BBC gen V engine swap
09-20-2019, 12:25 PM
#1
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Car: 91 Camaro RS
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BBC gen V engine swap
Hello fellas!
I'm in the process of swapping in a Gen V 454 out of a 91 suburban into my 91 RS and it has become a nightmare!!!
The manifolds will not fit even though I was guarunteed they would, the crossmember hits the oil pan and the power steering hits the gearbox. any help will be apreciated.
I'm in the process of swapping in a Gen V 454 out of a 91 suburban into my 91 RS and it has become a nightmare!!!
The manifolds will not fit even though I was guarunteed they would, the crossmember hits the oil pan and the power steering hits the gearbox. any help will be apreciated.
10-12-2019, 10:42 AM
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Car: '82 Camaro 11.7@121
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Re: BBC gen V engine swap
First, I'm sure that there are lots of people here would like to help, but you have not given us much to go on.
I'll give it a try but, although I have done several engine swaps in a third gen, I have never done a big block, so take everything I say with a fist full of salt.
Really the problems sound pretty straight forward, (but not easy) to fix. You will need to either do a lot of fabrication or buy a bunch of parts.
First who "guaranteed" that the manifolds (exhaust I assume) would fit? The person who was selling you the engine maybe? Was it a money back guarantee? Any time someone guarantees you that something will fit a third gen, they are probably trying to sell you something or don't really understand third gens very well.
Your best option here is to get a set of third gen specific big block headers. Before you buy them, check every last one of the installation notes. Some may require steering column modification or the elimination of power steering or something like that. Read carefully and call the manufacture if you are not sure.
If the oil pan has interference issues with the cross member you really only have 4 options;
1Change the pan,
2 change the motor mounts,
3 get a tubular cross member or
4 "clearance" the original cross member.
I recommend against "clearancing" the original cross member. The big block will put a lot more stress on it and weakening the cross member is not a good idea.
Changing the oil pan (or "clearancing" it with a big hammer) would be my first choice.
Changing the motor mounts may get you where you need to be, but it could also make clearances worse in other places. If it works, great. It is probably the cheapest and easiest to install solution.
Getting a big block specific tubular cross member is probably the seconds easiest and most expensive option. But you have to watch out because build quality on some of the aftermarket cross members is not very good.
If the power steering pump hits the power steering gear box, you need to get rid of the pump or move it. Can you get a serpentine accessory kit from a late third gen V8 to fit? Maybe you have this from the original motor?
If you get taller motor mounts, you may get the clearance you need for the oil pan and power steering pump at the same time...but it may push your distributor into the fire wall or the intake into your hood.
If you go to manual steering, it will eliminate the PS pump issue and may help with manifold clearance, but it will be a pain to drive and may cause steering column or firewall metal fatigue issues down the line.
There are lots of options out there for all of your problems. But only you can decide which is the right one for you. And you may have have to try a couple of solutions for any given problem before you find one you like.
A lot of it comes down to which you would rather throw at the problems; time or money.
Good luck!
I'll give it a try but, although I have done several engine swaps in a third gen, I have never done a big block, so take everything I say with a fist full of salt.
Really the problems sound pretty straight forward, (but not easy) to fix. You will need to either do a lot of fabrication or buy a bunch of parts.
First who "guaranteed" that the manifolds (exhaust I assume) would fit? The person who was selling you the engine maybe? Was it a money back guarantee? Any time someone guarantees you that something will fit a third gen, they are probably trying to sell you something or don't really understand third gens very well.
Your best option here is to get a set of third gen specific big block headers. Before you buy them, check every last one of the installation notes. Some may require steering column modification or the elimination of power steering or something like that. Read carefully and call the manufacture if you are not sure.
If the oil pan has interference issues with the cross member you really only have 4 options;
1Change the pan,
2 change the motor mounts,
3 get a tubular cross member or
4 "clearance" the original cross member.
I recommend against "clearancing" the original cross member. The big block will put a lot more stress on it and weakening the cross member is not a good idea.
Changing the oil pan (or "clearancing" it with a big hammer) would be my first choice.
Changing the motor mounts may get you where you need to be, but it could also make clearances worse in other places. If it works, great. It is probably the cheapest and easiest to install solution.
Getting a big block specific tubular cross member is probably the seconds easiest and most expensive option. But you have to watch out because build quality on some of the aftermarket cross members is not very good.
If the power steering pump hits the power steering gear box, you need to get rid of the pump or move it. Can you get a serpentine accessory kit from a late third gen V8 to fit? Maybe you have this from the original motor?
If you get taller motor mounts, you may get the clearance you need for the oil pan and power steering pump at the same time...but it may push your distributor into the fire wall or the intake into your hood.
If you go to manual steering, it will eliminate the PS pump issue and may help with manifold clearance, but it will be a pain to drive and may cause steering column or firewall metal fatigue issues down the line.
There are lots of options out there for all of your problems. But only you can decide which is the right one for you. And you may have have to try a couple of solutions for any given problem before you find one you like.
A lot of it comes down to which you would rather throw at the problems; time or money.
Good luck!
10-12-2019, 11:11 AM
#3
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 5
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Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: BBC gen V engine swap
First, I'm sure that there are lots of people here would like to help, but you have not given us much to go on.
I'll give it a try but, although I have done several engine swaps in a third gen, I have never done a big block, so take everything I say with a fist full of salt.
Really the problems sound pretty straight forward, (but not easy) to fix. You will need to either do a lot of fabrication or buy a bunch of parts.
First who "guaranteed" that the manifolds (exhaust I assume) would fit? The person who was selling you the engine maybe? Was it a money back guarantee? Any time someone guarantees you that something will fit a third gen, they are probably trying to sell you something or don't really understand third gens very well.
Your best option here is to get a set of third gen specific big block headers. Before you buy them, check every last one of the installation notes. Some may require steering column modification or the elimination of power steering or something like that. Read carefully and call the manufacture if you are not sure.
If the oil pan has interference issues with the cross member you really only have 4 options;
1Change the pan,
2 change the motor mounts,
3 get a tubular cross member or
4 "clearance" the original cross member.
I recommend against "clearancing" the original cross member. The big block will put a lot more stress on it and weakening the cross member is not a good idea.
Changing the oil pan (or "clearancing" it with a big hammer) would be my first choice.
Changing the motor mounts may get you where you need to be, but it could also make clearances worse in other places. If it works, great. It is probably the cheapest and easiest to install solution.
Getting a big block specific tubular cross member is probably the seconds easiest and most expensive option. But you have to watch out because build quality on some of the aftermarket cross members is not very good.
If the power steering pump hits the power steering gear box, you need to get rid of the pump or move it. Can you get a serpentine accessory kit from a late third gen V8 to fit? Maybe you have this from the original motor?
If you get taller motor mounts, you may get the clearance you need for the oil pan and power steering pump at the same time...but it may push your distributor into the fire wall or the intake into your hood.
If you go to manual steering, it will eliminate the PS pump issue and may help with manifold clearance, but it will be a pain to drive and may cause steering column or firewall metal fatigue issues down the line.
There are lots of options out there for all of your problems. But only you can decide which is the right one for you. And you may have have to try a couple of solutions for any given problem before you find one you like.
A lot of it comes down to which you would rather throw at the problems; time or money.
Good luck!
I'll give it a try but, although I have done several engine swaps in a third gen, I have never done a big block, so take everything I say with a fist full of salt.
Really the problems sound pretty straight forward, (but not easy) to fix. You will need to either do a lot of fabrication or buy a bunch of parts.
First who "guaranteed" that the manifolds (exhaust I assume) would fit? The person who was selling you the engine maybe? Was it a money back guarantee? Any time someone guarantees you that something will fit a third gen, they are probably trying to sell you something or don't really understand third gens very well.
Your best option here is to get a set of third gen specific big block headers. Before you buy them, check every last one of the installation notes. Some may require steering column modification or the elimination of power steering or something like that. Read carefully and call the manufacture if you are not sure.
If the oil pan has interference issues with the cross member you really only have 4 options;
1Change the pan,
2 change the motor mounts,
3 get a tubular cross member or
4 "clearance" the original cross member.
I recommend against "clearancing" the original cross member. The big block will put a lot more stress on it and weakening the cross member is not a good idea.
Changing the oil pan (or "clearancing" it with a big hammer) would be my first choice.
Changing the motor mounts may get you where you need to be, but it could also make clearances worse in other places. If it works, great. It is probably the cheapest and easiest to install solution.
Getting a big block specific tubular cross member is probably the seconds easiest and most expensive option. But you have to watch out because build quality on some of the aftermarket cross members is not very good.
If the power steering pump hits the power steering gear box, you need to get rid of the pump or move it. Can you get a serpentine accessory kit from a late third gen V8 to fit? Maybe you have this from the original motor?
If you get taller motor mounts, you may get the clearance you need for the oil pan and power steering pump at the same time...but it may push your distributor into the fire wall or the intake into your hood.
If you go to manual steering, it will eliminate the PS pump issue and may help with manifold clearance, but it will be a pain to drive and may cause steering column or firewall metal fatigue issues down the line.
There are lots of options out there for all of your problems. But only you can decide which is the right one for you. And you may have have to try a couple of solutions for any given problem before you find one you like.
A lot of it comes down to which you would rather throw at the problems; time or money.
Good luck!
I'm now just down to headers Which I will hunt for next week at a yearly swapmeet Here in the metroplex. I don't want to spend much money since I'm only putting the big block in the camaro to make more room in the shack/shop. If I am spending money on headers I'm not going with the dreaded hedman (bang to fit) 250 ones, so Iima hold off until I find some good ones. I don't to spend 200 on some ugly restrictive manifolds either since Im going to upgrade everything as soon as I get it going.
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