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K30 with a big block question?

yellowK20 said:
There is no point to really buying and building stock big blocks anymore . If you are building a towrig then go diesel. If you are building a hot rod go LS or just buy a Crate Engine , you can’t build a decent big block for cheaper then what a crate engine costs these days.
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Unless you want real power.....
 
beags86 said:
Unless you want real power.....
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Then go aftermarket, with priority main oiling and heads that will support actual power .

by the time you take your smogger peanut port 454 and go through and literally replace every component except the block ( which will need expensive machine work. ) you can buy a really good crate motor from a number of suppliers .

Or assemble one your self using all aftermarket components.

Horsepower per Dollar , it’s hard to beat a crate engine when you are talking big block chevys
 
yellowK20 said:
Then go aftermarket, with priority main oiling and heads that will support actual power .

by the time you take your smogger peanut port 454 and go through and literally replace every component except the block ( which will need expensive machine work. ) you can buy a really good crate motor from a number of suppliers .

Or assemble one your self using all aftermarket components.

Horsepower per Dollar , it’s hard to beat a crate engine when you are talking big block chevys
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We will have to agree to disagree on this one. I'm building a stroker big block right now for my c10. GM block. Should be squarely in 650 hp. range.
I have the short block done and I'm sitting right around 4k. I will be right around 8k when I'm done. Maybe 9k

Anything comparable to the 650 hp range in a crate is going to cost you 12k PLUS.

Unless you want to link some of those blueprint mass assembled pile of junks

If your using a machine shop in a major city, you will pay a price. But use a guy in the boondocks that doesn't charge 80 dollar plus for labor.
Alaska is probably the same deal. It doesn't matter, crate engines and LS aren't always the answer.

IMG_20160129_235830339-1600x900-1280x720.jpg

74682767_2678067038921094_4940305644260425728_n.jpg

** I would never use peanut port heads.**
 
I love building engines , but truth is by the time you pick up a used 454 from bubba joe sister fawker , get it hot tanked ,Sonic tested, bored , decked , align bored , tourqe plate honed , and clearanced . You could just buy a really nice Dart block that just needs a finish hone.
 
Your proving my point. Thanks. 12k
I will wont have over 9k in mine.
I am on schedule for an 8k build.

If you want to give 3 or 4k. I'll happily sell my shortblock and buy the 540.
 
yellowK20 said:
I love building engines , but truth is by the time you pick up a used 454 from bubba joe sister fawker , get it hot tanked ,Sonic tested, bored , decked , align bored , tourqe plate honed , and clearanced . You could just buy a really nice Dart block that just needs a finish hone.
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I do understand that. This was a 454 I drove for many years before I scrapped the truck.

If i was going to build a high hp build. I don't really consider 650 high hp for a big block. A new dart is the way to go. No doubt about it.
 
beags86 said:
I do understand that. This was a 454 I drove for many years before I scrapped the truck.

If i was going to build a high hp build. I don't really consider 650 high hp for a big block. A new dart is the way to go. No doubt about it.
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My point is if your going to build a high perf BBC your wasting your time spending money on a stock 454 unless you can get a virgin one that’s not hurt for under 300.00. If your spending more then that on your core you might as well just start with a dart block
 
yellowK20 said:
My point is if your going to build a high perf BBC your wasting your time spending money on a stock 454 unless you can get a virgin one that’s not hurt for under 300.00. If your spending more then that on your core you might as well just start with a dart block
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I agree with that.
 
yellowK20 said:
There is no point to really buying and building stock big blocks anymore . If you are building a towrig then go diesel. If you are building a hot rod go LS or just buy a Crate Engine , you can’t build a decent big block for cheaper then what a crate engine costs these days.
Click to expand...
The L29 454 was made in more quantity than the 8.1 was and was in an era that was before the diesel craze went mainstream. They are tripped over by people going after LS engines. The vortec heads on the L29 are far superior to the peanut port heads that standard squarebody big blocks had.

They can be built for the same kind of power or more than my 8.1 has stock. I was helping a buddy of mine put one together this weekend. Got the short block all put together with a pretty wicked roller cam. The kit he went with was spec'd out specifically for a L29 and should come in around 450hp and 550 lb/ft with a conservative tune. Good enough for pulling around a car trailer or a pair of quads and hunting gear.

I picked up a L29 before my 8.1L came along and it only cost me $750 and it came with a 4l80e to boot. Amazing what diesel bro's will toss in favor of stuffing a 12valve into a '98 Suburban.

They are still out there for sure, but you might be buying a complete vehicle to pull them from. Class A GM P-30 chassis equipped coaches would have had them from '96 to '98 and then the Workhorse P-30 for 99-00. @Capt Ron pulled his L29 from a shuttle bus that was fairly low in miles for what it was. Cut the body away Roadkill style snatched the engine out of it and took the rest for scrap.
 
I lucked out on my last 454, but I bought a set of 781s ready to go for $250. Don’t need a 4 bolt block, forged pistons, I beam rods for a street motor. I had but $4k into mine. Guessing mid 400s horsepower. Cast crank, 2 bolt, stock rods w/ARP bolts, KB pistons, Comp Cams. Sounded wicked, ran just as good. Area depends on prices, in my area machine work is very reasonable, but everything is more in big cities.
 
Back in the day around here you could pick up a sweet built BBC after some dork crashed their Corvette,Chevelle or Camaro showing off,for under $1000...Muncie 4 speeds,2.02 fuelie angle port heads, used to be stacked up like firewood in guys cellars who raced at local tracks and at salvage yards..wish we could spin the clock back 30 years..
 
So derail this ho right quick.
What's the best big block to toss a cam carb and intake on for use in an older truck?

The 96-99?
 
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