chevy 454/400

[chris-350]

my name is chris i curently have a 350/350 combo. I\'m thinking of going to a 454/400 combo. i love the power I have now but i\'m someone who likes to go all out on my truck. is it better to go crazy w/the 350 i have now or get a 454 and go that route? and if so with the 454 what should i prepare for as far as fitting and any custom parts? any tips will be helpful, thanks again.

[CHEVY383MAN]

They don\'t make conversion headers for the big block. it will bolt up to the small block mounts but it will be tight, plan on fabbing a lot of stuff. you would be better off going all out with small. you can easily build a 450- 500 hp small block if you spend your money in the right places ie heads and cam. Also keep the th350 tranny it can be built to handle alot of power and does not consume as much as the th400.

[chris-350]

thanks, all i was getting from my friends were mixed-up answers.

[wild85]

build a 383, I whole bunch of guys on here are doing that, myself included. how is 471hp at 5500, and 515 tq at 4500 for ya. That is what the combo I am gonna build makes.

[chris-350]

sounds good to me!!! I thought about a 383 but don\'t know exactly how to go about it first?

[my454s10]

small block are ok..but as always i vote the big block way..yes there is some fast 350 s10;s, but a 454 s10 is just killer...

[fastw23s]

The only problem I have with a BB, well not the ONLY, but is the weight penalty, the truck is going to be a bit nose heavy as it is.



Now if you can do alum. heads and are able to budget in other weight savings then do what you want.



But for my money, I\'ll always go SB, a stroker is a good alternative as stated, a 355 is certainly capable of great performance.



Bottom line: What is the extent of your fab skills, and what is the size of your budget.

[chris-350]

see, i\'d love a big block because I just love having the most power, but I rarely go to the track, and its my daily truck. I live in cali were theres just desert. so I have alot of open hi-way to play with and alot of ricer boys out here too. I\'m not worried about cashflow but more my time how long will a big block taketo put in?

[Scotty_S-15]

On 2004-11-30 20:12, fastw23s wrote:

The only problem I have with a BB, .................................. Bottom line: What is the extent of your fab skills, and what is the size of your budget.



That\'s right, Fab skills, size of your budget....... AND, how sound is your marriage!!! http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif Sorry, I couldn\'t resist.... but spending untold hours in seclusion with your \"new love\" can really stress a relationship! http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

[chris-350]

my budget isn\'t the problem and my friend is an excelent fab guy. about the wieght what should i use to hold up a big block?

[Indiana]

Scotty said a mouth full! There are certain days that my wife does not want to see a S10 on the road. They are usually after I fork out a couple hundered on something for it. Like the $495 for the Mighty Demon I just bought.

[Scotty_S-15]

OK, getting serious now... http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif I\'m thinking like Fast23........ \'Dem BBs sure are heavy. You can get springs that\'ll hold up just about anything. But it\'d still be a nose heavy slug, if not for acceleration, then for handling in general.

......... So if you like those long straight highways, Why not consider a 383... It would have some Looong legs, in more ways than one. You\'d be surprised how well a SB can perform compared to a BB.

........... But a BB S-10 sure has a higher \"wow\" factor when you open the hood at the local hangout......

[Truckman91]

On 2004-11-30 20:21, chris-350 wrote:

my budget isn\'t the problem and my friend is an excelent fab guy. about the wieght what should i use to hold up a big block?







Then you have no problems I have all your answers!



Build a 454ci small block, then you have almost no fab work and save the weight.



www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/113_0307_454/ (http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/113_0307_454/)



continued...



www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/113_0309_test/ (http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/113_0309_test/)



Car Craft Nov \'04 have a 454 SB vs. 454 BB too.

[grimpuppy]

Problem with a 454 small block is it is a one shot deal. The bore is 4.25\" witch is max for the motown block. Ever need a rebuild and you will be buying another $2000 block. Build a 427, 434, or a 440 small block with the Motown block. This will give you room for a couple of rebuilds down the road. When you are on your last overbore you will have the 454.

[Truckman91]

Agreed start with a 4.125\" Bore. But I was working no limits http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif so the block can be a throw away..



Bill mitchell makes the Hardcore 427ci too...check into that..

[Scotty_S-15]

That\'s right.... Chris did say that the budget was \"No Problem\" http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif Ain\'t it great when we can spend other people\'s money? We can dream, right? http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

[wild85]

632 big block from world products should spend a little money.LOL

[knudsonm]

I am using belltech 2\" drop spindles and 3\" 4.3 springs with no problems. I am using iron heads as well. There is definately more wow factor with the big block and MUCH more potential. I am using almost all stock parts to make close to 500hp and about 550 lb-ft of torque. Where else are you going to make those kind of numbers for under $2000 and be very streetable?

[JayDee]

Ah, now we are getting to the real advantage of using a BB. It doesn\'t have to be hand built and cruise at 4000 to have power.

I\'m running an 89 454,originally TBI, that has a mild cam,Holley spreadbore carb,and Accel distributor. It is totally driveable and not real rough on gas. Even has a 700R4 with overdrive. You really aren\'t aware of the power on tap until you kick it. Unless you are on a gravel road or driveway. It tends to dig holes while holding still becaue the rear brakes can\'t keep the tires from turning. If you really push on the pedal they will stop.

Just my opinion, but I think you would have to have a pretty hot 383 to even come close. Which would foul plugs, be a sh*t in cold weather and suck gas.

The swap is not a project for the first timer. I\'ve done 4 previous and it took me 120 hours and $2000 for small parts, ie. $500 radiator.

I never tire of hearing people say \"You\'ve got a

what? No way.\" Then show em.

[fastw23s]

Well since money is no issue.....



I would find one of the all aluminum 502 chevy is selling, port the heads, put in a big turbo cam and plumb in a twin turbo system.



Go with a DFI, and a lenco trans, or a bruno automatic and a Mark Williams ProStock rearend tub the truck and go with a full cage and WAALA!! you have a totally streetable 7 second daily driver!!!!



Or you could just build a nice 650 HP centrifical blown 406 that will drive across country.

[gdmclnh]

If your truck is a standard cab you can use the front springs for an extended cab. They are heavier duty then the standard cab springs and can support the BB quite well.

[chris-350]

thanks for the ideas right now i\'m leaning towards a 383 but still lovin\' the BB454 so please keep posting thanks guys you\'ve been a big help so far!

[chris-350]

I just got off the phone w/ my dad, and his friend is selling another \'87 s-10 extended cab, with no motor or trans. i\'m thinking of a BB in the new one if i buy it, but i\'d feel like i\'m betraying my 350 s10 i have now what do you think? should i do it and make a truck thats just track, or should i roll around the streets in both? its a positive problem,but still a problem! thanks again for the advice and i\'ll talk to you guys later...thanks!

[s10rodder]

One of the hot rod mags did a 454 small block vs. 454 big block a month or two ago and the small block actually made more average horsepower and very similar torque numbers. The small block cost about $1000 more to build, but imagine being able to tell people \"yeah, it\'s just a 350\" and then run a 10 sec quater mile. If I remember right, the small block made right around 600hp on pump gas, with over 400hp average and a really smooth torque curve. If I had the money I\'d be building one right now.

[Truckman91]

With more than 1 project going things tend to not get done in the time or the way you want them to. This will frustrate anyone, and the chance of giving up and selling them both goes way up.



1 at a time http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

[chris-350]

my 350 is done, i can do light mods, but other than that i like where i\'m at w/ it. do you think its still good to move on to another truck?

[Truckman91]

IF your done, go for it. Do you have a wife to tick off by spending all this $$$?



I know mine doesnt like it...lol



Ask your friend if hes ever built headers before. Thats going to be your biggest problem, in fabricating involved

[chris-350]

yes, I have a wife, shes pissed off that i even come here to the sight because she knows i\'ll spend money, talk to you guys instead of her, and then i go out side and work on the truck.lol. no, my friend has never fabricated headers but i know someone who has. I lost his # though.

[BrickTop]

if money is not an issue, you should go get a donovan block and build a twin-turbocharged, digitally fuel injected, 706 cid bbc with big chief cylinder heads, professionally ported and polished, sheet metal intake, with a viper spec t56 6 spd tranny. but i don\'t know if the stock 7.5 will handle that much hp though........he he he

[Catman59]

Hey guys Im new here. Building a 95 extended cab with a big block. Im using a motor plate on the front for more clearance on the sides and overall more room. This is a great site and Im going to spend a lot of time here. I will get pics if anyone is interested. I get a lot of S#!t for using garbage truck motors, but Im used to it and will only have it that way !..

[Scotty_S-15]

On 2004-12-01 18:24, BrickTop wrote:

if money is not an issue, you should go get a donovan block and build a twin-turbocharged, digitally fuel injected, 706 cid bbc .......................he he he



Wow, with everyone talking about all these mega-motors.... reminded me I need to run down the street and get some LOTTO tickets! http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[chris-350]

lol

[chris-350]

thanks guys you\'ve been help. i just bought a truck from my dads friend yesterday for $600. I think i\'m gonna make my curent truck into a 383, and when i\'m done put the 454 in the new one. thnks again you guys have been helpful...i\'ll keep you posted o.k. bye.