Just wondering, I have a 77 L48 vet with, 163000 on it. the car is in excellent shape but engine is tired.
I also have a 402 bbc, fresh. it dyno'd at 506 hp. It was a gift. what would be involved in a engine swap. The vet is a 4 sp tranny.
Or should I have the 350 rebuilt.

 

It's a very do-able swap since there were big blocks in the C3 chassis. The very best way to do this would be to get all the associated parts from a big block 'vette. Exhaust system(side pipes would be nice!),front springs and shocks,radiator in addition to those things I didn't think of.It is very possible that a '77 big block 'vette might actually be worth more than a numbers-matching '77? For sure it will be a lot more fun to drive! You might want to freshen up the rest of the drive train so it will better handle the more than doubling the horsepower. In any case you should probably pickle the small block engine and store it carefully for some unforeseen future day when it might be advantageous to put it back in the car.
Good Luck!
Ron

 

Been there, still in process.
You'll have to deal with the exhaust system. Vette specific BB exhaust manifolds a must.
The bell housing, cluch assembly including likage, and motor mounts are a straight across swap.
You will have to relocate the PS, alt, and ac. The brackets for the SB are not interchangable to the BB. A short shaft water pump is a must. I had to get a custom made pully back spacer for the water pump to get things to line up with the crank pully. I recommend you change the radiator too. The front swaybar, springs and shocks should be upgraded.
Then there is the intake manifold. The BB sits higher so you will need a low profile manifold, carb and cleaner assembly, or knock a hole in the hood.

Yes, it can be done. Gonna take some bucks to get it together. In the end, you may find it cheeper to rebuild the SB. Do it right, and you can get some awsome HP from that 350.

If you do go ahead with the BB, keep the SB like partsman said. If you go to sell in the future, the potential buyer may want the original engine. It could be a deal breaker if ya don't have it.

 

Oh ya, one more thing,....
You'll need to get a Vette specific oil pan.

 

Thanks for all the info, I will keep you all uptodate as I progress.