Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

[D.FENS]

Scoti - I wore myself out crunching numbers on this. I'd like to think I got it right, even though it ain't strictly apples to apples.

What I found dollar-wise was pretty much same - same as your build, with just the long block build from about $1200 low to a little over $2750 high, depending on the combo. High end being referenced off the Suburban build with forged pistons and the Comp Cams roller, mostly because I like the way it sounds in the youtube clip. The final turn-key budget of 5 - 6K includes replacing some parts particular to my build and upgrades / service parts for the TBI.

Machine shop cost is still the big unknown, I estimate it at $750 - 1000. Again, I like to build stuff once and right, would rather budget high and not need it instead of getting caught out with empty pockets. Seems as though at least one person in this thread doesn't understand that.

Didn't do a cost-out on building the LS motor, even though that skews the comparison, but LS motors are supposed to go 250 - 300K on the original bottom end. Most of what swap packages I've been seeing are something like $2200 to about $3750 (6.0 with a 4L80E), with mileage under 125K. Motor mounts, headers, a flash for the ECU, LS-specific fuel system fittings, ETC, would run the total up at least another 750 - 1,000.

I didn't do comparisons on combining the 454 with a 4L80E, just budgeted for a cheap DIY rebuild on the TH400, figuring I would upgrade later or maybe not at all.

The rest of the build budget is fixed costs that would be about the same no matter which way you go, like cooling, fuel system, and exhaust. Maybe some guys would re use an old worn out water pump and a plugged up leaky radiator, but they grown and can make they own mistakes.