need your opinion on a big block swap

[ksshane]

Ive got this brother in law that has been tinkering with a 71 or 72 Malibu for at least the last 15 years. Every time he gets it going he changes his mind and starts tearing it back down. At this point in its life it needs a little rust repair and one fender needs to be replaced, but he has gotten bitten by the big budget rebuilds and wants to do a complete resto with and aftermarket chassis and the works.

Anyway (sorry.. had to share the back story). He built this wicked little 468 bb for the car, and Ive been drooling over it for awhile. Its got about 100 miles on it now, but its been sitting for a few years (no carb bolted to it and everything covered and sealed).

Yesterday I decided me and my boy would just jump in the truck and go see him. And as we are hanging out somehow that engine gets brought up and he says if I want I can drop the engine in my truck. The only stipulation is that one I have the engine gone over to make sure all the seals and such are still good and two once he gets his car ready for the engine either I give it back to him, or I give him 3500.00 for it.


What would you do?

Im not really concerned about gas. My truck is rarely driven, and the idea behind it is for me and my son to have something to bond over and hopefully take to the local car shows from time to time.

Also, will my 4 speed hold up to a BB? I did a search but didn't come up with anything. Looks like most people are putting 400 behind these.

[1963c-10]

What four speed are you running?

[ksshane]

stock 4sp (granny first gear). My truck originally had the straight 6 with the 4sp

[ksshane]

And I should add. This hasnt been sitting outside either. This car has never been parked outside. He has always kept it in one of the cleanest personal garages Ive ever seen. He is just a busy guy that rarely has time to work on his toys.

[too much stuff]

Simple, if it isn't yours, don't do it. Otherwise buy the engine from him if thats what you want.

[71' Custom]

Originally Posted by too much stuff

Simple, if it isn't yours, don't do it. Otherwise buy the engine from him if thats what you want.

agreed, if you are gonna do it just buy it outright.

[MARKDTN]

I just do not see the appeal of a "wicked BB". You spend $3500 for a motor, $500 for a carb, $300 for a radiator, $400 for headers, and say $300 for pulleys and brackets. Plus oil and gaskets and hoses and antifreeze with any swap. For the same $5000+ you can do a nice LS swap with a newer motor that will have more HP, Torque, and better fuel mileage. I have a friend with a twin turbo 6.0/4L60E '69 Nova that runs 1/8 mile: 5.87 ET, 1.346 60 ft 119 mph. That is on drag radials and he drives it to and from the track over 60 miles each way and drives it to work regularly! No tubs, 7" wide ralley wheels, with a 3.70 10-bolt out of a '66 Chevelle wagon. You will be hard pressed to match that with a streetable 468 IMHO.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by MARKDTN

I just do not see the appeal of a "wicked BB". You spend $3500 for a motor, $500 for a carb, $300 for a radiator, $400 for headers, and say $300 for pulleys and brackets. Plus oil and gaskets and hoses and antifreeze with any swap. For the same $5000+ you can do a nice LS swap with a newer motor that will have more HP, Torque, and better fuel mileage. I have a friend with a twin turbo 6.0/4L60E '69 Nova that runs 1/8 mile: 5.87 ET, 1.346 60 ft 119 mph. That is on drag radials and he drives it to and from the track over 60 miles each way and drives it to work regularly! No tubs, 7" wide ralley wheels, with a 3.70 10-bolt out of a '66 Chevelle wagon. You will be hard pressed to match that with a streetable 468 IMHO.

Aren't the differences between a modern LS and that 'wicked old big block" what makes this hobby so interesting? I just left a show 'n shine this weekend at the local Chevy dealer. There were 6 trucks there, all in varying states from a bone stock 55 stude to a fat fendered, wide tired, fire breathing monster of a 56 chevy stepside pickup running a blown 454 stroker.

It's all just a matter of preferences! Bring your friends Nova down to SIR here in Tucson and I'll show him just how fast a big block powered stepside truck actually is!

[MARKDTN]

Originally Posted by Fitz

Aren't the differences between a modern LS and that 'wicked old big block" what makes this hobby so interesting? I just left a show 'n shine this weekend at the local Chevy dealer. There were 6 trucks there, all in varying states from a bone stock 55 stude to a fat fendered, wide tired, fire breathing monster of a 56 chevy stepside pickup running a blown 454 stroker.

It's all just a matter of preferences! Bring your friends Nova down to SIR here in Tucson and I'll show him just how fast a big block powered stepside truck actually is!

I agree. My only point is that for the same or less money you can have something that looks good and is fast AND streetable. I want something that I can drive and enjoy, not just look at. Fuel is not getting cheaper. Do what you want, it's your truck, but not the direction I would choose to go in. I am not slamming anyone who has a truck that they work on and enjoy, just wanted to offer a different perspective. Good luck with whatever he decides.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by MARKDTN

I agree. My only point is that for the same or less money you can have something that looks good and is fast AND streetable. I want something that I can drive and enjoy, not just look at. Fuel is not getting cheaper. Do what you want, it's your truck, but not the direction I would choose to go in. I am not slamming anyone who has a truck that they work on and enjoy, just wanted to offer a different perspective. Good luck with whatever he decides.

This is fast, streetable, and cool as hell because at the drags I run in the low 11's with the AC on!

[Low Elco]

This. Friends and money/oil and water. Pay up front and be happy.

[ksshane]

and paying up front is not a problem.

But Im glad you guys do see my the personal issue Im also wrestling with beyond just will a trans work or what I need to change on the truck.

We are really good friends and I would hate for anything to get in between that.

We are going to be doing some work on my truck this Sunday. Ill just tell him I wont take it unless he will let me pay for it up front.


Thanks for the feedback guys.

[70CHEVYBB]

Maybe this will help your decision, 468,10to1,big mutha thumper,roller rockers,comp valve train, stainless valves(2.06 in,1.88 exh w/ hard seats) performer rpm, 750 holley, Mallory ignition, headman headers with 3" stainless exhaust, turbo 350,3400 stall, 295/50/15's at 26 inches tall with a 3.08 gear = very fast even with the 3.08 gear. Problem, 27 mile round trip to work with 3 stop lights most of which I never have to stop= 20.00 dollars a day in gas. I work 6 days a week and spend 440 a month with no other driving. I will sadly go back to a 350 or at a minimum, swap cam, stall, and carb this winter. just my 2 cents if you really want to enjoy the truck, I should of just done the stock 402.

[ksshane]

Mark,

I understood what you were trying to say... Options

The more I think about it... The more I think Im just going to pass. I would much rather him get his car going and dont need it hanging over my head that he doesnt have an engine.

[GASoline71]

That wicked BBC will suffer with that granny 4-speed. It won't be near as "fun".

To enjoy a hot rodded engine like that, you're gonna need a wicked stick to handle it. Or a beefed up TH400.

Gary

[70CHEVYBB]

I thought in the beginning that fuel was no problem, I was wrong because I now want to drive it all the time.

[AMERICAN PICK-UP]

I sell tons of ls engines for swaps. but nothing is cooler than a BIGBLOCK CHEVY. nothing fills up a engine bay like a BIG BLOCK. good luck with your truck!