454 swap

[david23we45]

I have a 454 i want to put in my 81 cutlass.
i heard that it should bolt right in because of how wide the olds V8 is.
is this true and if not how much trouble an=m i getting myself into.

 

[ttypenssrider]

you'll need chevy motor mounts. cheap headers and some grinding where headers hit, or expensive headers that don't touch th frame or control arms. hood clearence might be an issue might not. look up 454regal in teamchevelle.com theres pics and vids...he just did a 454 into a 87 regal on a budget and ran best of 12.7 on 87 octane

 

[megaladon6]

there are a few guys here who have BBC's, it's an easy swap. as stated you need the chevy motor mounts, which mount a little differently than the BOP's, and proper headers.

 

[twisted]

I had fun with my bbc's in my olds. your local parts store will have everything you need. order the mounts for a camaro, or buy solid mounts.

 

[rickeyp2005]

I'm doing my 2nd bbc swap. was very satisfied with the first one so I'm doing another. please do yourself a favor and buy good headers the hooker supercomps bolt in with minimul to no modifications. they do run close to $500.00 new but I waited and watched and eventually found mine brand new for $300.00 on a local web site. I've also seen them on e-bay. anyways get the right motor mounts good headers and the right crossmember for which ever transmission you use and you should be good to go. also consider an 8.5" rearend swap.

 

[david23we45]

i am pulling the motor out of a truck i bought can i use the motor mounts that are in it

 

[78MC-BBC]

you can not use the motor mounts that came with the 454 from the truck, you must use the v8 chevy mounts, the mounts on the motor and the on the frame must be small block chevy to work

 

[Blake442]

Depending which brake booster your car is equiped with (single or dual diaphram), you'll need the smaller diameter dual diaphram booster or you won't be able to get your valve covers off.

 

[78MC-BBC]

thats not true on the single vs. dual diaphram brake boosters. I've had both of those brake boosters on my 78, yes the single was harder to get the valve covers off but not impossible. but thats a moot point now since i went to hydroboost.

i am also still runing the factory ac/heater box on the firewall since i am retaining the AC in the car and i still can get my valve covers off. i do run factory black aluminum valve covers on it, since i dont have a girdle on the heads, dont need one. so short valve covers work fine on my brodix heads

 

[Blake442]

You're right, the short covers do clear.
Tall covers are where you run into trouble.