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12-29-2014, 02:09 PM | #1 |
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big blocks...
Hey guys, I was reading a thread about big blocks and someone mentioned a full roller engine... what year did gm begin installing these in trucks? I have seen a few 454 complete vehicles on cl now for under $1k, trying to decide what direction I want to take my truck... also, how much weight will I gain with the 454 and what is the hardest part of the install?
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12-29-2014, 02:31 PM | #2 |
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Re: big blocks...
The hardest part is keeping your foot off the gas pedal, lol
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12-29-2014, 06:29 PM | #3 |
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Re: big blocks...
That's is the truth!
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12-29-2014, 04:26 PM | #4 |
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Re: big blocks...
To my knowledge the late model 454 is roller cam only no roller rockers...so not a full roller motor. my 98 factory big block k2500 with the original motor doesn't have roller rockers. I don't even think the 8.1 had them but I could be wrong. They can be added but you need tall valve covers. factory Roller cam 454s are hit and miss in the early tbi motors but I'd be willing to bet that by the the early 90s all the way up thru the vortec motors all have roller cams.
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12-31-2014, 08:18 AM | #5 |
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Re: big blocks...
Actually an aluminum headed and manifold on a big block will be almost the same weight as an iron head stock small block. The Dart block with billet caps is about 20-25 lbs heavier than a stock block. And yes the later model engines where the roller design.
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12-31-2014, 08:33 AM | #6 |
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Re: big blocks...
Why in this day would you swap to a Big Block? For about the same money you can have an LS that is lighter and more fuel efficient while having the same power. I can understand keeping a big block if you already have one, but swapping from small block to big is hard to figure. You need mounts, manifolds, accessories and other parts that are BB specific and expensive. I am not against BB really, I just think there is a reason they don't make them anymore.
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12-31-2014, 10:57 AM | #7 | |
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Re: big blocks...
Quote:
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12-31-2014, 06:27 PM | #8 | |
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Re: big blocks...
Quote:
But now, everyone and their brother has a turbo LS making 500+ hp. At the rear tires. The horsepower on the streets these days is INSANE. |
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12-31-2014, 09:05 PM | #9 |
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Re: big blocks...
That 572 comes from gm in 620 hp 650 tq and 720 hp 685 tq variants. I'm not against Ls by any means I plan to run one in my Cheyenne, but I'm also a fan of big displacement. I love the Vortec 454 in my k2500. With a little tuning and some bolt on go fast parts it runs pretty good...
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01-01-2015, 11:50 AM | #10 |
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Re: big blocks...
At 500 you are STILL 150 HP away from that big block. And It does it reliably on pump gas. The main difference is the torque. Your turbo smallblock will peak at about 450 ft-lbs. That big block peaks at 650 ft-lbs and it is torque not horsepower that gets you off the line.
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12-31-2014, 01:54 PM | #11 | |
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Re: big blocks...
Quote:
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12-31-2014, 02:08 PM | #12 | |
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Re: big blocks...
Quote:
Jeff
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12-31-2014, 02:17 PM | #13 |
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Re: big blocks...
for me it was sourceing all the right parts too make everything work right.
my choice of headers was the biggest deal too work around with the crossmember and clutch linkage. dont get me wrong sbc's are awesome and i'm growing more fond of the ls engines but theres nothing like popping the hood and haveing a huge rat looking back at you.
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12-31-2014, 11:15 AM | #14 |
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Re: big blocks...
Ask Stacy David. Copperhead is a wicked truck!
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Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's ‘87 IROC-Z all original 50K mile survivor TPI 305 IROC Blue ‘10 Camaro 2SS/RS Aqua Blue Metallic #93 -version 2.0 |
12-31-2014, 12:20 PM | #15 |
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Re: big blocks...
Big block is the only way to go.
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12-31-2014, 04:36 PM | #16 |
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Re: big blocks...
back to the OP's question I believe they started in 96 with the roller cams in the BBC
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01-01-2015, 08:11 AM | #18 |
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Re: big blocks...
Amen
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01-01-2015, 12:07 PM | #19 |
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Re: big blocks...
Right on bro!! With a 6 speed to back it up, love it!!!
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12-31-2014, 08:24 PM | #20 |
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Re: big blocks...
depends on what you want
small block good driver ls good driver good hp big block old school torque, hp and looks, but gas suffers as does driveability |
12-14-2015, 04:06 PM | #21 |
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Re: big blocks...
How do you figure driveability suffers? Is it because the wheels never hook?
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12-14-2015, 04:31 PM | #22 | |
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Re: big blocks...
Quote:
A big block with a factory-calibrated Q-jet drives like an LS3, it just gets a lot worse mileage. It's when kids monkey with them and rip off all the pieces that don't make power that you wind up driving it with two feet so it doesn't stall, and that gives them a bad name. Properly set up, they should run perfectly.
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12-14-2015, 05:55 PM | #23 | |
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Re: big blocks...
Quote:
True about cams too. Bigger is always better of course! That's usually followed by, why doesn't my engine idle or make any power? I don't think these motors are comparable, at all. If someone is struggling to compare their needs in an LS vs a BB then they need to go back to the basics. Driving needs and wants should easily dictate which engine is most appropriate. |
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12-16-2015, 01:58 PM | #24 | |
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Re: big blocks...
Quote:
But you're right about the last part - letting the needs dictate the engine choice. My point was just that it's not black and white on driveability, or no grandmas would have ever driven a 396 or 427 car to church. Granted they didn't take L88s, but a nice 427/335 or my 396/310 purrs. If not for originality, I'd pick an LS3 every day. But these are old vehicles, and I prefer a well-tuned, driveable period motor. Too many people are putting LS motors in not for the virtues of the LS series, but for the sins of messed up big blocks. So, "don't compare a good LS3 to a messsed up Mark IV" would be the one-liner.
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12-31-2014, 08:44 PM | #25 |
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Re: big blocks...
I'm with niped I just swapped in a big block into my 67 and wouldn't have it any other way. When I go through down and see people turn just from the sound of the truck it's worth it. Plus I've never had anyone frown after riding in that truck.
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