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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Sacramento,California
Posts: 696
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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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Built not bought! My dad always tried to convince me HEI was pointless! Welding is a lot like sex, you don't have to be great with the rod as long as you thoroughly prep the surface and your good at grinding ![]() My build : 68 C10 Short Bed Conversion |
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#2 |
Senior Member
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Location: Wheeling, Illinois
Posts: 703
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Re: big blocks...
The hardest part is keeping your foot off the gas pedal, lol
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Gonzales, La
Posts: 1,441
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Re: big blocks...
That's is the truth!
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MyToys: Goldilocks the "Ol School Survivor" 1968 C10, SWB Stepside, 08/15 TOTM, 250 CI 6 cylinder, 3 on the tree, 3.73 rear, 3/5 static drop, 23,500 original miles. Samson the 1970 CST10, LWB, 462Ci, Turbo 350 tranny, 3.08 rear gear, PB, PS, A/C, AM/FM, 2/4 Drop. Brutus the 1998 Camaro Z28, 33,500 original miles, LS1, 519 RWHP/497 RWTQ. Member of the Louisiana Classic Truck Club, LCTC Member of the Louisiana C10 Club Member of the Baton Rouge Drifters Car Club |
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#4 |
All about them K’s
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Location: Land of Entrapment
Posts: 6,397
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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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Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 315
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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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#6 |
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 2,151
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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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#7 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tucson
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Re: big blocks...
Quote:
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#8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern Ohio
Posts: 292
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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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#9 | |
All about them K’s
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Re: big blocks...
![]() Quote:
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Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's |
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#10 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tucson
Posts: 2,183
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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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#11 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Osceola, Ia
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Re: big blocks...
Quote:
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Shawn 68 chevy K/20 05 chevy 3/4 4x4 71 short step-sold ![]() 71 chevy Beauville van My build. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=633039 |
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#12 | |
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Tacoma Washington
Posts: 890
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Re: big blocks...
Quote:
Jeff
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I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time. 72 K10 396 75 Cj5 MPI 350 Chev 67 Chevelle 396, 4 speed 74 FXE 08 Tahoe |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: strausstown pa
Posts: 3,394
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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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81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love ![]() 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover. |
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#14 |
All about them K’s
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Location: Land of Entrapment
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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: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's |
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#15 |
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Chilliwack, BC
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Re: big blocks...
Big block is the only way to go.
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#16 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: livingston co.mi
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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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#18 | |
KEEP ON TRUCKIN'
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Re: big blocks...
Quote:
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Bristol,In.
Posts: 1,118
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Re: big blocks...
Right on bro!! With a 6 speed to back it up, love it!!!
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#20 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Winnipeg, Mb
Posts: 1,115
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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 |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Townsend MT
Posts: 1,725
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Re: big blocks...
How do you figure driveability suffers? Is it because the wheels never hook?
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#22 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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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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1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
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#23 | |
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 2,188
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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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#24 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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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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1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Perry Missouri
Posts: 72
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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.
I'll keep my rat's |
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