big block swap in a 79 impala

I am putting a big block in my 1979 impala. any idea on what headers to run?,......thanks,bill

Many G-body BBC installers use these. I actually seen a pair installed

on a 78 malibu with a 454 and the guy said they were tight but fit.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-2455-1HKR/

If they fit a Malibu it should fit any B Body

ok thanks,......

What up grades are you doing for the car to handle?

I have the 79 Caprice 2 door. Just some thoughts.

right now the car sits unusual high. I am going to put the big block in the car and see how it sits then. might have to change springs. rebuild the front end with new bushings and shocks and maybe a sway bar. thinking that's about it......bill

I would appreciate the updates on what all you do for the big block install.

I have mentioned this before as a possible install in mine. Back and forth from SBC to BBC.

If going to the overdrive, the 700R4 would be an easier install. But maybe not the best because of the torque.

I have all summer and winter to decide. Possibly a 4L80 behind the big block!?!

Thanks

I've seen some of the Impala SS guys discussing a 4L80 swap. From what I can tell, it's not a simple drop and pop. The 4L80 is larger in just about every dimension. Floorpan clearance, driveshaft length and crossmember location all have to be dealt with. Aside from that...put it this way, my buddy's dad has a chevy truck with a 4L80, and he's yet to break it, despite dragging close to 20,000lbs with it. and pulling a semi out of the front yard. (he lives on a farm and beats the crap out of everything)

sure I will I will keep you updated. I am putting a 454 in it built pretty good with either a TH400 or maybe TH350. I have both trannys built ready to go. depends what the cross member situation looks like. I will address this in a few weeks. doing paint and body right now. custom paint, should be pretty cool

Putting a turbo 400 in will require moving your cross member back bout 5 inches. And building a location for it. Also shortening the driveshaft and changing out the yoke for the transmission.

The turbo 350 will go right in if that's what is in now. But its a weaker link in the drivetrain with a BBC.

The 4L80 mount would have to go back about 8 inches. Its larger and heavier. A lot of the internals are turbo 400 already.
A tough transmission but w/OD.

A lot of decisions to be made.

What rear gear ratio are you looking at? Do you have plans to put in the 8.5?

hi terry, thanks for the reply,..... little back ground on me, this aug. I celebrate 25 years in business. I own a body shop and have been building hot rods and muscle cars the entire time. I drag raced in the n.m.c.a., out law super stocks and mid west super stocks all through the 90's and early 2000, then I retired and from street legal car drag racing to go oval track snowmobile racing, lol. ya big change. the big block I am putting in this impala is nothing to hoped up, 454, cam, oval port heads, roller rockers maybe 450 h.p. just building a fun car. always have loved the 77-79 impala's. the th350 I have built will hold up just fine, I use to run in the low 9's in the 1/4 mile with a 454 2 bolt, cast crank with nitrous with a TH350. I always laugh when people say no way that cant be done, yep it can!! as far as the TH 400 I have built I wasn't feeling that energetic any ways about making a drive shaft and a new cross member any ways so didn't think I was going to go that route. I am going to put a 8.5 rear in it I just haven't found the one I want yet. this is going to be a fun car, plus a car you don't see around here very often. looking forward to completing this car yet this year.

Thanks for the update.

I too have been into cars since I was able to drive. Also 40 years working for GM(Oldsmobile 30 of those).

I have had plenty of older cars that if I kept would be worth a fortune! But, we know how that goes.

If you have some tips on what all you did to that Turbo 350 I would like to know.

I went to school on the automatics some years ago. Built a few and broke some stock ones.

I always like to keep in the know.

Thanks

Was there an update on the headers? I have a 79 caprice that I’m getting ready to install a big block in...

I have found that the front of these cars are very much like the 2nd gen Camaro. 70-81. I know the spindles, and control arms are. Maybe start with headers made to fit a 2nd gen.