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Chevy c30 motor swap

GHorner616

GHorner616

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so I have a 1985 chevy c30 with a blown 454 and th400 trans no shop can get my truck in so I’m looking to put a crate motor in since it’s more readily available and I need my truck. So I’m just looking to see if I pull the 454 will a 350 fit directly in to the frame and bolt up to my th400 trans, or do I need to do something else or need different parts.
 
The big block engine mounts will bolt on to most traditional small blocks, transmission will bolt right up as well.
What small block crate motor are we talking about exactly?
The exhaust and a few other small things will need some tweaking.
 
Capt Ron said:
The big block engine mounts will bolt on to most traditional small blocks, transmission will bolt right up as well.
What small block crate motor are we talking about exactly?
The exhaust and a few other small things will need some tweaking.
Click to expand...
Going with a 350HO crate from gm performance only one I can find available, as far as exhaust running standard long tube headers from summit racing and having a exhaust shop due the rest. I don’t have my garage built yet so I can’t do everything yet.
 
Are you doing any heavy towing with the truck? I only ask because I think you might be disappointed with the performance of the 350 over the 454. The 350 is going to be working a lot harder and revving more to do the same work as the bigger engine.

If you are able to pull and swap the engine have you looked into getting the 454 rebuilt? Same amount of work if not less because you won’t be reworking the exhaust.

A few key upgrades done to the 454 could really improve the performance over the stock form and performance would outshine a new crate 350 for sure.

It all depends on your budget and what exactly failed on the 454 to know if it’s capable of being rebuilt.
 
GHorner616 said:
Going with a 350HO crate from gm performance only one I can find available, as far as exhaust running standard long tube headers from summit racing and having a exhaust shop due the rest. I don’t have my garage built yet so I can’t do everything yet.
Click to expand...
ZooMad75 said:
Are you doing any heavy towing with the truck? I only ask because I think you might be disappointed with the performance of the 350 over the 454. The 350 is going to be working a lot harder and revving more to do the same work as the bigger engine.

If you are able to pull and swap the engine have you looked into getting the 454 rebuilt? Same amount of work if not less because you won’t be reworking the exhaust.

A few key upgrades done to the 454 could really improve the performance over the stock form and performance would outshine a new crate 350 for sure.

It all depends on your budget and what exactly failed on the 454 to know if it’s capable of being rebuilt.
Click to expand...
I will be towing since I just started a equipment rental company but not super heavy stuff maybe like 10k at most, I can’t find any 454 motors and no shop will look at my motor. So my plans are to put the 350 in pull the 454 rebuild it myself and either swap it back and sel the 350 or sell the 454. I really want to do a Cummins swap but I can’t find a 12v
 
GHorner616 said:
I will be towing since I just started a equipment rental company but not super heavy stuff maybe like 10k at most, I can’t find any 454 motors and no shop will look at my motor. So my plans are to put the 350 in pull the 454 rebuild it myself and either swap it back and sel the 350 or sell the 454. I really want to do a Cummins swap but I can’t find a 12v
Click to expand...
10-4. Didn’t see the full picture.
 
82355 said:
A 454 should be easy to find.

Quick Google search.

ATK Engines DC43: Remanufactured Crate Engine for 1970-1976 Chevy/GMC C/K Truck, SUV, Car, & Van with 454ci V8 - JEGS

Get the Best Performance with ATK Engines Remanufactured Crate Engine for 1970-1976 Chevy/GMC C/K Truck, SUV, Car, & Van with 454ci V8 DC43 parts at JEGS. Shop Now at the Guaranteed Lowest Price!
www.jegs.com www.jegs.com

Martin
Click to expand...
I’m looking for a ready to go crate I don’t have my shop built yet, doing it in my brother in laws driveway, along with a whole new front end and heavy duty leaf springs in the back
 
82355 said:
What level of complete do you need?

Martin
Click to expand...
I’m probably gonna just gonna get a turn key crate motor from gm performance only place that has them directly available that I can get shipped to me in a couple days
 
GHorner616 said:
I’m probably gonna just gonna get a turn key crate motor from gm performance only place that has them directly available that I can get shipped to me in a couple days
Click to expand...
unless you got a ready to go 12v Cummins which I would prefer to put in
 
Seems like a lot of money, effort, and hassle for what will end up being an underwhelming swap.

Not saying it to be condescending, but a 350 towing even 3k in a light K5 is a chore, and there is a lot of nickle and diming that will go with that sort of swap. In the end you will get next to nothing for the 350 because no one believes sellers anymore. Another thread just the other day where that was proven.

I wouldn't even consider it. Im not up on what machine shops are doing nowadays but I can't believe if you pulled it you couldn't get one to do the work on it for you.

Personal opinion of course, everyone is entitled to do what they like with their rig. I just don't think it's going to be as effective, cheap, satisfying, or easy as you may think.
 
dyeager535 said:
Seems like a lot of money, effort, and hassle for what will end up being an underwhelming swap.

Not saying it to be condescending, but a 350 towing even 3k in a light K5 is a chore, and there is a lot of nickle and diming that will go with that sort of swap. In the end you will get next to nothing for the 350 because no one believes sellers anymore. Another thread just the other day where that was proven.

I wouldn't even consider it. Im not up on what machine shops are doing nowadays but I can't believe if you pulled it you couldn't get one to do the work on it for you.

Personal opinion of course, everyone is entitled to do what they like with their rig. I just don't think it's going to be as effective, cheap, satisfying, or easy as you may think.
Click to expand...
I’ve called about 5 different shops and no one could get me in for months, only other option for a 454 would be to pull one out of a Winnebago about 3hrs from me for 800 but I have no idea what condition it’s in or if it even runs
 
GHorner616 said:
I’m probably gonna just gonna get a turn key crate motor from gm performance only place that has them directly available that I can get shipped to me in a couple days
Click to expand...

So you want complete from oil pan to carburetor?

Martin
 
That would be the plan, I don’t have anything to have the motor under cover to work on it
 
For the cost of a crate motor, how far could you go and how much could you spend to get a used 454?

Maybe someone on here within reasonable driving distance from you, has one. I'd certainly trust a long time member here more than some craigslist schmuck. If I could hear the engine run, and watch it being pulled, I'd trust a random seller.

How about wrecking yards? Again, not a big block guy, but maybe there are some in the '88+ trucks that don't go for too much. Last I dealt with wrecking yards theyd warranty engines for a month or something at least. Long enough to get it in and drive it to make sure.
 
No wrecking yard around me had one the one that does is about 3hrs away and I’d have to tear the whole Winnebago apart to get to the motor and idk if it even runs
 
dyeager535 said:
For the cost of a crate motor, how far could you go and how much could you spend to get a used 454?

Maybe someone on here within reasonable driving distance from you, has one. I'd certainly trust a long time member here more than some craigslist schmuck. If I could hear the engine run, and watch it being pulled, I'd trust a random seller.

How about wrecking yards? Again, not a big block guy, but maybe there are some in the '88+ trucks that don't go for too much. Last I dealt with wrecking yards theyd warranty engines for a month or something at least. Long enough to get it in and drive it to make sure.
Click to expand...
If there is anyone around me though that has one that doesn’t want an arm and a leg I would gladly go get it
 
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