Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - Finally tearing into the drivetrain...

First post here. I own a '79 Cadillac Coupe Deville with the 425ci engine. Despite its mass, it makes tiny power. Its good enough for the street where the car was used previously as my daily, but now its retired from daily use. I've been wanting a car for track use for years now and finally have the time and money to make it happen. Here's what I'm looking at.

I want to build a nice 383 from the 350 4 bolt block I have laying around. However I need to know how difficult this will be, there's plenty of clearance in the engine bay for the SBC to fit, but I'm concerned about the mounts lining up correctly. If anyone could give any input on this situation that would be awesome!

Now onto the engine, I'm just looking for some general build tips for getting the most out of the engine build. I'd like to make around 400hp and 425tq and get the car to run 13's (4200 pound car). Obviously transmission and rear will play a big part in this also. Anyone have any links, resources, or tips they could share?

Thanks in advance. This looks like a great forum! :cool:

A vortec 383 can make 450 HP and 500 FTLBS TQ with vortec heads, at a decent price too. SDPC has the heads and other sponsors have several rotating parts to choose from depending on if you want forged or cast parts.

Hey thanks a bunch! The SDPC site helped out a bunch. Some nice deals on there. I'll keep checking into the other sponsor sites for more parts/info.

Can anyone comment on the fitment of this engine in the Cadillac? There was an option for an Olds 350 diesel in these cars, which I'm told were made from 350 gas blocks. Can someone confirm if the olds and chevy 350 blocks have similar mounts? I've tried searching around for others who have done this swap but didn't come up with anything :/

Well, i have no personal experience with those cars in particular, hopefully a gear head in here can chime in, what do the mounts look like? Any pics?

Hey thanks a bunch! The SDPC site helped out a bunch. Some nice deals on there. I'll keep checking into the other sponsor sites for more parts/info.

Can anyone comment on the fitment of this engine in the Cadillac? There was an option for an Olds 350 diesel in these cars, which I'm told were made from 350 gas blocks. Can someone confirm if the olds and chevy 350 blocks have similar mounts? I've tried searching around for others who have done this swap but didn't come up with anything :/

The Olds 350 is entirely different from the 350 Chevy engine. Check with Trans-Dapt for mounts.

I have a bunch of small block Chevy items in stock at heavily discounted prices. You can check them out at this link. http://www.exoticperformanceplus.com/performance_parts/index.html?category=182 Bob

If i was you i would go to a boneyard and find a Caddy w/ a 500CI motor in it and freshen it up and put it your 79 Caddy.You could pull a house off its foundation w/ the torque of that motor.