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danL Jan 2nd, 01, 02:04 PM I have a Crate 454 bb that I bought new and I am thinking of dropping it in my 68 Camaro RS/SS. Can anyone tell me what I am in for? I am not sure what the car originally came with but it has a 350 in it now. I will probably use a turbo 400 with it. jvolk81 Jan 2nd, 01, 02:41 PM youll have to change the frame mounts primarily. youll have to get big block brackets for your accesories also. I dont know what you want to run for an exhaust but youll need new manifolds or headers. Your distributer however can be reused. danL Jan 2nd, 01, 02:52 PM will I have any problems with clearances if I use a 2 1/2" exhuast and will there be any other clearance problems such as the oil filter? cardude Jan 2nd, 01, 03:51 PM To start, you'll have to change the springs out with big block springs. Then like what was mentioned earlier, you'll need new frame mounts. You'll need a new heater core housing and heater core. If you have power brakes, unless you spring for an 8" double diaphram booster, you'll not be able to remove the left valve cover. You'll need a heavier radiator. Exhaust will need increased in size but not by much. The oil filter will be fine, you may have to dimple the header to clear the power steering gear, if so equiped. This so far is what I'm up against. I should have my engine in by the middle of next week. ------------------ 67 Camaro LS6 454/TH400/12bolt 3.73 1989 TransAm 5.7L WS6 W/all the options www.geocities.com/akfourme/ (http://www.geocities.com/akfourme/) 67rag Jan 2nd, 01, 05:07 PM Why does everyone always say change the frame mounts? I just installed a 454 into my 67 with my poly small block mounts and hooker headers( had to ding them a bit though). I don't use the heater core, but seems to me to be the only issue. Is the 68 that much different? ------------------ danL Jan 2nd, 01, 05:27 PM I don't know. I heard that either the frame mounts or the engine mounts offset the engine slightly but I don't know why the engine would need to be offset to the side. I wonder what the 396 big block mounts look like on an original. 67rag Jan 2nd, 01, 05:35 PM The 454 ones are wider,and connect differently. But I measured from the motor mount center to the rear of the block, where the tranny connects and compared it to the 350ci that came out and they are identical. No diference in length. It is ofset a little, but why would this matter?Is there a tranny problem here? I have not installed that yet... ------------------ Ratpack Jan 3rd, 01, 04:15 AM You can use small block frame mounts with the big block, it actually is an old drag racing trick that sets the motor back about 1 1/2". Just be sure your driveshaft has the proper fit when you slide it into the tranny. It should not hit a dead stop up front when you mount the rear of the drive shaft. The drive shaft actually slides in and out on the trans tail shaft under loads. Toby Keen Jan 3rd, 01, 05:13 AM My understanding is that Chevrolet mounted the big block differently for clearance. Brake booster, steering box, left upper control arm, etc. You will also have to relocate the transmission crossmember mount if you use a TH400 and shorten the driveshaft. JonT Jan 3rd, 01, 07:51 PM I'm in the middle of this same conversion myself. Check out the Tech Ref article #10 on the Team Camaro home page - it lays out exactly what you need. It ain't cheap but oh so worth it. Torque is KING!!! Good luck with your efforts. Jon ------------------ '69 Restification | ||