Engine choice

[72chevylwbmo]

Hey guys, got a question, but don't shoot me. I have a 72 lwb, worn out 350 in it. I would really like to put a 396 in it, but am having trouble finding an affordable one. So I have been throwing around the idea of dropping in a 400 BB Mopar in it. I already have the engine. Thoughts?
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[turp mcspray]

Mopar... blasphamy! LOL! If you want a big block, I would sell the mopar, and look for a 454. Should be pretty easy to find.

[RustyBucket]

I dunno, might be nice to have the distributor up front.

[CheyenneSuperSC]

Please NO

['68OrangeSunshine]

Now if you had a Ford, and wanted to put a Chevy engine in it, then we'd all understand.

[powerhaulic]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Now if you had a Ford, and wanted to put a Chevy engine in it, then we'd all understand.

Exactly
If you were closer i'd help you out
I have a '84 454, a '68 327, a several 350 blocks.........

[bMr]

Bird in the hand > two in the bush.

Try it. My $.02.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by 72chevylwbmo

Hey guys, got a question, but don't shoot me. I have a 72 lwb, worn out 350 in it. I would really like to put a 396 in it, but am having trouble finding an affordable one. So I have been throwing around the idea of dropping in a 400 BB Mopar in it. I already have the engine. Thoughts?
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A 0.030 over 454 is a 468. There are more of those here in Arizona than there are cats. Come to think of it, at the strip you can't swing a dead cat by the tail without hitting one. They arent that expensive to build but they sure run and sound good! Besides, they are BIGGER than a 396!

[truckster]

Originally Posted by 72chevylwbmo

Hey guys, got a question, but don't shoot me. I have a 72 lwb, worn out 350 in it. I would really like to put a 396 in it, but am having trouble finding an affordable one. So I have been throwing around the idea of dropping in a 400 BB Mopar in it. I already have the engine. Thoughts?

My first thought is, "How good are your fabrication skills?" I don't think you're going to find a lot of off-the-shelf parts to make your swap work, so you'll have to get creative. Anything can be done if you have the time and talent (or cash to throw at it).

[MARKDTN]

If you have good enough fab skills to put a 400 Dodge in there, just get an LS. More power, better fuel economy, mounts exist........You will come out way better $$ wise in the long run.

[72chevylwbmo]

All great suggestions. Fab skills, pretty good, been fabing and designing for about 20 years. I am now managing a machine shop. If you know where a good ls1 is at for under 5k let me know. I will continue to ponder for a while. I am a true Mopar fan at heart, don't ban me for that comment please. I had a 68 chevy in high school and wanted another one.
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[RanchTruck]

You don't need a LS1. A good LQ4 with a 4L80 should be easy to find in a junkyard for under $1k Fuel injection, overdrive, and power all in one swap.

[72chevylwbmo]

Do you know the specs on a lq4?
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[RanchTruck]

http://www.ls-guy.com/lq4/
300-325hp 355-370ftlbs depending on what GM put it in.
I just had it in mind because there was a good one in a wrecked Express 1 ton van in a local scrapyard.

You don't need an all aluminum engine in a truck, so why pay through the nose for a LS1?

[Ft.ValloniaStreaker]

I got my 454 out of a storm damaged motor home with only 38,000 miles. CHEAP, as long as you stay gen IV era it should drop right in. Paint it orange call it a 396 and 98% of the world will never give it a second thought. I went GM corp. blue cause nothing screams low compression and pissy HP more than that....

[hugger6933]

I don't know about finding the 6.0/4L80 for under a grand that is pretty rare and a one time deal if found most likely. Now the 4.8 or 5.3 that is another story, the 4.8 4L60E will go for around $800 complete with wiring and PCM and the 5.3 should be in the $1000 to $1250 range [drop outs]. Well that is what I price them for at my place. The 6.0 with trans is more in the $1500 to $1750 range when you can keep them I have a waiting list for those and they are a little harder to come by.
Now if you HAVE to have all alloy motor look fore one from a trailblazer ,the regular one [with V8] not the SS the regular 5.3's in the TB's are all aluminum

[nzc10]

Do it! You cant beat mopar power be different i dare you
I own a jag which i repowered with a small block ford best thing i ever did iv owned the jag for 11 years best car i have ever had people always ask why i didnt put a 350 chev in i wanted to be different and guys always look twice im not biased i own ford chev and mopar v8's all good. Just dont put a jap v8 in now thats sad

[Andy4639]

You can get a good LQ4 are LQ9 6.0 out of a Chevy heavy duty are a Caddy Esclade. I have the LQ4 dyno at 290HP and 305 ft of torque. It's straight out of a heavy duty 2500 truck with the 4L80E transmission. No mods on it at all took it out and put it in my 71. I did add headers.
These motor make gobs of HP with very little work compared to a old small block.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Ft.ValloniaStreaker

I got my 454 out of a storm damaged motor home with only 38,000 miles. CHEAP, as long as you stay gen IV era it should drop right in. Paint it orange call it a 396 and 98% of the world will never give it a second thought. I went GM corp. blue cause nothing screams low compression and pissy HP more than that....

Now, that's just wrong! Just a little work and that light blue motor would be like a 500 pound canary calling, "here, kitty, kitty, kitty".

[leftybass209]

From a performance or uniqueness aspect, I could care less what engine goes in what vehicle, because it provides a distinct oddball appeal. From a financial standpoint I don't see you coming out ahead once you factor in driveshaft, possible radiator and shroud issues, engine and trans mounting, and wiring compatitbility, or any performance enhancements you may want to do (mopar costs more).

[mattfranklin]

If you painted it carefully, you could just say it was a Chevy Small Block's big brother. Then show them the row of head bolts under the exhaust manifold. ;-)