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ORD crossmember

Ned Kelly

1/2 ton status
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Mar 1, 2005
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Location
Winnipeg, MB
Crossmember going into 1988 Suburban.

What is the difference between the SBC and BBC crossmember? I'm wondering as I may need to runa 350 in it until I get the 454.
I ask this just because the factory one can run any engine combo.
Don't suppose I can run the 350 in the BBC ORD crossmember for awhile, eh?

Also, can I run stock factory motor mounts ok on the BBC ORD crossmember, or do I need your motor mount package?
 
I think the big block crossmember has more clearance for the oil pan.

You can run a big block crossmember with a small block.

Stock motor mounts should still work.
 
From what i understand the crossmember from ORD is only needed if you are running crossover steering. So maybe you can wait and change the crossmember, Big Block and crossover steering at the same time. Please correct me if i am wrong as i plan on doing the same thing. I plan on running a Big Block, but for know i have a Small Block to keep my Blazer on the road. :D
 
The ORD crossmember isn't 100% needed for crossover steering but it helps clearance wise.

The Crossmember is built to have higher clearance than the stock piece while maintaining strength. So since it is higher clearance you benifit with crossover steering.
 
Thanks for the info. I'll call ORD and take advantage of the Holiday Sale.

I too will run the SBC for awhile before the BBC goes in. Since I only plan to run only 4" lift, the extra clearance for crossover is the big benefit.

I think I will just put in new OEM motor mounts instead of the ORD hi-performance ones.......unless someone sways me to get the ORD units - any reasons?
 
I'll let Stephen explain the benifits of the comp motor mounts
 
good friend

No Spam for you
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The only difference between the SBC version and the BBC version is the amount of drop in the center, otherwise they bolt up the same. We were actually using the SBC version for all of them but some BBC applications were hitting the oilpan on the crossmember so we changed them around and added about an inch of drop. The amount of clearance seems to really vary and we're not totally sure why. One example is Fox's truggy with the stock SBC, with our mounts and crossmember it has a lot of room, other smallblocks are way closer. I know in my case with the prototype on Wally, I built the crossmember under my 383 and the 468 fit right in it, no problem.
In general, if you want the BBC later, get the BBC crossmember now and you'll just have more room between the motor and pan. In some extreme suspension cases, you have to watch the diff clearance to the crossmember so if you're going for a short ride height and a lot of up travel, you might want to run the SBC version and if your BBC pan hits, space the motormounts up a little. By "extreme suspension" I mean something like our coilover stuff with a 4" lift and over 7" of up travel with a D60 pumpkin.

Also, the clearance isn't critical for our crossover steering kits, we bend the draglink the way we do to help clear the factory crossmember and typically it will clear without any cutting or grinding. The crossmember is a good strength upgrade and that's the biggest benefit for most trucks. Especially when the factory crossmember is already cracked on the pass. side. This type of crossmember is essential with some suspension or steering systems.
On motor mounts, our crossmember is built to work with the factory type mounts or ours, so either is fine. They leave the whole factory frame box intact and un-moved so it's fine either way. Typically our stiffer mounts will put the motor a little higher and can help pan clearance if that's an issue.
 
Well that is good news for now.

I may have a Black POR-15 ORD SBC X-member for sale soon, if the BBC does not fit....
 
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