1972 Suburban C-10 project. What do I need to big block it? help!

[Whittaker]

So this is my first post asking questions. I have a 1972 C-10 Suburban.

I use a wheelchair so the lowering is a must so is the auto trans, & PS.


I have experience with two 66 Chevelles one small & one big block.

One is a 4 door station wagon w/408 hyd. roller cam, Dart Pro 1 aluminum 215cc heads SB/700R4/12 bolt 3.73 4 wheel disc brake, family cruiser, Edelbrock pro flo 2 partly on car.

The other is a 2 door hard top (the wife is too scared to ride in it) 489 stroker hyd. roller cam, aluminum Patriot Freedom 320 cc rectangular port with TH-400 gear vendors OD/UD Ford 9" 3.50(soon 3.90) gear, 1000cfm Pro Systems Holley carb,(F.A.S.T. EFI coming).

Both have AC, cruise, ps, disc brakes with hydro-boost both have Alumitech Reproductions BB radiators with dual 11 fans, B-body spindle 12" discs with Hotchkis/Global West upper A arms.

I love trucks also. I have a 95 4x4 Cheyenne with Silverado grill, lowered on 20" wheels with a 406 vortec ported head, hyd. roller engine, long tubes, duals into 1 then out 2. With a built to the extreme 4l60e/4l65e 2000 stall since I tow sometimes.

The 72 Suburban came from a few miles away its rusty 307/ps/pdb/ 3 on tree, posi rear, with front sway bar as options. has barn doors.

I all ready had a few engine but the 454 that is .030 is the only block (besides a 305 Vortec) that checked out ok to build and I had 10:1 pistons on rods with 3/8 ARP wave lock bolts, ported Iron oval port 781s with hyd roller springs on them fresh off my 489. Also have the RPM Air gap Edel intake short water pump, some brackets, 870 & 770 Street Avenger carbs. Also have new BBC Flowtech scratch and dent ceramic headers.

Engine is all most there waiting on hyd roller lifters, timing chain with torrington roller bearing built in and a few other things. I have a 96/97 4l80E being built with a TCI trans controller for it.

What I don't know is? Do I need specific BB motor mounts, and custom tranny mount.

I'll shorten the drive shaft maybe do a 1 piece if I can.

I need a BB radiator. Will any other cars/ trucks swap in with a little work?

Will my 66 Chevelle BB Ps bracket work in the sub?

Want to lower it 3" front 4" rear on either 17" Torq Thrust type wheels or swap to 6 lugs & use 20" rims I took off my 95 4x4 with lower profile tires?

Also are the lowering springs out there are for a Small block's weight not the 454s will the extra 150/200 lbs drop it 1" by itself? So should I do 2" drop springs or do any places make a bb rated drop spring.

I'm afraid the 6 lug 20s will be too big with that drop. Will it?

What all do I need to get rid of the 307/3speed and use my 454/4L80E?

I have an auto column that came with it.

I plan on towing a little it has a smaller cam that will pull 1800-5200/5500 rpm. So mild stall 400 horse 450++ ft lbs should be great for all most 6000 lbs.

Thanks.

P.S. I'm way low on funds so this is a little more budget oriented build.

[vectorit]

Welcome to the board!

Boy, you sure have a laundry list of questions - most of which have no easy one line answer.

I do know that the '72 SB and BB mounts are different.

I also wouldn't recommend doing away with the 2 piece drive shaft.

The PS brackets from a car can be made to work with little to none effort.

The truck radiators are much bigger than the cars, and if there is a cross reference to a car to truck I do not know of one. I'd personally stay with truck rads, they are affordable enough to not have to spend time searching for one that may fit or not.

I have found that the OEM front coils for a BB truck are a bit stiffer, and if you put a BB in a SB truck I think the ride would be softer. Plus you may have a ocean liner feel when driving on the open road with soft springs, which gets annoying after a while and can cause motion sickness (at least in my personal experience).

Others will chime in sooner or later, but as far as your engine and suspension questions. I would solicit the expertise from the men and women in the respective forums, that way you will probably get more eyes on your questions and more input.

Again welcome to the forum, and be sure to post up some pictures of your burb project!

[olblue60@aol.com]

They produced a bigblock pickup in these trucks. They have many bigblock specific parts, including motor mounts, fan shroud and accessory brackets. There weren't alot of this model produced and the parts can be a little pricey. A large 4 row radiator is a good idea. Maybe you can find a junker to purchase with all the parts needed. Or just try to find a vehicle with the same legnth waterpump as the trucks and buy that whole set of brackets. Anyway good luck with the project !!

[love my 72]

Hey buddy!

just wana let you know that you are waaaaaay past due on a progress report!