C
CLABORN1960
Guest
A big block in a late model C4 (93-96). Like a 454 or a 502? Is it doable? Pros? Cons?
I am curious, but I am also toying with the idea.....
I am curious, but I am also toying with the idea.....
Ken
Gone but not forgotten
- Thread starter
- #3
C
CLABORN1960
Guest
So Ken the article from the link tells me that engine swapping is possible... but I want to know can you drop in a big block.... and if you did what are the pros and cons......
Ken
Gone but not forgotten
I didn't read through the entire article, but right there in the title, it states:
You mean it's not about big blocks? :confused
Well, here's one company that does the conversion:
Hemco Machine Company, Inc..
There are more, but I can't seem to locatre any at the moment. I really should bookmark those pages when I research this particular project, because it does come up every six months or so.
You mean it's not about big blocks? :confused
Well, here's one company that does the conversion:
Hemco Machine Company, Inc..
There are more, but I can't seem to locatre any at the moment. I really should bookmark those pages when I research this particular project, because it does come up every six months or so.
WhalePirot
Well-known member
FWIW: I wanted to do this, but the primary issue in CA is, it'll never SMOG, hence be street legal. I had wanted to find an aluminum BB for weight reasons. I recall how much better the C-3s handled with the mouse motor and did not wish to mess up the excellent characteristics of my C-4.
I have heard of two in this area. One is driven by a judge, who has the motor swapped out every two years, for the snoffer test. i drove the other, belonging to the owner of a Corvette SDhop in San Diego. His was a mild aluminum BB, with quite nice power, but not stunning.
So, as very scarce were the conversions, I opted for an engine with similar weight and appearance, plus the stroke of a BB, which would deliver the torque. The newer engines, properly tuned deliver the BB power and more of the old days, and it is a WHOLE LOT LESS problem. Ken and I, plus a few others, can attest to the problems involved with just hopping these ECM controlled cars.
Heat under the hood, cooling of plastic components (like wiring jackets), exhaust routing and consequent component access to things like oil filters, strarters, various sensors, etc., are a small start. My project was huge enough for a DIYer. i cannot, now imagine trying to install a BB, unless I had much more experience and a few tons more tools (or more, and bigger buckets of cash to pay someone to do it).
Many of us have well handling cars and tire ripping power with SBCs. We work through the bugs continually, as well.
Good luck, whichever you choose, but stay close for advise from a great pool of talent and helpfulness from these guys.
I have heard of two in this area. One is driven by a judge, who has the motor swapped out every two years, for the snoffer test. i drove the other, belonging to the owner of a Corvette SDhop in San Diego. His was a mild aluminum BB, with quite nice power, but not stunning.
So, as very scarce were the conversions, I opted for an engine with similar weight and appearance, plus the stroke of a BB, which would deliver the torque. The newer engines, properly tuned deliver the BB power and more of the old days, and it is a WHOLE LOT LESS problem. Ken and I, plus a few others, can attest to the problems involved with just hopping these ECM controlled cars.
Heat under the hood, cooling of plastic components (like wiring jackets), exhaust routing and consequent component access to things like oil filters, strarters, various sensors, etc., are a small start. My project was huge enough for a DIYer. i cannot, now imagine trying to install a BB, unless I had much more experience and a few tons more tools (or more, and bigger buckets of cash to pay someone to do it).
Many of us have well handling cars and tire ripping power with SBCs. We work through the bugs continually, as well.
Good luck, whichever you choose, but stay close for advise from a great pool of talent and helpfulness from these guys.
- Thread starter
- #6
C
CLABORN1960
Guest
I will admit it sounds tempting.... but more practical may just be to build my SB and call it a day.... I am continuing to do the research though and thanks for the responses.....
cablexpert
Well-known member
I agree with Whalepirot -- stick with the mouse motor; parts are more available and you can get all the hp you'll ever need for a vette.....
garycr14
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2002
- Messages
- 260
- Location
- Newark, CA
- Corvette
- 1994 Torch Red Coupe, 1981 Blue Coupe, 1973 Orange
Engine Swap
It would seem to me that it would be easier to build a strong mouse motor, 450-500 hp, then stick a bower on it! More hp then you'll ever need for the street, and keep the front/rear weigh ratio in check, probably be lest expensive, get better gas milage, and of course handle better. Just an opinion.
It would seem to me that it would be easier to build a strong mouse motor, 450-500 hp, then stick a bower on it! More hp then you'll ever need for the street, and keep the front/rear weigh ratio in check, probably be lest expensive, get better gas milage, and of course handle better. Just an opinion.
Ken
Gone but not forgotten
When people contemplate installing a big block in a C4, I think they're more or less shooting for the mystique, the magic, of having a big block "late model." Ain't nothing wrong with that. 
As they say, there's no substitute for cubic inches; but nowadays, you can do a Bill Mitchell 454 small block.
:cool
As they say, there's no substitute for cubic inches; but nowadays, you can do a Bill Mitchell 454 small block.
:cool
- Thread starter
- #10
C
CLABORN1960
Guest
Ken,
You maybe right.... I guess its the mystique, especially since you can build the horsepower with the small block....
You maybe right.... I guess its the mystique, especially since you can build the horsepower with the small block....
-=Jeff=-
Well-known member
I am seriously considering my next motor for my 89 to be a big block. I do have a SBC400 sitting on a stand waiting for all the parts and money to put it together, but the cool factor of a BB would be AWESOME. The August 1998 issue of VETTE magazine talks of the swap. you need to get a ZR1 A/C Evaporator box or cover I think) along with cutting and rewelding the Steering rack approx 3/4" forward. I also believe 1971 Corvette Manifolds will work, btu if I am going to a big block I would have custom headers made.
If I cn find my VETTE magazine I will try to get it scanned and posted this week
If I cn find my VETTE magazine I will try to get it scanned and posted this week
garycr14
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2002
- Messages
- 260
- Location
- Newark, CA
- Corvette
- 1994 Torch Red Coupe, 1981 Blue Coupe, 1973 Orange
Mystique
Well the mystique will certainly be there. I know I'd go out of my way to check it out.
Good Luck!
Well the mystique will certainly be there. I know I'd go out of my way to check it out.
Good Luck!
- Thread starter
- #13
M
militant_x
Guest
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2466646908&category=6168&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1
Well its not a late model, its an 86 with a 454 and a turbo 400. The link should work for a few more days or so, ebay item, ended.
Later,
-chris
Well its not a late model, its an 86 with a 454 and a turbo 400. The link should work for a few more days or so, ebay item, ended.
Later,
-chris
WhalePirot
Well-known member
Interesting, but it seems to need a lot of finishing and NO rainy days. In Florida? no rain?
Similar threads
Corvette Forums
Supporting Vendors
Dealers:
