Can a 396 ci big block fit in the engine bay of an IROC-Z? I never use AC so I wouldn't care if that had to go,but power steering is a must. There is a company that sells 400 HP 396 big blocks for a good price, and I have thought about this as an interesting and unique alternative to a ZZ4 motor swap. What modifications would need to be made for a 396 to fit under the hood and would it be able to bolt up to a TH700r4? Anyone who has done a big block swap into their thirdgen, please give me a little direction in this. If it takes a little challenge I am up for it, but I am really considering this, provided it doesn't take and body modifications aside from a hood. Also, would a stealth ram intake be able to fit on this, or is it just for small blocks. Any big block fuel injection systems would be nice to look into later on down the road.

 

Do a search and you will find all the answers you're looking for.

 

A big block bolts in. Headers are tight and the motor weighs a couple hundred pounds more than a small block. A 700R4 will bolt up to the big block too, but a stock one won't last with the big block's torque.
Tuned port fuel injection is available for the big block too, but most of the systems won't fit under a stock hood.
If you live in an area where smog inspection is required, a big block will never pass. You can make big block power with a small block, but it does cost more.
Like Paul said above, do a search and you'll find all the details on this site.
-Rich-

 

sounds good. I'll think about a rebuild. The engine is a brand new crate engine, not an old one, so I don't know if that will effect emissions or not. it really doesn't matter to me cause I am registering it in a county that doesn't have emissions controls. I want to get a cowl or SS style hood, so this might work out for my benefit (I'd have a reason to get one). Are there any books about this? thanks

 

My 396 and T-56 are going into my Z28 around the first of the year. Would've gone in next month except I bought a ski boat.

 

sweet how many horses is it?

 

It's about 425 horse, I figure with the tq output of a 396 thats about all it can realisticly handle on the street. After that if I did manage to hook up the way I drive sometimes all I'd do would be break parts.

I've got a line on another one that'll get a forged bottom end and will replace the current 396 in a year or two so I can run a 150 shot of NOS and the current one will be rebuilt and dropped into my boat, I'm hoping for 500+ hp out of that incarnation.

 

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

Miles

 

Miles, your page is very informative. I do have a few questions about a 396 specifically. Would the Hooker headers listed on your site work for a 396 as well as a 427? I want to keep the TH700r4 and just rebuild it so would I need to make those extra clearance modifications? thanks

 

396, 402, 427, 454, 502, 540 are all BBC engines. Those headers will fit them all however they can be considered a little small about a 454 engine.

 

Just like Stephen said. I had to modify the trans tunnel because I use a trans shield.

Miles

 

I've always wondered about your shield and the TH400. I use a TCI shield. I just swapped my tranny out tonight and I have no interferance problems with the shield. You can't slid it in without dropping the tranny down but it fits with no problems.

Maybe it's because I have a custom made crossmember? The back of my tranny could be sitting lower than where a normal one would sit. I've always thought I had it too high.

 

I used the stock cross member and I think the trans sits too high, hence the interference issues. I also wanted to make sure I had enough clearance when the motor torqued (~ 3/4 inch minimum) since I am not running solid mounts. Also, I used the B&M version, maybe it's a different size? Best I can figure

Miles

 

Really? A "new" crate 396 BBC? I've never heard of that.

As far as emissions, forget it. TPI big block is not compatible with "our" TPI (Ram Air, has its own open-loop ECM).

 

a company is Arizona called Marks Performance Engines builds them. they take a 396 block refurbish it and then build it back up with performance parts, sell them as a crate engine

 

You said, "The engine is a brand new crate engine, not an old one...". Well, sounds like it's actually a rebuild, not a "new" crate engine which would have new block and head castings, stock bore, stock journals, new internals, etc.

Anyway, if you are going through the pain of a BBC swap, and don't already have the engine to put in it, it doesn't make any sense to buy and install a 396. A decent 383 will run circles around you.

If you're willing to take the weight penalty of a big block, you might as well put in at least a 454, which will have the extra cubes to push the extra weight. Performance parts aren't designed with a 396 in mind, even though they will "fit". Aftermarket performance heads are non-existent for a 396, although with higher domed pistons you could probably make some of those open chamber heads work. But, $'s/HP, the 396 loses every time.

Either way, you'd better hope you county doesn't have emissions inspections imposed on it any time soon, because no big block will be acceptable.

 

I'd like a 396 for a race engine. Of course it would start making power at 5000 rpm.

I want to drop one in a nostalgia front engine dragster and run in Comp Eliminator class A/ND.

 

A 383 sounds like a good alternative. There are quite a few 383 strokers making 450 HP for about the same price and they should pass emissions.

 

A little off-topic, I know.
That would be cool.
I just went to the California Hot Rod Reunion two weeks ago in Bakersfield.
What a blast.
Lots of early Hemis and Big Chevys in Front Engine Dragsters.
(NHRA) Junior Fuel has a 406 CI Limit, and though most are running small Chevys or Fords, there are a few 396-402 BB's in there, injected on alcohol.
-Rich-

 

When comparing a 406 SBC to a 396/402 BBC there are a lot if things almost the same. Bore and stroke are almost identical. The BBC will always have the advantage because of the basic block and head design. Not considering aftermarket heads, the SBC heads are very limiting to how much air can flow into the 406. When you look at BBC heads, they start to flow where aftermarket SBC heads usually start. The more air you can get into an engine, the more power it can make. The BBC will always have a better rod to stroke ratio than the SBC because of the taller deck.

A 450 hp 406 SBC isn't impossible but takes a lot of money to do it. A 450 hp 396/402 BBC doesn't take as much money and it becomes more streetable than the similar SBC.

 

I'm not sure I'd buy in to that completely. I'm routinely outrun by 350, 383, and 400 SBCs, including several that weigh close to what I weigh, and some that are budget cars.

For the same type of product, SBC parts are less expensive than BBC parts. Cams, pistons, heads, manifolds, headers, etc. And, while it is true that BBC heads outflow SBC, the extra bulk of the BBC will suck up a good part of the extra power produced.

I don't regret putting the 396 in the '57. But, every time I consider upgrades, the higher cost in Summit and Jegs is a very real factor.

Back to my earlier point: If you're going through the pain of a BBC installation, don't settle for the small displacements. Parts for 454's are cheaper than for 396's, and the "bulk" factor is identical.