Go with a 383. Keep it disguised as a 350. You would have to change, way too many parts, besides the engine to do it right. Frame mounts, crossmember, radiator, hoses, front springs, headers, Blower motor housing, just to name a few.

 

Big blocks are nice for sure...what it really comes down to is how much you want it. As far as swapping, I agree, its not just a drop in and go task. If it were, it would be a no brainer(at least for me). Drop that big motor in if thats all it took! Its pretty easy to make great streetable power with them, and of course, they get more looks and command more money if you go to sell the car. But, if all your looking for is something that works, stick with the small block. A 383 can be made to run great for sure...and of course, no big hassle about pulling the current small block and replacing it with a better small block cause ya already got a small block in there!

But if the budget allows and its a good 454....Id think about grabbing it up anyways for a rainy day. They are getting harder to find and it may come in handy later. Build the small block still, but stash the big block. Of course, thats if budget allows. If not, either stick with the small block and make a great 383 out of it that will go right in.....or be prepared to go all the way with the big block. And if you go big block, get rid of those rectangle port heads if your after a daily driver. They wont do you enough justice as far as a streetable car goes.

 

I think if you want easy street manners and alot of power then you should go with the 454. In my opinion it is really easy to make killer power out of a mild B.B. Chevy where if you went 383 of the same power level it would probably require more money and a less streetable combo.{THIS IS JUST MY OPINION! not tryin to open a can of worms here on the old BB vs SB thing } It would require some changes but that bigblock rumble to me is always worth it.
I am only chiming in with my 2 cents because I have had a few hot small blocks that were put to shame by my first 454...I have gone bigblock and have never looked back. Hope to here what you decide and good luck.

 

"Aye, there's the rub!" Whether it is nobler to suffer the slings and arrows of the small block enthusiast; or to march forth and embrace that sweet torque of the big block, and grin like a child on Christmas morn.

Haven't we been down this road recently?


Larger Dave

 

But if the budget allows and its a good 454....Id think about grabbing it up anyways for a rainy day. They are getting harder to find and it may come in handy later. Build the small block still, but stash the big block. Of course, thats if budget allows. If not, either stick with the small block and make a great 383 out of it that will go right in.....or be prepared to go all the way with the big block

This I agree with.

Although I dont necessarly agree you have to toss the rect port heads. Yes the street manners would improve some with some good oval ports but you should have plenty of TQ to smoke the tires with the 454 anyway. Use a oval port intake and it will help if your really worried about the bigger rect ports. This also leaves the door open for a 4.25 stroke upgrade.

I wanna make it badder

This statement is what really dictates how you need to build it in every respect. If your looking for the 400s on hp and tq the small block is the way to go. Anything over the 500 mark I would make the swap to the BB.

Steve

 

Larger Dave, I believe you have a gift - that brings tears to my eyes! I hung around with a crusty old engine builder in my youth and his favorite saying went something like, "Never trust a fart, Never waste a woody, and the only thing better than small block horsepower is big block torque". I've taken all of it to heart but must confess, I've slipped a few times.

 

Thanks for all the answers,guys!!!!

 

I have a 454 in my 69. I myself, like others on have had small blocks that were really quick. Once I drove the 454 and done 1 holeshot, it was all over.
BIG BLOCK ALL THE WAY.:beers: :thumbsup:

 

Just to add a tid bit more...I like big and small blocks...but to really haul the mail, I really like big blocks! Which is exactly why I asked how far you wanted to go. I agree with the statement dealing with different horsepower levels and what engine would be better. If your shootin for 500 or better, that takes some work with a 383. Sure it can be done, but not as easily as with a 454 or larger engine. Mild ported stock casting heads on a big block can do that with a mildish flat tappet cam too! Because of these advantages, it makes it worthwile to go the extra steps to get the big block to fit in and live the car nicely. But if you aint after all that much motor(like..only trying to dip into the 12's for example), its not completely worth it cause the small block at around 400ish horsepower or a little more can do it just fine without that extra effort stabbing a completely different engine in there.

 

As has been said many times before, there ain't no substitute for cubic inches. My 68 was a big block car and man, I loved how it pulled. I made a huge mistake and sold it but ended up buying a 69 350. You can sure feel those extra cubes in the seat of your pants. J.R.

 

DK,
One point from my perspective. I also pulled the 350 and went big block. Had to change out lots of accessory parts on my 69. Love the ride now, always want to get badder...this week motor's out again for new oil pan, heads,cam,lifters, headers etc. This stuff is pretty well available, (however expensive for a big block ). The point is small block parts are cheaper. Second, I worked in Brazil, did not see to many Chebbies around Petropolis or Sao Paolo . Where do you get your parts from.

 

Hello,
I import everything through a friend of mine.It is hard...on the wallet...
The parts costs are kinda the same,cause I already have the 454 block along with the flywheels, the heads and the carb...and if I go with the 383,Ive only got the block...gonna need the whole deal...my only worry is to kinda modify a perfectly restored car...not the costs...

 

You wont be necessarily modifying any thing DK just swapping out the factory small block stuff with the big block factory or repo part' s. If you are going to keep the car for a while and like big block's I say go for it , just keep all of the original part's you take off,you can alway's change it back again:thumbsup: