Cadillac brougham engine swap.

Posted by Unlikely_Can_1233@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 17 comments

So here’s my question. We have a 91 brougham with a 350 tbi. I’ve been toying around with the thought of swapping in either a L19 gen V 454, or ideally a gen 6 454 and 4l80e. The problem is emissions. We live in a place that has emissions tests and I’m not sure if it would be possible to make a 454 swap pass. Or if it’s possible what modifications and tuning would be required. Any thoughts or experience would be greatly appreciated

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wetblanket68iou1@reddit

That TBI platform is shit and finicky to tune. Could try tuning it from the 454 platform of that year.

Why not just use the running 350 and slap some aluminum heads and intake on it? Or start over with a 94-96 with the LT.

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Unlikely_Can_1233@reddit (OP)

Tuning the tbi system for the new heads and intake would be a bitch although do able. The LT1 has some differences that make it annoying to swap. Mainly with the ignition and cooling system. And it has to pass emissions so throwing a carb on it is kinda out. Sticking with a 350 Converting to the TPI setup would be an option as would swapping in an L31

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Far-Plastic-4171@reddit

Chevrolet made the 454 in 91 so passing emissions is easy, just swap everything over. Problem is it will not pass visual inspection. ie that is not a 350 TBI.

Read your inspection requirements. Or if you are in California do not even try.

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Unlikely_Can_1233@reddit (OP)

We’re in Colorado so basically California. However the emissions testing places are lazy and don’t really do visual inspections. Plus they’re dumb enough they probably wouldn’t know the difference between a 454 tbi and a 350tbi. But my thought was possibly swapping a 350 vortec and 4l80e in it. I’m not looking for a ton of power. 300 hp and as much torque as I can get at low rpm would be All I need. Reasonable mpg. And it to pass emissions. It’s gonna be getting solid axles, big tires, and 4wd. I just need it to be reliable and be able to do like 60-65 up I-70 and maybe tow a super small trailer

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Far-Plastic-4171@reddit

454 will never get good mileage

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716econoline@reddit

Without knowing the state. I'd go 454 stroked to a 496 holley double pump th400 trans. People get too worked up over overdrive, unless your long hauling it's just unnecessary complications.

Or if your feeling real crazy cadilac 500 builds are neat.

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texan01@reddit

Fun thing is the 386/425/472/500 are all the same family so a 368 brackets will bolt to a 500 and make it a drop in deal on these C bodies.

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Unlikely_Can_1233@reddit (OP)

I think these are a B body. It’s basically a caprice drivetrain however with ours being a commercial chassis the extra displacement would be ideal. I thought about a 366 tbi but from what I’ve found bolting them to other transmissions is tricky. And also the question of why bother. But a 454 would be super nice. Especially since the plan is to put on one ton axles and like 37-40 in tires

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texan01@reddit

I am 100% sure its not a B-body. I've done a 500 swap into a Caprice and it's not fun, nor is it quite drop in. I think these are C/D bodies and in which case, the 500 is literally a drop in with parts from a 77 DeVille.

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Zealousideal_Sir_264@reddit

12valve would be neat.

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Unlikely_Can_1233@reddit (OP)

I was thinking 6.2 with a turbo would be a cool swap. Keep the 700r4 and upgrade it.build it to match a small block Chevy but get better fuel economy

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Zealousideal_Sir_264@reddit

Yeah actually. I don't know much about them, only that they are apparently better than their reputation (I mean the military used them...so either they are good or cheap lol). Should bolt right up.

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ProStockJohnX@reddit

What state/city? How do they test emissions?

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Unlikely_Can_1233@reddit (OP)

Denver Colorado. They put you on a dyno and measure tailpipe emissions through various driving conditions

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