454 Transplant, edited by C3 Starship

I have a 1980 L-82. It over heated and collapsed the rings on the 350. I am currently building a fresh 400 HP, 454 for transplant. Any advice concerning installation? Is this a straight-up install? I want to put in headers with side pipes too. I'm a Chey rodder from way back, when you could change engines like underwear, in about 1 1/2 hrs.
Never done a Vette though. Since Vettes are Chevys, and Vettes came with 454s, and I don't have to deal with that computer crap (all that stuff was gone when I got my baby, straight up '60s electronics, and no smog), I'm expecting a fairly easy, out with the old and in with new. I know that header routing can be a pain sometimes. I'll be putting in a high cap aluminum radiator and possibly elec. fans, all backed up by an M-22. If no one responds, it's O.K., I can handle it!!! I just want a heads up on any surprises, if anyone has done this. I'll let y'all know how it went when I'm done.

I want to do the same thing. Can you post what troubles you came across. I am sure you will have to change the front springs out. And motor mounts maybe. Looking forward to the response. Dan

As far as the front springs, I changed out the front suspension for a mono spring setup that is fully adjustable for spring responce and ride height. Motor mounts should not have to change. I'll let you know as things progress.

You might want to rethink the sidepipes!
Everyone I know who had them removed them.
Reasons are extreme heat that rises up the side of the car making it very unconfortable on warm days. Also it is very easy to get a serious burn from them. I know at least 3 people who got a nasty burn from them. One guy got 3rd degree on hand when he opened the door and touched the pipe by accident.


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Ya know, I gave this a lot of thought. I realize the heat factor can be uncomfortable and can cause burns.
I look at it like this, if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. The only time I see the heat as a prob is getting in and out. I'm making a move to Idaho next year and the radiant heat should not be as much a prob in the cooler climate. I've also been looking into a gull wing style door system that might make entering and leaving a little safer. If you own a knife, remeber that it's sharp.
Thanks for the pointer.

Hi Starship, Side pipes on a big block 454. You'll love it! You will rock the house! Heat is not a problem at Starship speed. I had them on my 66 Conv. small block. I had to go for a ride as soon as I put on the side pipes. When I got back I went to get out and with no covers I nearly burned my ancle off. Don't forget the covers!

Oh My....Idaho is not ALASKA!!! This summer alone we had quite a few days hit 100 or more...It just isn't as humid as a lot of other places, but hot IS hot and it gets hot here and stays hot through the late evening.....In any case, the side pipes look at home on a vette and it is worth the sacrifice to have them...Just be a little more careful than usual jumpin' in n' out..besides, can't you beam yourself aboard the starship? Good luck, hey. did you get the L88 hood yet? Want one for mine but don't know if i want to graft it on the original hood or b[:@uy the whole hood...might look pretty cool withe lines that are already there..they would meet the scoop nicely...........Have fun' Russ

Had straight thru, no restriction, leg burners on an old torino and never burned my legs. believe me they were hot too... would blow flame out the end. just have to remember where you are like not farting in church. even if they are hot they look cool!

"Buy it, build it and run the hell out of it!!."

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ORIGINAL: hedhntr61

Oh My....Idaho is not ALASKA!!!

No, it's not! The area I'm headed to, half way between Boise and Cor'de lane (sp), around Grangeville and then 50 miles east to Elk City, it doesn't get above the high 80's nor below the mid 20's. It's in the mountains about 4000' to 4500' elevation.

Oh.....and George, smoke and fire, smoke and fire!!!

Oh ya Russ, the full L-88 hood is schedualed for X-mas, and maybe the ground effects too.

don't forget to adjust that monster for the elevation change !!and ya your right about the weather up that way...nice area too!! just remember, fiberglass and deer don't mix!..........chrome or black sidepipes? i like the looks of the black w/o the covers.....

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ORIGINAL: hedhntr61

don't forget to adjust that monster for the elevation change !!and ya your right about the weather up that way...nice area too!! just remember, fiberglass and deer don't mix!..........chrome or black sidepipes? i like the looks of the black w/o the covers.....

You must have read about my RR in True Stories of........
How about GOLD pipes? All my chrome is going to GOLD!!! (I love Black and Gold)

Black and Gold??? hey are you my long lost twin brother. best combo on the planet.

black on black......oh my god..................almost disappears from sight but not sound............

It's getin' closer guys! the 350 is comin' out this next week!

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ORIGINAL: C3 Starship

It's getin' closer guys! the 350 is comin' out this next week!

DUDE!!!!!! Wicked news.

The Damn weather is messin' with me. Gonna put up a tarp garage with a 3/4" plywood floor this weekend. I've already built up a dirt pad to stave off water puddles. Have a torpedo heater to ward off the cold. I'll disconnect everthing while it's in the "garage", pull the "Starship" out long enough to pull the 350, then shove 'er back in to do the clean up of the engine compartment. The 350 will go into the storage container and set next to the 454. This is going to be a true "Labor Of Love". I normally wouldn't do this during the winter months, (not having a real garage), but I want to be ready for a "Mission" in the "Starship" next spring.
On a scale of 1 to 10, for excitement level, I'm at about a 15!!!

I'll loan you one of my (count them) eight garage slots in the new house. :) I found a house that my wife loves, with a 3-bay double deep, and a 2-bay single-deep garage (both attached, one heated). God I love this woman!

Hmmm... room for eight cars in the garages, and I just installed the Hot Rod Air conversion in the middle of the driveway. Maybe I'm not as smart as I thought I was.

bill.

Thanks for the offer Bill. West (by God) Viginia is just a little too far from Nevada to travel every day. My wife is from there, and I'd love to take back to see her old home, Harrisville and Cairo.

ive done the same thing you r fixing to do with 454(502cid).the only thing i run in to on the headers(i have long hooker headers),i had to bend the headers in 4 places(very tight),on the coolant of the 454 im running a standard 4 flue rad.,160 therm.,dual flexalite 12 in. pullers and my runs 195-200 on the highway and a little warmer in town.JUST TRYING TO GIVE YOU A HEADS UP.

Hey thanks skeeter! That's why I started this post, was to get a "heads up" from anybody who had done this.

O. K.-----The 454 is done! Whew!
Now come the next steps, finish pullin' the 350, clean and paint the engine compartment, and get the new motor mounts.
I'm so FRICKIN' excited, I can't stand my own company!

DUUUUUUUUUDE!!!!!!! Oh please, bro, come pick me up!!!

I'll "BEAM" ya up Scotty, the next time I fly by your planet!

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ORIGINAL: C3 Starship

I'll "BEAM" ya up Scotty, the next time I fly by your planet!

Dude, when ya get that big block all setup, you'll be able to bend time. You'll arrive at your destination before you actually left. I love it!!