dropped 502 cu in my 69, hooker competition header pipe rubbing against steering gear, also will turbo 400 stay together under heavy exceleration? What's a good rear end for this vehicle? What gear ratio?
Thanks for suggestions.

I'm familiar with the Super comp clearance problems, even on my 406 SB. Had to make a few careful clearance dents to really make them fit. I've got a TH400 in mine and it's been flawless so far. Is it a stock TH400? Firmer clutch packs should keep it alive longer, stopping some of the slippage which leads to severe heat build up. Keep in mind the TH400 was used in many 1 ton trucks and even heavier truck chasis. It is a good tranny to deal with the torque. Depending what it came out of, it may be worth while to "refresh" it. Mine came from an 1 Ton dually truck, and has since been worked over before going into the car. I run a tranny cooler too for a little insurance against heat build up. My 406 is probably in the league your 502 is, about 500 ft/lbs of torque. I have haven't had so much as a whimper from the tranny.

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Shawn Peterson
1969 Z28, 406SB
http://www.geocities.com/corsican69

P.S.

My tranny has been in the car for over 5 years and has had a hard life. Guy before would drag several weekends a year. I do my share of hard burnouts too, so it hasn't been coddled, It gets driven hard.

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Shawn Peterson
1969 Z28, 406SB
http://www.geocities.com/corsican69

Sundy,

One thing to remeber on a 502 is that it basically is a low RPM VERY TORQUEY motor (like you didn't know that already!!!). With that in mind, I would stay in the area of 3.55 on your rear end ratio maybe even 3.31's

3.73's on the highway any you will be around 3500 at 70MPH so it is not something you would want on even an occassional basis. I would lean towards the 3.31's with a tranny that DOES NOT have an OVERDIVE and a 3.73 rearend if you have a TRANNY with an OVERDRIVE.

The TURBO 400 will be fine with your 502 in MOFDIFED form only (heavier clutches, etc.)
I would HIGHLY reccomend a trany cooler.

You didn't mention it but you will need to run a four core radiator if you don't have one now. I would suggest however that you take the four core radiator to a radiator shop and let them turn it into a 5 core radiator. This will cool BETTER than even MOST aluminum radiators. The modification costs around $225.00.

Warning!!! DO NOT even think of running nitrous or a blower on a 502 in it's stock condition because the pistons will not be able to handle it.


[This message has been edited by sr71bb (edited 10-21-2000).]

sr71bb, I thought the 502 had JE forged pistons, I would think they could hold a fair amount of N20. I remember when Hot Rod did the article called "Blue Flame Special", they used a 502 and if I recall all they did was re-gap the piston rings and change the came and put a healthy dose of nitrous on it and got over 1000h.p. Even in it's current state I would imagine a 150 h.p. shot would be ok. But I'm no expert, Mark

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68 468 700R4, and here it is;
mutert23 (http://home.earthlink.net/~mutert23/)

Hey guys, thanks for the input, this is my first time at this site, just joined today, don't know a whole lot about what I'm really doing as far as this 69 Camaro goes. I certainly appreciate all of your input. I probably covered to many bases with my question. I want this car for street and strip, I've spent approximately $32,000 dollars trying to get this thing they way I want it. I have a good idea what I want, but I don't know how to go about doing it and this is where you guys can help. I'm not a motor head and I don't quite understand lift and duration, etc, etc. but anything you can tell me in layman's terms will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again, your friend, Sundy
P.S. The tranny has been modified. I don't know about the torque converter stall but the folks that were working on my car told me that if there was a weak link it was the tranny. I was thinking about a Ford (yes, I used the "F" word)9" rear end with a Detroit locker.. Is this a good setup for the money? Or could I do better? One of you said 3.31 gears, and another said 3.55. What's wrong with 3.42, this is what I kinda had in mind.
What would this setup run in the 1/4?



[This message has been edited by sundy191 (edited 10-21-2000).]

I had a friend of mine who had THREE separate engine failures on his 502. He ran a supercharger on it with 8 lbs. of boost. ALL the failures were related to a piston failure of one form or the other.

He used the stock pistons which were hyper-type pistons BUT I just looked up the ZZ502 in my newest Performance Parts catalog and is says the pistons are Forged Aluminum.

Now if the forged part is true, I agree that the 150 shot shouldn't be a problem.

[This message has been edited by sr71bb (edited 10-21-2000).]

sundy191,

I'm in the process of going completely through my '67. My engine is a 496 (bored and stroked 454). I highly suggest that you drop a dime or two and buy copy's of Motions Dyno2000 and Drag. Should be around $50 or so.

The money that it cost me exchanging parts until I got what I wanted would have paid for the programs AND they are fun to play "bigger is better" with because you don't have to build multiple engine combinations and dyno them to see how they work. Of course I know that an engine/dragstrip simulation is just that. Good luck with your project. pdq67

Hello Sundy191, I droped a ZZ-502-502 in my 69, What a blast! I bought a Hughes T-400 from GM performance with a 2800 stallspeed Conv.No problems yet. For the rear I bought a powder coated Currie from California. It's a 9" with 370 gears. 3500rpms at 70mph. It ran 2750.00 delivered. The radiator is a Griffin 2 core(1 1/4 each core) 7 blade fan, with a clutch. No problem in overheating. With the headers I did some reading on this what could be a problem. My car has A/C. Headman Headers were the ones that did the job. Very close to the steering box but they do fit. I put a small dent in the header so the top bolt wouldn't touch the pipes. I ran the B/B march serpintine pulleys to add the finishing touch to the engine compartment. It's funny at the car shows and see the look on peoples faces when they see the 502 and then they say "Wow a 502,It's even got F*"%#'n A/C". I know abou the costs to do a total frame off resto, I've just broke 39,000 and I'm getting ready to send the car for a custom Interior. If you have qestions send a message mobiletools@aol.com
Thanks,Robert

I also have a 69 with a 502/502 in it.
It's a z28 clone so people are surprised when I pop the hood.
I'm running a turbo 400 (built) with no problems so far.
Also running 3" Hooker Super comps.
Rear end is a 12 bolt with 3:90 Richmond gears and it is no fun on the freeway...3000 rpm at 60.
Gas mileage is also good (haha) at 8-10 city and 10 highway.


[This message has been edited by Yenkofan (edited 10-22-2000).]

I have the Z-28 emblems on the fenders, tail panel, and grill, no stripes. It's a blast when the mustangs come up and think that you have a 302, Surprise!!. They find out later. I have the ZZ-502-502 with a T-400(hughes) with a 2800 stall speed, 9" rear with 370 gears. 110% fun.