I have a 82 Z28 camaro 5.0L (305) i want to swap a bigger motor will I have enough space to drop in a BBC 454 or just a SBC 350 and have it stroked.

 

Plenty of space for any flavor of 350 you want to drop in (depending on the top end you may have to swap hoods).

BBC is possible but requires moving of the motor mounts and firewall modification in order to make it fit, if I recall.

 

These days u can make a 454 out of a small block..... And 6-700 cu in BB

91' bird 305 TBI T-5, trick flow 175 cc heads, 4.10 gears, lots of suspension upgrades......... 24mpg @ 2300rpm hwy 65mph ........ 8.63@ 85mph 1/8th on street tires... 8.000's soon

 

Not really. Heater box and wiper motor depend on valve cover style. No firewall modifications are required even if you run a large cap HEI. The engine will fit in the exact same place as a SBC but because of the taller and longer engine, hood clearance will be an issue and maybe rad/fan/waterpump clearance.

Staying with a short deck BBC which is the same deck height as a 454, I use all aftermarket components and run a 588 engine but mine is also a race car so clearance issues are not a problem when you have a gutted out car. Going bigger than 588 requires a tall deck block and that brings all kinds of other clearance issues.

Any size SBC will be a direct swap however large displacement SBC engines need to breath to make power. The best SBC heads for large displacement are still small compared to BBC heads and cost a whole lot more. Can you make a 454 SBC? Yes but not with OEM parts. Is it cost effective, not really. If you need to go that big, drop a BBC into the car. If you want a simple SBC swap, drop in a 350 or 383. If you want to go bigger like a 406 or 434, start looking for aftermarket parts such as the block. The OEM 400 blocks are getting hard to find and are not as good for performance potential as an aftermarket casting.

For many people who just want a good street car, going from the 305 to a mild 350 will be a big improvement. People who have never driven a car with a 350 don't realize how restrictive the 305 really is. Cost to buy a 383 is very similar to buying a 350.

 

For a BBC you need to get rid of air conditioning/ heater box, I modified my windshield wipers so they do work. Depending on valve covers,( it fits just can't get the valve cover off to adjust valves) the power booster may be a problem, found a 7 inch power booster that I am going to try. I have dual fans on my Ron Davis rad and it clears the alternator belt by 3/8 of an inch.

If your put in a factory 454 with stock valve covers, your only problem will be the air conditioning/ heater box

 

^^^ this. Right on, Alky.

 

Hm, I just learned something. Thanks!!

 

And for a good big small block 420/434 cid ya need $6000 if ya keep the heads under $2000
ball park into just a good part small block $10.000 with out tranny or blower...572 is nexed

 

Thanks all for the info I will look into a 350 and bore and stroke it and see if i like that for now will work on the BBC later. also how much work will i need to do to put a T-56 behind it...