the car handle 1000 is another story. Even the Aluminum block LS7s make 1100. The transmission and diffs arent quite as stable.

FU

I probably know who has the 415. Tell the Austin guy's from F/U (441 LT5)
-----------------------------------------------

txrancher47 Stay with the LSX engines Check out the F/I section and see the power those guy's are putting out with the LS engines when all is done you will be happy with the results that the LSX produces.

AirBusPilot

Will do. It's a white ZR-1.

Tommy D

Why do you want to use a late model Corvette with a "Big block" ?
Spin has addressed the problems using "stupid fast HP" with IRS components & etc. That would exclude a drag car unless you are thinking of just utilizing the body and frame with out the entire drive line.

Mez

What class of racing? I think you gotten your answer that a BB swap in the C5/C6 platform would be a major project.

2,000 hp BB would mean a complete drive train replacement which would mean a gut job and custom frame. Sounds expensive. There are better vehicles out there for this type of hp.

glass slipper

http://www.team.net/sol/tech/engine.html

Fully dressed BBC with iron block/heads/manifolds was 685 LBs. With aluminum heads/intake, I'm guessing close to 600 LBs. I've picked up more than a few iron/aluminum heads/intakes and there is a big difference on the heads. I can carry an aluminum head in each hand while it takes two hands to handle an iron head...granted I'm only 155 LBs myself but it's all relative.

glass slipper

The funny thing about this statement is in 1975, the small blocks were killing the big blocks in Pro Stock racing which was the pinnacle of NA technology...ever heard of "Grumpy" Jenkins and Bob Glidden. Grumpy was getting close to 700 HP out of 331 in³ on factory iron heads. Maybe if you had been around in the '70s you would know these things before you type.

With present day technology, the BBC dominates...a 500 in³ cast iron block LSX is no match for a 500 in³ aluminum block BBC in HP while weighing almost the same. The small bore of the LSX (relative to the BBC) will never have enough room to fit the valves needed to flow at the 10,000 RPMs the BBC engines turn. The long stroke of the 500 in³ LSX will limit its RPM structurally while the much shorter stroke of the BBC allows it too rev to the moon with no worries.

If he's building a race car, the BBC is what he needs while a solid rear axle, roll cage, and different transmission are a given. He needs to define what kind of race car he's building as I'm sure it isn't a Pro Stock car.

Mez

Putting a BB in a C5/C6 is like trying to put a size 13 foot into a size 8 shoe. Yeah, you can do it, but it will take a lot of cutting.