Call me a liar if you wish but I just did the swap not 2 months ago so I know what I'm talking about. I actually think a /6 to V8 swap would be more costly since you definiately have to change front brakes and rear axle. Many SB cars came with front disk brakes and some even came with 8 3/4" axles from the factory which would save some coin when going from SB to BB.
Fresh 360 engine $1000 ( if you used a $1000 SM block...than I would say a built BB with simular parts would cost about $2000=$1000 more to my first quote)
Rebuilt 727 w/ Cheetah valve body $800 ( ithink we can agree that my tranny sugestion is off by another 300 at least)
727 Torque convertor (3500 stall) $500 Didn't inc;lude this on my BB build list so I will add it.
Schumacher conversion mounts $200 You paid too much, I thought they were cheaper. could be wrong.
A-body 8 3/4 axle with pig $500
All new brakes for axle $120
Used driveshaft from friend $50
New u-joints for driveshaft $20 I will add that $20
Rebuilt distributor for 360 $60 Lets add that too $60
Exhaust manifolds from friend $40 Can't by big block manifolds that cheap
Full exhaust $840 You paid alot, but prob got better exhaust than I am quoting...so lets add another $500 to my first exhaust quote to catch up to your job.
A-body chrome exhaust tips $40 (a deal!) I won't include that.
Radiator $300 You don't NEED an aluminum with a small bloc. but is a good idea if you have the $$ you can get a stock one new for under $200
Rad and heater hoses $40 This was part of my $500 nicle and dime stuff.
Spark plugs/wires $40 This was part of the $500 nickel and dime stuff.
Aux. tranny cooler $75 I won't count it...but its a good idea for Big block build too.
Fuel pump $30 i would buy electric. but I will include the $30 to catch up to your build costs.
Power steering pump pressure line $10 (used) Nickel and dime stuff
Edelbrock Performer carb $300 I thought this would be a part of the $1000 SB...so I will add this too
Edelbrock carb linkage adapter $20 ( nickel and dime thing
Mopar Performance throttle cable for V8 $30 I'll add this
Dual snorkel air cleaner assembly $40 (another deal!)Not going to count this.
5 bladed clutch fan $40 (from friend) not going to count this
Total so far - $5095 and I haven't included cost of fluids, hardware or my labour.
If I had to do it again (or give advice to anyone), I'd start with a 318 car anyday. The parts required to convert a /6 car are many and are getting hard to find. Just finding a pulley set for the 360 was a pain as the junkyards in this area have nothing older than 1990 anymore so all of the small blocks in them have massive engine accessory brackets and multi-groove pulleys. It's tough to find single or dual groove pulleys without buying new and paying through the nose.
So believe what you want, converting any car to a different drivetrain is the short road to bankruptcy these days, small block or big block.
