Difficulties in swaping out a smallblock for a big block?

I have a stock 1978 Nova with the smallest engine chevy made at the time. I wish to drop a old corvette V8 into it. what kind of difficulties can i expect? Will i have to get a new transmission, because i was told all old chevys used the same trans?Difficulties in swaping out a smallblock for a big block?
If you have a decent place to work on your 78 Nova and a little patience its not hard to install a big block.

You will need stiffer springs up front. You have front disc brakes but would recommend installing larger rotors like from a 73-77 chrvelle for the added weight and speed. While your at it with the brakes go ahead and rebuild all of the front end bushings, be sure all your drag links are in solid condition, steering arms, tie rod ends. Noting quite as exciting as having a tie rod drop off the front end while drinving down the road. Its also not to difficult to install rear disc brakes as well.

I suggest running the 400 chevy transmission OR on of the 700R4s--this will allow you to run a deeper rearend gear and have overdrive with the 400 to help with hiway crusing.

Exhausts will be the most difficult issue. You need to decide if you want to run headers; if you run headers may I suggest you by the best you can afford, they will last longer and will fit better.

If you run the 700R4 you will need to have your driveshaft shortened--not a big deal and not to expensive.

Now the Motor: Motor mounts bolt in right where the small block mounts were.

I hope your planning on freshing the engine your going to install. Its much easier to do with the engine out of the car. Since you asked about auto transmissions I am assuming you have a replacement radiator with the transmission cooling resevore built into the radiator--this is a must do--as you small block radiator won't cool the additional cubic inches.



Be sure to put OIL in everything where its needed and Water where its needed.



You will have some minor issues with throttle hookup and trans kickdown switch--noon of which you can't handle.



Good Luck and be careful about the grin you will get on you face the first time you jump hard on the throttle.



PS: Put new seat belts in your ride--They are priceless.



Have fun;

JerryDifficulties in swaping out a smallblock for a big block?
It's not really that big of a job. 4th gen. Nova's use basically the same subframe as 2nd gen. Camaros. You can use second gen. Camaro big block headers, motor mounts, and radiator, they fit 4th gen. Nova's just fine. You may want to change the from springs, but it's not mandatory. You'll also need a big block heater core. The trans. will bolt right up, but I doubt that it will hold up for very long. If you swap the trans. to say a TH400, you'll have to move the crossmember. That's really about all there is to it.Difficulties in swaping out a smallblock for a big block?
This is super easy. Just swap engines and be done, oh you''ll need exhaust manifolds. Everything else is easy.