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BBC Engine Cross member - Which One?

S

SIK5

1/2 ton status
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Sep 11, 2014
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West Texas Desert Hell Hole
Hey gang,

The time has come for me to shop for an engine crossmember. I have a 77 k5 with a 498 BBC about to be swapped in. I am running a 4" lift and need to start thinking about clearance issues with the new motor. I will be running HOOKER super comp longtubes as well.

I have already purchased the ORD heavy duty motor mounts. My question is...Which engine crossmember should I go with? A Totally Naked Automotive? Or ORD? The ORD is cheaper and smaller. I feel I need as much clearance as possible as the headers, CANTON oil pan and mini starter might be in the way. Anyone have any advice or first hand experience? PICS would be so very helpful as well as I am a visual kinda person. Thanks in advance!

http://www.totallynakedauto.com/product_p/xm_gm7387.htm

http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/enginecrossmember.htm
 
Fwiw, I have an ORD crossmember and have about 1/2"-3/4" gap between the stock K30 pan and crossmember. I also have a mini starter and it clears fine. The crossmember is even (if not slightly forward of) with the motor mount saddles so you should not have any header clearance issue. Most headers sweep back far enough before dropping down that they are well clear of the motor mount area.
 
nvrenuf said:
Fwiw, I have an ORD crossmember and have about 1/2"-3/4" gap between the stock K30 pan and crossmember. I also have a mini starter and it clears fine. The crossmember is even (if not slightly forward of) with the motor mount saddles so you should not have any header clearance issue. Most headers sweep back far enough before dropping down that they are well clear of the motor mount area.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. You are so right. Yup, headers will be not be an issue. I am not sure how much deeper or bigger the CANTON racing pan I am using is. Worst case I will just shim the xmember if it's hitting the pan. Oh, what about fire wall clearance? Will I need to move anything forward to clear the fire wall?

Thanks
 
I have the stock x member, stock "4x4" engine mounts, long tubes and the big starter on my 77.
All fits good!

I got just over a inch of clearance between the pan and x member.
 
SIK5 said:
Thanks for the reply. You are so right. Yup, headers will be not be an issue. I am not sure how much deeper or bigger the CANTON racing pan I am using is. Worst case I will just shim the xmember if it's hitting the pan. Oh, what about fire wall clearance? Will I need to move anything forward to clear the fire wall?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I have done two BB swaps...one in my 77 and one in my old 78 Short box never had a issue with the fire wall.
 
Well this puts my mind at ease a bit. Thanks for the quick reply! I may save the cash and get the ORD rear traction bar instead. :dunno:

I will wait till I get the engine ready to go in for the xmember...fingers crossed
 
I ran a Canton pan on my old '80 K10 with a stock engine crossmember, no problems. I can't imagine the ORD piece having less clearance.

My current K5 has ORD mounts and tall aluminum valve covers, there's enough room to stick my hand (flat) between the cover and firewall. The driver side cover is a little tight because of the brake booster but it'll still come out easily with a little dancing.
 
nvrenuf said:
I ran a Canton pan on my old '80 K10 with a stock engine crossmember, no problems. I can't imagine the ORD piece having less clearance.

My current K5 has ORD mounts and tall aluminum valve covers, there's enough room to stick my hand (flat) between the cover and firewall. The driver side cover is a little tight because of the brake booster but it'll still come out easily with a little dancing.
Click to expand...

Nice man! good to go. I'll be running a Summit Racing distributor which is a lot smaller than the stocker as well. I too will be running tall valve covers. I think I will be OK.
 
Oh yeah, you'll be fine. I've got a MSD distributor with a Ford style cap and still have room behind it.
 
I have the ORD crossmember on my '78 K5 and it fit's fine with long tube headers and the stock oil pan. When I put in a higher capacity pan that was 1qt larger I had to persuade the crossmember a little with a prybar to get it to line back up and bolt in. Not sure what brand my new oil pan is, it came off a junk engine that I've been parting out.
 
Cool mac907 sounds good. I got the ORD xmember powder coated along with the ORD rear traction bar. They are currently about to be installed by HAMMER Performance (a local shop) along with the new fuel system, 1 tons and of course the BBC. I pretty much have everything I need just waiting on the hydroboost components to be delivered now. I'm going hydro boost as the CAM I have will not be conducive for a vacuum powered booster.
 
I also have the rear traction bar and had it installed on the passenger side of the axle. I didn't realize it until after the installation when I got my exhaust put in that putting it there made it neccessary to have my exhaust exit in the driver side. No big deal since the performance is the same with regard to exhaust, but it looks odd compared to 95%+ of other vehicles with single exhaust that are on the passenger side and if your driving on a tight two lane road in the winter your exhaust steam can blind oncoming traffic if you're heavy on the accelerator pedal.
 
Also, when I did my 1 ton swap I used the ORD crossover steering w/ top steer kit. It steers very tight almost like having a rack and pinion on the hwy, and gives a lot more turning power and control off-road.
 
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