No I don't but I'm fairly sure my friend does
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
how can i get more power from my 454?
- Thread starter the_blaze
- Start date
So here's a new one. I was cleaning a few parts today and found that my harmonic balancer is only a 6 1/4" and there is no timing mark on it except one hand painted on there. Anyone else run into this ever?
crawlink5
1/2 ton status
Diesel4me gave some solid advice.
Your gear/tire size ratio is about standard - meaning you are not running really low gearing and your vehicle is heavy. So, you are going to need low end torque to move the whale.
For a cam, I strongly strongly advise you to get a custom grind that matches what you have. When you called summit did they ask you the weight of the truck, tire size, gear ratio, intake rpm range, carb, compression ratio, what you are going to use the truck for, where you wanted your power to come in at, max rpm you'll need, do you like choc cake on Sunday, etc? If you didn't expect any minute that they were going to ask your underwear size then they could not recommend a cam. Since you don't currently know your compression ratio there is no way in hell they could recommend the correct cam except by accident.
Custom grinds do not cost that much and it will end all issues of "Did I buy the right one? What do y'all think?" There may be one on the shelf that will be close enough - but this is calculated, not guessed at!!!!!
Before you try to buy a cam, You need to calculate your compression ratio - stop trying to guess if you have enough. Google how to do this its not that hard. If you are coming in at 8:1 then you know you need to bump it up either using closed chamber heads or dome pistons. Once you know where you are at, if you need to go up then you can calculate based on the piston specs.
I would bet you can get to where you want to be with at max a cam and maybe pistons and making sure it is tuned well. Make sure you are getting full voltage to the dist/coil too. Also make sure your exhaust is flowing correctly.
Just trying to help. Get your compression correct (I would say 9.5 to 10) and get a cam to match everything. Then you will be done with the long block. Do not waste your money on roller rockers - yet.
Your gear/tire size ratio is about standard - meaning you are not running really low gearing and your vehicle is heavy. So, you are going to need low end torque to move the whale.
For a cam, I strongly strongly advise you to get a custom grind that matches what you have. When you called summit did they ask you the weight of the truck, tire size, gear ratio, intake rpm range, carb, compression ratio, what you are going to use the truck for, where you wanted your power to come in at, max rpm you'll need, do you like choc cake on Sunday, etc? If you didn't expect any minute that they were going to ask your underwear size then they could not recommend a cam. Since you don't currently know your compression ratio there is no way in hell they could recommend the correct cam except by accident.
Custom grinds do not cost that much and it will end all issues of "Did I buy the right one? What do y'all think?" There may be one on the shelf that will be close enough - but this is calculated, not guessed at!!!!!
Before you try to buy a cam, You need to calculate your compression ratio - stop trying to guess if you have enough. Google how to do this its not that hard. If you are coming in at 8:1 then you know you need to bump it up either using closed chamber heads or dome pistons. Once you know where you are at, if you need to go up then you can calculate based on the piston specs.
I would bet you can get to where you want to be with at max a cam and maybe pistons and making sure it is tuned well. Make sure you are getting full voltage to the dist/coil too. Also make sure your exhaust is flowing correctly.
Just trying to help. Get your compression correct (I would say 9.5 to 10) and get a cam to match everything. Then you will be done with the long block. Do not waste your money on roller rockers - yet.
Excellent suggestion. I will look into this and I agree I'm here its out its tore up I should just pull the heads and really start from the beginning. I don't want to do this over and over
I will say one thing, summit did ask me a million questions. He recommended a cam and said I have to Chang my gears and suggested 513
Comp cams does this too. They have a desktop app where you can guess at what power will be with your setup, and you can put in the specs of your vehicle and they'll review it and refer you to an ideal cam.
crawlink5
1/2 ton status
It's good to know they ask.
But you still need to make sure of compression ratio as a starting point. That is one of the major points if not THE major one. Can't dump gas in on a 8:1. Its a waste and inefficient and will not give you what you want ever. I personally would not go above 10:1 for what it sounds like you want.
But big block gurus will need to chime in on that.
I would have recommended max at 4:88 if it is going to be a DD. If it is just for fun then yes 5:13.
I have 4:56 with 38.5 tire and it is a little on the tall side of gearing. I wish I had 4:88. But it does fine with the low end torque of the Cummins 4BT.
But you still need to make sure of compression ratio as a starting point. That is one of the major points if not THE major one. Can't dump gas in on a 8:1. Its a waste and inefficient and will not give you what you want ever. I personally would not go above 10:1 for what it sounds like you want.
But big block gurus will need to chime in on that.
I would have recommended max at 4:88 if it is going to be a DD. If it is just for fun then yes 5:13.
I have 4:56 with 38.5 tire and it is a little on the tall side of gearing. I wish I had 4:88. But it does fine with the low end torque of the Cummins 4BT.
when the engine was built they gave me a card that says compression test: 170PSI in all 8 cylinders. does this mean anything?
It means your rings are good and that there isn't significant variance between cylinders. Often an older engine will have low compression and worn rings that allow blowby and oil consumption. Good compression should be expected for a brand new rebuild.
You have a 700 so I would say gearing to 5.13 will be just fine . you said you had a bogging issue?
crawlink5
1/2 ton status
compression ratio will be 9:1, 9.5:1, etc
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/46778_engine_compression_guide/
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/46778_engine_compression_guide/
It sometimes had a bogging issue. Especially under a load. Like I had to tow my brothers scout and it felt under powered and acted almost like the timing was off. It popped and just didn't sound right. Another instance, I was trying to climb up on a big rock and when I gave it gas it would throttle down and it died a couple times. Typically it ran great and had little issue. I just thought going from an old 350 to a fresh 454 would be more of a "hell yeah!" And less of an "eh feels the same or slower"
Truckin13
Registered Member
X2 please.
Lol some day
crawlink5
1/2 ton status
If you have a 350 with hp/tq of 300/300 and you change it out for a big block with 300/300, you'll see a difference of about 200 lbs
weight added because a big block is about 200 lbs heavier than a small block
I do understand how you feel though. There is no good shortcut. Measure your compression ratio, change if you need to, buy the correct cam.
weight added because a big block is about 200 lbs heavier than a small block
I do understand how you feel though. There is no good shortcut. Measure your compression ratio, change if you need to, buy the correct cam.
If you have a 350 with hp/tq of 300/300 and you change it out for a big block with 300/300, you'll see a difference of about 200 lbs
weight added because a big block is about 200 lbs heavier than a small block
I do understand how you feel though. There is no good shortcut. Measure your compression ratio, change if you need to, buy the correct cam.
I thought I was following the old saying, "there is no replacement for displacement"
crawlink5
1/2 ton status
You will get better low end torque out of the BB without going quite as radical. But you could have gotten the power you wanted from the small block if you had built it more. It would likely have been less off-roadable because you want to get smooth power down low - displacement.
Ok guys I bit the bullet and did the full on disassemble. Turns out I had flat topped pistons and they are 40 over. I gave in and purchased some domed top pistons a way nicer cam and springs. (And of course all the other goodies you replace while in there.) All said and done everything will match and this whale should have the power I'm looking for. This spring when I have the money I still plan on changing the gearing then this k5 should be really fun to drive 
What are the specs in the new cam? (just curious)
