I am working on installing a 98 Vortec 454 into my 87 Camaro. I need help finding the right strut and spring combination to support the big block's weight. I know I will need sub-frame connectors and plan on installing a 6 pt roll bar/cage as well. This will be a street driven car (maybe a little track time on weekends) so I want a semi comfortable riding setup. Can anyone give me some advice and maybe some sources?

 

I ran V6 springs in my car for a number of years.

Drop the engine in and see how it sits on the suspension. If it sits way to low, then consider using a higher spring rate.

 

I have replaced V6s with V8s in the past and it has always lowered the car. This is my first Big Block swap and EVERYBODY is telling me I will need custom springs. Your big block did'nt lower yours at all? This will be a weekend toy but it will be driven on city streets (might as well be off-roading here in Kansas), don't want to bottom out and destroy undercarriage.

 

I have no idea how much a Vortec BBC weighs. A typical Mark IV BBC with aluminum heads and aluminum intake weighs very close to the same as a production iron head SBC. A BBC with iron heads and the original cast intake is about 150 pounds more than a similar SBC.

 

I have to replace the struts anyway and I just figured that this would be the best time to do it all, But, I think you have a good point, so before I do this I think I will sit the engine in and check out my ride height. Can't do it this weekend but next Sat, it's on.

 

My T/A was only .5 inch lower than stock with the 468 in it. now is pulled apart for rust repair.

 

OOOOHH< don't say the "R" word, I bought my 87' for $400 so you can imagine how much I have! What did your's have in it b4 the big block (V8 or V6)? I am still fighting with two broken (trans crossmember) bolts, then I will stick her in and see what she looks like. I hope I won't need custom springs, found a pair for $145, ouch!!
Wish me luck, and I will keep everyone posted. Thanks.

 

sounds like you and me are doing the same things. i just spent the last two days drilling and re taping my driver side cross member bolts. and i also got a 98 vortec 454 sitting in my garage with a t56 trans that will go in my 87 firebird this winter. from what i have read the stock springs should be able to handle the extra weight. it will just lower the car 2 or 3 inches which is alright with me because the car has about 4 inches of fender gap i want to eliminate.

 

Man, I'm still looking for a T56 in my price range (pretty small range), so, I may have to CAREFULLY use my T5 until I can find one. The mountings are the same so switching over l8ter should be a breeze. First I need to decide if I am going to invest in a stock computer to run the MFI intake on my Vortec or just switch over to a carb setup. AAHHH, decisions decisions......

 

My T/A was originally the 305 TBI. IIRC the T/A used a stiffer rate spring up front along with a 36mm sway bar.

 

i got the whole wiring harness and ecm with my engine.

also the t5 is a couple of inches shorter than the t56 so the crossmember mounts are different. thats why you have to get the spohn or bmr crossmembers.

what are you using for a flywheel? i dont know about the t5 but with the t56 you need to get a special flywheel cause the 454 is externally balanced. you can get balance plates for 20 -30 dollars but there for the earlier 454s with the 2 peace rear main seal. i have yet two find one for the vortec 454s.

 

I got mine from a C3500 after a dash fire, so all wiring, computer and plastics were fried. I need a computer w/wiring harness and knock sensor to run it with the MFI. I don't have a flywheel or anything else for the 454, yet. Its going to be a while before its setup and complete, probably next summer. If you hear of another computer and wiring harness for a 98 C3500 Vortec 454 MFI, or a cheap T56 let me know, please.

 

Don't forget that the LT-1 T56 (93-97) has a different bellhousing bolt pattern than a LS1 T56. They also use different slave/throwout components. They both have pro's and con's for the 3rd gen BBC swap. As for spring rates go, I can only speak for coil-over spring rates. I've used 175lbs, 450lbs, 500lbs, 600lbs @ 10" and 650lbs @8" all with my iron headed MK IV 623 HP 496 BBC and they all affected ride height and more, like handling and comfort.

 

Just a quick note, when deciding which T56 (ls1 or lt-1) remember that the early t56's have a pull type slave and the late ones use a internal concentric slave. The bolt pattern on the early (lt-1) t56 is the same for sbc's and bbc's even MK IV& V's, different for all LS motors.

 

mine is a 95 lt-1 i got for $700. FJackson4904 just watch the junkyards and craigslist or ebay closely and eventually you will find one. the wiring harness and ecm don't have to be from a 98 C3500. you can use one from any 96-2000 chevy or gmc truck that came with a 454. a lot of there commercial vehicles had them as well. a ecm and wiring harness will probably cost between 100-200. how much did you pay for your engine?

 

Got a real deal on motor, $300 complete. But, as I said it was melted in dash fire. I also bought an extra MFI intake, complete for $100 (fuel rails, inj, sensors, the lot for any plastic pieces I need and sensors). Now all I need is computer and wiring harness to get her in.

 

I am doing a swap right now, researching some stuff on this website... I have a V6 car, but I did this swap 11 years ago and I had a 1986 BERLINETTA... HIGHER SPRINGS... At the time, I still had a 305 in the car... Someone gave me GTA rear springs that were variable rate type springs... I put them in and my car sat LOWER in the back... I figured, well that looks crappy! (Having lower springs in the rear!)... Then within a month, I decided to pit in a big block... After installing the engine, the car sat PERFECTLY level... Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good... Mike...

 

Which set of motor mount holes did you have to use for your bigblock, the V8 (forward holes) or the V6 (rear holes)? I am going to test fit it 2morrow.

 

Which set of motor mount holes did you have to use for your bigblock, the V8 (forward holes) or the V6 (rear holes)? I am going to test fit it 2morrow.

 

What do you think about this......

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454 VORTEC (7.4) ECM , ECU ENGINE CONTROL UNIT COMPUTER
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[contact seller]Seller Information:K. F RustMullins, SC 29574 United States

Set up for Vortec 454 w/5 speed trans! Now all I need is the wiring harness and flywheel.

 

thats a sweet deal wiring should not be to hard to find or make.

the big blocks use the same motor mounts as the small blocks.

 

Its the forward holes. If you use the Aft holes(the v-6) for your mounts, it Wont fit, WILL NOT FIT, no matter what. The mounts are the same for V-8, sbc,or bbc there just in different locations for the v-6. Even if you swap just a sbc, you still have to relocate the mounts from the v-6 location.

 

Yeah, you have to use the front holes, but the v6 and v8 mounts are totally different, and THAT is why they won't fit... If you get V8 motor mounts, you'll see how they fit... 2 holes up top and one on the bottom, where the front lower hole has no bolt because it hangs foward of the subframe...

 

As stated above I also sent a pm back.