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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Willow, Alaska
Posts: 877
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Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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. ![]() ![]() |
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#2 |
State of Confusion!
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,859
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
Looking forward to your build
__________________
Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Safford,AZ
Posts: 3,612
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
Looks like fun!!
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Willow, Alaska
Posts: 877
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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 ![]() ![]() 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! ![]() |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Willow, Alaska
Posts: 877
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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?
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Safford,AZ
Posts: 3,612
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
96+
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#7 |
State of Confusion!
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,859
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
96+ 454 sounds like the way to go for me.
__________________
Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Willow, Alaska
Posts: 877
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Last edited by Nick_R_23; 09-07-2021 at 12:37 PM. |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Willow, Alaska
Posts: 877
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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. ![]() |
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#10 |
Who Me?
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL
Posts: 4,067
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
Tagging along to watch the build.
__________________
![]() 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold) |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Jonestown, TX
Posts: 471
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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!
Last edited by TexasLS1; 09-08-2021 at 09:01 PM. Reason: Spelling is hard |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Willow, Alaska
Posts: 877
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Willow, Alaska
Posts: 877
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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. ![]() |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Willow, Alaska
Posts: 877
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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! ![]() |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Safford,AZ
Posts: 3,612
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Jonestown, TX
Posts: 471
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
Awesome!!!!!
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Willow, Alaska
Posts: 877
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PNW
Posts: 3,587
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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.
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Willow, Alaska
Posts: 877
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
I probably haven’t, do you have a link? I’m always up for checking out ideas.
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Willow, Alaska
Posts: 877
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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. ![]() ![]() |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PNW
Posts: 3,587
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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#22 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
Quote:
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.
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. Last edited by SCOTI; 09-23-2021 at 06:22 PM. |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Willow, Alaska
Posts: 877
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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! |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Willow, Alaska
Posts: 877
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
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#25 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Orlando Florida
Posts: 1,598
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Re: Can’t find a 454SS, so I’m building my own!
I want to see more of what's behind the truck.
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