Better motor for MPC '76 Caprice

[ranma]

Any better engine's from either AMT or MPC to replace the junk that comes in the '76 Caprice kit??  I think that the '70 Monte Carlo has every thing in the correct location,  to match the Caprice, but not sure of this.

[espo]

If you're referring to a big block Chevrolet engine, a couple to consider would be any of the recent Revell kits with a big block Chevelles or Camaros. The AMT '70 Monte Carlo would be a possibility, but AMT has offered a few kits since then that may be a better choice. AMT had several Corvette kits that had nice big block engines as well. 

[Rodent]

The 70 Monte Carlo has the best 69-up BBC with the accessories in the right place.

[bobss396]

I just picked up a nice BBC from VCG resins for my '77 GMC wrecker project, not cheap but very nice. 3D printed, very crisp details.

[espo]

Another one to think about would be the Revelle '66 Impala SS kit as well. That one even has the air conditioning system present. 

[blizzy63]

Back in my last year of high school (c.1981), my Physics teacher drove a '76 Chevy Caprice 2-door with a 454. As we didn't see too many big block V8s in our area of the continent, I was curious to see a 454 in an everyday Chevy.

I have to say, after having a good look under the hood in Auto class, that I was not impressed with this detuned dinosaur covered over with accessories and smog control devices. The 454 went from muscle car legend in 1970 to gas-guzzling anachronism just six malaise-ridden years later.

The challenge with the MPC kit is not just to add the appropriate engine accessories but to include all the black rubber and plastic under-hood linguini typical of American cars of this period.

 

The kit:

 

Reality:

Edited March 5, 2024 by blizzy63

[Bainford]

MPC sure 'phoned it in' with that one (typical of the era, of course). I would say that for anyone intending to fully detail out the Caprice engine bay, the actual engine used wouldn't matter. You could get away with a Lego brick once it's buried under all of those wires, hoses, and vacuum lines.

[blizzy63]

Here's the built-up engine bay on the AMT 928 '70 Monte Carlo SS454 kit (2018) for comparison to the MPC '76 Caprice.

[Model by Dragonhawk1066]

[stavanzer]

The '76 Did not come with a BBC, IIRC. Only a small block.

The "Wrong Engine" issue has been a much talked about problem for some time. Every time the '76 is re-issued, the reviewer usually takes the time to point out that the engine is a carry over from the original 1973-74 version of the kit, and thus incorrect for the '76.

So, I'd say find a late 1970's Small Block and swap away.

[blizzy63]

19 hours ago, stavanzer said:

The '76 Did not come with a BBC, IIRC. Only a small block.

The "Wrong Engine" issue has been a much talked about problem for some time. Every time the '76 is re-issued, the reviewer usually takes the time to point out that the engine is a carry over from the original 1973-74 version of the kit, and thus incorrect for the '76.

So, I'd say find a late 1970's Small Block and swap away.

1976 was the final year for a big block in a Chevrolet automobile. The 1977 Chevrolet full-size was a completely redesigned animal and had a small block 350 as its biggest engine.

The ‘76 full-size was available with a 225 net h.p. Turbo-Jet 454. I’ve only seen one such factory-equipped Caprice in my life (see my post above).

Edited March 11, 2024 by blizzy63

[1972coronet]

22 hours ago, stavanzer said:

The '76 Did not come with a BBC, IIRC. Only a small block.

I believe that you're subjectively correct : IIRC, the Turbo Jet 400 (402) and the 454 weren't available with California emissions. The 350 four barrel was the top engine ; maybe the 400 Turbo Fire (SBC).

[Rodent]

4 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

I believe that you're subjectively correct : IIRC, the Turbo Jet 400 (402) and the 454 weren't available with California emissions. The 350 four barrel was the top engine ; maybe the 400 Turbo Fire (SBC).

Online brochure shows the 350-2 and the 454 not available in California.

 

[Can-Con]

22 hours ago, stavanzer said:

The '76 Did not come with a BBC, IIRC. Only a small block.

The "Wrong Engine" issue has been a much talked about problem for some time. Every time the '76 is re-issued, the reviewer usually takes the time to point out that the engine is a carry over from the original 1973-74 version of the kit, and thus incorrect for the '76.

So, I'd say find a late 1970's Small Block and swap away.

I had an actual '76 Caprice Classic Landau, it definitely came with a 454 from the factory.

The kit engine is actually a carry over from the '68 Impala kit along with the chassis plate.

[Can-Con]

9 hours ago, blizzy63 said:

1976 was the final year for a big block in a Chevrolet automobile. The 1977 Chevrolet full-size was a completely redesigned animal and had a small block 350 as its biggest engine.

The ‘76 full-size was available with a 225 net h.p. Turbo-Jet 454. I’ve only seen one such factory-equipped Caprice in my life (see my post above).

I OWNED one.

[Bills72sj]

On 3/5/2024 at 1:16 AM, blizzy63 said:

Back in my last year of high school (c.1981), my Physics teacher drove a '76 Chevy Caprice 2-door with a 454. As we didn't see too many big block V8s in our area of the continent, I was curious to see a 454 in an everyday Chevy.

I have to say, after having a good look under the hood in Auto class, that I was not impressed with this detuned dinosaur covered over with accessories and smog control devices. The 454 went from muscle car legend in 1970 to gas-guzzling anachronism just six malaise-ridden years later.

The challenge with the MPC kit is not just to add the appropriate engine accessories but to include all the black rubber and plastic under-hood linguini typical of American cars of this period.

 

The kit:

 

Reality:

I was trying to go all in on my smog era 74 H/O with a 455 Rocket Olds.