hey im looking to.. do something rare for my senior project.. so i decided on putting a 396 in my friends 96 camaro... i have the complete 396 already built and a TH-400.. i was curious if anyone had ever done this conversion before... i know right off that i am goin to have to get new upper and lower control arms, new springs, new spindle.. but i was wondering about engine clearance from the hood and fender wells.. also i was wondering about the driveshaft.. does anyone know if someone makes one or if any from another vehicle would fit.. or if i would have to get a custom driveshaft.. thanks for any help

 

What block did you use as the basis for the 396..... Gen 1, Gen 2 SBC, BBC????? If you used a Gen 2 block, clearances are a non-issue, since that's the engine that came in the V8 versions of the 96. The K-member can be a problem however.

Again, if you are working with a Gen 2 SBC, and a short output shaft TH400, you need a longer driveshaft. I just happen to have a 3" chrome moly Mark Williams DS for such an application... very low mileage. $450 firm. How are you going to handle the PCM/VSS interface from the TH400?

But before anyone can answer the question accurately, we need to know exactly what engine the 396 is based on.

And, I can't think of why you would replace the upeer and lower control arms and spindles (actually a modular spindle/hub/bearing/ABS sensor assembly) since the exact same parts were used on the V6 and V8 versions of the 4th Gen F-Bodys.

------------------
Fred
94 Formula A3+1: 381/TH400+OD/N2O

Advanced Tech Posting Guidelines
Detailed Mod's List
11.513@115.59 on motor; 11.162@127.67, 1.643 60' on a 125-shot. Going with a 275-shot this year

[This message has been edited by Injuneer 94FormM6 (edited August 30, 2002).]

 

it is a BB 396 from a 1st gen camaro. the spindles and upper and lower control arms need to be replace because they arent strong enough to support the heavy bigblock. if hood clearance is a problem then we will buy a cowl hood..or if the fender wells is a problem we will cut them and out or something... but if there are clearence problems with like the firewall and things like this then we will most likely scratch the project.. we don't want to go cutting into the firewall or mess up the floor pans to make this thing fit...

 

im planning on doing the same exact thing to my 94 camaro just the engine i want to drop in is a 427 out of a 69 camaro.

anyways i have all the info you'll need, i might still have the part numbers laying around ill have to look. Mainly though you could use the springs from a z28 and the driveshaft from a z28, you will need better hood clearence if you using a carb, if its fuel injected it wont be a problem, and the engine isself will fit fine between the fenders.

You'll be needing mounting brackets out of a 73 camaro for a big block, and you'll be needing the Kmember out of a 73. also the big block headers from a 73. these parts have to be from a 73 for them to fit correctly in your car.

the biggest problem for me is that ive been saving up for a rearend, becuase no matter what you need to have a ford 9".

email me if have any more questions, ill try to help you out.

i got most of my info from a guy who put a 454 in his 99 trans am.

 

Any pics of BB conversions?

Chris

 

Guys (Injuneer) in a couple of weeks I am going to swap my carbed 383 into my 95 3.4L (Gen I Block). What problems am I going to have with the Gen I block. Also, am I going to be able to keep my wipers with the carb, I know they are in the cowl.

Thanks

Hey, keep me posted on the 396 swap. Adam@dfi-gc.com