SB to BB in '85 4x4 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

NtheFamily · 07-30-2011, 08:05 PM

I have a '85 4x4 with a 305 now and plan on building a '77 454 to put in it's place. Is there a past post that has a lot of info I will need to perform the swap? If not, is it a pretty easy swap? Will I need to swap motor mounts/perches? What style of HEADERS would fit? My truck has the heavy duty suspension, so will the front suspension be able to handle the BB? Will the 700R4 be able to handle the 454?

Thanks for all the info you can give me. I've swapped SBC's with SBC's, but never delt with BB's. I don't think I have nothing to loose swapping motors, but just wanted a little more umph when I need to pull something. I get 9 MPG now with the 305, which want pull a greasy spoon out of a cats a$$.

baclay9 · 07-30-2011, 08:21 PM

454 will go right in. Make sure the fuel pump on the 454 is for a 4x4. There is a difference.
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NtheFamily · 07-31-2011, 08:14 AM

Thanks for the info on the fuel pump.

What headers will work on this setup?

baclay9 · 07-31-2011, 08:52 AM

I have a 2 wheel drive that I swapped a 454 into and I went with Sanderson BB8 headers. They are awesome! They will fit your 4x4 as well. They are a 3/4 length header with 1 7/8 primaries. I put out a little extra and got them ceramic coated.

Best thing is they have a no gasket flange. You just run a thin bead of black permatex rtv around them and no leaks!
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NtheFamily · 07-31-2011, 05:46 PM

Would anyone have an opinion on putting in a 383 versus the 454? Just curious as to what your thoughts are.

I have a 4 bolt block to build a 383, and a 454 to build. Just curious as to others thoughts, ideas etc.

cheepin · 07-31-2011, 10:17 PM

That would be all preference.The 383 will rev higher and give more power at topend.454s tend to be more lowend torque.so it depends on what you are doing with the truck.Towing go 454.

b454rat · 08-01-2011, 07:13 AM

A 454 will rev just as high as a 383. The simplest would be the 383, it will bolt in with zero mods. A mild built 454 will embarrass a 383.....

NtheFamily · 08-01-2011, 05:57 PM

b454rat, what mods would have to take place? Thanks for any and all info.

07-30-2011, 08:05 PM	#1
NtheFamily Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: north Georgia Posts: 50	SB to BB in '85 4x4 I have a '85 4x4 with a 305 now and plan on building a '77 454 to put in it's place. Is there a past post that has a lot of info I will need to perform the swap? If not, is it a pretty easy swap? Will I need to swap motor mounts/perches? What style of HEADERS would fit? My truck has the heavy duty suspension, so will the front suspension be able to handle the BB? Will the 700R4 be able to handle the 454? Thanks for all the info you can give me. I've swapped SBC's with SBC's, but never delt with BB's. I don't think I have nothing to loose swapping motors, but just wanted a little more umph when I need to pull something. I get 9 MPG now with the 305, which want pull a greasy spoon out of a cats a$$.

07-30-2011, 08:21 PM	#2
baclay9 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle, OK Posts: 1,344	Re: SB to BB in '85 4x4 454 will go right in. Make sure the fuel pump on the 454 is for a 4x4. There is a difference. Posted via Mobile Device

07-31-2011, 08:14 AM	#3
NtheFamily Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: north Georgia Posts: 50	Re: SB to BB in '85 4x4 Thanks for the info on the fuel pump. What headers will work on this setup?

07-31-2011, 08:52 AM	#4
baclay9 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle, OK Posts: 1,344	Re: SB to BB in '85 4x4 I have a 2 wheel drive that I swapped a 454 into and I went with Sanderson BB8 headers. They are awesome! They will fit your 4x4 as well. They are a 3/4 length header with 1 7/8 primaries. I put out a little extra and got them ceramic coated. Best thing is they have a no gasket flange. You just run a thin bead of black permatex rtv around them and no leaks! Posted via Mobile Device

07-31-2011, 05:46 PM	#5
NtheFamily Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: north Georgia Posts: 50	Re: SB to BB in '85 4x4 Would anyone have an opinion on putting in a 383 versus the 454? Just curious as to what your thoughts are. I have a 4 bolt block to build a 383, and a 454 to build. Just curious as to others thoughts, ideas etc. __________________ '65 Chevy Fleetside '85 Chevy 4x4 '92 Chevy s10

07-31-2011, 10:17 PM	#6
cheepin Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Parachute, CO Posts: 183	Re: SB to BB in '85 4x4 That would be all preference.The 383 will rev higher and give more power at topend.454s tend to be more lowend torque.so it depends on what you are doing with the truck.Towing go 454. __________________ 1984 1ton 4x4 crew cab dually 6.2 diesel,465,205,D60,D70,1987 3/4ton 4x4 suburban 5.7 FI350,TH400,208,1985 CJ-7 FI406,465,205,D60,FF14, 1970 Jeepster 350,465,205,D44,FF14,

08-01-2011, 07:13 AM	#7
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,454	Re: SB to BB in '85 4x4 A 454 will rev just as high as a 383. The simplest would be the 383, it will bolt in with zero mods. A mild built 454 will embarrass a 383..... __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 6” lift 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 4" SAS

08-01-2011, 05:57 PM	#8
NtheFamily Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: north Georgia Posts: 50	Re: SB to BB in '85 4x4 b454rat, what mods would have to take place? Thanks for any and all info. __________________ '65 Chevy Fleetside '85 Chevy 4x4 '92 Chevy s10

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