bbc opinions

[1970bowtie]

ok, so im wanting to find a bbc block and build the motor as i have spare time. mostly it"ll be run on the street but may have an occasional pass down the track im wanting something in the 500 horse neighborhood. i want something reliable and strong that i can hammer down on and not have to worry bout blowing parts all over the place. so what would you guys suggest i look for to start with? the cheaper the better, i just graduated from high school and money IS an object. i know the majority of the money spent will be in machine work and rotating assembly.
oh and this motor will be for my 70 swb.

[vegaschevy]

I asked this very question and never got really any solid answers. I am in the same boat. Doing a 454 stroked to a 496, aluminum heads, and shooting for over 500 HP. I ended up picking up a GEN VI block, ad will be installing some quality heads, intake, cam the works.

[454HO]

Find a good Mark IV block, 2-bolt is fine. Get it cleaned up and see what size pistons you need. Then get a 496 rotating assembly. Look for forged pistons that will allow you to get to 9.5:1 static compression with open chamber heads. Then get some 781 or 049 heads and put 2.19/1.88 valves in them and pocket port. Grab an RPM intake and a 750 vacuum secondary carb. Use a Lunati Voodoo cam with 230ish intake duration and a set of 1-3/4" headers. Simple 500HP and 500lbs of torque.

[1970bowtie]

so my best bet would be to start looking for gm vehicle from 65-74 correct me if im wrong on dates there... 73 or 74 454 out of a 3 quarter or one ton would be what i need

[1970bowtie]

what about 74 down are those gen 5 blocks? i dont know much abt big blocks but im trying to learn before i jump off into it so be patient lol

[1970bowtie]

nevermind i got in now gen iv were produced from 65-90

[Rodms]

Originally Posted by vegaschevy

I asked this very question and never got really any solid answers. I am in the same boat. Doing a 454 stroked to a 496, aluminum heads, and shooting for over 500 HP. I ended up picking up a GEN VI block, ad will be installing some quality heads, intake, cam the works.

Did you say you were going to do a solid roller cam?

[vegaschevy]

Originally Posted by Rodms

Did you say you were going to do a solid roller cam?

When? where? not that I recall... never know, I was really tossed for ideas before getting this block

[joeys66pickup]

solid cam...roller or flat tappet Its all good Make more power and get to set valvelash(hey the more i get to work on it the more i Smile)

[BossHogg69]

Originally Posted by vegaschevy

When? where? not that I recall... never know, I was really tossed for ideas before getting this block

I think he misunderstood when you said you didn't get any solid answers in your thread....

[Outlaw72]

If you are on a really tight budget.......just pick up a solid 454 core and put some 781 or 049 ovals on it. Decent cam, airgap intake and some roller rockers. It will run just fine and take a ton of abuse if the right person builds it. I had this in a 72 LWB with 150 shot and ran some 7.30's in the 1/8. That's plenty fast for a kid out of high school

[dragula]

Find you a good marine place. Alot of rich guy's usually take out small motor's to put in bigger ones. Most mercs. are square port heads, steel crank, 7/16 rod and are usually balanced !

[c-tenkid]

The gen 5 bbc started in 1991 and went on to 1996.I have a 1993 version of the motor and it's lame.Rated at 230hp and 390 ft pounds.The heads on the motor limit it to around 4500rpms.The gen 5 motor will not work with the mark 4 heads.Water jackets are different.

What you want is a one of the mark 4's.I also have a 454 and a 396.Parts are so much easier to find.And cheaper.They have adjustable valvetrains.

The good thing about the gen 5 is there cheaper.I bought mine with the serpentine setup and all the TBI harness and computer for 650 bucks.Complete good running engine.I see them on craigslist for around that money alot.

The older one's are ussually fetching more money.And are more worn out ussually.

[1970bowtie]

yeah ive been looking around the net and it looks like ill come out better to buy a whole truck. also i know of a junk yard not too many others know abt, maybe i can find some good casting heads there

[85sqbdy]

Go to your local pic-a-part a look for a 96 and up 3/4 ton suburban. some of them came with 454's. They were GEN VI at that point. When the great minds at GM decided to retool the mark IV 454 the GEN V was born. The GEN VI is a great foundation for a killer bigblock powerplant. I have one in my 85 and it has killer low end torque. Stick a big hydraulic roller cam in it and clean up the heads just a little and be ready to be impressed. Mine has a th400 w/a 3800 stall converter, and 4:56 gears so it's even more of a monster. But one things for sure, do your research before you lay out the green.
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[royo]

Whatever you do just keep it simple you dont need big heads or cams