So I swapped in a Chevy 454 4 bolt with the MPI intake etc etc. No issues there except the massive hole that needs to go into the hood.

My problem is that Im in the middle of trying to figure out how to mock up the turbo headers but there just isnt enough room. The main issue is the stock steering assembly and its bulky-ness. I was thinking about using some of the u-joints with the correct ends to make it fit like stock but be (hopefully) a couple inches thinner. Any other ideas?

The other issue is the whole entire brake assembly. I dont mind fabbing, I work at a CNC machine shop so its my daily job. However everytime I go about searching on the forums (here and others) people usually say relocate it. Ok, fine, but how?

As of right now, with the flanges for the exhaust in place bolted up, I can just BARELY get the 2"-2" radius 90 degree piece of pipe in there, and thats with nearly no leg on one side. I havent even tried to get the steering assembly in there yet. Any ideas/help? Ive looked at the 454+turbo swap, and while I respect the guys and the amazing work they did, Im spending the money and time to make full tubular headers. Thanks for any input, I just wish it was as easy and taking out the hammer and beating it to fit

 

My steering column at the firewall is relocated away from the engine and up slightly from it's stock location. I did a custom mount through the firewall. As for the u-joints. I'm using some u-joints and yokes from an Astro van. The lower steering shaft on the Astro van is shorter than a third gen but it doesn't take much to cut off the yokes and weld them onto the third gen steering shaft. The steering box and upper shaft couplers are the same size.

I'm using Ed Quay headers. 2-1/4" primary tubes. The driver's side isn't bad but the passenger side has a couple of tubes dented to clear suspension components and I can't take out the outer starter bolt without removing a couple of header tubes. My tubes are all separate and slide into and are bolted into a collector. Raised port heads, which is just about every aftermarket head, adds a bit more difficulty when installing large tube headers.

With a turbo header, you don't need anything fancy. Just route the tubes wherever is best to a common flange. Length isn't an issue.

I should take some new pictures of my steering shaft, headers etc. I've done changes since the last batch I took many years ago. It's still a very tight fit.