I'm doing the very same conversion right now..
I've taken a cheap stock 454 and thrown money at it in the form of parts. Desktop dyno says 450 HP / 498 ft lbs at 5500rpm. Maybe that's accurate, maybe it's not, but, like u said. Justing knowing the BBC is out front, demands a bit of respect, huh?
Yes, the 700R4 will connect, just use a BBC flexplate, not the small block one. Motor mounts are the same too.
Check out this thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=279281
Kenny