Hi I hope you guys can help a newbie out. I'm looking at a fantastic bargain one-owner 380 SEC in immac condition. However, the motor feels underpowered...and I've got a chevy 327 lying around. I'm wondering if this is a difficult conversion. I'm sure there is already a thread or several on this topic, so I'd appreciate any direction towards any useful ones.
Welcome to the site. I believe that a US V8 in place of a 380 engine is exactly the right thing to do.
I'm prejudiced though since I'm in the middle of putting a 2002 Corvette LS6 engine into my '87 560SEC.
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Blasphemous Mike
US '87 560SEC with Euro headlights, clear markers, H&Rs, 18x8.5, ATE slotted rotors with semi-metallics, BergWerks FGS, 3.07 Limited Slip.
In progress - FrankenBenz SEC: GM LS6 5.7L engine with custom 4L60E 4-spd overdrive transmission, GM rack and pinion.
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Welcome,
Look at the threads that mramay has posted regarding his project. It is no easy task and Mike has spent countless hours working out every detail.
In the last couple of days, I've also been thinking of dropping a Chevy in for my SEL project. I've got the perfect engine in mind - a 454 small block Chev with alloy heads and 600hp! To back up the engine's massive power & torque (575Lbs to be precise), a purpose built TH350/400 fully kitted auto will be fitted into the tranny tunnel, along with a modified/custom tailshaft and a 3.46 LSD to really get things moving.
I think this will prove to be a very nice setup indeed!
In regards to the 327 Chevy you've got lying around - one word...NICE! They are a very nice engine!
Good luck man, it should be a pretty straight forward fit once you get the mounts made up. You may have to modify your crossmember or adapt a suitable Chevy crossmember which will be a little PITA, but the only major headache I can think of may be the headers, due to the big lump of a steering gearbox which gets in the way on one side of the engine. It will be a tight squeeze, but it can be done. I'd say it will be a custom job. Alternatively, you can do what Mike is in the process of doing, and that's a rack & pinion steering setup. This way you shouldn't have any problems with the headers!
Btw, how much hp is the 327 making, do you know?
Last edited by The Doggfather : 09-26-2006 at 09:13 PM.
I don't think a TH400 is going to give you the gearing you want.. Instead I would look to something w/ an OD...esp w/ a 3.46..the car would be horrendous on the highway.
Alot of people use the TH350/400 autos behind their Chevys. They are very strong, will be geared to suit the engine, and I could always fit a Gear Vendors O/D later if necessary.
A 3.46 I think will be fine, but I'm open to ideas.
Vehicle: Currently a 1988 Acura Integra, getting a 560SEL soon
Location: Maitland, FL
Posts: 468
I think you would be better off, as far as Chevy transmissions go, with a 700R4 or 4L60, as they are 4 speed with overdrive which will make the engine not go through as much gas.
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Yeah you've got a point, but this engine is going to be guzzlin the juice like mad anyway (600hp, solid cam), so I think I'll go with a tranny that I know for sure will handle the power.
I think the transmissions you have mentioned are for the newer LSx motors, not to say it can't be fitted to an old SB, but I think it makes sense to keep 'oldskool with oldskool' and 'newskool with newskool'. Just my opinion.
I'm not sure the 700 would like that kind of torque.. I would look to the (I beleive) 4L80E (they use it in trucks). To my knowledge a TH400 was always a 1-1 in high.
I know they can take the power, we just sold our 70 Buick GSX factory St 1 but by the time we were done w/ it St. 3.
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