ENGINE SWAP

TUNDRATRDSC · Member

ENGINE SWAP

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

The 1973 Chevelle SS was available with the 454 so all the pieces you need can be determined from the Chevelle.

Many Canadian built LeMans like mine came with a Chevy small block making this swap very very easy. The reason being a 454 is just a bit bigger 350, mounts, rad hoses, battery trays alternator all in same places.

Since yours is a GTO you are doing a more complicated swap since GTO had a Pontiac engne virtually everything is reversed to the Chevy. You will need to relocate your batter tray, rad hoses are opposite so you need a new rad, probably have to relocate overflow bottle, wiring harness, starter location fan shroud etc etc...

I will be starting this very swap in the next week or so. I have oil pan from 73 Chevelle SS, headers from 73 Chevelle SS, Fan shroud from 73 Chevelle SS, mounts are same as my 350 sbc mounts, oh ya you need a special externally balance flexplate and I got a beauty from Summitt Racing. You will also need to assess front springs since BBC are one heavy beast. I have a real nice 1972 454 Rochester Quadrajet to top this engine off.

We can compare notes as we go along so this is great news. Here is how my engine looks right now. It has been a goal of mine since I was 18 to put a BBC into a Canadian LeMans, One of None was my idea but seems like I am not the only one with this thought.

-- Edited by 73SC on Friday 2nd of September 2011 04:30:32 PM

rabbit64cs · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

And it's a GOOD thought Ray !!! 2 of none is still great !

( I actually have a 76 Lemans with a 402 sitting in my yard, a friend built it 15 years ago, then parked it when the engine developed a noise, 2.73 ...I guess it had legs to run . I bought it to harvest the 402 )

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Ya. I'll probably rip the rear end outta mine once we get this baby torqued up. biggrin

Here's a wack of parts I have to bolt on this puppy. Except for the carb and Water pump I got them when I went down to Woodward on August 18-22, didn't even spend $400.

-- Edited by 73SC on Friday 2nd of September 2011 06:51:36 PM

Paulish · Guru

Cant go wrong with a 454 biggrin

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

It's a 1984 LE8, factory rated at 230 Net HP with 360 lb ft torque. Considering the L48 was rated at 175 Net HP with 265 ft lb torque this should be a significant adjustment for my left foot. It has a dual plane Edelbrock type aluminum intake on it painted orange, plus the headers will add a significant amount of HP and torque then the non smog ladden Quadrajet should make for more enjoyable cruising.

This thread has my entire swap documented:

http://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t45959497/454-into-1973-lemans-swap/

-- Edited by 73SC on Sunday 6th of November 2011 11:55:11 PM

Paulish · Guru

If you guys want really good info on 454's I dought there's a better website for it then TeamChevelle. That's where I got all my info and built mine after reading tons of "what works and what doesnt" posts.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

I have a thread on there already plus many books on the topic. Thanks for the suggestion. I post as Pontrolet over there and yes those guys are super helpful and experts and even offer tons of encouragement.

-- Edited by 73SC on Friday 2nd of September 2011 08:14:42 PM