383 Power

iTrader: (2)

Would it fit? Has anyone tried this?

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

Which 409?
The ugly early BBC version ?

Better question would be ;Why would you want to?

383 Power

iTrader: (2)

yeah, the old ones. I happen to think that it's a beautiful engine.

72vega

iTrader: (9)

The 409 is an awesome engine. I say try it. Shouldnt be too terribly hard. Same Chevy bellhousing, same Chevy motor mount locations.

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

410Hp with twin carbs ,380Hp with a single
You can get that easy from a 383 with less weight and no fitting problems

Tony V

iTrader: (5)

Yeah, but what fun is that?

72vega

iTrader: (9)

yeah, unmodified.

3rdgenmaro

iTrader: (9)

What is the going price on a 409?

How much more money do you have to put into it to make 500 hp?

I think it would be cool to see, but this is another one of those times when you will be paying more and getting less, all in the name of being different.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I've always thought the 348/409 valve covers are the coolest looking out there, even moreso than hemi's.

The engine design is unique in that the combustion chamber is formed completely by the piston and cylinder - the head is flat with the valves in it, no further shaping by the head. Some innovating hot rodders have gotten some pretty decent power out of those engines, but it's mostly through custom-built parts. There's a local good-ol'-boy racer here who has a tilt-front solid axle '55 with a blown 348 that runs in the high-9's - at altitude, mind you. He runs 348's because 409 blocks are getting hard to find. Another has a '62 Impala 409 with 454 crank, dual AFB's, solid lifter cam, basically a street car that runs 12.7's here. Yes, cool, but as hinted at, a 383 could do it as well (a 454 would do it easier - and it's not a whole lot faster than my stock-internals, no-tune LS1).

But, all that being said, this would be 99% "cool factor" build, not performance per dollar by any stretch. Exhaust will be 100% custom built. There is some aftermarket support (like aluminum heads), but nothing like Gen I/II/III SBC, or BBC.

Oh, about "ugly" - the distinctive of the W-engines is the heads/valve covers. Other than that, they're just a cast iron engine like SBC's and BBC's.

skinny z

I have a complete 409 for sale if anyone is interested.
Carb to oil pan with exhaust manifolds (and trans) from a 61 Pontiac land yacht.
It was yarded out in running condition and has been stored indoors for the last several years.

rarebmx

iTrader: (6)

I would say the 409 is an iconic motor but dated for a Camaro. I would rather see the 409 go into a 61 Impala than a thirdgen Camaro. Trade the 409 for a 427 or 454 - that would be a cooler swap. I just love the old Impalas with a 408 bench seat post body with 4 speed. My personal opinion is where that motor belongs.

paul_huryk

They are boat anchors - they stopped making them for a reason - the BBC is better in almost every way.

3rdgenmaro

iTrader: (9)

My thoughts exactly.

My dream car at this point is a 59 Biscayne. In reality it will probably end up with a 5.3 swap, but I would love to have a 409 to swap into it.

383 Power

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, the 409 IS a very Iconic engine and it's VERY expensive. The whole reason for putting it in a third gen? It's the "Cool Factor" as Five7kid suggested. I was shopping for a crate engine on Ebay and saw a 409. I wanted to see if anyone had done this. I'm guessing that a 409 would be more likely in a first gen though. I'm sitting here in Bagram, Afghanistan dreaming about what i'm gonna do to my '82 when i get home. You guys help me keep the dream alive. I'll probably put a 383 in it after all anyhow, but it's nice to dream. Maybe i'll get a 409 anyhow and build it up nice. It'll be good for a second engine at a time when i'm bored and ambitious.

72vega

iTrader: (9)

i wanted to build one for my old 88 chevy p/u so ive researched it... heres a good source of parts and info. http://www.lamarwaldenautomotive.com/

edelbrock makes aluminum heads and world makes a (very expensive) aluminum block also..

383 Power

iTrader: (2)

WOW! you could run into some MONEY doing that!

skinny z

Check out 348-409.com

82CAMAROBBC

iTrader: (1)

Giddy-up Giddy-up 4 0 9

She always turns in the fastest times...

Irockz

iTrader: (1)

I want to say 2 things,leave the 409 for the early iron where it will be most beneficial,and thank you ever so much for your service to our country.I for one deeply appreciate you.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Would I do it? No. Because I'm a function-over-form guy. But, I can see this before a Duramax or Ecotec or a dozen other off-brand swaps that have been proposed in this forum.

As it is for anyone on this Board - it's your car, your money, your time. Just do it right - and finish it - if you go for it.

383 Power

iTrader: (2)

Thank you Irockz. and yes, I'm kinda being swayed against the 409. I still think it would be cool. Drive up to the pump and someone says "Whacha got in that thing?". It would be nice to respond, "A 409".

ChristianZ28

Yeah to bad 90% of people would not know what it was.