454ci in a '66

[BlueAgave66]

Is it possible to put a 454ci engine in a '66 coupe? How much max hp might I expect to get? Thanks

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Sure you can put one in. All it takes is money. As for HP, same comment.

Is your original engine gone?

 

[BlueAgave66]

454ci in 66

The stock 327/300 engine is still in it and running fine. Wanted to get something a bit speedier without having to sell the car and find a 67 big block. Guess I have to also consider the transmission, suspension, radiator, exhaust pipes, hood etc. My corvette guy has a 454ci inhouse which he can rebuild and suggested we just trade out the engine and take care of the other items. He is quoting around $8k for the whole thing. Thoughts?

 

[IMA Z06]

JMHO:

Do it if you want but "Dont" trade or otherwise get rid of you "Orig" motor. When the fun is gone the car is worth more with the "Orig Motor"...............

:Twist :Twist

 

[BlueAgave66]

454ci in '66

Engine is NOM just correct. Still worth keeping?

 

[TWINRAY]

Sounds like a big waste of money to me

 

[Sams '66]

Sell the car .......with the 327 in it.
Then go get a real Big Block.


just my opinion...

 

[youwish2bme]

Well I've been kinda in the situation you are in lately. My NOM 327 is on it's last leg before a rebuild. I've been looking for a correct block but have been unsuccessful to make a 66 327/350. Well to get to the point I'm now looking at the GM Fastburn 385 hp/385 ft/lbs. With the ZZ430 cam and 1.6 roller rockers it will make 430hp. This has got to be as much as the 454 but with none of the fabrication problems that you may run into. Not that I know about those just speaking from what everyone else seems to say. The Fastburn is available for 4200.00 then another 500.00 for the cam and rockers. It's a brand new motor with a GM warranty. Now since mine isn't a numbers vette either I'm building it how I want. It looks stock to the casual observer until I open the hood.. I guess I've rambled on long enough. I'm sure this will cause a little bit of an uproar... Dave..

 

[IH2LOSE]

I would say with your budjet you can get a lot of streetable small block to pin your seat.

I have driven both small blocks and big blocks and the fun of a big block is the torque

You can build a screaming small block for that kind of money.with no worry of over heating or being heavy in the front.GOOD LUCK and have FUN

 

[396 RAT]

You can put a 454 into a small block car.
But I would go for a L72 Clone 427 as its a 66.
Not correct, but 6500 rpm in a BB is nothing like 6500 rpm
in a small block, Sorry, but its not the same.........
Most 454's run out of steam around 5000rpm
Where L72's, or L78'S are just getting going!
400+ Hp in a BB is way more fun than 400+ HP in a small block.
Those what have been in both- know what I mean.

 

[BlueAgave66]

454ci in '66

Your response was a bit confusing. On one hand you said the L72 was better for rpm and then you said 400hp is more fun in a BB.

 

[BlueAgave66]

454ci in '66

Someone mentioned a 502 crate engine. Is that an option without getting to the point of killing myself, both physically and financially?

 

[matchframe]

You can get a 425HP/502 crate for about $5,500. That comes complete with the intake to the oil pan. And it will have a warranty. That is with 8.75 to 1 compression, so it is very pump gas friendly.

I found this info at the Scoggin Dickey website.

http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?action=prod_detail&catid=120&pid=121

BTW, welcome to CAC!

Bill

 

[youwish2bme]

Hope you have deep pockets when it comes to the 502/502, the engine itself is enough to make you gag on the check as you write it. A buddy of mine is doing this right now and it's been interesting. The pulley set up from March was 1200.00 by itself and he's just getting deeper and deeper right now.. Everyone has said the drop base air cleaner will work but it doesn't...won't clear the hood.. Dave....

 

[BlueAgave66]

Thanks, think I have been scared away from the 502 crate. I am liking the idea of a L72 even better than the 454ci which turned out to be a 72-74. Would they be of equivalent power and speed? How bad would it be to acquire and rebuild.....by others, not me? Although not correct, I would like to keep it automatic like I have now but don't know if the Powerglide is adequate compared to the 400 THM. Thoughts.

 

[magicv8]

One more 454 caveat: they are externally balanced. You can't use the flywheel from an internally balanced engine. If you get a 454, make sure the flywheel is attached - or that your fillings are all tight in your teeth.

 

[IH2LOSE]

Re: 454ci in '66

Your response was a bit confusing. On one hand you said the L72 was better for rpm and then you said 400hp is more fun in a BB.

You can put a 454 into a small block car.
But I would go for a L72 Clone 427 as its a 66.
Not correct, but 6500 rpm in a BB is nothing like 6500 rpm
in a small block, Sorry, but its not the same.........
Most 454's run out of steam around 5000rpm
Where L72's, or L78'S are just getting going!
400+ Hp in a BB is way more fun than 400+ HP in a small block.
Those what have been in both- know what I mean.

I can explain this as 396 said most big blocks run out of steam with higher rpm. A L72 B/B is just waking up around 5500 and is out of control at 6500 My car with 411's in it power shifting at 6300 rpms will tear the tires off the rims in a 4th gear power shift.The big blocks have torque that pins you in your seat the whole time your in the gas pedal.
Hard to describe but its excites all of your sences.

I have a digital camera that takes a 15 secound video and if I could figure out how to post a video I would video the sound of the car and the front end raising each time you shift and the car's rear end wanting to slide out to the right trying to pass you when you shift it.
I was never into corvettes,I never thought twice about them,I went for a ride in a 67 427/435 coupe with side pipes in july/august of 2000 with a fellow who was not afraid to shift at the redline.I purchased my 66 427/425 car with in 3 weeks of that ride because of the excitement of that ride.

 

[BlueAgave66]

Thanks. That is exactly why I am considering the engine change. My little 327/300 rides nice but it was the ride in the '67 427/435 a few weekends ago that drove me to considering moving up the power a bit. Of course with the side pipes I couldn't hear the driver talking but since my head was plastered back, it didn't matter. I will check with my corvette guy today to see about optioning with the L72 instead of the 454. I do want to be able to drive this thing around town and not just for the first 1/4 mi. That shouldn't be a problem should it?

 

[396 RAT]

"That shouldn't be a problem should it?"

No.

Building a 2 bolt 427 with good heads,intake, and an L72 cam
will save you big bucks over an orig 425hp BB.
This is quite an undertaking. A PG will not take this kind of HP.
You will need susp, and cooling as well.
But there is nothing like shifting at 6500 in a BB with decent gears. I have 4.11's and while not practical on the FWY, I will never give them up.

 

[BlueAgave66]

Thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions. I will revive this thread once I get everything done.