Hi i am planing on doing a big block swap with my 91 rs with t-tops and i was wondering what n all that ill need for bracing the body and will i need all new gauges ? I really just need a list on what to get...all help will be appriciated greatly! and also i dont have a great budget but im pretty much gettin the motor for free from a friend so i might as well replace my whimpy 305

 

Subframe connectors
Cowl hood
Swap headers (the BBC swap sticky gives some options) and a custom exhaust connection to the cat-back (oh, and your RS exhaust will be wholly inadequate, so you'll be replacing that as well) - figure on at least $1500 for exhaust
Assuming a carb, a return-type fuel pressure regulator
Better in-tank pump
Beefed-up transmission
Lots of little things like throttle cables, radiator hoses
If you ever have any traction, you'll need a stronger rear end like a 9", 12-bolt, or Strange S60 (about $2500 minimum there)
If you keep power steering, find a pump that can be mounted to the engine and not get in the way of anything, then figure out how to connect the hoses to the steering gear

That's a start.


"Might as well" does not apply to a big block swap in a 3rd gen. You have to be completely dedicated to this swap. If what you're looking for is less wimp than the 305, then it would be cheaper to give the 454 away and buy a 350.

Not trying to be sarcastic or a wet rag or killjoy, just being realistic.

 

Anything is possible but as mentioned above, the swap doesn't come cheap.

All third gens need SFC. Dropping in a BBC can be done cheaply if you don't plan on pushing it hard. The transmission and diff will fail eventually if constantly under abuse from all the extra torque produced by a BBC. Probably sooner than later. Running stock driveline means the most expensive part of the swap is the entire exhaust system. The driveline can always be upgraded later as funds permit or when you finally break something.

In reality, a free engine doesn't mean it's going to be cheap. Just getting rid of the 305 and installing a mild 350 is a lot easier and probably cheap in the long run plus you'll still have good performance results.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't do the BBC swap but you did say you don't have a great budget and to us that means doing the swap won't be very economical for you.

Not all 454 engines are the same. Depending on the model and what the casting numbers are, it may be a boat anchor with no potential at all.

 

That you for the input, i figured the job will get expesnive moneys only a problem at the moment i should be getting into a good job here soon, and i do not have the motor yet my dads friend is trying to get rid of it because he is moving and has no use for it they re saying its around 450 hp with only about 30,000 miles but ill have to talk to him more about it before i decide 100% on the swap i may sell it for a small block but i also want to be different but like you guys said it would probably be cheaper to go sbc i was thinking a 400 or a 383 stroker but im also willing to let the car be off the road for awhile since i have another camaro i could drive plus i might get some deals on parts since i have a good amount of friends and family in the car business

 

383 or 406 would be a whole lot easier and cheaper. SBC parts in our area are fairly plentiful as I'm sure you know, but BBC is generally expensive and they're usually.. not good parts without dumping a whole lot more $ into them.


454's are NOT budget builds, even if you manage to do a barebones install.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter what your project is, as long as you work within your means. If you know as many people as you say you do, I'd go for a cammed 5.3 LSx motor. Those motors are awesome when you're on a tight budget and still make good power. LQ4 motors can also be had for the right price if you dig around. I'd do one of those swaps before I jumped at a BBC.

 

[quote=DeltaElite121;5506684]383 or 406 would be a whole lot easier and cheaper. SBC parts in our area are fairly plentiful as I'm sure you know, but BBC is generally expensive and they're usually.. not good parts without dumping a whole lot more $ into them

454's are NOT budget builds, even if you manage to do a barebones install.[quote]



My BBC IS a budget built project with less than $15k total. Its not who you know, but what you know(what can you do by yourself?)
Valuable is the advice from those who have actaully done it.

 

Indeed. But $15K is NOT budget. $1500 is budget. Getting a free 454 driving for $1500 is possible if you don't care about power, reliability, or butchering the car to fit van exhaust manifolds. Or having a truck oil pan hanging lower than anything else under the car. It'll kill a stock TH350, 700R-4 or T5 in no time, hence no reliability unless you spend more for a TH400 swap or a lot more for a T56 or built 700R-4 swap. Then you're ready to break the stock rear axle.

 

LOL, really? If it took you 15K to drop a budget BBC into a thirdgen you definitely fumbled about 4 times along the way. That's not "budget" in the slightest.. and I'm more than well aquainted with the swap.

 

The WHOLE project cost less than15k, not just the BBC, that even includes stuff I bought that i didnt use. I got your "fumble" right here, parked next to my other BBC camaro.

 

6 years later that’s still funny...!!! 🤣

 

I am also doing a 454 swap in my 87 camaro that had the 305 in it and I am not doing a complete full tear down of motor just new gaskets and new intake and new carb and I am in it for about 2500 and that's with buying the car and it's almost done