68 camaro--need help with first time engine swap
NirvanaNINchains
02-26-2008, 09:20 PM
I have a 68 camaro, originally a slant 6, now uprgraded to its current 350. I was given a 454 performance motor made to produce about 600-700 horsepower. I want to learn as much as possible so i can do as much work as possible by myself.... but this being my first major upgrade, some suggestions and info will be alot of help
for example, what all has to be exchanged to make this upgrade possible? i know it needs BB motor mounts, but i dont see a difference with the ones on the 350 compared to the 454... do they HAVE to be changed now? or can i wait just a little while before i can get the right brackets? and are brackets simply bolted on? cause it looks like the current ones were welded on...
will the suspension be able to hold the extra weight?
what all is salvagable from the 350 to put onto the 454?
i was told my 350 tubro trans will work on the 454 just to slowly take the car from one shop to another, as long as i dont give it to much power... is that true? or am i going to need a new transmission now?
any opinions would be great... a step by step direction would be awesome...
for example, what all has to be exchanged to make this upgrade possible? i know it needs BB motor mounts, but i dont see a difference with the ones on the 350 compared to the 454... do they HAVE to be changed now? or can i wait just a little while before i can get the right brackets? and are brackets simply bolted on? cause it looks like the current ones were welded on...
will the suspension be able to hold the extra weight?
what all is salvagable from the 350 to put onto the 454?
i was told my 350 tubro trans will work on the 454 just to slowly take the car from one shop to another, as long as i dont give it to much power... is that true? or am i going to need a new transmission now?
any opinions would be great... a step by step direction would be awesome...
MrPbody
02-27-2008, 08:04 AM
GM never made a "slant 6", that's a Chrysler engine. The GM 6s are "inline" or "straight". The '68 would have had a 230 or 250 CID version.
600 HP is a BUNCH! The mounts attatched to the block may be different. The frame "pads" are the same. The distributor will interchange. Nothing else will. You'll need headers for the BBC.
The front suspension is the same for big block and small block (and 6s) cars, except the springs. A set of Moog replacements for the BBC (SS396) would be called for. Good disc brakes would also be a VERY good idea, considering the power.
To keep everything "on the ground", rear suspension will need some help, too. Caltracs is the system of choice for high-torque applications.
The TH350 is a bit on the wimpy side for a big block. For a pumped up big block, it will not last long. TH400 is the recommended automatic.
The result of this combo is one serious car. Are you up for that? 600 HP is not for "beginners".
Jim
600 HP is a BUNCH! The mounts attatched to the block may be different. The frame "pads" are the same. The distributor will interchange. Nothing else will. You'll need headers for the BBC.
The front suspension is the same for big block and small block (and 6s) cars, except the springs. A set of Moog replacements for the BBC (SS396) would be called for. Good disc brakes would also be a VERY good idea, considering the power.
To keep everything "on the ground", rear suspension will need some help, too. Caltracs is the system of choice for high-torque applications.
The TH350 is a bit on the wimpy side for a big block. For a pumped up big block, it will not last long. TH400 is the recommended automatic.
The result of this combo is one serious car. Are you up for that? 600 HP is not for "beginners".
Jim
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