Big block and hood clearance?

Hey fella's I recently bought a used 454 to put in my nova.

I plan on running a performer RPM intake.And I noticed it wont fit under the hood of camaro's.So I was wondering if my stock hood on the nova will clear?

If not how big of a cowl hood are you guys running?

(sorry if this doesn't make sence!I'm sick right now and not feelin right)

I have a 454 with an rpm air gap intake and it fits under my stock hood :yes:

Do you have a measurement of the intake height,diferent air cleaner bases will help.I have to run my original L78 base to fit my air gap intake.Measure the intake from the front where it sit on the block up to parallel to the carb base,I think my air gap is 4.25" or 4.5" high on my BB.

Big Block with Edelbrock performer rpm and 750 Holley. No spacer. K&N 3" filter in round air cleaner. Hood just clears it......

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/Racinfan83/CopyofDSC02937.jpg

This one has the filter off - but gives you an idea where mine sits in relation to the fenders....

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/Racinfan83/DSC03017.jpg

Big Block with Edelbrock performer rpm and 750 Holley. No spacer. K&N 3" filter in round air cleaner. Hood just clears it......

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/Racinfan83/CopyofDSC02937.jpg

This one has the filter off - but gives you an idea where mine sits in relation to the fenders....

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/Racinfan83/DSC03017.jpg

I hate to hijack the thread, but engine bay looks so nice, I had to compliment you on it. Very nice! :yes:

Thanks for the replies guys.Looks like it works.Which is good news.I didn't want to have to buy another hood.I just bought this one.For some reason I want to use the factory style hood.I guess I don't want the car to look faster than it is.

I know she'll run good though!


Sorry taz I don't have the measurments yet.The motor still has the TBI setup on it.I am getting ready to turn the car around in the garage and take the front clip and subframe off for blasting/cleaning and refinishing.Along with trick springs and shocks with the new bushings and all the goodies.Maybe even disk brakes!

Yeah your car looks very very nice racinfan.I'm going for a clean look like that with my car.I want it to run good but not be hacked togother racecar.I want something to be proud that I built.



Thanks again.

Do you have a measurement of the intake height,diferent air cleaner bases will help.I have to run my original L78 base to fit my air gap intake.Measure the intake from the front where it sit on the block up to parallel to the carb base,I think my air gap is 4.25" or 4.5" high on my BB.

This is absolutely correct, I learned from TAZ a while back, that the L78 drop based air cleaner is the key to making it work. A standard air cleaner and AirGap will not work (I've got the dimpled (ruined) hood to prove it).

My air cleaner has a pretty significant drop on it as well. I'd say probably 2" or so. It's close to the hood. You will want to check it out closely before you slam the hood shut the first time......

Thanks for the kind comments guys! I have done some things to clean it up - I would like to be able to hide a bunch of the wires and things better - but have had no time to even think about it. I'm not a wiring guru either which doesn't help any....:(

BB with a Vic. JR. a 1" spacer, and a drop base air cleaner with a 4" filter. It all just makes it under a 4" hood:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/Bad68Nova_/101_0323.jpg

I have a 454 with an rpm air gap intake and it fits under my stock hood :yes:


same here. I did change over to a l88 corvette air cleaner because my l78 style just rubbed the hood very little.

Alright not trying to beat a dead horse but here goes.

I am itchin to get the motor in the car and want have to get the motor mounts and oil pan first.I know I have to buy the correct frame mounts for the crossmember.But what about the engine mounts them selves.I've been looking this morning and have only found one set of mounts that are for a big block.

Will the small block mounts for the motor work?Or will I need to cough up the 90 bucks for the these?

For some strange reason I can't find anything in my GM parts book,but I'll go out on a limb and say the engine mount to the engine should be the same from SB to BB.Hopefully someone will chime in with a positive answer.

That's what I was thinking.I figured just buy a set for a 1970 with a 396 and it would be what I needed.

When I went to look the part #'s up all I could find are for a small block.

I just wanna spend my money once and not buy the wrong stuff.

Thanks for the help guys.I can't wait till the motor is in the framerails!

Can you post a pic of your engine side mount?

You can always try to set it on the frame without the engine too,I do know the position is the same from BB to SB(on the blocks).You can put a BB on SB mounts and vise versa,but you will run into clearance issues with a BB on SB mounts(not always,but it's the a pain when you do).

The small block motor mounts do not work with big block frame stands. They are available from many catalogs. Same as a first generation Camaro big block. The swap is very easy with an automatic trans. With a manual you will have to change the Z bar etc.....Earl

The only one's I found that said they where for a big block where from year one.And there 90 bucks.But there prothane.So I guess they will be worth it.

I know about the issue's with headers and steering box.My car has no heater core or the blower motor or anything.It has a peice of flat metal welded in and filled the holes.

I just don't wanna have issue's with brand new headers hitting my steering box.And there already very close with the small block.

Trying to do all this stuff the correct way.That way no beat to fit and paint to match stuff is going on.I wanna a nice car.