I am seriously considering the possibility of swapping out the anemic little 305 4-bbl in my '82 in favor of a 454. the engine has less than 50 hours on it and has never run hot (it was in a boat...)

What I need to know is what problems I might face, and what can remedy them. I gather that there are at least 2 f-body owners on this site that currently HAVE a big block in their F-car. How did you guys do it?

also, will I need special motor mounts, oil pan, exhaust manifolds, hood, radiator, front suspension, and other suchlike?

This motor is completely stock 325hp with normal exhaust manifolds, and I'd like it to stay that way, for the tranny and rearend's sake. will it fit under the stock hood with a stock-height intake and rochester carb?

 

Welcome to thirdgen.org

Start by doing a search of the archive. The same question is asked at least once a week. There is a mountain of information in the archives about BBC swaps.

 

In all honesty, at 325Hp I would fore go the headache and install a 350Hp small block. Very easy to make those power levels.

 

It's all on my page at www.koolmeister.com

Miles

 

I was thinking about going the 350hp 383 route, but the thing is, I don't already HAVE a small block and the big block is totally stock, low compression, and would be streetable, even with 450+ ft-lbs of torque. well, considering 450ft-lbs in a third gen is "edgy" for a street car any way you cut it.... I am excited about the future mods, but wary about changing the spark plugs/oil filter, and the suchlike

 

Even if you already have the 454 your still out cheaper buying a 350 in the same condition and putting that in.

Don't ask me how I know.

 

Oh man . . . I talked myself into a BBC swap with the same "logic" once. Believe me (and several others here) it's MUCH easier to just sell the Big Block and get a nice small block. The costs you will encounter making the Big Block fit will FAR exceed the costs of a new smallblock.

 

you know, if you really miss the massive torque either get an LT4 like i will ... or get a 70's 350 SBC and, i don't know, supercharge it ?