Guest Nebraska_280Z Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 Well I picked up my first v8 ever today. It is a 454 block from a 79-90 truck, and 402 heads, which are pretty decent, the casting number for them are 820. Im really excited. I will start shortly in trying to find the right rotating assembly, then its off to the machine shop. I got the whole motor for $400. Not to bad for a nice block and useable heads. I think im gonna go with a glide, 3k stall, transbrake and some spray. Im looking for a light car to put it in. I would love to have a Z, but if I cant find one a nice G-body, or maybe even a Chevette will do. I cant wait to feel the torque. It will be a different feeling than my old 96 integra gsr with a 50 shot. Thanks for everything guys, I dont post much, but I try to learn by reading what you have to say. I will keep you updated and maybe ill post some pics. Peace, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Perfect_Square Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 Do big blocks fit into z's easily or is there a whole lot of work that needs to be done to make it fit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 do yourself a HUGE favor and buy and read these books BEFORE spending more money you really should get these books and read them before going any further, it will help a good deal http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1557882169/qid=1075079777/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/102-1234339-0571324 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0912656042/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0895861755/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1884089208/ref=pd_sim_books_1/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1557883572/ref=pd_sim_books_3/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0760302030/qid=1075080362/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-1234339-0571324?v=glance&s=books and after buying and reading the books I WOULD STRONGLY suguest you buy a 4.25" stroke ,6.385" rod 10:1 cpr rotating assembly and a cam similar to this http://www.cranecams.com/?show=browseParts&lvl=2&prt=5&Vehicle_Type=Auto&Cylinders=8&Engine_Make=CHEVROLET&Year=1985&Engine_Size=396-454%20C.I.&partNumber=134241&partType=camshaft with a dual plane intake youll have a tq monster that runs on pump gas keep in mind youll want a massive torque curve with a two speed trans and you won,t need to exceed 6000rpm to destroy the tires, in fact Id be surprized if street tires dont turn to smoke at anything between 2500rpm-6000rpm if you floor it regrardless of rear gear ratio heres more bbc info, but don,t let the guys make you think only oval port heads work well! it totally depends on your combo,s rpm range,displacement,gearing,weight,cam timeing,etc http://www.idavette.net/hib/vette_bbfh.htm http://www.protopline.com/racingaluminumbbc.asp http://fteufert1.home.att.net/bbchevy/bbchevy.htm http://roadsters.com/bbc/#prep'>http://roadsters.com/bbc/#prep http://roadsters.com/bbc/#bore'>http://roadsters.com/bbc/#bore http://roadsters.com/bbc/#oval'>http://roadsters.com/bbc/#oval http://www.chevelles.com/racing/BBCombo.html http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/raceheadbbchev.html http://www.dragraceresults.com/worldcastings/ http://www.nastyz28.com/bbcmenu.html general big block info! http://www.amotion.com/cbb.html http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/headbbchev.html http://roadsters.com/bbc/ http://www.teufert.net/bbchevy/bbchevy.htm http://www.chevelles.com/racing/BBCombo.html http://www.racingengines.com/public/sales/wrldprd1.htm http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLi...CP/Chevy30.html http://www.mortec.com/location.htm http://home.hiwaay.net/~ppatter/pat...udd_article.htm http://www.bigblockchevy.com/Bittne...Alky1500Hp.html http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/7161pp.html http://www.onlineperformanceparts.c...les/ablock1.htm http://www.off-road.com/chevy/tech/454engine/ http://www.directhits.com/ChevyDynoReport.asp http://www.theengineshop.com/techinfo7.shtml http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/gas/specs/crank.html http://www.diabolicalperformance.com/diabolical540.html http://avs.epix.net/schorrperforman...hevyBB_290+.htm http://avs.epix.net/schorrperforman...ChevyBB_290.htm http://www.diabolicalperformance.co...mevalue468.html http://chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/93650/ big blocks like more compression, bigger carbs and a slightly larger cam than small blocks if thats what your used to building btw http://roadsters.com/bbc/#bore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Chevelle7d2 Posted June 2, 2004 Share Posted June 2, 2004 Well I picked up my first v8 ever today. It is a 454 block from a 79-90 truck' date=' and 402 heads, which are pretty decent, the casting number for them are 820. Im really excited. I will start shortly in trying to find the right rotating assembly, then its off to the machine shop. I got the whole motor for $400. Not to bad for a nice block and useable heads. I think im gonna go with a glide, 3k stall, transbrake and some spray. Im looking for a light car to put it in. I would love to have a Z, but if I cant find one a nice G-body, or maybe even a Chevette will do. I cant wait to feel the torque. It will be a different feeling than my old 96 integra gsr with a 50 shot. Thanks for everything guys, I dont post much, but I try to learn by reading what you have to say. I will keep you updated and maybe ill post some pics. Peace, Ned[/quote'] Hey I met you at the track in Scribner, (friends with John) anyways If you dont decide to go with a 280Z and come across a nice one in nebraska, let me know! P.S. a Big Block Chevette would be awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nebraska_280Z Posted June 2, 2004 Share Posted June 2, 2004 Crap, I didnt think anyon else from Nebraska was on this board, oh well. Yeah ive been looking at chassis. Grumpy- Dont worry, I have already picked up a few of those books, and I now frequent chevelles.net. I also have a roomate that has just finished putting together his 468. Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nebraska_280Z Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 I wont be buying a car for another month at the earliest, but this weekend I am looking at a real clean 79 280. I am gonna take a jack and some jackstands over there and see how the frame is. The asking price is decent if the frame is ok. Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest plainswolf Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 Nebraska 280... where abouts in NE are you? There was what looked like a pretty clean and nice 78 280Z for sale in Kearney a few weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Chevelle7d2 Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 Nebraska 280... where abouts in NE are you? There was what looked like a pretty clean and nice 78 280Z for sale in Kearney a few weeks ago. really? do you know what they wanted for it? BTW: im in Lincoln... and I believe Nebraska 280 is in Omaha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mas28O Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 Good luck with the big block, that motor will not fit in the Z that good. Do you want the Z to handle, or is going to be a drag z? Perfect_Square I see that you are from Walla Walla, WA. I was over there a few months back, State line road. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nebraska_280Z Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 I am in Omaha, it would be a drag car, and no im probably not going with a Z, because of of the clearance issues. This is my first bg project an I want to keep it simple. Now if I could only find a clean G-body malibu... Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 The big block Chevy engine WILL fit in a 70-78Z, but the installation is not simple, and an installation that maintains (or improves) the car’s balance is definitely not simple. The main challenges are vertical clearance (either the hood clearance on ground clearance at the oil pan – your choice) and routing the exhaust over the frame rails. Mounting the engine to the steering crossmember, in the JTR fashion or otherwise, is probably unwise – it should go to mounting points welded to the frame rails. If this is your first swap, it’s certainly worth considering installing that engine in a more traditional car, perhaps a domestic. Meanwhile look for a 240-260-280Z for a swap candidate. When you’ve become comfortable with the tuning and modification of that big block, the idea of fitting it into a Z would be more tractable. I did the big block swap (with extensive professional assistance) and after 4 years, the car is still sitting in my garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB26powered74zcar Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 I did the big block swap (with extensive professional assistance) and after 4 years, the car is still sitting in my garage. Hi Michael, whould you be willing to share any photos of your BB project? I'd love to have a look at your monster... thankz joel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 There’s a slightly out of date (about 3-4 years ago) photo-essay on Pete Paraska’s site (look for “Michael Ol’s big block Zâ€). Some day I’ll post newer pictures; though frankly, not much progress has been made since then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cable Posted July 29, 2004 Share Posted July 29, 2004 I wonder if the JTR or MSA mounts could be used to physically mount a BBC since the mount location is the same between SBC and BBC. Plus the length difference between a SBC and a BBC is in front of the mounting points, the length from the engine mounts back, is the same. Might be worth a shot to buy them and find out. Of course headers and other things would still be an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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