Hey guys, I was wondering, I was told that the 454 and the 572 are the same size the only thing is the pistons and head are bigger. Could you drop a 572 cu. in crate engine in a C3 corvette 78??

Thanks..

 

Welcome to the Corvette Forum.

Hoping that C3 Starship sees this as he is currently putting a big block in his '80.

 

I saw a 502 in a C3.

 

The 572 is a decked 454-ish block, that means it is the same except the block is higher: the casting for the cylinders is longer top to bottom so that a longer stroke, hence more displacement, can be used. Its a 454 block with an inch added to the top of the casting on each side of the V8. I think it is an inch higher, not sure though.

That means the engine is heavier (more iron) and that it is about 3/4 inch higher overall: the heads will be about 3/4 inch higher above the motor mounts than in a stock 454 and the instake and exhaust manifoldswill be higher up, too. You will have ti improvise exhaust fittings and so forther. You may have trouble with hood clearance.

In addition, you have to realize that with the longer stroke in there, the crank trhows revolve down (into the oil pan) about1/2 inch farther than on a 454, so typicall the oil pan may be deeper, and a problem in fitting: the engine will project out the bottom of the engine bay about 1/2 more and from the top look about like a stock engine that has been lifted up 3/4 inch.

Since we are cateloging all the changes, note that the decked V block is also going to be about 3/4 inch wider: your exhaust manifolds will each be about 3.4 inch higher than they were on the 454 and about 3/4 inch farther out: you may have wheel well and steering column clearance issues.

But it if were me, I'd do it. Buy a 572 crate engine, and with parts from your old 454 (not sure it would come with the right oil pan and the right accersory brackets) and a bit of innovation and good-old improvisation, you ought to get it to work. It would be a fun project, but expect lots of small heaaches that take time, and inevitably, money.

Expect gobs of torqu (and twisted axle shafts) plus about 8 mpg with a carburated engine, about 13 if fuel injected.

 

The easy answer is "Yes" but you may have to chop the front cross member, you'll need custom exhausts, and custom hood, fabricated alternator brackets a reinforced frame, new spings at least in the front, a roll cage, a better transmission and a custom rear end. A better fuel delivery system. I'm sure I left out a lot.
We all would like to have the fastest Vette on the block but what are your plans? A drag car or something you can drive on the street? PG.

 

The thing that made Chevies very desireable, both cars and pick-ups from as far back as the mid-50s, is the fact that everything that's Chevy (all your major components) bolts up w/ no mods or fabrications. Ford was just the opposite (50s and 60s). Cheaper to build and so much more swap-friendly, that's Chevy.