is it possible to put a 1998 454ci engine into my 71 chevelle? if so, what do i need to do to make it work? i need to know ASAP because i am supposed to pick this motor up in the morning before i miss out on the deal. PLEASE HELP!!!

Its a simple bolt in swap. The 350 motor mounts will work. Not sure on the trans cross member. I think it will need to be repositioned. The th400 doesn't use the TV cable like the th350 so You will also need a th400 kickdown switch that mounts under the gas pedal. And a believe the driveshaft is shorter. Try to get that as well.

Yup, bolt right in with same motor mounts. Crossmember should be fine. What trans are you planning on using anyway?

Yup, bolt right in with same motor mounts. Crossmember should be fine. What trans are you planning on using anyway?

He's going with a th400. That's why I thought the cross member would need to be slid back. Aren't 400's a little longer at the mount?

what about all the computer stuff that are in the newer motors? what do i do with that? and it's a fuel injected motor now. do i just remove the fuel injection and put a carb on it?? i need some serious help from the guys who know. i appreciate any info

Sir, as per your request from the Performance Forum. I would advise the "454 w/ 76,000k on it and w/ a 400th trans and a 12 bolt rear out of his elco and he would sell all of it to me for $2,300" as the smoothest installation and transition possible. I don't know much about 98 454 and their electronics, but I would strongly advise the latter combination.

so go for it?

GO NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Before it gets away.

instead of using all the computer stuff on the 98' 454, couldn't i just change out the manifold to a carbourated one?

Yes.

i appreciate everyones info. i can't wait to get started on it. my father-in-law is going to pick it up for me tomorrow morning. i live in florida, but i am currently working in ohio. i only get to go home 2x a month so it is going to be a looonnnnggggg project to get this car the way i want it

So it's a Gen VI L29 vortec, Good engine! I have a Weiand Action Plus intake for mine, you will have to run an electric fuel pump and regulator (depending on which pump that is)as there is no provision on the block for a mechanical one, a very strong roller cam engine.

tell me more. i can use all the info i can get

Does the engine come dressed? flex plate, balancer, stuff like that?

i'm not sure, i didn't ask. i am in ohio , but i live in florida and i am trying to organize all of this over the phone. i am sending my father-in-law over to look at it and pick it up if he thinks it is worth it. he will be going there in the morning and he will call me with what he thinks. he has been a mechanis for about 35 years now so i trust his judgement

He's going with a th400. That's why I thought the cross member would need to be slid back. Aren't 400's a little longer at the mount?

Yes, cross member will probably have to be moved but it should go into existing holes, if at least 1 set of holes will work and the other set can be drilled. I mostly meant you can still use same cross member.

If you run a carb, a electric Fuel pump like Mallory and a mallory regulator can do the trick. You can sump the gas tank or do a search on other members modifying their pick up to incorporate the fuel pump. Good luck!

thanks for the info

it's still up in the air on my 71 chevelle. do i install the turnkey EFI 454 or do i strip the EFI off and go carbourated? any thoughts?

it's still up in the air on my 71 chevelle. do i install the turnkey EFI 454 or do i strip the EFI off and go carbourated? any thoughts?

For ease I would go carb. However, alot of people love the ease of EFI, after its installed anyway... I just didnt feel like messing with that garbage, I like nuts and bolts more than wires.

i'm with you on that one. it just boils down to how much headache i start to endure messing with hooking up the EFI. if it gets too bad, then i'll swap to carb.

To go EFI you should use a harness for the engine and you will need the ECM for the engine.

http://www.painlessperformance.com/webcatalog/catview.php?SearchField=12

To go EFI you should use a harness for the engine and you will need the ECM for the engine.

http://www.painlessperformance.com/webcatalog/catview.php?SearchField=12
ECM? please clarify. i'm not good with the abbreviations. sorry

ECM= Electronic Control Module. Or the computer that controls everything and uses the sensors info to determine air/fuel ratio.

If I were using a TH400 out of a truck. I would consider getting a short shaft and tail housing and sticking with the stock crossmember location and you might even be able to use the original driveshaft. Although I am not sure if the small block and big block Chevelle driveshafts were the same. Passenger cars used a short shaft tail housing on the TH400 and trucks used a longer tailhousing and output shaft. The transmissions were still the same.

my father-in-law has been a mechanic for about 35 years and since i am in ohio right now working, i sent him over to talk to the guy that has the engine. i asked him if the computer came with the engine... he says that we don't need it. this struck me as weird. i would have thought that i WOULD need it

If you plan on running all the electronics, your going to need it.

i keep telling my f-i-l that but he says he can make it work. i'm looking forward to proving him wrong. i just want to change out the intake manifold and run a carb.