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what would you have to do to put a 454 BB in your C4 Vette ?

13K views 14 replies 9 participants last post by  darkside  
#1 ·
been looking at this site thats sells 454's built up pretty cheap 3 = 4k wasw ondering if its installation would be much cheaper and easyer then the ls1 due to computer issues not much to worry with a carb
 
#3 ·
GM has done one before. I saw them sell it on barret-jackson. It can be done but by the time you fabricate headers and motor mounts not to mention radiator and even hood I dont think it would be easier than an LS1. If serious horsepower is your goal on a budget just put a biult small block with a carb. You can go as radical as you want and not have any fitment issues. My .02
 
#5 ·
Some years back i helped a guy put one in an 85. It was a nightmare. We had to make a custom block bracket to mount it as well as motor mounts(they were too weak by them selves). Getting the exhaust in was a test in how tight an area can you weld. I can't remember if the tranny needed a mount adapter or not...i was involved in several engines that did around that time...
The steering rack had to be moved, some lines had to be moved and then in the end the hood wouldn't fit and the hood suport had to be customed to fit as well. Then it kept bottoming out from the spring and needed coil-overs.
You might be miles ahead to look into a newer style small 427 or something???
 
#6 · (Edited)
#7 ·
IMO... your better off building up a nice small block. 400 maybe? There are some nice motors out there using that block.:thumbsup3:
 
#8 ·
Did you guys see that CAR CRAFT mag. a couple months ago, had an article on putting a 4 inch stroke in a 350, used Ford 5.0L stroker pistons, easily over 400 cubes. Lotsa grinding & some Hard Blok though.
If I was gonna do a big block, I'd really look at a 455 Pontiac, same external dimensions as a 350 poncho. :hehehe:
 
#9 ·
the site also has a 383 with 450hp and 400 lbs tq for 2999$
 
#10 ·
Maybe i shouldn't point this out but i feel you really need to think things out on what you want better.
I have seen that you just don't have the cash for a lot of stuff from what you have posted over the months.
Around 400HP it starts getting real expensive to get things right. You are looking at the breaking point there for a lot of stock parts, and others getting beaten into a short life span. With 400HP you will be looking at modifying a stock tranny...stock can work but not for long. The drive shafts and rear-end start taking more than they were designed to. You are going to need some new brakes...if you stay stock they will require a lot of maintaining and going larger gets expensive quick since you will then need larger rims and more expensive tires. So your $3K 383 could cost twice that, or more(most likely), to get it all done.
Take your money and put it into the needs of the car...spend a little extra and up-grade them as you go through it. When everything else is done and the car is more equipped to handle it THEN start thinking about a bigger engine. If you don't do it that way It WILL cost TONS and i know i don't have enough to do that kind of build and think it sounds like you are in a similar situation.
The best builds come from a lot of planning before you start and getting a clear picture of what you want vs. what you can afford. Every change means something else will need to be changed for it to work...You can't just leave out those other required mods to make the first one feasible.

And remember my theme song...Dream till your dreams come true...With my reminder, Keep working on and toward that dream or it is just an abstract wish.:cheers:
 
#14 ·
I agree 100 %. But I feel I should ask this question. Will my stock 6 speed handle 400 rwhp. I know clutch wont very long but it original anyways and I'm sure it dont have much left in this lifetime. But I'm worried the stock tranny may not and I dont want to put that kind of money into it. I'm just thinking heads, cam and intake should give me about 400 rwhp and thats for only 1600$. I dont want to spend another 3000$ on a tranny