Thread: BBC in a stock camaro

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So I get my 454 back from the machine shop Tuesday when I get home from offshore. I have a few things I have been wondering and will list them below, wanted some of your thoughts. Presently I have a stock 400 in it and will leave it in until its drivable.
68 camaro [LIST=1][*]Add new brake lines and hoses for 4 wheel (drum) brakes.[*]Add new fuel line from tank to motor[*]How much build can i do and still feed the 454 with stock fuel tank/lines[*]Can I leave the collum shift 2 speed with 454&headers [*]Do i need power steering for this car, I don't care to have it, just my three simple pulleys.[*]Induction, what carbs can I run if I want 2 fours - 450 cfms vacc or 600's vacc OR mechanicals
Just a few things that I have been wondering about before I start planning and picking up parts.

New brake lines are good (nice to be able to stop)!

As long as you're replacing the fuel line go for 1/2" and install a good electric pump at the rear near the tank.

Most header mfgs will tell you they don't fit with column linkage, but it shouldn't be a big job to reroute the shift rod.

P/S is strictly up to you. How strong are you?

Two fours, carb size is going to depend on how "healthy" the engine is.

Keep in mind the Powerglide will not be as reliable as a T-400 in stock form. If your having a glide built, that's another story.

Originally Posted by chevydrivin

So I get my 454 back from the machine shop Tuesday when I get home from offshore. I have a few things I have been wondering and will list them below, wanted some of your thoughts. Presently I have a stock 400 in it and will leave it in until its drivable.
68 camaro [LIST=1][*]Add new brake lines and hoses for 4 wheel (drum) brakes.[*]Add new fuel line from tank to motor[*]How much build can i do and still feed the 454 with stock fuel tank/lines[*]Can I leave the collum shift 2 speed with 454&headers [*]Do i need power steering for this car, I don't care to have it, just my three simple pulleys.[*]Induction, what carbs can I run if I want 2 fours - 450 cfms vacc or 600's vacc OR mechanicals
Just a few things that I have been wondering about before I start planning and picking up parts.

Please give us some more engine info.
Cam specs. etc.

The engine post will come later...........got to concentate on getting it on the road first BUT, will shoot for a 10:1 cr, still need to find out if pistons are available for my 4290 (101cc) heads to get that CR. May need to let someone take these heads off my hands and by some larger chambered ones. Have not desided on cam either, solid or hyd does not matter, I only drive my cars around 1 to 2,000 miles per year probably. I may be working backwards i don't know, I am going to pick what size tires look the best on the car and then look at RPM ranges and what gears I need (3.73 to 4.11) and then pick a stall to go with cam/tire/gear setup. The glide is stock I should prob have it or the T-400 I have built to handle the TQ and should also scrap the collum shift and put in a floor shift.

Originally Posted by chevydrivin

The engine post will come later...........got to concentate on getting it on the road first BUT, will shoot for a 10:1 cr, still need to find out if pistons are available for my 4290 (101cc) heads to get that CR. May need to let someone take these heads off my hands and by some larger chambered ones. Have not desided on cam either, solid or hyd does not matter, I only drive my cars around 1 to 2,000 miles per year probably. I may be working backwards i don't know, I am going to pick what size tires look the best on the car and then look at RPM ranges and what gears I need (3.73 to 4.11) and then pick a stall to go with cam/tire/gear setup. The glide is stock I should prob have it or the T-400 I have built to handle the TQ and should also scrap the collum shift and put in a floor shift.

You can't pick carbs. or carb. with out knowing cam specs.

Then someone pick me a cam.................will it work with dual carbs? if not I don't want that cam..........try another cam.............will it work with dual carbs? if not pick another cam.............and so on. Once I find a cam to work with dual carbs then pick which type carbs.....................would that be the correct way to set it up?

As for needing P/S? It's up to you obviously. I know that when I first built my Cameo, I didn't want it. Then after having driven it for years and realizing that it sucks to have to park it sometimes in less than ideal spots, I wish I had put it in to begin with. Would've been a lot easier and better to do it then, than it is to go back and do it now.

Like I said though, it's up to you.

Cheers,
Dutch

Originally Posted by chevydrivin

Then someone pick me a cam.................will it work with dual carbs? if not I don't want that cam..........try another cam.............will it work with dual carbs? if not pick another cam.............and so on. Once I find a cam to work with dual carbs then pick which type carbs.....................would that be the correct way to set it up?

It sounds like you have your heart set on dual carbs.
They can be a real pain in the a$$ if they are not tuned in properly.

I do want dual carbs, I know singles are eaiser to run and easier everything else and probably even run better due to the duals maybe not being tuned right. But when you ask yourself want looks better, what looks more aggresive and what looks kick A$$, what is your answer?

Originally Posted by chevydrivin

I do want dual carbs, I know singles are eaiser to run and easier everything else and probably even run better due to the duals maybe not being tuned right. But when you ask yourself want looks better, what looks more aggresive and what looks kick A$$, what is your answer?

I have a blown BBC in a 57 Chevy.
Yes,it looks aggresive.
I also have a 496 in a Camaro with one flowed 850 dp that all sits under a cowl hood.
Some times stealth can be a good thing.

I am not to concerned with stealth, since I am not building a 496 or blown BBC. It will need to just "look" faster than it actually is in my case. If i have 450 to 500 HP the duals will look like I have more....... No street races, maybe just line it up at the 1/4 mi track from time to time.

i have a good set of o port open chamber heads casting #14081052. will they make tq in a 540 mud bog build or should i keep looking? trying to use parts i have if possible. thanks for your advice.

Originally Posted by blueblazes

i have a good set of o port open chamber heads casting #14081052. will they make tq in a 540 mud bog build or should i keep looking? trying to use parts i have if possible. thanks for your advice.

For a 540 you really need a good after-market head.

thanks for your help

Originally Posted by chevydrivin

I am not to concerned with stealth, since I am not building a 496 or blown BBC. It will need to just "look" faster than it actually is in my case. If i have 450 to 500 HP the duals will look like I have more....... No street races, maybe just line it up at the 1/4 mi track from time to time.

Well, it's probably true that for the street a single four barrell will probably outperform the dual fours, but for "the look" the dual four and tri-power intake and carb setups are way kewl!!!!! I was looking thru the new Summit catalog and noticed the Edelbrock has introduced a new old style dual four intake for both the big blocks and small blocks.... Might be worth taking a look at... I'm going to run the single four reworked 850 like Erik has on his, but probably cuz I'm too old and lazy to want to mess around with setting up a dual four setup and keeping them working right/!!! Take a look at Mike P.'s cars, he runs multiple carbs on everything, and does very well with them....