454...choices....

[Gray Ghost]

I started the deck job that will get me a 1981 454 with 19k on the clock. It will be here next Sunday unless I miss my guess. I know I want to go with fuel injection of some sort, but not being too familiar with BB parts I thought I'd ask you guys what you think I should look into for the rebuild.

I talked to one guy that suggested destroking it to a 427....I've always liked that motor number. I also love the stock height valve covers...does this limit me to a certain hp ceiling if I don't go with a severe ldle cam? My target is 475-500 hp.

If anyone has EFI suggestions [MAF only]...let me know, this is where I have no particular knowledge. The truck will be a streeter, driven at least every other day around town. It will never see the track...it's strictly for fun. I'll be running everything including AC. The engine already has all the brackets except for the AC and I'll be going local aftermarket with that.

Also tell me anything you know about 80's BB's, especially if the heads are good enough to rebuild or should I look to the aftermarket on those? The motor came out of a 1981 GMC motorhome and still has the transbraked 400 on it [I'm not getting that]. I figured when I get the 700 for the big truck that I'd have the 350 rebuilt to stand up to the BB. I know the 400 is tougher, but for how I drive I think the 350 will be fine. There's a tranny wizard here in Terrell who tells me he can do wonders with it.

That's as far as I have gone in thinking about it...what do you think?

[Boog]

How deep are your pockets? for nearly 500 hp might you need to go with a Holley Projection or similar type FI? A FI system will sure make it run better around town. How bout a call to Street N Performance in Mena, Ar and see what they have to offer?

[67_C-30]

I don't see the point in destroking it, especially for a street engine. The bigger the cubes, the better for a streetable high horsepower engine. the only advantage a 427 ever could have would be at very high RPM, and that's not what you want for the street. If I were going to do anything besides leave it a 454, I'd go the other way. You could stroke it to a 496, and get 500HP with relative ease. 500HP isn't hard to get out a 454 either though...

[67_C-30]

BTW, 500 streetable HP is gonna be tough to get with the smog peanut heads you have. I'd plan on other heads.

None of business here, BUT if you're planning on driving it that much with A/C and all, you know that puppy is gonna be hard to feed at $4.00/gallon even with EFI dotcha?

[sameyrasmea72]

Why go with a th350? It cost about the same to build as a th400. and most transmissions places should have a core for about $100 JMO

[Gray Ghost]

I don't see the point in destroking it, especially for a street engine. The bigger the cubes, the better for a streetable high horsepower engine. the only advantage a 427 ever could have would be at very high RPM, and that's not what you want for the street.

OK so I'll ditch the destroke idea.

How deep are your pockets? for nearly 500 hp might you need to go with a Holley Projection or similar type FI? A FI system will sure make it run better around town. How bout a call to Street N Performance in Mena, Ar and see what they have to offer?

I am going to put a few dollars into the motor [$5k total or less if I can do it]. Neither of my mechanic buddies like the Holley system, I am just starting to do the research on which one will be the best. I like what I see in the catalog...might just check them out.

None of business here, BUT if you're planning on driving it that much with A/C and all, you know that puppy is gonna be hard to feed at $4.00/gallon even with EFI dotcha?

Yeah....kinda don't care much about that...I have a car hauler if I need to go far....

Why go with a th350? It cost about the same to build as a th400. and most transmissions places should have a core for about $100 JMO

Cause I have one already. I am putting a 700 in the big truck later on this year and the TH350 will get built to the nines to withstand the BB's torture. I know the 400's are stronger but we have a tranny wizard locally who can build mine the way I want it....it'll pull less of a power drain over the 400 as well.

[QKENUF4U]

this is what i recommend since you have a budget anyways, this puts you way ahead of the curve and all the hard work is done for ya. i LOVE PAW myself. ive built 3 or 4 engines with their rebuild kits. very nice stuff.
https://secure.pawengineparts.com/46..._454_MKIV.html

[Gray Ghost]

I am going to use the block I have and get the machine work done locally [connections abound here]....it'll be a good deal, too. I'll be buying heads for sure though as well as the new EFI system. I will probably go over the budget a bit but that's the figure I have so far. With the motor I get Doug Thorley headers and an aluminum water pump.

[Jtrux]

I don't know about your budget. 5000 is a good chunk of cash but when 3000 of it is wrapped up in your injection system it doesn't leave you with much to spend. If that's what your budget is and you really want the HP i'd go carb now and save up and go FI later. That's just me though. I agree about the heads.

Maybe something like these. http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Someone else i'm sure will chime in though.

[Yukon Jack]

Member Burt4x4 has a nice fuel inject setup on his 454 in his K5 - he doesn't make it out of the K5 subforum though so you might want to pm him for his thoughts.

I've got a 1989 454 in my 69 K20 and the peanut port heads are good for my truck's heavy weight, but your wise to be planning for different heads for your intended application.

[steelhorse]

Im sure edelbrock has a combo kit that would easily make that hp #.

[Gray Ghost]

I should be able to trade for the rebuild, so all I would have to pay for is parts...I think I can get them all right at or slightly under $5k. I've got two friends who are ASE certified and can install it over the weekend...another trade out...ya gotta love 'em.

I'll check into Bert4x4's setup. Thanks for the heads up.

Yes they do and it's one of the things I am considering...haven't compared them all side by side yet...this is the busy season and my schedule is all over the place.