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'95 z28

thatK30guy

thatK30guy

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What's your thoughts on installing a BBC into one of these cars? Easy, hard, whatever?

Found one without the motor and tranny for cheap and thinking about a project like this so it will be my daughters school car. I'm not worried about mileage, etc. as school is less than half mile away from home.

I'm thinking along the lines of "dare to be different" for it so lets hear the thoughts and ideas.

Oh yeah, motor and tranny (if BBC) will have to be Vortec and either 7.4 or 8.1 with either tranny of 4L80E or Allison. I know, I know, too much overkill for a little car like this but hey, its all about fun!
 
thatK30guy said:
What's your thoughts on installing a BBC into one of these cars? Easy, hard, whatever?

Found one without the motor and tranny for cheap and thinking about a project like this so it will be my daughters school car. I'm not worried about mileage, etc. as school is less than half mile away from home.

I'm thinking along the lines of "dare to be different" for it so lets hear the thoughts and ideas.

Oh yeah, motor and tranny (if BBC) will have to be Vortec and either 7.4 or 8.1 with either tranny of 4L80E or Allison. I know, I know, too much overkill for a little car like this but hey, its all about fun!
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Can't see it being to terrible difficult. BBC have been shoe horned into just about everything including Volkswagen rabbits.
 
They go right in. Not sure on the hood dilemma but its kinda bass ackwards to me. People bought 4th gen camaros because they came with the newer power plants. I dont understand going backwards on them.

O and that motor will break the puny 7.5 rear in half and rears are $$$ in that car because of the retarded torque arm. Just not really a good budget chassis.
 
They go in just like a Gen1 small block does. Have to notch the cowl some for carb/distributor clearance. If it was a Z28, then it will have the correct crossmember. There are headers out there that are made for the conversion, not sure if any stock manifolds would fit. Jump on over to Ls1Tech, they have a section for SBC/BBC swaps.

The rear end, while fragile, should last ok as long as you don't get traction. But I'd plan on replacing it eventually. I've got a 9" for one of my cars, and am doing an 8.8" for the other. There are 12bolts, 9"s and Dana60's out there for these cars. Expect to pay $800-1000 for a housing. If you have any fab skills, an 8.8 is an easy swap. Just need to make a spot for the torque arm. Again, Ls1Tech has a bunch of write ups. The torque arm suspension is actually a good design, just has some tuning quirks to work around.
 
toomany said:
They go in just like a Gen1 small block does. Have to notch the cowl some for carb/distributor clearance. If it was a Z28, then it will have the correct crossmember. There are headers out there that are made for the conversion, not sure if any stock manifolds would fit. Jump on over to Ls1Tech, they have a section for SBC/BBC swaps.

The rear end, while fragile, should last ok as long as you don't get traction. But I'd plan on replacing it eventually. I've got a 9" for one of my cars, and am doing an 8.8" for the other. There are 12bolts, 9"s and Dana60's out there for these cars. Expect to pay $800-1000 for a housing. If you have any fab skills, an 8.8 is an easy swap. Just need to make a spot for the torque arm. Again, Ls1Tech has a bunch of write ups. The torque arm suspension is actually a good design, just has some tuning quirks to work around.
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Ugh I remember when I had my third gen a housing for a 9in was like $2000. I guess guys are using the mounting bolts from the pumpkin on the 8.8 for a homebrew torque arm bracket now?
 
Stomis said:
Ugh I remember when I had my third gen a housing for a 9in was like $2000. I guess guys are using the mounting bolts from the pumpkin on the 8.8 for a homebrew torque arm bracket now?
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You can get into a bare 9" housing for just over $800, in either 3rd or 4th gen width. Still need the third, shafts and brakes....but it's not a bad deal.

Ok, I went through my bookmarks. Looks like the price dropped some for the housing with no options. http://shop.brutespeed.com/Moser-7H9FBT-9-Inch-Housing-with-Torque-Arm-Bracket-Moser-7H9FBT.htm

On the 8.8's you basicly make a bracket to sandwich the webbing on the housing and weld it on. A 9" is a little easier, you can make one the bolts onto the third.
 
toomany said:
You can get into a bare 9" housing for just over $800, in either 3rd or 4th gen width. Still need the third, shafts and brakes....but it's not a bad deal.

Ok, I went through my bookmarks. Looks like the price dropped some for the housing with no options. http://shop.brutespeed.com/Moser-7H9FBT-9-Inch-Housing-with-Torque-Arm-Bracket-Moser-7H9FBT.htm

On the 8.8's you basicly make a bracket to sandwich the webbing on the housing and weld it on. A 9" is a little easier, you can make one the bolts onto the third.
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Yeah Im not saying they arent cheaper now. I just remember when they were a lot more is all Im saying.
 
I know guys that blow the axles in those with stock power. I also know guys that run into the low 12's with them. They do make an 8.5" 10 bolt look bullet proof.

Martin
 
82355 said:
No, the 7.5" 10 bolt.

Martin
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O ok got ya. I was gonna say, the 8.8 is almost as good as a 9in. But yes its funny how the 7.5 makes the 8.5 looks so good. I'll be curious to see what my 8.5 will hold in the street truck if I ever get slicks on it considering the worst parts have been upgraded with 9in outers and a full carrier LSD.
 
Should fit.

But like said above, do a newer power plant. 5.3, 6.0, turbo or blown 5.3.

Something along those lines.
 
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