So I was wondering, what'd the results of swapping a big block into my '89 Camaro be on handling? Will they be disastrous? Is there any way to combat these potential negative side effects of swapping for a BBC?

 

If you use a big block with aluminum heads, by the time you take out things like air conditioning to get it to fit, there really is not a lot of weight diference

 

Yeah if you do it right I think the weight difference is relatively small compared to a full iron smallblock. The main problem is the crank flange is in the same spot as a smallblock, but the bore spacing is larger. That means the engine HAS to go farther forward in the car, and sets the weight balance farther forward. It certainly wont help, and this is assuming you cut a LOT of weight to keep things at a relative parity. But I think if you're careful you can make it handle well, but it will always be better with an sbc. Just like it will always handle better with a v6 than an sbc.

 

I would consider the results in a relative manner...are you a top notch road racer? Is the car set up well for racing now? If so, the handling will be negatively affected.
If you have an average car and are an average driver who may hit a track day now and then or drive it on the street for the most part, you will not notice a large difference.

What is the performance level of the BB you plan to install? You can build some pretty stout SBs these days you kow....

 

I'd consider myself to be mostly the latter, the BB delivers about 450HP standardly, it's only seen about 25.000 miles and I can get it for a really good price with all parts required for the swap for which I can certainly not get any LS-type of engine.

 

To counteract the extra weight, you should put on higher rate front springs.

 

Post this in Suspension and Chassis and I bet SlickTrackGod will reply. Dean seems to be quite knowledgable on chassis setup (not that other aren't it's just that his name comes to mind).

 

A nice way of putting it is if you date a "full figure"girl,and she rides shotgun,without her a BBC won't matter much.

 

"Full figure girl"? Geez Gary. Did you know Mae West personally?

 

Well you know that TV series "Biggest Loser"??. And some of the before pixs??.

 

I didn't notice a huge difference. I have an 86 iroc with stock springs. The car seems to handle fine, and is pretty responsive. Even with old economy car tires. I also have cast iron Merlin heads which I believe are 10lbs heavier a piece then stock iron BB heads. I am no professional racer, but for sharp curves on backroads I have no complaints.

 

Alright, sweet.

Thanks, guys!

 

There's a difference between "handles well" and which is going to handle better. If you just want a car that handles nice then I dont see an issue, but if you're going to do any sort of autocross/track days you may want to think a little more about it.

 

Either way I can't wait to have a full figure girl in my '89 Camaro, and to be able to unleash all of that horsepower on my budget.