I remember reading about a 4th gen that chevy put together with a big block. They only did it for the publicity, but that thing flat out flew. It must have been incredibly tight in that engine bay. My question is, why doesn't anyone do this? I realize that it would be very difficult and most people wouldn't want to attempt it, but I'm surprised that I don't see ANY in any of the sites I go to. I'm not counting track only race cars sitting on a tube chassis. I mean street cars. The torque from those things can be unreal. It seems like a match made in heaven, so what is the snag that keeps EVERYONE from trying it? Is it just physically impossible without the tools and equipment that only the manufacturer would be likely to have?

 

Have to do a search. I've seen pic's of a guy who put a 454 in a 96 or 97 4th Gen, in his garage. Can be done, has been done. I'll see if I can find a link.

 

My thoughts are, big blocks are too much displacement for the
street. You'd never use the potential of a BB on the road, it would
be overkill.

It's not as fuel effecient and pratical for a daily driver and moreover,
emissions are an issue for many.

Government legislation is cracking down on gas eaters and polluters.
MFG's wont find the market for large scale production either.

A well tuned SB can output some insane amounts of power for
any street application.

 

I'd sure appreciate it if you could get me a link. I'd love to do that. It'd definitely be a ways in the future, but now is the time to check, before I start to buy things. I really like the idea of getting an LT1 (cheaper) and putting something like that into it. I love the torque you get with the stroke that comes with a big block. Especially if you stroke it out to a 496 or just get the 502 crate engine. (Insert evil grin here.) A little gear, a little spray........ you're almost there.

 

Why stop at a 502 BB......

Viper V10 in a 73 'Cuda

 

I gave a lot of thought to a BB in a 4th gen. Bottom line is, if you can't do the majority of the custom work yourself it will be very, very expensive. Think about something as simple as the headers and exhaust system. Also, putting another 150lbs or so on the front of a 4th gen that is already excessively front weight biased doesn't bode well for handling or traction. For the same amount of money you could do an exotic aluminum small block, which seems more interesting to me. In the end, I stuck with the LT1 and so far I think it was the right choice. As far as I am concerned, it is making as much power as I'd care to put into the chassis. Taking it further would require a full cage plus additional reinforcements and that would ruin it as a street car.

That big block torque though, makes you think................

Rich Krause

 

Here's the link to Dave's Big Block 4th Gen.....

 

looks like you can buy a 600-650hp quality small block for about $7-8k.......why not drop that in a 4th gen?

easier to fit, and that is definetly enough power to go 10s all motor.

 

 

Thanks for the link. After having read what he went through and had to do, I now understand why no one does this. I had NO IDEA it would be THAT involved. The guy even had to weld the inlet for his water pump to the front of the pump instead of the top. He's got a really nice looking car. I'm sure it runs like a champ, too. He should be proud of himself and his car. But I don't think this little boy is gonna go that route. Too much crazy stuff going on there. I'd love to have that torque from right off idle, and the only way I know to get that is more stroke. The kind you only get from a big block. (Preferably stroked. I'm kinda dumb like that. More is never enough for me.) Gears can only do so much. I'll have to figure something out. Too bad a roots style s/c doesn't clear the cowl. I'd love to have one of those hidden under the hood.
Thanks for all your help, everybody. Don.

 

See ya at Thunder.

 

i got the pleasure of seeing a local guy working on a BBC for his 4th gen maro. custom build headers and an exhaust the size of a building's main plumbing lines i can certainly see why it isnt a common project however. just all the more rewarding when his car comes out in the spring and is nastier than all hell

 

There is a guy I worked for with a 1997 Z/28 with a 427 BBC, I'll see if I can find the pictures of it. I know I got a pic of a twin turboed 4th gen, I'll email it to you.

 

here are some pictures of a big block in some guys car I found on the internet I heard it was a 540" EFI motor with a gemini twin plate setup, but you know how the internet is... I'll try to find more pictures sometime in the next couple days.

 

Hey Don, Do you mean on a LT1? If so take a look.