454bbc or lq9 swap
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Charles City, Va
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro IRocZ
454bbc or lq9 swap
I just got my 87 irocz it came no motor so I am looking for something to fill in void but the best bang for my buck ...
#2
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,110
Likes: 0
Received 120 Likes
on
101 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
Best bang for the buck is not going to be a BBC. They can make a lot of power but the conversion is going to be more expensive than any other normal swap. An LS engine would be a better choice.
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Charles City, Va
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro IRocZ
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
Which one would be the better option I am open to opinions because it will be getting a full restore
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Charles City, Va
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro IRocZ
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
I am trying to do some online research to see which one I am going with everyone I know has told me LS motor but there are so many to choose from
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 86 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: 565ci 900 hp
Transmission: T56 Magnum by RPM Transmissions
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" w/4:56 Detroit Locker
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
I have to agree with alky, either a SBC or LS motor will be much easier
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Charles City, Va
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro IRocZ
#7
Supreme Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: St.Louis, IL
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 377
Transmission: TH350; Circle D 4200 converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
Whichever one fits your budget... You need monetary goals or you're just asking hypothetical questions. I'd take a BBC stroker over an LS motor any day. Doing it MY way, the cost was roughly the same between the two. Everyone's situation and needs will be different, and that dictates which direction would be the better of the two.
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Charles City, Va
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro IRocZ
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
Whichever one fits your budget... You need monetary goals or you're just asking hypothetical questions. I'd take a BBC stroker over an LS motor any day. Doing it MY way, the cost was roughly the same between the two. Everyone's situation and needs will be different, and that dictates which direction would be the better of the two.
#10
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,110
Likes: 0
Received 120 Likes
on
101 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
How much you spend depends on exactly on what you want to do. Not counting the cost of the engine, a BBC swap should be less than $3000. The biggest expense is headers and exhaust.
When you factor in the cost of the engine, you could get a running, bone stock junkyard 454 for around $500-$1000 and drop it in or in my case, my 588 BBC is worth around $20,000 but there is nothing OEM about it. A bone stock engine isn't good value when you consider there are mild SBC engines that out perform it and are cheaper to swap.
When you factor in the cost of the engine, you could get a running, bone stock junkyard 454 for around $500-$1000 and drop it in or in my case, my 588 BBC is worth around $20,000 but there is nothing OEM about it. A bone stock engine isn't good value when you consider there are mild SBC engines that out perform it and are cheaper to swap.
#11
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
The thing is with a mod on a OEM block BBC your torque output is going to be always greater.Guys say you can match that with other engines,but a primary question is at what rpm??. Hands down there is going to be more grunt at a lower rpm with a BBC and that is a very important factor if it see's street driving.
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Charles City, Va
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro IRocZ
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
How much you spend depends on exactly on what you want to do. Not counting the cost of the engine, a BBC swap should be less than $3000. The biggest expense is headers and exhaust.
When you factor in the cost of the engine, you could get a running, bone stock junkyard 454 for around $500-$1000 and drop it in or in my case, my 588 BBC is worth around $20,000 but there is nothing OEM about it. A bone stock engine isn't good value when you consider there are mild SBC engines that out perform it and are cheaper to swap.
When you factor in the cost of the engine, you could get a running, bone stock junkyard 454 for around $500-$1000 and drop it in or in my case, my 588 BBC is worth around $20,000 but there is nothing OEM about it. A bone stock engine isn't good value when you consider there are mild SBC engines that out perform it and are cheaper to swap.
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Charles City, Va
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro IRocZ
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
The thing is with a mod on a OEM block BBC your torque output is going to be always greater.Guys say you can match that with other engines,but a primary question is at what rpm??. Hands down there is going to be more grunt at a lower rpm with a BBC and that is a very important factor if it see's street driving.
The 454 that is being sold to if I pick it up is far from stock it already had head work done think for what that motor is it's a good deal just may not be a good match for what I'm thinking my direction is with this car now that I hear what y'all are saying I will definitely have to do some more research
#14
Moderator
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Littleton, CO USA
Posts: 43,169
Likes: 0
Received 35 Likes
on
34 Posts
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: LS1/LQ4
Transmission: 4L60E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
What kind of "bang" are you trying to get with your buck?
In other words, what will you be doing with the car after it's complete?
In other words, what will you be doing with the car after it's complete?
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Charles City, Va
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro IRocZ
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
After all said in done I'm not trying to go racing I want a nice street muscle car that can race on track if I want to but it's more of a weekend show car
#16
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Charles City, Va
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro IRocZ
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
No "bang" either more like a "boom" I'm looking for I have no problem saving up and getting a ls7 but I don't think that is smart when you can get the same power out of a lower model LS motor for less money
#17
Supreme Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: St.Louis, IL
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 377
Transmission: TH350; Circle D 4200 converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
the LS7 motor is "cheap" when you're not looking at all the other things it takes to drop one of those in a car... the headers and oiling system alone will set you back a LOT. I've already pushed that direction myself once and it's not worth it. That, and you still get to deal with a lot of the common problems LS7's are prone to having (there's a list).
#18
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Charles City, Va
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro IRocZ
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
the LS7 motor is "cheap" when you're not looking at all the other things it takes to drop one of those in a car... the headers and oiling system alone will set you back a LOT. I've already pushed that direction myself once and it's not worth it. That, and you still get to deal with a lot of the common problems LS7's are prone to having (there's a list).
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Charles City, Va
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro IRocZ
#24
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Charles City, Va
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro IRocZ
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
Ok thx for that the guy that sold me the iroc is selling me his motor too it's a 406sbc sounds and runs good what do you guys think about that particular block?
#25
#26
Re: 454bbc or lq9 swap
Like any other engine....it depends on the process of how it was built and parts.Check the block casting numbers on the back of the block.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post