Other option is to switch to Camaro drag link, inner and outer tie rods, tie rod sleeves, and Camaro pitman arm. Will work jsut fine and replacement parts are cheaper and easier to get should you need to replace one of them.
Drew, He still needs to have the Camaro oil pan. He may need the Camaro steering but I thought the oil pan should come first. His existing steering may work.
Good for you, MarbleCreek, you should have more than enough power and torque to blow away any Poncho 400 or 455. if you're running an aftermarket oil pan on your BBC, you may have to ditch it and find a factory BBC pan. i don't believe the steering linkage mods are necessary.
On a back to back dyno session between two friends, one with a 396 BBC and one with a Pontiac 400, the winner was - the one with the Pontiac 400. Both were owner built to represent what a hotter version of their particular engine would have been like in '69.
Chev engines aren't better than everything else in the world, they are just cheaper, and only when you get a couple of steps past factory parts do they become cheaper per horsepower. In stock form or close to it, Chev engines are not at the top of the list for horsepower per dollar.
Banshee, I guess that should be the next challenge for the Chevy guys, matching dollars spent instead of engine displacement and no aftermarket parts. How about them apples (to apples)?
Ok guys, I would put the 455 in it but I got the 454 with the car with it. So since I dont feel like finding a 455 and rebuilding it, I will probably stick with the 454. The center link is the problem as it comes back and hits the oilpan when the wheels turn L and R and will not even come close to the stops. So do you think the oil pan will do it or do I need to do the whole steering linkage? Thanks Mike
Do you happen to have a pic of the Firebird center link?
I believe the BBC Maro center link is more curved than the bird. Unfortunately, the Maro center link will not work with the Bird inner and outer tie rods.
Marble Creek, Banshee wasn't directing his challenge to you.....it was to "Ponchobird".....funny name for someone preaching about Chevy power.
I'll put my "mostly stock" budget 455 up against a BBC 454 with less than $3000 in the motor anyday......no power adders.
OK. Got the boots out and took this picture. Looks pretty darn near the same. If anything it looks the the Camaro one is straighter. My book doesn't show a separate center drag link for a BBC Camaro. Leading me to believe it's a pan issue.
Mike, I think it would be a good idea to figure out what pan you have now. I would hate to see you buy a pan and have it be the same as the one you have. Moroso advertises a pan that fits all stock chassis "except 1962-67 ChevyII and Chevelle with steering behind cross member". MOR-20401. It's at Summitt 1-800-230-3030 $179.88.
Jim- I just called Paddock and they said the pan for the 454 big block in a camaro will fit. It is part # TD9294B and there is a good picture of it. It is a lot different than the one that I have. Mine has a single drop to make the oil sump where this on has 2 steps down. Take a look at it and see what you think. It is also 149.95 so it is a little cheaper.
stay away from the aftermarket pans as they won't work. you will need to find a stock, ORIGINAL BBC pan for a CAMARO which won't be easy to locate. I'll check my resources and get back with you if i find one.
I can't locate any stock BBC pans for Camaro, hard if impossible to find. the paddock pan you mentioned, PN TD9294B, is an aftermarket made by Trans-Dapt, 4 qt, 2 steps. you can get this pan at partsamerica.com for $116.99. even more of a savings would be the Proform PN 66611, street, 4 qt, 2 steps, this is also an aftermarket available from partsamerica.com @ $75.99.
![[Linked Image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b376/restorium/clink.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b376/restorium/flink.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b376/restorium/x22.jpg)
