How hard would it be to put a 396ci big block into a 82 camaro z28? becuz i kinda found one i just dunno if its for sale or not but probably its in a junk yard. but the engine looks to be in great shape, i just have to go back and see if they owner will start it and see if things work and also see how much he would want for it. well if anyone could give me sum imput thanx

 

Damn this topic has been beat to death

It's hard, real hard. It's so hard that you need special headers, mechanical ability, money, more money, time, a sledgehammer, and a deep seated desire to be different.

That said, it's close to a bolt in.

 

It's all on my page. Also, search the archives.

Miles

 

I sure hope you haven't overlooked emissions. If you've got 'em, forget it.

But, the engine bolts to the front mounts and transmission in exactly the same way as the 305. It's the rest of the stuff that gets challenging.

What year is this engine? For a few years ('69 & '70, I believe), they called it a 396 but it was actually a 402. After that, it was still a 402 but they called it a 400. Poor thing never was called what it actually was.

Also, in 1965 and 1966, the rear cam bearing journal was different than all subsequent years. Not a biggie, but if you've got one of them, you need to know that if you plan on changing cams.

FWIW, some day the '57 will get that 502 Ram Jet, and the Camaro will be exempt from emissions inspections. When both of those days have arrived, I fully expect a 396 to sit between the fenders of the Camaro (okay, it's actually a 401.8...).

 

well its in an old nova. dont know what yr nova but probably a mid 60's to 70's. and its a 396 , i hope. so like will it bolt right up too my th350 tranny and also will it bolt right up too my motor mounts. and i dont care about emmissions becuz soon im hopeing to register my car as a collector car so i dont need to do emmissions anymore. but i know ill have problems with the headers and what not. but i think ill be able to get things to work out right.

 

IIRC, the 396 wasn't available in a Nova until about 68. That only means anything if it's the original engine. The problem that you incur when putting a BBC in a third gen is exhaust, it becomes a major pain to route it in any conventional manner and the Hooker headers make it all but impossible to route it in any fashion that remotely resembles normal.

If you want to get an idea of what I'm talking about I can get a pic of my headers while their out of the car so you can see.

 

yea that would be great if ya could get a picture of ur headers. also is there really anything that would get in the way or be a problem besides maybe the distributor which i already know about. but like is there any thing else i should really know?

 

As you can see in these pics clearances are tight and the dent in the 5 primary is there from the factory to clear the steering shaft.

 

and this one:

 

There's a pic on my page looking under the car from the front. You can see how the headers fit. These are the Hooker SuperComp headers. Depending on what sub frame connecters you use, they may not fit. The headers come out at the rockers right where the SFC attach. My SFC are mounted a lot more on the inside so I don't have a clearance problem.

Another option for headers an Sanderson but they'll cost close to twice as much as the Hookers. They fit a lot differently.

 

Only problem there is Sanderson says they won't fit and nobodys tried to my knowledge so thats just a guess.

Lemmons headers built QwikTrips and they won't fit with a manual but autos fit fine, last I heard those we're about twice as much as the Hookers too.

 

where would i be able to find those headers that you guys are talkin about. becuz if i do get this engine i want sum headers that fit and what not.

 

Which set? We've named 3 different manufacturers.

 

all of them becuz i want too see which set would fit with out a major problem.

 

It sure wasn't the HSCs on my car.

A big block swap into a 3rd gen is not a simple motor swap. Be prepared for some cutting, grinding a welding.

Miles

 

If thats your criteria go with stock truck exhaust manifolds, thats the only way you won't have problems.

 

Cast iron manifolds are the easiest but really restricts performance. Hooker headers are available from Jegs or Summit.

Lemons headers are at www.lemonsheaders.com and Sanderson headers are www.sandersonheaders.com

 

We put a 396 in a camaro, something like an '85 or '86. Sanderson headers fit decently, considering all that was involved. The car had an automatic, so I can't remember if they cleared for a clutch, but anyway, the biggest pain with the sandersons was that we had to put a dent in the floor, by the starter, for the passenger side header(it dumps out right there). Some creative exhaust is nessessary to hook them up, but you can get a decent crossover pipe from the driver side, and sort of mimic how the small block exhaust routes. Other than that, a bigger rad is a must, and you have to watch running tall valve covers becuase of the heater core and the master cylinder. The power steering pump I beleive will fit from a truck, or a corvette pump/brackets is preffered, cause they fit tighter to the engine. Those pulleys and acc. brackets are the hardest part of the job, if you don't buy aftermarket stuff. Thats about it, oh, and the engine is taller, so plan on a cowl hood or something like it(if you put anything other than a looow profile intake on it). Hope that helps.

 

i used common truck manifolds for my swap. Besides having to do a little banging on the firewall by the pass. manifold outlet and bending the fuel line a little out of the way, ireally had no problems and it's been over a year. Actually one year ago today is when i fired the 454 for the first time!

 

I also forgot to add i had a custom y-pipe made to bolt up to the existing exhaust. Yes it's costing me some power, but my pockets aren't THAT deep, and it'll shred the hell outta the Hoosiers in any gear.

 

okay i already know that i need to do sum custom work to get things to fit. but with the pulleys and stuff. im most likly just goin to run the altornator and power steering pumps are the only things that r goin to be stickin out from the front of the block. would they be hittin anything, like steering colume or anything? also i have a th350 tranny that is in good shape just need to get a tune up but would i have any problems with that and would the headers also interfer with the tranny or no. its an suto. also would my stock rear end hold up too the power? its the stock rear end. i dont thing anything has been dun to it really in its 20 years. ummm thats all i could think of right now to ask. oh yeah one more thing which headers from sanderson r the ones i would need. like if i could get a part number or a name or sumthing thanx again

 

The sanderson headers are part number BB2, priced around $285 uncoated. As for the alternator and power steering, the alternator just requires standard big block brackets, i think like mid 70's cars/truck would have the right one, its for passenger side mounting. You can get them from summit/jegs, etc(most likely they'll be chrome though). The power steering brackets I don't remember off hand. I used a corvette set-up in my 73 camaro, but for the 3rd gen, we may have used a set-up from a truck. You will have to dig into that further, but nothing will actually hit anything, like your steering column, etc, if you use the right set-up. The corvette brackets are nice cause they fit up tight to the engine, whereas the truck is out further away, and could interfere with steering box, etc. The vette parts are hard to find, maybe like a 72 monte carlo w/ a big block would have the right brackets.

 

I put an S10 manual steering box in so no p/s pump to worry about. I originally hooked this to a BONESTOCK 700R4. It lived until i put my th350 in. My rear is the 7.5 4.10 Gov lock 26 spline weakling. I abuse the hell out of it, hasn't broken yet, BUT it could blow at any moment.

 

I had Lemons Headers make a custom set of Tri-Y headers with 2-1/8 primaries. These are too big for most people. They fit with room to spare and allow you to run a conventional style exhaust system. If you're interested then call Lemons and speak to Dan. Ask about the Tri-Y headers he made for Jon with the '89 Firebird. You may have to jar his memory. Anyway, he made a jig and will make you another set for $750. You're going to be hard pressed to find better quality. They make the Hookers look like trash.

Another note is that they only fit with a TH400 and solid motor mounts. You can use rubber mounts by trimming the cup bolted to the engine, but frankly if you're running a big block I assume you're after big power in which case you have to use solid mounts anyhow. If you aren't up to that power level you might as well use a small block and not waste your time.