350 to 454 swap

[1slo_camaro]

Hey guys. so i know i started another thread about a sbc vs bbc. i just got offered a 454 running for 350$ and am really contemplating picking it up. my stock 350 is starting to make some noises that I am not very happy with. what all would be envolved in this swap? obviously exhaust. but what are the dire necessity for this? i am looking for a weekend swap. i plan to pick the motor up clean it up a little with a wire brush and all. pull my sbc clean the engine bay up a little and throw some paint on her then drop the motor in so i am looking for the bare essentials for right now to get it back on the road

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Big block radiator and shroud. Hoses and maybe a big block pattern torque converter
Posted via Mobile Device

[1slo_camaro]

really that simple?...... now can i run the sbc radiator and just be easy? also the weather here in jersey is down in the 60s on most days so its already gonna be running cooler then normal.


I had planned on replacing the belts and hoses anyway and probably the water pump while its out and readily available.

[anubisani]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Big block radiator and shroud. Hoses and maybe a big block pattern torque converter
Posted via Mobile Device

they use the same converter , the only dff... might be the stall

[geezer#99]

Never that simple!!
Exhaust?
Headers?
Brackets for a/c if equipped?
Throttle linkage?
Power steering brackets?
Booster size?
Mounts?
Wiring?
There can be subtle differences in all those or more that make it more than a weekend project.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by anubisani

they use the same converter , the only dff... might be the stall

Yes but a big block will have a bigger bolt pattern on the flywheel in most cases. I've done the sbc-bbc swap twice now the issue has come up. Luckily they both are th350 and th400 vehicles which use the same converter. Plenty of them in CL
Posted via Mobile Device

[Rubble]

I done the reverse swap last winter for a buddy's K25,454 to a 350.The 350 had all the accessories still on it,alt,power steering pump& brackets & ex manifolds. It was fairly strait forward,don't think there was any wiring that had to be changed either.Far as rad goes,my 80 K20 had a bb swap done years ago & they kept the 350 rad,no cooling problems with it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[meatwagon83]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Never that simple!!
Exhaust?
Headers?
Brackets for a/c if equipped?
Throttle linkage?
Power steering brackets?
Booster size?
Mounts?
Wiring?
There can be subtle differences in all those or more that make it more than a weekend project.

linkage? probably a cable, so ,the same
booster size, really? its the same
mounts, same
wiring, same, hell they even use the same distributor!

[66/87chevy]

I just did this swap. The motor mounts are the same, throttle cable same, wiring is no different same alternator.
You will need BB flex plate, BB pulleys & brackets, hopefully all that comes on the motor. If so that will make things easier.
I did install a BB radiator.
Posted via Mobile Device

[1slo_camaro]

yes it has all the acc except for the ps.... can i use my 350 power steering pump?

ill be ordering a set of ceramic long tubes from summit for 225$ and building my own exhaust.


Hell these things only need like 4 wires to run.... I got this... lol


this isnt my first motor swap or custom swap. i just have not done this exact swap and was trying to get some insight from people who have done it already. and I believe it still have the flexplate on it so thats huge if it does

[Rubble]

I'm pretty sure the pump is the same,just different mounting brackets....
Posted via Mobile Device

[1slo_camaro]

knowing my luck that will be the only damn thing that will hold me up from being able to drive it haha.

[bnoon]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Yes but a big block will have a bigger bolt pattern on the flywheel in most cases. I've done the sbc-bbc swap twice now the issue has come up. Luckily they both are th350 and th400 vehicles which use the same converter. Plenty of them in CL
Posted via Mobile Device

Don't forget, you can get a dual pattern flexplate and use either converter bolt pattern! If you already have a high dollar converter, this may be a cheaper option for you. Also in case people don't know, the same converter will stall slightly higher (few hundred RPM) on a big block in most cases from the added low end TQ.

[anubisani]

Originally Posted by Rubble

I'm pretty sure the pump is the same,just different mounting brackets....
Posted via Mobile Device

same pump diff brackets he is right

[Bad Karma]

The first thing you need to do is put in a much bigger fuel tank...

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by bnoon

Don't forget, you can get a dual pattern flexplate and use either converter bolt pattern! If you already have a high dollar converter, this may be a cheaper option for you. Also in case people don't know, the same converter will stall slightly higher (few hundred RPM) on a big block in most cases from the added low end TQ.

I think outs was single pattern which was the issue. And being that a 454 is external balance it's not a great idea to change them
Posted via Mobile Device

[Rubble]

Originally Posted by Bad Karma

The first thing you need to do is put in a much bigger fuel tank...

No kidding!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[bnoon]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

I think outs was single pattern which was the issue. And being that a 454 is external balance it's not a great idea to change them
Posted via Mobile Device

I've never had an issue as long as I got an externally balanced flexplate. Flexplates from the smaller BBC are internally balanced so can't use those. One of our older trucks got a 700R4 with a dual pattern flex and a stock S-10 converter and ran for years.