I've got a 350 sbc, it's a 4 bolt main 010 block. It pretty much needs everything from cam to pistons to heads. But, I can get a 454 bbc that only needs a carb and intake for it to run, for $700. I know I'll need to get a bigger bell housing and flywheel for it to bolt right up to my 4 speed. What i'm asking is, does it make more sense to rebuild the 350 or just pay the $700 for the big block. Thanks in advance.

 

You'll need a bit more than the $700 initial for the BBC swap.

I'd just rebuild the 350 unless you really want to do a BB swap.

 

Well the only reason why I'm considering the swap is because my friend can get me the big block, and he says once you go big block you never go back just cuz of the amazing torque and how much easier it is to build power compared to a small block. How much would it cost to build about 350 horses out of the 350 compared to just sticking with the stock big block.

 

Street or strip? Federal laws won't allow a BBC in a 3rd gen, if you wanna run it on the street, unless you have an inspector friend that will risk his license on passing you.

 

350hp out of a 350 isn't hard. a Vortec headed 350 should be able to do that no problem.

Most of the stigma about getting 350hp out of these cars is due to TPI's poor top end. It makes torque, and the peak power generally falls off long before you hit 5250 where the lines cross on a dyno graph. Being an 83', you don't have TPI to deal with, but a carb intake on a 350 should make 350hp relatively easy with the right cam and exhaust.

You'll need stronger springs up front to bring ride height back to normal. Then there is dealing with the torque a 454 will make. Transmission, and rear end won't likely deal with it if they are still stock. They may not even like a 350hp 350.

Its not just dealing with the engine. Its putting it in the car, and dealing with all of the nickels and dimes you'll need to complete the swap.

Likely the cost of building a 350hp 350 + the rebuild might just balance out with the cost of the big block swap.

Have you priced a intake for the BB? Used/New? consider what else needs to go with that BB swap, then compare it to the price of rebuilding your 350.

Its your car, your decision. Just inform yourself of all the little things first.
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If you go with show/race car insurance you can get past that.

For regular insurance though you can only swap in powertrains from the same year or newer. And those powertrains must retain all of their emissions equipment.

I keep mine on show car insurance because its just cheaper, and I don't drive it enough to exceed the mileage limit on the insurance.

 

Your bellhousing from a small block will bolt up. You just have to use the right clutch size to fit inside.

Your engine will bolt to the V8 mounts. It won't fit anything else, but those are the big areas, anyway.

Read the sticky for BBC swaps.

 

Nothing wrong with doing a BBC swap but $700 for the engine is the cheapest part and a $700 BBC isn't much more than a used street engine. Depending what year it is and what casting heads are on it, $700 might not be much of a deal when you have to replace everything. All BBC engines are not the same.

Read the sticky on doing the swap. The swap itself isn't hard. I doubt your tranny will survive but it's still better than a T5. The hardest part about the swap is the exhaust. You can use the factory manifolds but they offer no performance potential. Hooker makes the cheapest swap headers but they're also the worst fitting. $700 for an engine then another $2000-$3000 to finish the swap.

My race car and daily driver have BBC. I'll never go back to a SBC.

 

if you want to let rpms to scream get a sbc,if you want the gutwrenching torque get a bbc,my iroc has a 350 and its fun to drive and my truck has a 454/4speed and its nice for the torque and all

 

alright cool, well, i'd really enjoy a big block car, but since i have a 4 speed and no overdrive, driving on the highway my rpms were 3000+ at 70 miles an hour. what kind of gears would be decent to use to drop my rpm so it can be somewhat streetable and highway driveable?

 

i have 3:42 gears in my iroc and its pretty decent for driving(drive the highway a bit)or 3:73 would be good

 

i already have 3.08's, i don't think going to those tall of gears is gonna help. lol. would 2.73's be good enough??

 

never put 273s in they suck i change from them to 373s and maid almost 1 1/2 sec faster in quarter

 

your better off with lower gears like 3:42,3:73,4:11s,etc

 

He's looking for numerically lower gears, not what is considered "lower".

"Tall" gears are lower numbers, "Lower" gears are higher numbers. Just a contradiction in terms & understanding. But, 2.73s are as tall/lower #s you can go, short of geting a 5 or 6 speed tranny, or a Gear Vendors Overdrive unit.

 

but see he says he drives the highway alot and i drive about 32 miles a day on the highway and i do good with the 3:42 gears i have

 

Huh? what federal law is that?

j

 

that 454 swap would cost some dough....in my opinion.....Tranny, gears, diveshaft, etc..

but dont get me wrong.....i wish i had one. amazing torque and flexiblity in power adders.

but then again i've seen some mitubishi evo's spank a 454 in a camaro (opa locka, FL @ countyline raceway).

 

Well you also have overdrive, right? I guess i'll have to find a 5 speed or if i could sling a sweet deal on a 6... lol. But, for sure, I'm getting the big block, within the next couple of weeks, so the swap will comense soon.
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Doesn't take much to build awesome power from an Evo. But I'm not worried either way.

 

I have no idea what size would be adequate. Could someone help me out here? My friend told me that i would need a bigger bellhousing for a bigger flywheel, so what you're sayin is that I can use my same bellhousing and flywheel just a different clutch?

 

You can use the bellhousing, I don't think you can use the flywheel. All chevy v8 engines use the same transmission bolt pattern. I think you can only use a 10" clutch pattern so you'll have to have a flywheel for a 454 that can use that clutch setup.

 

You'll want a 168-tooth flywheel, which should accommodate an 11" clutch.

What 4-speed are we talking about? Stock from the '82? I've heard there were some good 4-speeds used in 3rd gens, but they were fairly rare.

I believe I've heard your bellhousing will work, but a scatter shield would be a good idea, and insure that you'll have enough room to work.

 

Well i guess it's a saginaw, no borg warner unfortunately. and the bellhousing i guess can bolt up to chevy or pontiac according to my friend.

 

Chevy big block or small block, but not Pontiac.

Should have said 168-tooth external balance flywheel.

 

Does anyone here have pics of a big block swap they or someone did? I think it could be real helpful in the process. Thanks.

 

HI Guys, I have a big block in my 88. Let me tell you how fast it all adds up! Anyway, I will get you a pic tomorrow if it will help you out. I also went with the march pulley kit and no power steering. No problems steering with 18's front. Car sounds incredible! The wow factor is there! Best of luck on your swap!

 

i have a 1987 camaro with the 2.8 v6 going to swap it but was wondering if a 350 sbc would be enough power with a 700r and different rear end gears ..for highway drives and a lil burnout fun

 

Please look at the dates of the post you are replying to.
Maybe if you yell really, really loudly, the OP will hear you all the way back in 2007.