460 for a 351 Cleveland

Can someone please tell me what is involved with installing a 460 (514) in a Torino that came with a 351 Cleveland. Are the engine mounts the same? Should I just build the 351? I am considering a 514, but if the 351 can produce strong numbers, I may just leave it in place. Any suggestions? All feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks

I'd say stick with the Cleveland, they can make some pretty scary numbers without the price of a big block. If you were to switch to a BBF you'd have to change your tranny, motor mounts, and alot of your suspension components due to the weight of the big block.

Yeah it is alot of work with not enough reward

As with all questions, it depends on your goals, your budget, and your tastes.

I was doing a build on a shoestring budget and the extra cubes of the 460 provided what amounted to free horsepower for the little bit of money I could spend. BUT, I was starting with an empty engine bay. I had to buy everything - engine, transmission, mounts, drive shaft, and more. It sounds like you are starting with a running car. If so, that tips the cost scales to the Cleveland. It is almost always cheapest to build what you have.

You don't say if this is for a street-only car or if it is going to the strip. Either engine could do anything you might want, but the decision depends on defining your goals and planning two builds to compare.

You also don't say what year your car is. '72 & up Torinos are very heavy. For me, this tips the scale toward the big block.

Have fun!

Everyone says that the 72+ torinos are really heavy but at 3800 lbs I have to disagree, a crapmaro is heavier than that.

A 1972 stripped-down, small block 2 door with an empty gas tank and no driver/passengers might be 3800 pounds... generally though, most of these cars are 4000+ with stock big blocks sitting around 4400 or 4500. A/C is worth 75-80 pounds with the huge cast iron compressor. Ditch the super heavy front bumper plate (1973 and later) and swap in aluminum heads and intake, you'll be around 4200.

If you're on a budget, I'd keep the 351 and work out on it. It's a great engine and can make serious power. A big-block swap is going to cost you... in addition to getting a donor 460 and C6 trans and the mounts, it's not exactly cheap to build a stroker. You're really only keeping the block, maybe the heads if you have them ported well, and buying everything else new.

Originally Posted by grezmico

Yeah it is alot of work with not enough reward

A stroker Big block in a heavy car will waste a 351C powered one.

The Swap is worth the effort and is very strait forward and a bolt together deal.

You need torque to move a big car and when it comes to a 351" motor vs a 514" motor theirs no contest, bigger is better.

It all comes down to how much your willing to change and what you want. It will require motor mounts, headers, and a Transmission at the minimum.

sounds like your in my situation, try going to torinocobra.com

i started a thread there about this very issue, but for my 70 torino.

i found it very productive, here's the page TorinoCobra - Torino and Cyclone Technical Forum :: View topic - which one......351C or 460

let me know what you think and good luck (it seems like everyone wants a 460 in their torino)

I have to argue in favor of the 351c everyone says the 351c is just to small for that car but my 73 q code came gets around no problem and only weighs 4100 pounds without me in it, the 351c will move these cars around fine how fast do you want to go? BTW a heavy car is Lincoln thats why the all came with 460's because they weigh almost 6000 pounds I would say a 351c is just fine for a driver and you can make them to get up and go no problem

Originally Posted by dfree383

A stroker Big block in a heavy car will waste a 351C powered one.

Whaaa-huuu-huuut?

It takes a stroker big block to beat a Cleveland?

One thing to take in to consideration it the added weight of the 460/C6, etc. Especially over the front wheels, I would definately look in to larger front brakes, springs, sway bar, etc.

Even with my mild Cleveland, I've still had people ask if it's a big block...especially after propelling a 4 door land yacht that well.

I'd build the Cleveland if it were me...also, you have a better selection of transmissions that'll bolt up without expensive adapters. AOD...with internal upgrades to handle the power, 4R70W with a Baumann controller, several 5/6 speed manuals...all since it uses the small block bellhousing bolt pattern.