Project Road Thrill (Engine questions)

[ProjectSB350]

Hello everyone. I'm building a 71' 2 door Chevelle project (Project Road Thrill). It will be a half Rat rod and half Pro touring (on a budget of coarse). I found a complete 454 (for $500) a guy pulled from a truck (I believe late 70's early 80's). I'm going to clean it up and paint what I can to match the cars paint. Basically, my question is - Will a 454 from a truck fit in the Chevelle well or would I be better going for another. I wanted a 454 more then an LS6 so I'm pretty set on a big block (either 396 or 454, maybe larger) but more to 454. What do you all think? I have a certain idea for the exhaust that a 454 would be great for. Let me know your thoughts about it. Thanks a lot.

[john31s]

A late 70's early 80's 454 would have no power at all. A 1990 454 out of a Silverado SS only has 230hp, so a late 70's early 80's 454 would have less than 200hp. Hot Rod Magazine did a piece last month on building a budget big block, I can't find it online but I could scan and send it to you if your interested.

[ProjectSB350]

yeah if you can send me something on it I would sure appreciate it. If it is a 454 from that time would there be a cost effective way to juice it up to a 350+hp?

[john31s]

I went to scan it and my scanner wasn't cooperating. I should be able to get it to you by Monday.

[andrewb70]

LS6s and especially LS7s are not exactly budget friendly.

A junk yard 6.0L truck engine and maybe even a 5.3L will run circles around a non-performance 454...

Andrew

[Chevelle598bb]

A performance cam, intake manifold, headers and carb will wake up a low compression 454. 350 hp is easy to do even with a 8 to 1 compression stock 454.

I agree with Andrew that a 6.0 or 5.3 would be the way to go if it was in the budget but the 454 would be much cheaper if it is in good running order as it is just a drop in. No harness, computer tuning, swap mounts, swap headers, adapting transmissions, efi fuel delivery with the 454. Wow I never thought I would recommend a lo-po 454 over a 6.0. Lol

[andrewb70]

A performance cam, intake manifold, headers and carb will wake up a low compression 454. 350 hp is easy to do even with a 8 to 1 compression stock 454.

I agree with Andrew that a 6.0 or 5.3 would be the way to go if it was in the budget but the 454 would be much cheaper if it is in good running order as it is just a drop in. No harness, computer tuning, swap mounts, swap headers, adapting transmissions, efi fuel delivery with the 454. Wow I never thought I would recommend a lo-po 454 over a 6.0. Lol

You can just as easily run a carbureted LS engine and use inexpensive stock exhaust manifold, and still be ahead of a 454 even after you added an intake, headers, and cam. Also, don't forget that a LXs engine, even with an iron block, will save 200 pounds off the nose of the car, compared to a big block.

Andrew

[MonzaRacer]

Issues with LSx, expensive ignition, and conversion/swap parts are NOT cheap. At least for most people if they are trying to do something on more of a budget.
The 396 is good engine, I have similar engine my 402, I built it as a factory 70 LS3 402 for my old Monte Carlo. Anyway well built it was a torque monster for a 402.
Now I voted 454 as I have purchased a 77 454 from a Winnebago, with only 47k miles, got it for $500 complete from air cleaner to oil pan and is going in my 84 2dr Caprice. Now as for this engine I will probably install a cam,lifters and T/C set a friend gave as a pull from his crate engine, I also have thought about using the closed chamber heads from my 402 after I install larger valves. I do have a Victor Jr. Oval port I'll use most likely OR possibly my highrise cast iron Qjet intake from the 402.
Heck wasnt it Hot Rod Magazine who built a peanut port 454 engine and turned some real good numbers. Like in the 600 horse range.
Lots of people are swinging the LSx brush, YET with properly sourced parts you can have a snappy fun car AND big block appeal,, except for the ones who CAN afford to spend over a $1000 for ignition,headers and mounts,,,not including other adapters and swap items needed.
Heck a 454 with a set of headers and some minor tweaking and a mild cam could easily push well over 300 hp for a fun driver, just remember its a small valve engine most likely so picking the cam will require some help from the cam companies.
Now me I am thinking of using some ebay twin turbo headers and small turbos to up my cars power with low boost,,,,heck even at 5 lbs of boost Ican look for at or near 700 hp.
Neat thing is small frame turbos liek I intend to use on my Monza will also work on my Caprice! so if I can get them 5 or 6 at a time.

[EFI69Cam]

I'm in the middle of a BBC build for my 69 camaro. If I could go back and start over I'd go LS.

Total cost of ownership on an LS is going to be less than a BBC, and will increase resale value.

You did not mention what transmission you want, but later GM transmissions like the T56 are easier to get to work with LS engines.

[dontlifttoshift]

What are you trying to accomplish?

I would put a 4.8 in there before I did a big block, in fact if you lined up all of the big blocks in the whole world and gave em to me I would use them to build a fence. But if you are just trying to get a car running so you can enjoy it, I don't see how you can pass up a complete running engine for $500.

[MonzaRacer]

Issues with LSx, expensive ignition, and conversion/swap parts are NOT cheap. At least for most people if they are trying to do something on more of a budget.
The 396 is good engine, I have similar engine my 402, I built it as a factory 70 LS3 402 for my old Monte Carlo. Anyway well built it was a torque monster for a 402.
Now I voted 454 as I have purchased a 77 454 from a Winnebago, with only 47k miles, got it for $500 complete from air cleaner to oil pan and is going in my 84 2dr Caprice. Now as for this engine I will probably install a cam,lifters and T/C set a friend gave as a pull from his crate engine, I also have thought about using the closed chamber heads from my 402 after I install larger valves. I do have a Victor Jr. Oval port I'll use most likely OR possibly my highrise cast iron Qjet intake from the 402.
Heck wasnt it Hot Rod Magazine who built a peanut port 454 engine and turned some real good numbers. Like in the 600 horse range.
Lots of people are swinging the LSx brush, YET with properly sourced parts you can have a snappy fun car AND big block appeal,, except for the ones who CAN afford to spend over a $1000 for ignition,headers and mounts,,,not including other adapters and swap items needed.
Heck a 454 with a set of headers and some minor tweaking and a mild cam could easily push well over 300 hp for a fun driver, just remember its a small valve engine most likely so picking the cam will require some help from the cam companies.
Now me I am thinking of using some ebay twin turbo headers and small turbos to up my cars power with low boost,,,,heck even at 5 lbs of boost Ican look for at or near 700 hp.
Neat thing is small frame turbos liek I intend to use on my Monza will also work on my Caprice! so if I can get them 5 or 6 at a time.