I checked the archives and i can't find any specific answers to my questions. I'd like to talk to someone first-hand who has put a 454 or 427 in a 3rd gen. I remember an old racer telling me you can bolt a big-block useing small-block mounts, I just got done putting a 327 into my iroc and the exhaust is tight in there, And i almost can't imagine a 454 fitting in there without extensive work. I don't mind doing the work, i'd just like a little help getting started. thanks guys.

 

First of all, Get a really big shoehorn. No, just kidding. I put a big block in my '91. You use the standard small block mounts. As for the exhaust, Hooker makes headers for the swap. I had them in my car. Had to make some minor adjustments to the body seams with a hammer to get them to fit. I really didn't care for them. If I had the exhaust manifolds, I would have tried them instead. Nothing like BBC torque in a 3rd gen car.:hail: A little bit of patience is all it takes. Anymore questions feel free to email me. Good Luck!!!

 

The exhaust is the hardest thing about the swap. Hooker Supercomp swap headers are NOT a direct fit. Some modifications are required such as notching the engine crossmember, lower A-frame mounts, underside of front frame etc. Then you need to have a custom exhaust fabricated.

The Hooker SuperComp headers exit at the rocker sills. This may cause problems if you have subframe connectors that attach there.

I have some pics on my site of how the engine sits in the car. It's a race car so I don't have many clearance problems.

 

The Hooker SuperComps do not bolt in. There are many more undesirable aspects to them besides that. I had a custom set of Tri-Y headers made by Lemons Headers in California. They fit just as easily as small block headers and terminate beside the tranny allowing for easier construction of an exhaust system. They also flow much more than the Hookers for higher output setups.

 

What about a 454 small block.

Deck Height: 9.325
Bore: 4.185
Stroke: 4.125
Rod Length: 6.125
Piston Compression Height: 1.125
Rod Ratio: 1.48:1
Displacement: 453.9

I got these specs out of HotRod Magazine so... I just thought it might give you another option to think about.

 

A 454 small block would last maybe 10,000 miles. A 454 big block would last for 100,000 miles.

I'm exagerating, of course. The small block might go a few more miles than 10,000.

 

I did my swap last winter and used truck manifolds. Besides having to tap the firewall in by the exit on the passenger manifold, they went in smooth and easy. I also used the stock 305 mounts. It was actually a pretty pailess swap.

 

I had Hooker Supercomps in my car. The only place I had to cut was the bodyseam that hung down under the car behind the wheelwell. These headers are a pain in the a$$. I know Lemons makes a good quality header. Forgot about them. You may want to look into them. They are not cheap though. I think they go for around $800. Any tube size up to 2 1/4" or 2 1/2" stepped or your normal header.

 

Looks like the hooker headers aren't going to be in the direction i'm going. I've looked through some older posts and read that Sanderson makes a good header for the sawp for a little bit less than Lemons headers. The reason I asked about the motor mounts was that i assumed that my transmission mount would need to be moved also. From what you guys have told me, with a "BFH" and a die-grinder it shouldn't be that hard. I was figuring on a lot more fabricating to get it done right. thanks guys

 

All the info for my 427 bbc swap is on my page at www.koolmeister.com I did the swap about 4 years ago. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Miles

 

The transmission doesn't move unless you're repositioning the engine. When you pull out the SBC, the BBC fits back into the same place and bolts right up to the tranny. The extra length of the block because of the increased bore spacing goes forward, not backward.

The 454 SBC means a taller deck aftermarket block and they're not cheap. By the time your done building it, it would be cheaper to build a BBC.

 

hooker super comps will make the job a nightmare. I ran jack davis headers (for sale) and they made the job a lot easier for a novice. btw, the wiper motor fits fine when you lower the engine

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