Engine swap, some things to consider?

[Red|ine]

Well, after much time spent pondering, i've come to the conclusion that I am going with putting in the 454 into my 83 firebird t/a instead of building a 400.

Sofar, everything is stock, as i just got the car from my friends old man, who babied it and had it garaged for about 10 years until he figured it's pointless to have it anymore and sold it to me for a price i coulden't turn down..

So yeah, like I said, ive decided im putting the 454 inside, asside from
suspension, power steering, motor mounts, (hood ofcourse) what else can there be that is going to need to be comprimised? am i forgetting anything?

anyone know if it'll physically fit without mods to the wheelwells?

Will my tranny be able to handle the 454 as it does the 305? should i just ride it and see what happens? heh.

thanks!

[TraceZ]

Well, after much time spent pondering, i've come to the conclusion that I am going with putting in the 454 into my 83 firebird t/a instead of building a 400.

Sofar, everything is stock, as i just got the car from my friends old man, who babied it and had it garaged for about 10 years until he figured it's pointless to have it anymore and sold it to me for a price i coulden't turn down..

So yeah, like I said, ive decided im putting the 454 inside, asside from
suspension, power steering, motor mounts, (hood ofcourse) what else can there be that is going to need to be comprimised? am i forgetting anything?

anyone know if it'll physically fit without mods to the wheelwells?

Will my tranny be able to handle the 454 as it does the 305? should i just ride it and see what happens? heh.

thanks!

The stock transmission will die a fast death behind the torque of a big block.
The bolt pattern is the same for a big block, as it is for a small block. The engine mounts should even work (I think). It's a tight fit for exhaust in a 3rd gen engine bay with a BBC. Look around, someone might make headers for it.

The biggest challenge will be setting up the accessories on the front of the motor. You'll need to decide what brackets to use from what. Are you keeping the air conditioning? You'll need to mount the power steering pump and alternator for sure, unless you switch to a manual steering box.

BBC's are really heavy. I would recommend getting a set of aluminum heads and intake for it. You are still most likely going to need stiffer front springs to carry the weight.

[Red|ine]

It's got t-tops, and power windows, so i wont bother with the a/c
but yeah.. it dosen't seem all too bad, i bet i could do it in a weekends work minus the exhaust, which i'll have to find some headders for.... this is going to be intersting. thanks.

[DeWynter]

I hope you plan on putting SFCs on at the same time. The torque of the BB will twist that car like a noodle in hot water. I have some experience with it. My friend and I put a 396 in his 85 TA and twisted the car to s*&$ in about two weeks. First sign, doors dont close properly (need to lift driver door to close) Second sign cracks start to form at junction of T-top, roof and C-pillar. You most definatly will need Bigger Beefier Springs for the car...Unless you are going to use a aluminum block and heads. Then you may get away with using the HD WS6 springs from the 89+ cars. But for cast iron block and heads you are looking at a substantial increase in weight. The springs might carry it for a while but on bumps you will most likely bottom out. I will have to ask my friend what springs we used as I cant remember. Thats if you want to know.

[Red|ine]

I never considered that..
thanks!

yeah, and any info on the springs would be great to have.. my springs right now are pretty much shot, (i live in winnipeg, home of the WORST streets, so i've bottomed out a couple times already.. ouch)

So i'll probably get some alum heads and get new springs anyways,
thanks again!

[DeWynter]

Oh and I belive you can use block hugger headers to pass the fender well, but we had to build a custom heatsheild to keep the starter from heat soaking. You may be able to use the newer style starters from the vortech trucks (which is smaller), We did not have this option as the smaller speed stepped starters we not out at that time.

Also if you are going to buy a motor I would go with a 396 over a 454, Same block and dimentions but a 396 can rev higher and they have a better track record in the life department. The power will still be comparable to a 454.

[Red|ine]

Thanks for all the infos!
you think i'll have starter problems? hmph, i think i'll deal with that if it occurs, but itl probably be okay. (damn, i just replaced the starter too! haa)
and yeah, it's the 454 from my 68 chev, not a new crate.

thanks for teh advice and tips guys.

[DeWynter]

The smaller starter will give you more room between the starter and the headers as they get pretty close with block huggers. Also the exaust will have to be A) all custom dual or B) custom y-pipe and bigger main pipe and muffler. Either way you are looking at a new exaust. you may also have to look around for the right kind of block huggers as some sit more or less forward with the collector than others, and you want to have enough room to pas the front crossmember!

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

Also if you are going to buy a motor I would go with a 396 over a 454, Same block and dimentions but a 396 can rev higher and they have a better track record in the life department. The power will still be comparable to a 454.

A 396 BB is a waste when you can build that c.i. into a smallblock with less weight and hassle. If you are going to go Big Block, then go BIG!

[Red|ine]

that wast my approach, go big, or go home!
8)

[DeWynter]

it was just an opinion Ive had a few 454s in the last 10 years and Im not a real fan of them cant rev as high use more gas and dont give you that much more HP. Ive only had them in 67-89 pickups though.