454 and its all chromed out

[Matt365]

Buying a 454, got a great deal, and i was wondering if its even possible to fit it in a 97 firebird? Big block 454 all it needs is a distributor, last truck it was in it bent the chasis, will get pics up asap possibly tomorrow.

[Savage Messiah]

possible? yes... but I doubt it's easy or cheap

[FormulaLT1]

You will most likely have to make a modifactions to the firewall for the distributor and I don't know exactly how the gauge thing will work but besides that its a pretty straight forward install since the dimensions of a 454 is near identical to a LT1.

[Earlsfat]

***drooling*** need pics...

[1986Z28]

possible yes. easy probaly not

[poormillionaire2]

Yeah, its possibly. I raced a guy in a 97 Anniversary Z and he had 4 people in the car, and I had my g/f in mine, so I ran him. From a 45 roll, he lifted the front end of that damn car up. My friend in another vehicle asked him what he had in it and he managed to squeeze in a 502 in it, so yes it can fit.

[Savage Messiah]

Originally Posted by FormulaLT1

You will most likely have to make a modifactions to the firewall for the distributor and I don't know exactly how the gauge thing will work but besides that its a pretty straight forward install since the dimensions of a 454 is near identical to a LT1.

motor mounts?

[FormulaLT1]

Originally Posted by Savage Messiah

motor mounts?

same. He has a V6 so he would need to purchase a LT1 K member from a junk yard but the LT1 mount would bolt right up to a 454.

[Earlsfat]

Forgetting about the suspension? From what I know on 2 gens, when you throw a 454 in it, you have to redo the front end suspension to get it to sit right, and not bottom out. I'm guessing a 454, though the same basic dimensions as a 350, weighs a bit more. Considering you're startiong with a v6, you might have a bit more work to do.

Something about the difference in weights between the old and new engine must be accounted for in the shocks and springs... (can you tell I got confused when reading that thread, and didn't read it all the way through )

[2.2 Straight six]

Originally Posted by Earlsfat

Something about the difference in weights between the old and new engine must be accounted for in the shocks and springs... (can you tell I got confused when reading that thread, and didn't read it all the way through )

you're right and it's fairly simple, in a car with a lighter engine the suspension won't be built to take the V8. for cost reasons it'll be built for the V6, and also you get better suspension in the V8 because you need to get better handling and such to justify the premium over the V6 model.

you'd probably have to go with an aftermarket kit with stiff springs and strong dampers, standard springs and dampers would probably allow the front end to bottom out on relatively small bumps.

[Earlsfat]

***phwew*** (thought I might have been going out on a limb there)

But I immediately thought of my problems as soon as he mentioned it. Mine bottoms out, but I'm not sure where. I know the engine support crossmember, oil pan and headers have been contact with the road (not sure how recently though... looks like older damage) and the rear sometimes sounds like it may be rubbing in the wheel wells when you hit a bump.

My buddy and I were looking at it, and were leaning towards the springs being shot, and the whole set-up being to low ... suspension wasn't upgraded properly for the heavier engine.

I am almost positive the front end in mine needs attention, but the rear... not sure if it's because of the front end, or if the tires rub the wheel wells... it's a really odd vibrating / rubbing sound that I haven't been able to pinpoint. There is no visible rub marks inside the wheel wells... IDK.

[FormulaLT1]

He would be fine using LT1 springs.

[2.2 Straight six]

Originally Posted by Earlsfat

***phwew*** (thought I might have been going out on a limb there)

But I immediately thought of my problems as soon as he mentioned it. Mine bottoms out, but I'm not sure where. I know the engine support crossmember, oil pan and headers have been contact with the road (not sure how recently though... looks like older damage) and the rear sometimes sounds like it may be rubbing in the wheel wells when you hit a bump.

why don't you get a skid-plate? you may need one made but it would be cheaper than sorting a cracked sump or exhaust system.

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by 2.2 Straight six

why don't you get a skid-plate? you may need one made but it would be cheaper than sorting a cracked sump or exhaust system.

Well... I want to have what's wrong corrected. A skid plate would just reduce the 4.5" of clearance between the engine support (whatever that's called - k-member?) and the road, and I would think that would just make it bottom out more. I believe there is actually something wrong with the way the car is set up... there is too much travel in the front suspension or the springs are shot. My buddy suggested that when I get the new front rims and tires, since I'm going with something a little taller and wider, any issues with bottoming out should be resolved. Like I said, that thread I was reading on a 2gen site was detailing how complex it is to set up a bigger heavier engine. Now maybe since I don't understand it, it just seems complicated, but when I read it I was getting sick to my stomach thinking about what all the previous owner could have (or seems to have) screwed up on my maro.

Ideally, I'd like to get one of those air-suspension kits, but the budget won't be allowing that for quite some time.

[wrightz28]

Good lord Jim, is there anything on RD that isn't jimmy rigged?