BBC Build... im flipping lost....

[biohazardbill]

So we want to build up a 454. We would like it somewhere between 500 and 600 horsepower. That number is based off the idea that we like the lobe sound at idle but when we hit the gas would like it to go go go.

Mechanically speaking I can diagnose and fix most anything however when trying to build something from scratch, determining compression rating etc I have no idea where to start.

I have a stock 454 from a RV. Looking up the casting numbers off the block and heads it has peanut port heads, however I picked up a set of 781's today at a reasonable price as everything I have read etc. said they are great up until you clear 700hp or something, and im not worried about shaving weight so why not. If they dont work I can always resell em so no money lost.

This truck will not be a race truck. The motor must be reliable as i will be driving to and from shows at some point. I have looked up and googled terms like big block recipe, parts list etc for any type of guidance on a recipe of what to tell a machine shop to do to the heads and block and what parts to put in to achieve something in that range. Most of the articles and such i read seem like its directed to a savvy engine builder which I am not. My biggest fear is doing stuff twice.

So I ask..
what do you do to get this thing up there in that range? Does anyone have a recipe so to speak. By recipe I mean what parts you need, what needs to be done to the head and block that I can convey to a machine shop etc?

Any help appreciated

[shawnt]

Mark Jones builds some stout pieces with those old factory iron heads.
http://www.vortecproperformance.com/
You could give him a call and see what he says.

[69GMC910]

X2

[87Lowrider]

I did a 454 transplant into my '87 SWB. Below is a link to the build. There, you will find parts lists and videos of the engine idling.. To date, it's got over 7000 miles on it and will scare ya when you stomp on it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=279281

[djracer]

I feel like you have the main things you need to reach your goal. I would buy a piston that will bump the compression up. How much are you gonna drive it? Would it kill you to run premium fuel? If not you can pick up ls6 closed chamber domed pistons cheap. A good hyd roller would be nice if its in the budget. I personally am not a fan of vacuum secondary carbs. I would lean towards a smaller holley double pumper. I will hope fully have my son's truck together soon and it has a similar combo. Good luck with your build.

[RanchFlyer]

I am running 781s on a mild 454, mine have a little bowl work by a local guy and have been cut out to 2.19 and 1.88 manley valves with a necked down stem. My pistons are -12cc dome. Cam is Herbert's HERCLB3N 215/225@.050, 500/530 lift. On top is a Qjet soon to be replaced with a Holley 750. I don't have any dyno pulls or time slips. I can say it sounds healthy and way more torque than any street tires are ever going to hold.

[biohazardbill]

Originally Posted by djracer

I feel like you have the main things you need to reach your goal. I would buy a piston that will bump the compression up. How much are you gonna drive it? Would it kill you to run premium fuel? If not you can pick up ls6 closed chamber domed pistons cheap. A good hyd roller would be nice if its in the budget. I personally am not a fan of vacuum secondary carbs. I would lean towards a smaller holley double pumper. I will hope fully have my son's truck together soon and it has a similar combo. Good luck with your build.

Weekends.... I dont leave the house much as I work from home... so probably every other weekend or so.

Premium fuel is no big deal.. I have to run it in my daily driver so Im used to it.

I dont mind spending money on something done right.

[biohazardbill]

Originally Posted by RanchFlyer

I am running 781s on a mild 454, mine have a little bowl work by a local guy and have been cut out to 2.19 and 1.88 manley valves with a necked down stem. My pistons are -12cc dome. Cam is Herbert's HERCLB3N 215/225@.050, 500/530 lift. On top is a Qjet soon to be replaced with a Holley 750. I don't have any dyno pulls or time slips. I can say it sounds healthy and way more torque than any street tires are ever going to hold.

Thanks for the info.

[69GMC910]

How much are you looking to spend on this build?

[biohazardbill]

I dont want to say cost is no object... but.... im thinking around 3-3.5k I come up with that figure because if I have to go any higher I might as well order one from the link above. He has 2 in the $5300 range that look pretty appealing and I have to do nothing to them. If I cant get it decent under that, plans will change to a cheap build just to get it going and ill replace later.

[djracer]

That budget should be more than enough.

[bigboybodry]

Are you going to build it yourself or have someone to build it for you? I have 461 2 bolt block,every bolt in the engine is arp, stock crank cleaned up at .010 .010, eagle I beam 6.135 rods, sealed power pistons with a little dome, double roller timing chain, 632 in 653 ex lift 260 268 @50 hydr cam,781 or 083 heads with springs for cam etc,1.7 roller rockers,team g intake,stock oil pan stock timing cover ball milled aluminum valve covers that need to be polished, msd 85551 distributor needs cleaning,gary willams 830 carb that needs to be gone through.The engine has been sitting for about 3 years in my truck while my wife went to RN school. I am starting to rebuild but I do not have anything to put it in. May sell if you are interested. Just picked up moly rings, gasket kit, tri-armour bearings and 1 new piston that had a tight wrist pin.

[ulakovic22]

$3K is more than enough.

Stock block, crank and rods. Get the 781's ported with an Edelbrock manifold matched. I run Wiseco low dome pistons to net me 11:1. Since you are going to be running cast iron heads you should probably aim lower than that, like 9.5:1. Pick a mild cam to go with your heads after you get them flowed and pay attention to your dynamic compression ratio. Static compression is what everyone advertises and if this is going to be a street machine SCR will guide you to the right parts, but check your DCR after you get your cam picked. You want in the 8's.