Engine Swap in 80

[80vette_ca]

Hey guys I thought I'd start to do some research on engine swaps. Right now I've got a done up 350 but I'm thinking I'd like a big block under the hood. Any idea how hard it would be to swap a 454 with a new 6 speed tanny into the car and a rough idea of price would be good. Would 10 grand be able to do everything including performance upgrades too. I want to be able to be pushing as close to 1000hp as I can, but 800hp would be satisfactory. I've also thought of other options like putting a blower on the small block and stroking it out more so it is a 383ci. A higher lift cam shaft would be good too with some 4.11 gears in the rear.Then I suppose I could put some juice on it, but then I'm filling the bottle. As I said earlier I want to be getting the most power I can.

I've already bored and stroked it to 357ci. and put some new pistons and ported and polished the heads and put bigger valves in them. Rocker arms and a medium lift cam. RPM intake and carter carb. And some other smaller stuff.

 

[MaineShark]

You can buy a 454 small-block crate engine for around that amount of money, and be making horsepower in the 600-700 range (depending on how much you tinker with it after you buy it).

Weight of a small-block, power of a big-block...

Going up to 1000 hp is going to require major drivetrain mods, or you'll be risking having shrapnel for lunch...

Actually, I wouldn't go to 600 without re-doing the diff, halfshafts, and rear suspension.

Not to mention upgrading the brakes and steering and wheels and tires, to keep the car on the ground...

Joe

 

[groovyjay]

I would say that 10K won't even buy you 800hp Big Block, not to mention the tranny, suspension and drivetrain upgrades. You could also stick with 600-650hp small block. Have you given any thought on Bill Mitchell's 454 small block it runs on pump gas and makes 0ver 600hp and cost 10.5K

955-101011
MoTown 454 c.i., 600 HP - Complete Engine
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Block: MoTown cast iron with 4-bolt mains
Bore: 4.250''
Stroke: 4.00''
Cylinder Heads: MoTown 220cc aluminum
Crankshaft: Scat 4130 forged steel
Pistons: JE 4.250'' forged aluminum flat-top (10:1 compression)
Connecting Rods: High performance H-Beam forged rods
Camshaft: Crane solid lifter profile with Speed Pro lifters
Intake Manifold: MoTown aluminum
Carburetor: Modified 1050 cfm Holley Dominator
Valves: Manley Severe Duty stainless steel (2.125'' x 1.600'')
Timing Chain: Manley True Roller
Lubrication: Speed-Pro oil pump and Milodon stamped steel pan
Rings & Bearings: Speed-Pro ring set and Clevite bearings
Ignition: HEI distributor, 8mm spark plug wire, Accel spark plugs
Valve Train: Aluminum roller rocker arms, Manley 4130 pushrods
Balance: Internally balanced, Hardcore CNC Balancer
Assembly Components: Fel-Pro, ARP and Manley
Accessories: MoTown aluminum valve covers, chrome timing cover, ATI balancer
Warranty: 2-years or 24,000 miles.

 

[MaineShark]

Yup, that's the 454 small block that I was referring to...

And a cool one at that, matching the bore and stroke of the 454 big block.

Joe

 

[80vette_ca]

sweet, that would be cool. Thanks for the info. Hey my desktop dyno says I'm running around 440hp and the same for torque so would I be better off putting a supercharger on and get some big power increases for something like half the price of a new engine. Combine that with some other mods to the engine and the drivetrain I could be making some serious power. Add some juice and I could be at say 700hp right? I'm thinking that might be a better option because 10k can buy the supercharger and probably do a lot of other mods except for the tranny. Everybody I talk to says you can make just as much power in a small block as you can in a big block if you do your homework.

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

Well if you really want to go all out; I just saw that there is a new crate motor coming out very soon. It's a 507CI BB that is run close to 700HP in the crate. I've always wanted a BB in my vette, but know how much trouble it is just working around the SB I now have a 400 SB. It can still turn over the 295-60's going through the Auto trans. I like being able to a least getting my hands on the spark plugs from the top. Good luck on your search.