I am really considering purchasing a 454 with 500 hp (approximate) from the local matco dealer, to put into a basically stock 1988 GTA, that i bought from a local 30 year old. that had a 350 tbi (before my dad blew it up). And I was wondering what people think about it, like ideas or anything.... I am only 17 a senior in high school, so not much money. But am planing to keep for quite a while. Would like to keep body stock but idk. Up to u guys. GIVE ME IDEAS, THOUGHTS. Please Lol... Can't upload pics from iPod I think but will figure out thanks guys.

 

I am also interested in this as well. Love the idea.

 

Personally I think its better to stick with the small blocks your 305's, 350's and 400's. The 454 can be done but it takes some work and with small blocks there is just tons of aftermarket parts to make them put out gobs of horsepower if thats what your looking for. Also if you do put in a big torquer like a 454 your going to have to beef up your drivetrain a bit. The rearend might be ok up to about 450-500 ft/lbs but the transmission will definitely fail under to much abuse. Some other guys can probably chime in with some specifics im definitely no expert.

Btw welcome to TGO! Good to see a fellow third gen owner willing to take good care of there car.

 

Read the sticky at the top of the forum on dropping a BBC into a third gen then ask any technical questions.

 

Skip the 454, get the car running with any 350 you can get. Better to be enjoying a running, slow car than looking at a non-running, fast car. And even a modest 350 will still put you ahead of 95% of the other vehicles on the road, assuming you're running Vortecs and headers rather than swirl-ports and iron manifolds.

 

The first step is to be more sure of what motor that car came with. If it's a GTA, it certainly didn't have TBI. TBI was also never offered on a 350 in a thirdgen. I'm guessing that you meant TPI.

But in either case, I agree with Atilla. A 454 is a much more difficult project, and it's also going to have a negative impact on the car's handling characteristics.

 

 

Hey Bistrof250, putting a BBC in your car isnt much different from installing a SBC in it. It will require making some change's to the car, like fabricating the complete exhaust system from the header's back, subframe connectors, and making things stronger. Any of the poor handling thats normally associated with the added weight,(by the way, an aluminium headed BBC weigh's less than 100lbs more than a fully dressed factory TPI SBC) can be overcome with some skills, experienced help, and fund's. The advice from guy's like myself and ALKYIROC, who actually successfully built them is key. No offence to all the SBC guy's.

 

The newb makes some good points, but I have been there, done that, and the costs end up at least $2,000 more than finishing a running 350.

 

True. It will cost more. Again no offence ment.

 

After all those were just my thoughts on doing a BBC swap.

 

Although it's easier and cheaper to install a SBC, even building a big SBC can cost more than building a mild small BBC. The BBC has a lot more potential to make power where it gets overly expensive to do with a SBC. Factory BBC heads flow around where aftermarket SBC heads start and the factory BBC heads can be made to work even better for minimal investment.

 

i just recently put a bbc in a 1987gta it was not bad at all but were i live i have to have a yearly inspection and that really sucks

 

The 454 is not a bad idea, especially for a street car. I just put a 454/th350 in my Z28 over the summer. It will *mostly* drop right in (the engine will drop right inplace of a small block, trans - it depends).

The only really complicated part of putting a BBC into a 3rdgen is the exhaust system. I used the Hooker 2226 swap headers, and once they are in they fit quite well and tuck up to the floor very tightly. Also easy to work around for plug access etc. Where it gets complicated is putting an exhaust system behind it, because of the headers dumping just behind the rockers, you will have to get creative.

Hood clearance is an issue as well... I used an RPM intake manifold so a stock hood was not going to clear. I installed a 2.5" cowl and it now fits just fine. A shorter intake may fit under a stock hood.

I like my big block though, especially because it will see about 2/3 of its use on the street. It makes about the same HP that my old 350 did, but alot more torque and its alot more civilized to drive. Doesn't have a really wicked idle, doesn't buck and kick and complain below 1800rpm, etc. Its just all around better IMO. I wouldn't go back.