Just out of curiosity have you purchased your big block yet? If not I just wanted to kick around the idea of selling my 468. I'm eventually going back to a small block because I want to have good handling. I just can't seem to have an idea and stick with it . If you were interested really soon I wouldn't even bother finishing this install. I'd use the money to buy a 406 small block. The engine was custom built and 100% complete from top to bottom. It just needs to be lubed and the valves lash set. It's a 9:1 engine with TRW forged pistons, LS6 rods, LS7 crank, ARP bolts everywhere, ported iron oval heads, Manley valves, Crane 1.7 roller rockers, Moroso extended oil pan, Fluidampr, SFI approved billet steel flywheel, and a Crower blower cam. It's a conservative 600 Hp engine that will lay down the law on the street but idle like a kitten. The ceramic coated headers and polished B&M 177 low profile blower go with it too. You have a pretty dang decent chance of fitting everything under your cowl. The blower itelf easily fits under the stock hood and the carb air cleaner mounting flange is about level with it. If you use a drop base air cleaner it's probably completely under your cowl. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this motor. I am simply rehashing what I really want to accomplish and I don't think the big block does it. I'm not going to actively try to sell it but if someone said they wanted to buy it I'd sell it on the spot.

 

QT,

I think you are on the right track here.
Even though that motor is awesome and would add value to anything it's in, I would take handling and drivability over straight line acceleration any day. Plus if you choose the small block you would not have to buy tires every month

What do you think the weight difference is between the 2 motors ?

Don



------------------
1985 T/A WS6
Recaro Seats
57,000 smiles
TPI T-Tops
3:42 Posi

 

You might want to rethink this. I learned a few things with my first BBC swap that I'm correcting with this one. You can keep the big block and keep most of your (if not improve) handling. It won't be easy. If you increase the swaybar diameter in the rear, lower the car about 1 to 1-1/2 inches, and go to a coilover/ladder bar setup in the rear and high quality struts and STB in the front. Along with aluminum heads, you should be right about there.

The alum heads will keep the wieght difference down to around 100lbs vs. the SBC. Relocate the battery to the trunk and remove any non-essantial(sp?) equipment from the engine bay and I'm betting you'll be quicker than before. You might pay a penalty in the turns but the extra torque will make up for that after the apex when you can roll the throttle again. Your going to need to use a sport spring in the front. Do not use just a lowering spring, they aren't stiff enough. When your ready call eibach and have them make you a set for your front end weight and ride height.

 

Since Blue hasn't replied yet, he actually does have his 502 and most of the parts for it to go in.
Douglas

 

As Doug stated, I do already have my 502. The main thing I still need to purchase is the T-56. Sorry I can't help you out there QwkTrip, but thanks for the offer. Sounds like one bad engine, and it has a whole lot more ponies than my 502.

If I didn't like my hood so much, a bb blower motor would be just too cool. There's an '86 IROC hardtop in blue near me for $2000... maybe a matching pair... one with a 468 and 8-71, and one with a hood and 502... nah, best finish what I've got now, but it sure is tempting.

------------------
'86 Camaro Sport Coupe

 

Well shucks! It was worth a try.

87RS402, you think it's still possible to crank some turns, huh? I already have large sway bars from Suspension Techniques that I've been using for years. The springs are also Suspension Techniques and they are very stiff sport springs. I installed a matched set of adjustable Koni rear shocks and Bilstien sport struts up front. I don't have ladder bars but I do have a fully adjustable competion suspension from Kenny Brown. It's literally the competition version and not the street version. You've got ideas running through my head now.... I'm just thinking on the fly but I could sell the blower and pretty much buy aluminum heads with the money. I'd have to do a cam swap now before I get the tranny mounted up. One problem is that I'm running 9:1 compression with stock iron oval heads. It would be helpful to increase compression a little. What would be a good head to use knowing that I've got flat top pistons right now? I really know very little about big blocks. This is my first one and I'm not familiar with the combos that work. I would like to put out a solid 500 Hp naturally aspirated. Heck, maybe 9:1 is already sufficient. I'm running a Tremec TKO 5-speed with a 3.27 first gear and 3.73 rear gears. The motor could be a little rev happy and work very well with my setup. Got any ideas?

I know that with a 406 small block I could turn 450 Hp and still be very streetable. And the car would corner like a bat out of hell.

 

Yeah, when I got rid of my Vette I thought about going from a 500 Hp car to a 380 Hp car and I just got power hungry. Now that I've had a few months to reflect on it I'm starting to regret that I'm going to have to cut up the car for a blower through the hood. I guess the real issue was when I put the wheels and tires on the car and visualized the blower setup I started to regret what I have done. I don't want to hack up the hood. The car is too pretty as is. I wouldn't mind a 2" cowl if a naturally aspiraced setup would fit. Nothing bigger then 2" though.

I'm not certian what the weight difference is but it's probably around 200 pounds including the blower.