well I'm getting ready to "break ground" on my project. I bought a '82 off ebay for $112.50 and I'm putting my 498 outta my '70 chevelle and a th-350 I have lying around and see wht happens. I'm shooting for about 3000 lbs, the car is going to be a race car, fiberglass fender's/hood no interior, etc. I'm hoping for low-mid 10's with a 200 shot. Still working out the details on the rear end set up, but most everything else is planned out!!

 

Putting a BBC in a third gen is a real adventure. I'm doing the same thing myself. As you come across new information, post it. There are a lot of us out there that are doing this swap and quite a few people have already pulled it off with success. It's pretty cool to see the different ways people solve a problem. Some things drop right in and some things take some innovation. Good luck.
These cars are just as light as the first gen cars and a WHOLE lot cheaper.

 

please do keep us posted. I am putting a 402 with a th350 in an 86 coupe. The parts I have picked so far are a spohn torque arm, Hooker super comp swap headers(2226hkr), and a jegs aluminum radiator. So far what I have read is that the radiator, headers, and fuel are the first challenges.

 

that's what i've read too, I'm going to put in a tubular k-member, so hopefully the headers will have a little more room, I plan on running a ladder bar set up from jegs, it's about the same price as buying all new torque arm ect, plus the one from jegs you don't have to cut on the floor to make it work! unlike the one's from comp eng. I get the car tomorrow so the tear down starts the weekend, going to start with the interior and work my way out.

 

i am interested too. I had a 383 in my daily driven '88. I also have a good 454 buildup that is almost done...and this 454 needs a home, and might replace my 383. BUT, i would like to know what is in store for me....lol.

Thanks a lot guys.

 

SFC(old Spohn),pinchweld at the bottom of the firewall has to be trimmed if youre using the Hooker swap headers(2226?).You also need to trim the lower control arm a bit since the collectors are hitting it.

 

daz is right i have a 454 in my 86 iroc right now w/ the hooker conversion headers and boy they were a nightmare to get hooked up and make work. they also seem to hang low but i havent drivin it yet so i dont know how much a problem they will be. all in all i didnt find it hard at all to do the motor conversion its just gettin a hood for mine that will be a nightmare. im planning on runnin if i can make it work a mercruiser efi tunnel ram fuel injection setup. i have put a 4in cowl hood on it and it was nowhere near shutting. probly have to custom make a hood. other then that the xmeber was easy driveshaft cutting and some rear suspension stuff took most of my time and money.

 

will a 700r4 bolt up also what type of rear should i go with i was think a built 8.8 i seen conversions for them but then i see 9inchs that bolt right in but dont know about the price kind of step.lol also if not a 700r4 what tranny should i go with willa t56 bolt up?

 

a 700r4 will bolt up to a bbc and so will a t56. me personally i prefer automatics though . alot of people dont they like the feel of a stick. for me automatics are just more consistant and i cant mess up in a run. and yea a 700r4 can be built to handle large numbers or torque and hp . i put a 400 in mine because it was already built w/ a stall convertor and just laying in the shop. one day im sure ill replace it w/ a 700r4 though.

 

I installed a gen five 502 short block with Dart 265cc oval port heads at 9.5 compression back in 1995 using the oem smallblock motor mounts, hookers swap headers and t400 trans. Just started bracket racing the 3900lb. with cage and driver 82 street TA last session with 3.70 rear. My best et last year through the mufflers on pump gas was a 10.44 @ 129+ mph with a 1.44 60 ft. Is that what most 9.5 comp. 502's run or what?

 

hey 10 SECONDS - Are you the one selling the swap headers on ebay?

 

TH350 will require you a driveshaft from a TH200(82-83 3 spd autos) and crossmember.You will also need a mount for the torque arm that B & M sells.

700R4 will fit just as it does a stock small block car

manual transmissions will not work if you have a Gen V or VI BBc as these blocks doesnt have mounting for the Z bar

You would also need to fabricate power steering pump brackets if you want to use the SBC accessories like what I did. 4" inch cowl fit on my stock GM dual plane AL intake,an 800cfm Holley DP and a 3" open filter.I grafted a 4" cowl on top of an 82Z28 composition hood and theres still room there.The intake iis from an LS6 if you need a compariosn in height..I had a Vic jr on it and only a 6" cowl would fit..lol

 

So it sounds like a cowl hood is required, no matter which intake, carb, air cleaner you choose?

 

Forgot to say.The easiest way(not that easy still) to put the headers is lto lay it on the bay before you lower the motor in. Its very diffiicult to put the motor in then the headers..I have to pull the motor out again then did it

 

Just kidding, but no I have never sold or bought anything off ebay (as of yet). I have a victor with a 1050 holley with a 2 to 3" crowl hood on mine but I had to make my own custom air cleaner to work (just clears). PS: now that I think about it because the Harwood hood has been on there for 10+ years it could be a 4" cowl, I believe that's as large as the bolt on harwood came back then but it's most likely a 3" must ckeck when snow melts also I fotgot to mention that I run a 1" open spacer between the carb and victor manifold..