Okay i got a big decision. i can get a 454 big block and drop it in or wait and save to build the turbo'd 383 id like to build. the 454 is just accross town but first thing is id have to help the guy that has it (which is also my friend) take it apart and see what it needs. he had it in his i think 82 or 83 Monty carlo ss. it started to smoke (we're guessin bad rings) so he pulled it and bought another big block to drop in its place. so this motor has been sittin at his house for awhile.

what do you guys think? id love to do the bbc but id also love to have a turbocharged 383 in my car. were goin to tare the bbc apart and see what it needs before he gives me a price.

 

Did it smoke all the time or just on startup? If it were me, I would go with the big block solely because a turbo'd small block is a pipe dream for most people on these boards :shrug:

 

well the motor ran fine for about 2000miles and then it started to smoke and then he started loosing oil every now and then.

the thing aboutthe turbo'd sbc i wanna do isnt doin the pipe work its just convertering to fuel injection is the part i hate. had to do that on my friends 86 firebird. went from a carbed 305 to a tpi 350 l98 form an 88 gta.

 

Pipe dream as in all talk - no action ..

Is the big block build up cheaper ?

The turboed 383 will require all forged internals and high flowing heads..

The 454 is heavy and adds weight unless you add aluminium heads ...

Id go for the 454.. turbo systems can be very expensive.

 

true but this being me if i do build up this big block it too will have all fordged internals and aluminum heads.

i already know just the turbo kit , fuel injection, pump, wiring harness, intercooler will be well over 7 grand.

do you think id be able to build up the bbc with the fordge internals and alumin heads for cheaper? i might just go with the Eagle kit from Jegs that has the crank, pistons, rods, flexplate, and blancer i think for alittle over 2grand. then i need a cam probably go roller (big maybe). so theres another $700. heads will cost about $2000. then i have to do something about exust.

i wanna lower my car also so im not sure if headers will be in the near future for the bbc.

 

Go big block... a taller hood is alot cheaper than a turbo kit

 

big block. Alumn. heads and a 454 will yeild 650 hp if you do it right. As much as a 383 turbo on the street would put out.

 

For the same power, displacement typically beats complexity in the cost and reliability departments.

 

okay sounds like ill be goin the big block route. i still think after i do the big block set up ill at some point either drop a blower on it or build a turbo set up.

also does anyone know if those aftermarket front crossmembers suport just sbc or bbc and sbc? like i saw one guy with a bbc in his car but i couldnt remember who made the crossmember.

also the bbc will bolt right up to my th350 correct?

 

tranny will bolt right up. you may have to buy the right flexplate for the BB to match your TH350 torque converter. Don't forget to buy BB front springs, and I think you may have to drill new holes for your motor mounts, which are easiest to do when your front springs are OUT. You may not have to drill new holes but you will need new mounts.

 

LS1

Oh, wait that wasn't an option......


I'd go with the 454, would be better in the long run then trying to manage and build a 383 Turbo set-up

 

I was gonna post a few days ago when the topic popped up but the members usually fights down anyone ideas about big blocks in third gens. I would go with the big block but if your buying internals already..why not get a 4.25 stroke in there while your at it? the moroso 7 qt pan is already clearenced for the stroker and basically everything your buying is the same costs.

Motor mounts are not an issue..I used my stockers for over 5 yrs now..actually just changed them when the new k member went in. exhaust headers are gonna be the pricey part aside from the engine itself, if your gonna use the hooker swap headers don`t buy a kickout style oil pan, the primary tubes will run right into it. I hear lemons are a great fit for around 600 but you can get the primary pipe size you need..hookers are small at 1 7/8 fine for a mild engine as long as you run twin three inch pipes.

The 700 can withstand street duty if prepped right, as far as regular track use..you`d better look into other alternatives, first to second gear is a severe drop in rpm with these and results in one of two things, tire spin and total loss of traction at about 75 feet out or a big bog if your hooked and the trans takes your motor out of it`s power band. still, running thru the pipes at over 4,000 pounds on drag radials my car 60`s at 1.6 sec and et`s in the 11.20`s @ 118, not too bad still run enough cam to have vac brakes and tight enough converter for street use.

Front springs for the small block will work if you get the urathanre spacer,put it up in the perch and it`ll give you about 1 1/2 to 2 inch fender gap with iron heads, if your running aluminum heads I`d be willing to bet that the springs in there would be just about right...new struts can do wonders for bottoming issues. Start a thread of the install and build up, I`m sure it will be a awesome project

 

hey guys im really stoked about this. this saturday i might go over to the kids house and well tare the motor apart while hes between pullin the other big block out of his 82 monty. but im pretty sure its just the rings didnt seat right.

i was lookin in Jegs at the Eagle engine kits that have the pistons, rods , crank, balancer, rings, bolts, and flexplate. and its only $2219.99 for the 489 kit. then i was lookin at the World Products Merlin 2 heads (aluminim). i know this motor wont be done probably till early fall and might not be in till middle of winter.

also about exuast i think i might just go with manifolds right now and get Mufflex to bend up a custom exuast to run in the stock location or try a custom true dual set up since BMR makes a new upper panhard bar for our cars so u can run true duals over the axels.

about suspention i got brand new (2 yrs old ) coil springs up front and basiclly brand new (2 yrs old also) kyb gr2 struts up front and all new poly suspention parts excpt motor mounts.

also does anyone run a tubular kmemeber on the street with a bbc? also which ones should i look into. im thinkin either AJE or Profab. im just worried about the bolt locations for the motor mounts even though i could weld on some extra metal and drill holes.

also are pretty much all bbc a 2 piece rear main seal? becuz in Jegs the Eagle motor kits only show a 2 piece rear main seal for either size kit you chose.

you guys have been super great with info so far i know i got some more question they just arnt popping up right now.

 

this is how high the car sits as of right now. i can reach almost to the middle of my car by gettin under the middle of it by the door.