454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

In my unofficial observations, I notice that most people on the site have either a 350(or other SBC) or I6 in their trucks.

Anyone out there install a 454 or other BBC engine? If so how do they like the preformance and handeling of the truck. I am looking at putting one of two engines in my SWB project truck. One is bone stock the other beefed up. I know gas mileage is going to stink. Not looking for a daily driver though.

Just wondering what others think about it/ have they done it?

Thanks,

thomas

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

I think you would love the performance, Wish I had one for my truck.

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

I'm going through the same thing with my '72 GMC...to get a hot small block to put in it or a BBC. Biggest thing with moving to BBC is cost. Everything is more expensive (basically). Front dress, engine parts, exhaust, all of it. There's a ton of room in there to work on the small block which is really nice. I keep going back and forth on the big block. I guess it all depends on how much someone is willing to spend.

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

Here’s mine and I love it. I actually find the BB easier to work on, just my 2c.
This is the 1st BB I've ever had and I can honesty say there will never be another SB in my truck

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

454 is a BBC and yeah I have 6 or 8, one in a 72 K5, 68 Short fleet, 68 short step, a 90 454SS, and couple extra's just in case. They are brutal fun. They are a little nose heavy which doesn't help traction, but with work they will take it and hand it out. Nothings like shakin the fillins out of your teeth at a light, or spankin ricers, vettes, mustangs, vipers (but that was in my camaro, with a BBC) and the list goes on.

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

Im a big block guy , but it's easy to build a sbc that will run with the bbc . For me it comes down to " Yeah , it's got a big block " . Plus i think it fills up the space under the hood , lol . Just my .02

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

I just finished putin a 454 in my k20 and it was a little work but all in all very worth it, still tunin it in and doin little odds and ends. I like bbl's because they sure dont have to work very hard to put out some good damn power.:metal:

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

It's worth the "fun" factor as well as resale value!

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

I say go with the big block. I have one in mine and love it.

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

It's all about the number of smiles per gallon!! Oh and the googles you get when you open the hood!!

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

$1 for $1 I think you get more out of a small block. Big block definitely have a lot more potential if you have the money. I had a 396 in my first '68 and LOVED it. But as mentioned before, everything is more expensive but worth it if you have the $$$$$$$.

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

im thinking about this also. I really dont know anything about anything lol. But where can u get a 454 crate motor and roughly how much is it?

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

GM, but buy it through summit as the shipping is dirt cheap for the weight of the motor. There are several other places that put together motors depending on the $$$, I dissagree with your comment that a SBC is faster for the money, a stroker kit for a BBC is nearly the same money and a 496 up through over 500 cubes is hard to beat with a sbc. Make sure you are comparing parts to parts, most strokers for SBC are cast cranks and pistons and for BBC they are forged, so there is some difference, and intakes etc are little more, but the benefits outway the cost by a long shot!!

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

70rs/ss,

I think I mispoke......I just looked on jegs and the BBC/454 is only $110 more than the competitive SBC......I had always heard that it took more $$ to build up a big block but that was a long time ago.......What the hell, go with the big block!!!!!! :) And the big block crate motor even comes with an intake.

GM Performance Parts 454ci / 425hp ''454 H.O.'' Engine
$4,899.99

GM Performance Parts 383ci / 425hp ''ZZ 383/425'' Engine
$4,789.99

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

Well and the parts are more but you get more with it. It is easy to get 400hp out of a mildly built 454, whereas 400hp out of a SBC takes alot more money and then you still get less torq and that is what moves a vehicle. I have a 500/500ish hp/lbft of torq 468 and it will anhilate tires, but when it hooks it'll put you in the seat, so again torq is what you feel in you butt-o-meter and also what makes it feel fast from the get-go then the hp'll carry you through the pedal to the metal action.

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

my last '70 short step had a built Olds 468 in it. Drove the truck daily, pulled my drag car with it, drop off the trailer, and runs 12.60s in the heat. I've never really cared for the BBC as much as the Olds. Truck averaged 13.4mpg everywhere with a turbo 350 in it. Do that with a BBC. I miss it greatly!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...et/Olds468.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...et/70truck.jpg

This truck is my best friends in OK. It's a 475" BB with the 8-71 on it, pair of 850 double pumpers. It's a definite show stopper, has a room full of best engine trophies, and he got mad as hell when I'd dust him off with ol' whitey!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...et/71chevy.jpg

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

454 in a SWB---are there any questions?:cool:

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

yes!

what headers are you guys running??[everyone]

any complications with the particular header you run???[all brands]

my 69 got the bbc dropped in today, and the chevell long tubes i was given dont clear the 73+ motor mounts.

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

That about says it all . :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

502ho-450hp-550 Fp Tq @3500 Rpm

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

Do you have to change the front coil springs to move the BBC and keep stock ride height? Other dumb question, if you buy a late model crate from Summit (What I've been rolling around in my head) can you put "early" valvecovers on it? (Sorry - never owned a bbc) You guys have some great looking trucks.

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

No and yes

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

I put a set of hooker comp on mine and they were full length, but I have heard a shorty from a chevelle will fit as well. But, with the 73 and up mounts, I think you can get the headers for a 73 and up truck and they should fit. Good luck.

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

So what kind of a weight dif are we talking about between a fully dressed BBC and a SBC? Is it something you could actually feel when driving it in the corners?

Re: 454 in a shortbed worth the effort or stay 350/I6
 

I tried putting a 396 in my K5 with a 4 speed and 4x4 and it was too tight for my comfort. Also, try finding headers for that combo, you can't, at least Summit can't. I ditched it and went sbc.