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Help me INSTALL a big block...Bought a 468!

Z71paramedic

Z71paramedic

Wait....What???
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Alright, it's not 100% but you bastiges have gotten into my head again and I'm on a quest for torque. I was planning on getting a 383 stroker to bolt my TPI/EZ-EFI onto and stuff into my blazer. Now I'm probably going to sell the TPI setup and the Fast kit, the fresh heads I had and the running 355 that's in the truck now with the hopes that I can take a chunk out of a BBC with EFI. There are a couple gen VI 454's on craigslist locally that I'm going to try to look at in the next week or so. One of which is at a local machine shop in pieces already. Waiting to hear back from the guy about if it's ready to be put together or needs machine work. He's asking $600.

So, assuming that I go with a setup like that I'd like recommendations on heads/cam setups. I don't care at all about HP, but want some nasty torque (shooting for 550+) and if I can get a slightly lopey idle I wouldn't be upset about it:whistle: I'd probably end up going with the edelbrock MPFI sequential kit or the FAST kit that comes with the 4bbl throttle body. I don't have a fortune to spend, but don't want crappy parts either. I'd like to do this once and be done with it so everything needs done at this time.

I don't want an LS, plus there aren't really any around here anyways.

Also, aside from fuel pump/lines and a new flywheel, what else do I need? Can I reuse the HD clutch I have now or does it need replaced for the BB application? I know I need headers, but that would have happened with a small block too. If I go with the FAST kit, I know I need a distributor. Do I NEED a spark controller like a 6A or something comparable? I will RARELY run whatever I go with up near the red line. The 465 isn't built for quick shifts and speed anyways...

Looking forward to hearing what you seasoned BBC guys have to say. I know exactly jack about big blocks. Let's hear it:ears:
 
Here is my long winded opinion.
First even though I am sure I am going to get in trouble, figure that fast system is only a 700cfm or so. I have a local dyno that had a 500ci pontiac that was making 450 WHEEL hp and with a 950 holley. Changing to a FAST system lowered it to 300. They tried everything possible and finally put back on a 850 and it jumped back up to 450. They figure they rated a 1000 dry but with the addition of the fuel they are much lower.

On the BBC thing you should tell us your usage but I will give you my suggestion. On a budget I would use a gen 6 short block and 049/781 mark IV heads. The vortec heads are OK but the old heads flow better and I actually sold my gen 6 heads for enough to rebuild 781s. Stock flat tops in a gen6 get you about 7.8 to one compression. Would shoot for 9 in any truck short of all out. If you have more to spent I would consider a crank like this http://www.summitracing.com/parts/esp-104564250/overview/make/chevrolet . That will get you to 496 ci and torque will be easy. Yes you will have to buy pistons but it is still cheap displacement. The stock components should be fine to 6500. If you have more money I would look at the new AFR Oval ports. We can work on cams after you give more specs but that is what I would do.
 
Sean, according to Desktop Dyno 2000 program I'm at about 550tq peak, and over 500 from 2000 to 4500 rpm...I love my 461!
Gen VI engines are a different animal than Gen IV and V's I hear some talk about thinner decks and head bolt engagement, and some like to use studs instead.
Scott would know about that stuff as he built a couple for Greg. I know the 502 is a much stouter piece as far as Gen VI stuff goes.
The clutch should be useable as the press plate and disc are neutral weighted, only the flywheel is counterweighted to the 454...and I'm not sure if that differs with the one piece rear seal cranks or not???
You can run an HEI dizzy that will have the pickup for the FAST system to fire from. That's what I was told by Phil @ MSD...I'm just using a Streetfire box, which has rev limiter in it as well, is cheaper than the 6A's stuff that everyone runs...again on Phils recommendation for my application!
 
Thanks guys.

As far as application: I want to be able to drive my truck as it sits (one tons, 4.56's with 39.5 TSL's) on the highway at 70mph to a trail where I have all the guts I could want. That said, the 355 I have in the truck now can do that...I've just been encouraged to go big block for effortless torque without the stresses of a high output stroker. No matter which way I go I know for sure that I want EFI, I'm tired of carburetor bullsh!t... I was going to be shooting for around 500ft/lbs from the 383, so I figure similar or higher should be my goal from a big block.

I was liking the idea of a vortec 454 being a roller motor, but was planning on getting a set of aluminum heads and whatever intake that I would need based on the EFI setup I go with. I didn't realize there were problems with the blocks of that era. I also liked the idea of a 1 piece rear seal. Like I said, I don't need to go super-budget, but it really adds up quick when you tack on the EFI stuff... I'd like to wind up spending less than $4,000 out of pocket (after considering that I should be able to get $2,000 for the TPI/EZ-EFI/heads that I have, plus hopefully $500 for the motor that's in the truck now. Problem comes in when I think about the fact that I'm going to be dropping $650 on a fuel cell with in tank pump, plus a distributor, flywheel, ignition box, and fuel lines/fittings plus any odds and ends that always end up popping up on a project like this. The edelbrock EFI kits come with a distributor and everything, so that's something to think about also pricewise. I hadn't heard that the FAST kits don't hold up to that much power. That's turning me off to that thought.

I imagine I need to talk to Kert about my motor mounts too, right? I've got his crossmember in it now, but would guess that I need to change something about it???

SBD, I have newer heads that allow the TPI lower intake to be used. You can also get an aftermarket lower intake but they're expensive. The rest of the kit is PCM, wiring harness, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator and a couple other odds and ends to run the Tuned Port setup from a 90 trans am. The intake I got has a $700 holley throttle body on it and is otherwise in pretty good shape. It needs a new fuel rail (rusty) and injectors, and to just be cleaned up a bit to be run.
 
I agree with using a Gen 6 block, or complete motor. I've got a '99 I'm planning for my V30.
 
I almost forgot I'm going to need accessories, so if I don't get those with a used motor I'll have to source them too. I'd like to run a serp setup for easiness, but I guess I could be convinced to run v belts if someone gave me a good reason.
 
For a serpentine set up check http://www.kwikperf.com/

I used their kit to put an sbc serpentine set up on my 454. Factory big block serpentine stuff is spread out and kinda ugly, imo. The sbc set up is small and tight, real clean and simple looking.
 
The gen 6 blocks should be fine, there are thousands on wells around here and pulling trucks. Don't cheap out on heads if you are going aftermarket. My little budget 454 in the k30 is a stock 100k gen 6 short block with a marine cam and oval ports with no compression. I spent most of the weekend idling around and climbing hills at 2000. It lugs like a diesel and makes up for my lack of gear for now. If I get crazy it will get a 4.25 crank and about 10 to 1 for the lpg.
 
The FAST EZ EFI uses a 1050cfm throttle body. I don't see how it could reduce power unless they didn't let the ecm learn the tune before running it. Or they may have needed to turn up the fuel pressure. Its set for 43psi up to 550hp and up to 650 at 65psi. 450hp at the wheels could easily put the crank power around 550 where fuel pressure adjustments need to be made. They should have checked their injector duty cycle to see if they weren't maxing out.
 
NO run serp stuff. Mine is going to it when I get a chance.
 
80' 427 said:
The gen 6 blocks should be fine, there are thousands on wells around here and pulling trucks. Don't cheap out on heads if you are going aftermarket. My little budget 454 in the k30 is a stock 100k gen 6 short block with a marine cam and oval ports with no compression. I spent most of the weekend idling around and climbing hills at 2000. It lugs like a diesel and makes up for my lack of gear for now. If I get crazy it will get a 4.25 crank and about 10 to 1 for the lpg.
Click to expand...

I didn't plan to go cheap, but certainly won't be dropping 5 g's on heads. I don't care about high rpm flow or anything like that. Like I said, I want gobs of torque just off idle and to keep it through ~4k and I'll be more than happy. I almost never run mine up past 4k now, and when I do it's just to make noise:D
 
They spent weeks on the FAST stuff. Cranked the fuel pressure, looked at injector duty cycle. The engine had the system for a year and a half. If it didn't learn in that amount of time it isn't going to. It is getting a mega squirt and mpi. I am not saying it is bad just that is doesn't flow 1000 cfm. It was a early one, maybe it had a problem.
 
To be perfectly honest, I want aftermarket heads more for weight savings than anything else. A BBC will make my truck feel like it just had Thanksgiving dinner:haha::haha:
 
If you don't care about weight I wouldn't spend money on aftermarket heads. You will be in at least 3k or so for good ones. Ovals will make everything you want and more. Ninjed.
 
If you're not going to aluminum heads, I'd seriously look into the World Products Merlins. Cast iron but I honestly doubt anything else can beat those. And around under $2K for a pair, assembled.
 
I have brodix race rites on the camaro but I should have waited for AFRs. By far better heads.
 
Damn, I didn't realize I would have to spend $3k just to get good heads. Yeah, that's probably out unless I get a smokin deal on the motor. The edelbrock pro flo I was looking at is $3,500 as it is...


Why can't I have a cheap hobby??? If only I didn't like to do this so much:burnout:
 
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