The Camaro Club (UK)

Hi all,

If u've read some of my older posts you will already know that i wish to buy a new more powerful engine for my 1977 Camaro. Currently i have a small block 305 and had been thinking off a 383 or an 400 small block. I do like alot of HP, but it's more about having a large V8 rumble.
I have been offered a 454 big block, for quite a good price. It was taken out of a car that has now been scrapped. The engine is running well, with no knocks etc, but history of the engine is abit unknown. If i did buy the engine, i would not fit it until i had got it serviced and all the ancillaries replaced. To try and make sure it's a reliable engine.
Can someone please tell me, what issue's I'm likely to have with fitting a Big Block into a 77.

new headers required
new front springs required for the heavy big block
engine mounts?
currently have a 1989 radiator fitted,which keeps the needle below 150 on the small block. Unless stuck in a traffic jam, but it quickly cools down.
TH350 trans with B&M re-build kit
will i need to upgrade the torque converter?
Will the small block heater core be a problem?, if so can i just bypass the heater core?

Any advice / tips would be very helpful thanks from Luke

Just a couple of thoughts ,if you fit a big block you will be adding a lot of front end weight and even with uprated springs it will upset what is a nicely balanced car.
Also the big block will generate and also hold a lot of heat in the engine bay ,you will probably have to fit a cowl hood or other vents as well as big block rad/ally aftermarket rad.
If we lived in a hot climate bypassing the heater would be OK but in the UK a heater is so useful...would tend to keep it small block myself even if you lose a few bench-race bragging points

Unless the big is 100% perfect, and won't cost you anything to fit, ie, you rad, springs etc are ready for it... I'd sell it and get a decent small block too...

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

It will defninitely fit, but you WILL need to change the motor mounts. You will definitely have to go with a bigger radiator, as well as heavier front springs. Your decision depends on what you want to do with the car. Your current headers certainly won't fit and I'd recommend a THD-400 if you are staying with an automatic. The heater cores are the same. Personally, I don't run heat or AC...I suppose where you live, heat is probably a must. That won't cause you any problems. If drag racing is on your mind, then definitely go with the big block. If you want something that handles well, stay with a small block. A big block will add a LOT of weight to the front end and make cornering not-so-much-fun--without a LOT of modifications. Find yourself a decent "010" small block and stroke it. You'll get big block HP without all the added weight...and you won't have to replace so many parts.

Thanks for the replys, i've made my mind up that it's to much off a risk to buy this Big Block, more than likley it will let me down and i would end up having to fully re-build it!. So i will keep saving up for a blueprinted built 383 small block. Just means i will have to weight a few more years

I have to agree with the earlier posts here- the small block IMO is far better at almost everything except full out drag racing than big block!

now clearly your name here is big block-------------------

Also consider a well built 350 or 400 over a stroker which limits revs etc

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Kind Regards
TopCat
Secretary
Classic Camaro Club
Member of The Association of American Car Clubs UK
Email :tboles@strathnoon.co.uk Websites: http://www.classiccamaroclubuk.com and:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdhLJtR_ZY4

Don't be too quick to discard that 305. Those can make all kinds of horespower if done properly. The original Z28's were 302's. In the 70's, Herb Adams raced with a small block that was 303 CID, if memory serves. Lots of mid-range and top end torque and the RPM ranges is much, much higher than a big block. Something to consider, since you already have the motor...

A lot of the pro touring guys prefer the small blocks due to front end weight etc. Nothing like a big block rumbling sound of course, but it's a rather large pay off. sounds like you have made your mind up though Good advice from the other guys on the 305... these engines can be tuned far beyond their factory spec so maybe it's rebuilding the one you have and making it sing!

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That engine was a very special short stroke/big bore Pontiac block made by the factory for racing and is not to be confused with normal street small blocks... it revved to a 8K redline and was even more extreme in lack of torque than the Z28 302.
Dumped by Pontiac as development costs were massive ,originally meant for dual quad inlet it had massive over-breathing capacity.They tested a single 4 barrel version in a '69 Trans Am ,by all accounts it was a bit 'fussy' to drive on the street but once the revs were up it could top 140 mph !