Convert a Caddy 500 to TBI, or stick with 454?

[stan1688]

I had just planned on replacing my TBI 454 with another one, but I found a guy that might be interested in trading a Caddy 500 for some parts I have.

I've been doing research, and from what I can tell, the 500 can be converted somewhat easily using 454 TBI parts and possibly a different cam, along with all the other necessary mods needed to make the motor fit. This is the best info I've found on it so far on converting a 500 to TBI: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/chevy/458858-tbi-my-500-cadillac.html


There's nothing easier than swapping out a motor like for like. But at the same time, there's no replacement for displacement, right? Huge, power-making mods aren't really planned no matter which direction I go, maybe just a mild cam to wake it up a bit. I'm not in a huge hurry either, so I don't necessarily mind waiting to find someone to trade a 454. I'd really rather not go carb'd since this will be in a wheeler and since I already have all the TBI stuff from the factory.


So my questions to the brotherhood are: Would swapping in the 500 and converting it to TBI worth it? What other issues would I encounter that I haven't mentioned? Or should I just stick with a 454?

 

[eagle mark]

Stick with a 454... my .02 cents

 

[4X4HIGH]

The caddy 500 makes tons or torque. Do you have to do emissions testing where you live? If so either engine will be trouble since that vehicle was never offered with either option.

 

[Zane M]

I think it boils down to how much of a "project" do you want to make this?
The TBI part will be relatively easy as you have found from the priate4x4 article.

You also will need a different tranny, and possibly a different tcase/adapter.

 

[ryoken]

my .02


I kinda consider the cad's a novelty.. bonus cool points tho!


does it have good torque #'s and is an interesting convo piece?

you f*ckin bet!


is it the best avenue for bigger hp?

not a chance in he!!... you can build more hp, cheaply by going with a standard rotating architecture..


same applies to the EFI factor... can you get TBI working? yup, but it'll take some tweaking/chip burning to optimize.. whereas a stand-alone such as FAST, etc will make that process easier, and a fair bit more money too..

 

[diesel4me]

I ended up selling the 500 Caddy engine I had stashed in my shed,back to the friend who gave it to me about 11 years ago,for 150 bucks...it sat all that time,would likely need to be gone thru--I just couldn't see it being a project I'd ever do now..(especially with things at home screwed up the way they were and still are the past decade)..figured it might well end up being scrapped,so I sold it..

As I aged I realized just putting an engine that "belongs" in a vehicle back in is enough work,and bad enough!--it was "fun" years ago swapping in different engines when I felt well enough to be bending over and lying under a truck long enough to complete the job...I have doubts I could swap an identical engine in my truck now..


The 500 Caddy is a decent enough engine,but not as good as a BBC in my opinion--the valve train is weak in comparison,they dont like high revs,and now that they are getting harder to find,they cost as much as a BBC ,really..

Swapping one in isn't that difficult IF you have the Eldorado rear sump pan,which is not easy to come by around here,a few slabs of thick steel flat stock makes the engine mounts a bolt in deal,and an adapter plate can be used to retain your chevy bolt pattern tranny--other minor issues like oil filter might hit the crossmember can be worked around by using remote mount setups or simply installing a smaller filter...

In the end it'll be a "neat" unusual truck ,having a Caddy engine,but remember most purists wont want such a truck if you decide to sell it down the road,or will want it for a giveaway price..it used to be a cheaper way to get a big block for a GM truck,nowadays its not such a bargain any more..
Same goes for using a Buick or Pontiac or Olds engine in one--they will all drop in and work without that much jerry rigging,but they too are getting scarce (here anyway) and demand top dollar if you come across an 455 now..

 

[stan1688]

Thanks, everyone. I think I'm going to just stick with the 454, which is what I had planned. The 500 would definitely have been pretty cool, but it's not worth the extra work.

Thanks for the confirmation.