Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!

[Nick_R_23]

I’ve been on the lookout for a 454SS for quite some time now. Not many come up for sale here in Alaska, and the rare ones that do? Let’s just say they’re not worth their asking price. Anyway, I stumbled into a deal that was too good to pass up: I picked up this 96-98 Chevy SCSB 2WD today for $100! It’s obviously missing a few parts, but the chassis is extremely clean, and the cab and doors actually turned out to be in good shape as well.

The plan is to make it a realistically close clone to a 454SS, but do the upgrades that Chevy should’ve done originally! I planned on a cab swap initially, but this one is clean, so I may slightly deviate with a 96+ interior, but stay with the red interior like the originals had. The rear axle will be a 2WD 14 bolt from a light duty 3/4 ton, which I will order the correct 454SS axle shafts for.

As for the powertrain, I traded a 1999 Astro Van that I’ve been using as a storage unit, for a Gen VI Vortec 454 and 4L80E. The transmission will be converted to 2WD. The 454 has a rod knock, so it will get a forged rotating assembly, head studs, MLS gaskets, possibly a cam, and I would like to either convert to a 411 PCM or go with an aftermarket EFI controller such as the Terminator X or HP EFI, and boost it with a single turbo. I think 600HP, possibly even 600RWHP, should be easily obtainable at around 8 psi with this setup, which is really a stupid amount of power in a truck this light, while also keeping some semblance of reliability and allow it to stay on pump gas.

[Palf70Step]

Looking forward to your build

[Warrens69GMC]

Looks like fun!!

[Nick_R_23]

Thanks guys!

I spent the previous day cleaning out the Astro Van and getting it delivered to the new owner, and spent today getting the 454 and 4L80E completely prepped to pull in the morning!

Gotta love doing this outside in the dirt Front end parts removed for easier access.



I’m taking the core support as well, since I can’t remember if the 454 was different or if they’re all the same.



Engine is ready for removal!



Transmission is also dropped and ready to slide out!

[Nick_R_23]

Initially, I also wanted to make this as close to a real looking original 454SS as possible. However, with the 96+ cab and interior, and 96+ engine, I thought, why not build the 454SS Chevy could have built if they had kept making them into the 96+ trucks, and add the 96+ grille as well? It would be a subtle exterior change, and match the rest of the same model year parts. What’s everyone’s opinion? Stick with the 88-93 flat grille, or build a 96+ 454SS?

[Warrens69GMC]

96+

[Palf70Step]

96+ 454 sounds like the way to go for me.

[Nick_R_23]

Leaning that way for sure. I found a few close images with blacked out newer front grilles. I would stick with the amber side markers, red Chevy Sport emblem, and impact strips as they originally came, but these pictures are pretty close to what it would be and I’m definitely liking it!

This first picture is the closest! Even if I had to draw the emblem in

[Nick_R_23]

I checked the data tag, and the Suburban that this is all coming from is a 1999! Pretty neat to be one of the later years. I still need to determine the actual year of the truck itself

So with everything ready from last night, this morning went pretty smooth and the engine and transmission came right out!



Loaded in the back of the truck



Transmission is out!



And the total haul for the day. I ended up grabbing the entire inside/outside harness, hydroboost unit and pedal, and the heater box since I couldn’t remember if mine was intact.

[61_FL_Apache]

Tagging along to watch the build.

[TexasLS1]

My daughter (who has grown much taller since my avatar pic) wants to do something similar for her first truck. Can’t wait to see yours come together!

[Nick_R_23]

Bought an upgraded engine stand since a Big Block now exists in my shop, and I don’t put much trust the cheapo stands. The gear drive head is amazing, I should’ve invested in one of these years ago.





Here’s the real tell - difference in arm size between the standard and new arms!

[Nick_R_23]

I got a chance to inspect the VIN today, and it looks like I have a 1997! I also threw the 454 up on the stand today, and again I can’t emphasize just how nice this crank is! Spins over a full iron BBC like it’s nothing! I pulled the water pump, balancer, timing cover, and oil pan to check out the crank.



Sure enough, #1 is loose.



I also extracted a broken oil cooler line fitting from the block.

[Nick_R_23]

I made a huge score today! I had found a light duty (6 lug) 2WD 14 bolt rear axle locally, and had planned on pulling it this weekend. I figured I can get custom shafts made for it to convert it to the correct 5 lug. However, today, THIS popped up on Marketplace, and I couldn’t get down there fast enough! A REAL 454SS rear axle! Not only that, but the seller told me it was pulled (along with the engine and transmission) at 40k miles for a twin turbo 5.3L build! To top the deal off, he let it go for only $200!!



Proof of the real deal!

[Warrens69GMC]

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...12272129609402

[TexasLS1]

Awesome!!!!!

[Nick_R_23]

Thank you!

I scored again today, I snagged a pair of perfect condition front fenders on a Suburban sitting about 20 feet away from the 454 donor Suburban, for $150!

[LT7A]

This is a great idea. This will be even better than one of the original ones with the updated vortec motor - let alone forged internals. I think doing a tribute truck rather than trying to replicate an original is a good idea. I like seeing grills and such that are original to the year of the body. You could even use Plasti dip and leave the original grill finish intact underneath. I liked the drawn in bowtie, haha. Have you seen the thread on here about building an SS454 the way Chevy should have done it? There are some great ideas on nabbing some factory upgrades.

[Nick_R_23]

I probably haven’t, do you have a link? I’m always up for checking out ideas.

[Nick_R_23]

Alright, it’s been like 3 days since I’ve bought anything and I needed my fix, so I found a verrrrry interesting pair of 454 valve covers for $120 shipped! Does anyone recognize these? In case you’re not aware, the L29 (your typical Gen VI Vortec 454) had a fairly unknown twin, the L21, which came in the medium duty chassis trucks for a short period. These 454’s came with some interesting LS-like features, such as a 24x reluctor wheel instead of the typical 4x, coil-near-plug system including the unique valve covers, and a capped, gutted distributor for the 1x cam signal. It ran off an early 97-98 LS1 PCM. Pretty interesting and rare setup!









And this is the L21 in the wild. Note the staggered coil mounting under the throttle body for clearance, which differs from the 8.1L.

[LT7A]

Here it is:

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=795577

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Nick_R_23

Initially, I also wanted to make this as close to a real looking original 454SS as possible. However, with the 96+ cab and interior, and 96+ engine, I thought, why not build the 454SS Chevy could have built if they had kept making them into the 96+ trucks, and add the 96+ grille as well? It would be a subtle exterior change, and match the rest of the same model year parts. What’s everyone’s opinion? Stick with the 88-93 flat grille, or build a 96+ 454SS?

This is exactly how I would go.

Use GM's 454 concept & build it to suit your wants while still keeping the styling/heritage of the original in spirit. Be the engineer that doesn't have to worry about someone from corporate looking over his shoulder while basically checking all the option boxes he thought would make a 'cool' truck. OE LS era reliability w/brute power.

[Nick_R_23]

That’s what I’m thinking, build it like a GM engineer with a little more free reign!

Might be picking up a red interior tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

[Nick_R_23]

I threw the new front fenders on the truck just to be able to have them stored safely for now. Plus, it’s looking less and less like a parts truck!

[Just call me Sean]

I want to see more of what's behind the truck.