What to look for 89, burb 454 for my 86 C10

[locab36]

I found a 89 burb w/454/400 combo. I haven't looked @ it yet but will this week. I'm thinking of swaping the 454 into my c10 that has mild 350 w/built 700R4 and 410 posi w/caltracs. I was thinking of getting different than stock heads for my 350 but thinking about this big block. Anything I need to know about 89 454's? Its stock throttle body complete running driving truck for a grand. I would plan on a crank grind/small cam/valve job/ HEI from the 350 and aluminum intake w/about a 750 holley. Any help?

John

[Captkaos]

Personally I wouldn't waste my time on the heads. I would look into a different set if you are looking at horsepower.
If you go conservative on the cam though you can make a TON of low end torque. It basically is the same motor that came in a 454SS.

[streetstar]

i am doing the same to one of my trucks right now -- the drawback being i only have an hour at a time, every other night to work on it--

Are you buying the whole suburban, or just getting the motor? If you are just getting the motor, why not get the tbi and computer too and swap that over? a few changes to your fuel delivery system will be in order, but it will give you late model driveability.

The only other tip i would give if your just buying the motor is to make sure you get the exhaust manifolds too -- i didnt on mine and finally gave up looking for another set and bought a set of headers -- which i didnt feel were worth the hassle for a basically stock motor

[1985LT1_C10]

i wouldnt waste my time on the BB if you are gonna keep it stock...take that $1000 buy a nice set of sportsman heads..maybe get a little more cam and have a field day with your small block...you'll enjoy it more in the long run..

[locab36]

Talked to a guy @ work and he said I can't get a intake for this motor, ie. an aluminum intake to replace the tbi? Is this right?
For a grand I get the whole burb, running and will drive it home. Stock and never been cut up. Has all the smog equip and what not, Big radiatior, serpentine belt setup w/AC. I figure that 220 hp stock is what the 454 is rated. I have about 250 in my small block and could get that to 300 w/better heads. Is it possible to get 300hp w/intake, carb & cam on this 1989 454??

I'm not trying to keep the truck stock, just stock looking and a little hot. No racer just a saturday night cruiser.

Thanks for the honest opinions. I'm going to look @ it tomorrow.

John

[streetstar]

any low rise big block intake will work -- I say low rise, because i dont know if a mid height intake (like a performer rpm or a victor) will interfere with your front accesories or not.

I think the torque of the big block alone is worth it -- especially if its a Saturday night special and gas mileage is not that big of a concern. Put an RV cam and heders on that 'ol 454 and it still might only have 300 hp, but with 400 lb/ft of torque -- you'll be glad you did.

The limiting factor on these motors is the same thing as on any smog era engine regardless of size. Restrictive cylinder heads and low compression. But a 454 wasnt made to be a grocery getter and occasional garden-tractor or motorcycle hauler -- it was put in the heavy duty vehicles to pull heavy things. Torque is king for trucks, and its hard to go back to a mouse motor after you've had a good experience with a healthy rat

[locab36]

I had a 90 SS454 about 5 years ago. That truck had a turbo 400 and 4.10 gears. It was a fun truck. It had 255 hp stock. If I put it in my 86 I'll have the advantage of OD which they should've put into the SS454's. Thanks everyone.

John

[454HO]

Originally Posted by locab36

Talked to a guy @ work and he said I can't get a intake for this motor, ie. an aluminum intake to replace the tbi? Is this right?

That's because that TBI motor has the very small 'peanut port' heads. All aftermarket BBC intakes I am aware of are for either rectangular port or the larger oval port heads. You can physically bolt a normal oval port carb intake onto those heads, but there will be a gross mis-match at the ports.

[locab36]

So I'll have to pick up some different heads. Like from what years or is the Oval port and rect. port the deciding factor? Don't know my bbc's as well as my sbc's. Then find a intake to match the heads correct?

John

[1985LT1_C10]

you have a Mark V (5) BBC...as far as heads go...anything from the new crate motors are all based on mark v blocks...but as far as factory goes...theres really nothing great...any BBC will benefit greatly with a good valve job some port massaging and larger valves (2.19/1.88)...with a port matched intake a slight cam increase you but your hp a ton....

[bb1979]

There are differing opinions on this subject on this board, some say they are crud others say fine for a cruiser or daily driver. I've been doing the research myself because I have a 89 model carbed 454 sitting in the garage waiting to go in over Christmas.

There is a intake to suit peanut port heads, I think its a weiland. Basically from the research I have done these motors tend to fall over after 4500 rpm. But logically thinking about it how often do you see those revs on the street. My current small block doesn't even see it. Besides a rat has gobs a torque to get you going in a hurry.

I'll be posting my impressions further on this after Christmas when I get mine in, the reason I have this one is big block don't grow on trees over here and to pick up a totally rebuilt unit for under $3000 was a steal.

Mine has a mild cam, a some port work done and will be running on propane, will be backed by a shift kitted T400, gear vendors od 4.56 diff gears and 30" tall rear tyres.

All this should put it in the middle of the torque range at 60mph (fast as we can legally drive). Having driven a low comp 454 the performance still blows a mild small block away imo

[locab36]

I decided against the BB. Alot of work for what I can gain from a set of nice Dart heads and what not. I still like the idea but not on this project. I guess thats why small block usually = smaller investment and big blocks scare off others.

Thanks for the discussion. After seeing the replys I had better search words to google. After reading some of what is on the net I decided I could achieve what I'm after w/a good set of heads which would require less work as well.

Thanks all

John