454???? yes? no?

[tenochiturbide]

A friend has a 87 dually with a 454 in it! he just call me, told me that he wants to sell it??? along with the tranny, computer, everything to make it work! So i need an advice!!!! should I do it?? I think the tranny is a TH400??? thanks!!! :

[ksjh1316]

Hell ya gas milage is over rated compaired to raw power. Go for it.

[LockDoc]

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Tell you what... I like driving the 454 powered '67 short fleet more than any vehicle I own and I own some pretty neat stuff.... (I think)...

LockDoc

[69halfton]

agree'd pull that 454 and do it up nice.

then beat on ricers all night long.

[tenochiturbide]

so what should I do? just fresh up the 454? what's the best way to do it??

[lbpd719]

Those are always a tough one to figure out.

The catalist for me has always been to make sure I know what I am getting into, and making sure everyone involved knows the swapping of parts/cash/labor is fair enough to keep the crabby ***** machine of the group happy.

Good Luck..

[ksjh1316]

I may be wrong but I would get it in and see how you like the preformance it has now before a rebuild this will give you an idea of how much power to add for your tastes. Just change out any leaking seals and have some fun.

[tenochiturbide]

well so far I like the opinions!!! seems like I'll be doing it!!! he lets me use a space on his garage and also help me with it... all I need is lots of CORONAS!!!! THANKS... I let you all know what happen!!!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by tenochiturbide

well so far I like the opinions!!! seems like I'll be doing it!!! he lets me use a space on his garage and also help me with it... all I need is lots of CORONAS!!!! THANKS... I let you all know what happen!!!

Not too many Coronas.... You might end up with a six banger in there....

LockDoc

[BCOWANWHEELS]

1987 is the smog low hp 454

[SactoJim]

Originally Posted by BCOWANWHEELS

1987 is the smog low hp 454

That motor is only rated at 230 hp and 385 ft lbs or torque.

If you're getting the motor right ($), I would say it's a good starting point.

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

Last year for the LS4 454 cu. in the Corvette was 1974. It was putting out 270 hp. Back in 1960 a Corvette with a 283 cu. fuelie set up was putting out an advertised 315 hp. If it was equiped with a 283 cu. dual 2 x 4 set up it was putting out 270 hp. My point is for all the cubes a 454 has it lacks the ponies.

esll.

[steveshow]

Don't waste your time/ money on the stock heads on the motor. Find some good early 70's closed or semi open chamber oval port heads. Rectangular ports are overkill unless it is a dedicted rce motor and give up too much low end torque. This change alone will bump your compression ratio up and add around 50-75 hp. A stock rebuild w/ flat top pistons, stock crank, RV style torque cam, headers, dual plane intake, 750 cfm and headers will make a strong 400-450 hp motor. If it needs a crank, look into a stroker to take it out to a 496. it is not much more $$$ than a stock 454 crank.

[Frizzle Fry]

You can pick up a pair of 781 heads cheap (relatively speaking). I have them on my 476 (454 + 0.100") and love them. Here's a link to a discussion about them.

[Spray-Bomb]

Do it !!!!!

[cerebus]

DOIT!!!! I have a 454 in the garage thats been waiting for me for about 3 years now, its only got 1 more year to wait before im done school. I cant wait. ))

[tclaremont]

The hp comparison stated above to the 1960s engines is a naive one.

Do a search on gross vs net horsepower to learn why the numbers are so different.

Also, the fact that 87 was the lowest rated horsepower for a 454 is a moot point. A 1987 454 is going to respond to the same mods as an earlier 454. Change the heads, remove all the smog crap (if legal in your area) and watch your hp numbers double.

And lastly, horsepower is a greatly overblown figure in a truck. Torque is far more valuable than horsepower in moving the weight in question.

Let the flame wars begin!

[bad6772]

i ve always heard that if you got the torque, the horse power is already there, id say got for it....even though im a smallblock guy.

[panhandler62]

There is no replacement for displacement.

Everything that works for little engines works for big engines, only more so. They do cost a bit more and eat like horses, but then you're not building a Honda here.

[DieselEater]

YUP!!!!! I'll sell you some closed chambered 702's that'll wake that engine up big time!

[SactoJim]

tclaremont is right about that comparison. Somewhere in the early 70's they made that switch from "gross' to "net" numbers. I'm not totally sure (someone correct me if I'm wrong) but I believe that "gross" was at the flywheel with no accessories on the motor and "net" was with accessories (alternators, waterpump, fans, etc...).

As said above, torque is what makes a street driven vehicle fun and big blocks are notorious for that.

As also said above, you can make many improvements to that motor to get more out of it, but if you plan on sticking with the factory TBI setup, you will be limited.

I would be pretty certain the tranny is a 400 given that the combo is coming out of a dually.

I'd jump all over it if the price is right!

[tenochiturbide]

And you guys think that same 400 tranny should be aight????

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

The rating used was not pitting a 454 with a net hp rating with a 283 that has a gross hp. rating. They were both gross hp. ratings. Also I was quoting factory ratings and factory motors with no changes not doing this or doing that or swapping the heads for this or that. You can build a monster out of almost anything if you want to spend the time, money and do the modifications needed.

esll.

Please note: I said ADVERTISED hp. ratings by GM. No mention of gross or net hp. ratings by the General to be found. To be fair let's go back a few years to 1972. A Corvette with a 454 still was rated at 270 hp.

Net hp. ratings didn't come into effect until the 70's but as far as I know after 1972.

Has anyone had the opportunity to drive a 454 big block 72' Vette? How about a fulie Vette? All tech stuff aside this would answer any doubts what the little mouse is capable of!

[Yukon Jack]

I put a 454 out of a 1989 1 ton into my 69 K20. I got rid of the tbi, added a carb and Weiand intake (designed for the peanut port heads), a cam with low end torque in mind and am very happy.



Those peanut port heads produce great torque down low which is where my heavy truck needs it. Sure better heads would be nice, but I sure get a big smile on my face when I nail the skinny pedal!