camro w ford big block

I'm starting an project with an 82 chevy camro and I wanted to take the old small block chevy out and put in a ford 460w new eagle crank and supercharger and elderbrook intake/C6 tranny. I want to know will this give me the power i'm looking for. I have been told that the weight of the 460 will take away from power and I should get a 350 and fix it up and i'll get the same results from it as with the 460

Well you can build big horsepower with the big block. But it shouldn't be hard getting 400+ out the small block. With the 460 in there you'd have to put heavy duty springs in and the it would steer different because it would be balanced differently. It all depends on how much HP you are looking for and what you want to build. So what exactly are you looking for?

why a ford in a chevy?

With a super-charged engine, especially one that large (CID), I doubt the engine weight is a significant factor. Your power levels are going to be WAY past 400 HP. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?
We see people putting Chevy engines in Fords (Fox bodies) all the time. We also see people putting Chevys in Pontiacs, where Pontiac engines are supposed to be. We ask the same question: "Why?" The usual answer is "'cuz you gotta use a Chevy to make any power..." We (engine builders) all know that's just not true. I've seen Caddys, Pontiacs, Olds and even a few Buicks, making enough power to smoke BBC-powered cars. That Lima-block Ford is an ANIMAL if properly prepared.
Personally, I would prefer to see IT in a Fox body, over an SBC. And to build a small block Chevy to run as hard as a blown BBF, would take TWO wheelbarrel fulls of cash, not just one...

With a super-charged engine, especially one that large (CID), I doubt the engine weight is a significant factor. Your power levels are going to be WAY past 400 HP. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?
We see people putting Chevy engines in Fords (Fox bodies) all the time. We also see people putting Chevys in Pontiacs, where Pontiac engines are supposed to be. We ask the same question: "Why?" The usual answer is "'cuz you gotta use a Chevy to make any power..." We (engine builders) all know that's just not true. I've seen Caddys, Pontiacs, Olds and even a few Buicks, making enough power to smoke BBC-powered cars. That Lima-block Ford is an ANIMAL if properly prepared.
Personally, I would prefer to see IT in a Fox body, over an SBC. And to build a small block Chevy to run as hard as a blown BBF, would take TWO wheelbarrel fulls of cash, not just one...

Whoa Whoa Whoa... The BBF is probably about 220lbs more than the SBC and to install the BBF you would need to put heavy duty spring and put a bigger trans in so there is some more weight. Adding all that weight you would probably have to build big horsepower to move get it going. That little rear-end would probably go and you'd probably have to build up the frame so it doesn't twist. All im saying is it would be cheaper and easier to build a SBC that would go in without a hassle then smashing a monster in there and spending all that money. But it all depends on what he wants to do.

When you're talking about 800 horsepower (what a well done STREET blown big block usually makes), that 220 lbs. means very little. Adding aluminum heads can shave 100 of that off.
I agree, a small block would be easy. Some folks aren't after "easy". The visual and psychological impact of a BBF in a Camaro could be priceless!
If it were my choice, I'd use BBC. But of course, it's over 300 lbs. heavier...

One thing to consider is the Ford engine has the oil pump on the front of the block, which is where the deepest part of the sump is. Which is also where the crossmember and all of the suspension on your subframed unibody Camaro is. It'll take some surgery to get that monster to fit in there.

http://www.241computers.com/ford/ContentExpress20-30-38.html

The BBF is heavier than the BBC. You can't just slap a high horsepower 460 into a little 82 Camaro without adding some kind of frame support. I mean that BBF is going to twist that little Camaro with about 800 hp and tq.

I want to see your finished car in the centerfold of Super Chevy. They've had a '69 with a 500 Caddy, so maybe???

I think if you put a Ford 460 in a 82 Camaro you are going to be in for more :banghead: than it's worth! Lets see: Heavier springs, frame strengthening, rear end swapping, front crossmember butchering, header fitment problems, transmission and drive shaft swapping, radiator swapping, tonnes of fabricating and misc little problems that will arise. Hell, you swapped pretty much everything, maybe swap the car too? Although it would be interesting to see. Personally, I think it's more trouble then it's worth. But if you really want that WOW factor go for it. :eek: If you do it be sure to post some pics.

There is a lot you can do to a SBC 350. I'd say that would be your best bet.

The old BB vs SB is a long debate. Everyone has his own opinions. SB's rev better and weight less, BB's make more torque. Alot of it depends on your budget and what you are going to use it for. I like BB's because you can build a very mild BB (to run great on pump gas) on a low budget and easily make 450 HP. Where with a SB you'd have to build a higher compression, higher $$ motor to make the same.

That said, why the hell would you put a BBF in a Camaro? Build a 454 and be done with it. I have a 454 with a 6-71 blower and it's plenty fast.

You could always stuff a big block in there but for all the extra time and money getting it to fit just right you could just buy a fricken twin turbo setup for a 350 from Gale Banks. If you want a BB get one if you want a SB then do that. Either way you can build a fast car. Its all on what you prefer.

First This guy is just thinking, anybody with enough dough or tallent to pull this off wouldn't waste it on an 82 Camaro. Second if he has the cash he could get a very trick 427 small block that puts out way more HP than any 460 ever dreamed of. JMHO