ok i have a 350 short block with a steel crank and a 454 long block, my problem is i can't decide wich one to build, I know big block swaps can be a pain but i'm prepaird to do it, and i know small blocks are alot lighter and people say thay go faster because of it , and if i build a bbc i was thinking that i would use aluminum heads to help make it weigh less, I want to make this a street/strip car mostley a friday and saturday night hot rod and i don't want to lose to a mustang, and i don't care about gas milege, so if you guys could give me any opinons or facts about this it would be great thanks jason

 

i would also consider a 383

 

A big block is only 100-150 pounds heavier than a small block. Rebuilding each cost roughly the same. Maybe add 10% for the BBC. If you already have a bunch of SBC parts then it will be cheaper to just build a SBC.

When I built mine I had a bone stock long block. I was budgeting for $5000. After a complete rebuild and a lot of new parts I fired it up for $8000. That included ever nut, bolt, gasket, bracket, everything I needed to drop the engine in, hook it up and start it.

You can do it for a lot less if many of the internal parts are left alone. If you're not going to bore it out and use new pistons etc, you can save close to $2000 in parts and labor.

Dropping in a bone stock BBC isn't worth the effort since most only make a little more HP than a SBC.

 

Well if your car is going to street/strip and you arn't worried about gas milage then I would use the BBC, but that's just what I would do. The only real hard part is the exhaust, just invest in a good set of headers and you should be fine. After I did my swap the front of my car actually sits higher than with the 305Tpi, since I used aluminum for nearly everything. In the end it's up to you puting a big block in a third gen isn't for everyone and in my experiance is was more costly but worth every penny.

 

ok i guess i have to go with the 454 darn

 

I have no idea what it would be like to drive a BBC third gen on the street. My 454SS truck is fun enough.

Go with the BBC even if you don't invest a lot of money into it. A few dressup goodies and it looks impressive stuffed between the fenders.

 

ya that sounds like a good idea but i do want it to go fast so i guess i will save up and do it right, thanks for your replys but if any body has any good sugestion on the bbc swap it self your replys are apreciated to.

 

Driving it on the street is great. More then enough power. 2 things though. Gas mileage is horrible, and definantly don't skimp on the cooling system. Otherwise it's a blast on the street and the look on people's face when they see it's not a "305 or 350" is absolutely priceless.

 

hey crazyrob75 how is driving with a 4.10 rear and a th350

 

in the city i don't find it too bad. The motor is always right in the power range so i love it. The highway is a different story. When i went to the track, i did about 80-90 KMS/hour all the way out at just under 3000 rpm. Lots of noise from the exhuast, and hot. I did make it there and back without any problems though. Just a Major lack of comfort.

 

thats cool my town where i live is on a highway wich is small and the bigger towns in the area are just down the highway, so i will probably have to go with someting like 3.42 or 3.73, or maby i will just have to bolt a t56 to my bbc ya

 

Big blocks... if larger than the comparitive V8, (IE 396bb VS 350 V8), the Big Block WILL win hands down... on one condition... the driver knows how to handle the lower torque and knows when to shift... and... assuming the car can get some decent traction.

A big block puts out MUCH more torque than a small block chevy.......... USUALLY.


A Small Block Chevy.. for a 3rd gen, is a more IDEAL swap simply because the motor IS lighter, it's a no frills swap... AND... your car will still handle as well as it ever did.

That's just me of course... in my opinion... all f-bodies other than 4th gens handle like ****... my 82 TransAm, and my 81 TransAm both handle similarly to a 1977 Royal Dodge Monaco touring sedan as far as I'm concerned..... of course, that's me comparing it to a mid engine Fiero, and a GrandAm.

But in any case... if you drop a big block into a 3rd gen... you face two problems..

1 - you WILL lose some of your handling ability... it will increase your understeer in turns because of the additional weight in the front.

2 - you WILL be facing traction problems.


That's why, IN MY OPINION, I say stick with a nice built up small block chevy, and keep the 454 for something else that comes along.


Todd

 

well price wise i freshened up my motor AND installed it in my car for about $2500 Canadian. That's about as "no frills" as it gets. The swap was painless, any monkey that knows how to work an engine crane and a ratchet can do it. I will agree with the handling aspect, but i honestly don't think anyone considering dropping a BBC in has autocrossing on there mind.

My budget build has been going strong for the last year and a half, runs 12's, and is pretty damn reliable. Slap some sticky tires in the back, fill your gas tank up, and go play.

Doesn't get any simpler then that.

BTW.....I, to this day, do NOT understand the big VOODOO about people putting a bbc in. Everyone makes it out to sound like rocket science. To me it's no different then doing the sbc - bbc swap in an old musclecar. There is always a little modifying and hammering involved, but isn't that what this hobby is all about?

 

well put crazyrob75 shure i'l be driving it on the street but it's not like i plan on power sliding all the corners, not all of them any way, and 8.2L trans am said his is actully lighter, so i figure as long as gas does not go to $3.00 a gallon and i can keep my t top under controll i think a bbc is the way to go. also still open to suggetions on the build it self thanks jason

 

Be prepared to spend some cash on increasing your traction. My buddy's uncle dropped a 454 into a 4th gen firehawk and ran 15's all day. The tires just kept spinning, so traction mods are a must with that much torque.

 

You don't need to spend tons on suspension mods. I have zero suspension mods, just a set of sticky tires. You didn't state, but if it was on radials, obviously your not going to get any traction. All the traction mods in the world don't mean jack if your using hard radials.

 

i have a 10 bolt rear and i'm worried what do you guys have, and what width tiers are you running?

 

I have a stock 26 spline Gov lock posi with the stock original axles. The ONLY aftermarket part in the rear end is the 4.10 Richmond gears. For some reason i just CAN'T blow it. I know it will happen sooner or later.

 

so i guess my 10 bolt will hold for a little while? if so thats cool because i have the disc brake posi rear. and another thing i was thinking of, is about hood clearence what intake do you guys have and are you running a cowl hood?

 

I'm just running a performer and yes you'll need a cowl.