454 Swap???

[Yullose]

Originally Posted by 70C10Step

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

If you're not planning to run the truck down the dragstrip every weekend, don't waste your money on parts you don't need.

Just freshen the 454 you have with a little bigger piston, mild hydraulic cam, a decent set of oval port heads, a dual plane intake and a 750 Holley.

It will be more than enough power to burn the rubber down to the rims... and it will still be nice to drive around.

The pistons are the biggest problem in the stock GM 454's.

I yanked this out of a '77 Chevy pickup... I forget what the CR is, but it's 7-something to one. (7.8:1 I believe)

Here's some before n after pics... The motor sits in a 70 Camaro right now... and is soon to be pulled to drop in the 67 Chevy pickup.

There is very little money in this thing... A fresh set of TRW's, mild cam and fresh rings/bearings. It runs fantastic.

[70C10Step]

Yullose, thanks for the advice... I think that is what I needed to hear... what do you think about the voodoo camshafts?

[Yullose]

Originally Posted by 70C10Step

Yullose, thanks for the advice... I think that is what I needed to hear... what do you think about the voodoo camshafts?

Stick to name brand, proven grinds.

I've always liked the Comp Cams grinds.

Any of these will work. Some are more aggressive than others.
The one that caught my eye is the 274/ 286, .552/ .555. It has a really broad power band - 1800-6000rpm. Just so happens THAT'S where oval port heads like to run. There's not much sense putting a 6500 or 7500rpm cam in a motor with 6000 rpm heads on it.

You may need longer slot rockers though. I can't remember how much lift the stock ones are good to anymore.
Summit brand, stamped extra-long slot rockers are only around $80 a set. They include all the rockers, pivot balls and lock nuts.

[webfoot]

Voodoo is not a name brand proven cam?

They were designed by one of the top cam designers, Harold Berkshire, while he was still at Lunati.

Go over to the chevelle board and see how many guys have voodoo bumpsticks in their motor. (myself included.)

[Billla]

[Broken Record ON]
Start with a budget and work back from there. Usage/targets drive the cam, cam drives the heads, heads drive the build...and budget makes the hard decisions. Better a good engine in and running than a "mondo" engine on the stand waiting for part$.
[Broken Record OFF]

'Better' is the enemy of 'Good Enough'

[Slammed70]

Im doing a Voodoo cam in my BBC to SBC build right now. And I would recomend the Holley Street Avenger 770 for your build. Thats what I had on my 454 and I think Im gonna throw it on my SBC too just because I like it. I know its WAY too big, but everyone else usually oversizes carbs anyway....and I dont wanna be left out.

[Yullose]

Originally Posted by webfoot

Voodoo is not a name brand proven cam?

They were designed by one of the top cam designers, Harold Berkshire, while he was still at Lunati.
Go over to the chevelle board and see how many guys have voodoo bumpsticks in their motor. (myself included.)

I think you may have misinterpreted my statement. I don't have a problem with Lunati stuff. My point was... stick with a name brand, large cam mfg with many years of R&D...

Lunati
Crower
Comp Cams
Crane
etc...

The only Lunati stuff I've seen trouble with is the solid roller lifters... and that was 10+ years ago.
I have a 555BBC in my brothers Chevelle right now with a Lunati crank and roller cam. The lifters however, are Crower severe duty's.

For what the original poster is trying to acheive, the Comp Cams grind I pointed out above would be ideal with a set of oval port heads, and in a heavy pickup truck.

Also something to consider... It's a little more difficult to "over-cam" a big block... than a small block... The larger cubes tend to tame some of the bigger camshafts that would be otherwise unfriendly on the street in a little 355.

[webfoot]

I see what you are saying now.

Ever heard of the old Ultradyne cams? That was Harold.

Once I get my 496 built it is going to get the retro hyd roller treatment with a "little" roller cam, it should leave my th350 begging for mercy.

[Yullose]

Originally Posted by webfoot

I see what you are saying now.

Ever heard of the old Ultradyne cams? That was Harold.

Yup, I ran an Ultradyne in a 511 I had years ago...

[NONHOG]

Why do BB need new towers ? I have swapped BB where a SB was w/o swapping motor mounts but that was in A-body's one 67 E.C. and one 66 Chevelle wg . Whats up with the truck motor mounts and/or towers ?