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What would you do?

  • Put the big block in it.

    Votes: 7 35.0%
  • Build a small block for it.

    Votes: 13 65.0%

Engine options in a Corvette.

3K views 29 replies 15 participants last post by  techron 
#1 ·
Hey guys I have an 87 Corvette. I have had it for about 9 years now and I have replaced or restored everything on the car. The only thing I haven't done yet is the engine. I am selling off all my other projects, one of which is a big block Camaro. I have thought about keeping the motor and putting it in the Corvette. Yes it would be more work but it would also have a ton of wow factor. The other option is to build a 400 hp small block and just have fun with it. The car is not daily driven so that isn't a concern.
So what would you do? Opinions are welcome. Thanks.
 
#2 ·
keep the small block and put the eldabrock top end kit 435 hp and put a mini 144 series bloweron it add about 100 hp now u got 535 or more then put 125 shot of nitrous and that light body will fly. we have a 79 corvette with just weilend intake and 670 holly d/p that thing is fast. if you put the big block youll have to change susp. and make the motor fit lot more work.

why not keep the camaro and sell corvette?? just a thought
 
#4 ·
The swap doesn't scare me. There isn't alot to it. THere is no need to upgrade the suspension as the BB with aluminum heads, intake and water pump only weighs 50-70 LBS more than the SB. The steering box needs to move forward about an inch and a half and the cross member needs to be notched.s armed with that info... :D
 
#5 ·
chevelle4542speed said:
keep the small block and put the eldabrock top end kit 435 hp and put a mini 144 series bloweron it add about 100 hp now u got 535 or more then put 125 shot of nitrous and that light body will fly. we have a 79 corvette with just weilend intake and 670 holly d/p that thing is fast. if you put the big block youll have to change susp. and make the motor fit lot more work.

why not keep the camaro and sell corvette?? just a thought
Thanks for the options, this is what I am after.
Mini 144 blower? Is that a carb app.? Isn't my compression ratio to high for that?
 
#7 ·
i think it is 144 177 have to look it up but it will fit under your stock hood. kit says u can run it on a stock motor, yes its single carb approved. give approx 100 hp or more with better heads. but if u get real serious i would rebuild the motor with forged rods crank and pistons. with a little bit lower c/r . if u have lots of money than buy 4 vavle heads a mild 350 with these heads easily make 500 hp but they cost about 6500 $. the blower info is in jegs online catalog. these combo with the 4 v heads and a shot of nitrous will easy mak 750 hp with good street manners.
 
#12 ·
Raidmagic -- Corvettes are great, and lots of fun. I think a 400 ci small block (OK, 406) with a great set of AFR heads, a good street roller cam, and a holley or demon on top would do a great job of giving it more go. Adding a big block will complicate future service (that's an assumption on my part), add unnecessary weight, and supply just maybe enough torque to blow out the differential. Building a 450-500 HP streetable, normally aspirated smallblock is not a big challenge today, what with all the tried and true combinations that are out there. And with good 2 valve heads, it can be built for the price of the 4 valve heads alone (or thereabouts). It'd be gobs o' fun! I think the hardest part would be finding a good 400 ci block to start with. Of course, there are those aftermarket Bill Mitchell type 454 small blocks . . . . .

Let us know what you decide.

BTW -- are headers available for the big block swap, or would you go custom on them?

Pat
 
#14 ·
Aluminum block, heads...everything. Go for Whipple or other centrifugal blower with injection and have something thats super light, very powerful and will help to make that vett handle.....that would be pretty easy to do and would make one nasty do all vett.....I got a buddy with a 2001 Mustang done up pretty much with that formula. Sucka rips and is very stealthy.
 
#15 ·
I personally think that (unless this will be a strip-only ride) there is no reason to use a big block. One of the vette's greatest attributes is its light weight handling capabilities and a near 50/50 weight distribution.

To me, the only recipe that fits is a 1hp/ci small block. Keep the handling, save the independent rear from grenading, and save the headaches.

Too many times we hot rodders misplace our intentions. Let's not forget that some cars turn corners, too :)
 
#17 ·
Check out corvetteforum.com before you make any final decision. In the C4 tech section there are a couple of very good threads about engine swaps.
Here's one:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1349539

and another:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1303477

One of the things to consider is the rear end. You will probably want to upgrade to a Dana44 if you don't have one now. See this thread about that:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1359889

and this one:

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/rearaxle.html

Good luck.
 
#21 ·
OK thanks for the input guys. I am going to go with a small block and a Vortec supercharger. It'll be cheaper in the long run and make more power than the 454 I was gonna use. I have someone interested in the engine already too so I think it is gonna work out all around.
 
#24 ·
38Chevy3WCoupe said:
Check out corvetteforum.com before you make any final decision. In the C4 tech section there are a couple of very good threads about engine swaps.
Here's one:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1349539

and another:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1303477

One of the things to consider is the rear end. You will probably want to upgrade to a Dana44 if you don't have one now. See this thread about that:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1359889

and this one:

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/rearaxle.html

Good luck.
the best advice in this thread, go to the c4 tech or general forums. those guy know their chit, they can walk you through the mods you need for any hp level. there are too many kids in this thread that are spouting big blocks and blowers and carbs and other bs and have no clue about c4s. keep the engine and do the generally accepted mods, anything else is just stupid. i am a longtime c4 owner and am coming up on 170,000 and it still runs like new. a lot of c4 owners are of the opinion the c4 is the best of the breed and i tend to agree. i love mine and its not a garage queen, its my DD. no offence but crazy kids need to **** when they have no idea what they are talking about. as a corvette owner i was offended. :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
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