Swapping a small block to big block...who's done it?
thanks for all the input fellas...i forgot to mention the car already has an 8 3/4 inch rear end...i don't have air conditioning or power brakes but do have power steering and would like to keep it.
seems like for the most part most of the new parts required i would have to buy either way if i was to stroke a small block or go with a big block. i would probably have to buy new headers, shocks, springs, etc...but the bigger radiator and subframe connectors were two things i didn't figure on...
maybe i overstated the handling portion...i would like it to handle comfortably, but I am not looking for it to ride like a vette! right now i don't have the sway bar on the front so the car handles like a cow on roller skates, since i've never had the sway bar in place i'm not sure how much of a difference that makes and the thought of things getting looser makes me nervous...would replacing the sway bar make a noticeable difference?
Im already planning on replacing all shocks, rear leafs and even the torshion bars if need be...headers are also on the long list but i definitely would not want to cut the car at all.
sounds like i might be better off looking for an engine/trans combo if i go wiht a big block to get both...i was leaning towards the 440 (bigger is better right!?) but the 383 might be nice as well...for some reason i thought they were about the same size?
I have also considered a small block stroker...but am not sure if these are reliable enough to drive around on the street? http://speedomotive.com in my hometown has a really good reputation and sells some nice kits. The have a 400 to 450 kit for under $1k...thats cheaper than the 318-360 kits.
not too bad eh?
I agree with the 360 vs 340...just getting the 340 will drive up the cost of the project...what would be some good years to look for in 360s? those are pretty much drop in right?
BadAss...i'm in Anaheim...cool website by the way
thanks for all the input fellas...i forgot to mention the car already has an 8 3/4 inch rear end...i don't have air conditioning or power brakes but do have power steering and would like to keep it.
seems like for the most part most of the new parts required i would have to buy either way if i was to stroke a small block or go with a big block. i would probably have to buy new headers, shocks, springs, etc...but the bigger radiator and subframe connectors were two things i didn't figure on...
maybe i overstated the handling portion...i would like it to handle comfortably, but I am not looking for it to ride like a vette! right now i don't have the sway bar on the front so the car handles like a cow on roller skates, since i've never had the sway bar in place i'm not sure how much of a difference that makes and the thought of things getting looser makes me nervous...would replacing the sway bar make a noticeable difference?
Im already planning on replacing all shocks, rear leafs and even the torshion bars if need be...headers are also on the long list but i definitely would not want to cut the car at all.
sounds like i might be better off looking for an engine/trans combo if i go wiht a big block to get both...i was leaning towards the 440 (bigger is better right!?) but the 383 might be nice as well...for some reason i thought they were about the same size?
I have also considered a small block stroker...but am not sure if these are reliable enough to drive around on the street? http://speedomotive.com in my hometown has a really good reputation and sells some nice kits. The have a 400 to 450 kit for under $1k...thats cheaper than the 318-360 kits.
not too bad eh?
I agree with the 360 vs 340...just getting the 340 will drive up the cost of the project...what would be some good years to look for in 360s? those are pretty much drop in right?
BadAss...i'm in Anaheim...cool website by the way
