With the current gas prices I bet a running driving big block dually gmt400 could be had for price of current 454 rebuild
CK5
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need help from a guy that knows about 454's
- Thread starter Dakotawest25
- Start date
It’s probably a 7200# gvw being a 6ug. The 8 Lug 2500’s typically started at 8600#.
The issue really lies in yes since everything is infinitely swappable, one could stuff a 454/4L80e combo in but it would not technically increase the GVW or the GCWR. Frames differ in height and thickness of material. Springs handle more weight, brakes are larger and the axles are heavier.
Wes is right with fuel being what it is cost wise you may find some getting out of a big block truck because of the poor mileage they get. If I needed one I’d look for a 96-99 with the L29 version, roller cam and multi port injection is better than the tbi stuff. It sounds like the current truck has been beat to shit and oddball stuff swapped in. I’d not want to deal with that crap.
The issue really lies in yes since everything is infinitely swappable, one could stuff a 454/4L80e combo in but it would not technically increase the GVW or the GCWR. Frames differ in height and thickness of material. Springs handle more weight, brakes are larger and the axles are heavier.
Wes is right with fuel being what it is cost wise you may find some getting out of a big block truck because of the poor mileage they get. If I needed one I’d look for a 96-99 with the L29 version, roller cam and multi port injection is better than the tbi stuff. It sounds like the current truck has been beat to shit and oddball stuff swapped in. I’d not want to deal with that crap.
Absolutely agree with ZOOMAD & Wes - getting an existing heavier chassis truck will most likely be much cheaper and certainly easier but most importantly safer.
I went by this GM VIN code breakdown chart to find the “F” weight rating listing - 7,200 is the most common L.D. 2500 I’ve ever seen too.
Dakotawest25
Registered Member
i definitely will write everything i want to do like parts wise and run it by you guys and see what yall think.
i think what i want to do now is just make it sound good with a decent chop and maybe have it to where its got a little power when i need it for like pulling normal stuff (four wheelers, boats, etc) but with the realization that my truck can't handle what i wanted is kind of good thing i don't have to buck wild with parts and machining so i'll save a little bit of cash.
Dakotawest25
Registered Member
i agree i'm changing my build to better suit the truck as far as my truck does have a bunch of redneck/crackhead repairs but i've been through it extensively and it's ok to build it's got good bones i'm planning on doing a "restoration' on it by putting back to something you might would have seen built in the late/early 90s-00s basically just fixing the janky stuff redoing the interior replacing body panels that are easy to do and painting it the truck has sentimental value to me since it was my first truck and there's alot of memories i want to remember in it plus i like a challenge.
finding out now that it had a 350 in it originally makes me wonder if the guy i bought it from may have lied to me about it being swapped if so i'm not even mad its got 350k plus on it and it has not been maintained and abused but it runs good the trans is starting to go but that's expected i don't even hesitate to do anything in it.
Dakotawest25
Registered Member
COMP Cams K11-208-3
will i need to change my rocker arms to run this cam and lifter kit?
@folkenheath would know but he might be able to get you something better.
Your stock rockers should be fine, I ran a similar size cam on stock rockers forever.
Dakotawest25
Registered Member
I'm kinda dumb i gave the wrong kit thats not the kit i was looking but it was one i was curious about since it had a bigger lift this is the kit i meant to post.
COMP Cams K11-600-4
We all make mistakes, no biggie.
The cam I ran had .533 lift so you’re fine with stock rockers with that kit.
Flat tappet cams are fine but be absolutely textbook on the adjustment, break in and oil with zinc, lots of people complain of wiped cams nowadays but if you’re careful you’ll be alright.
The cam I ran had .533 lift so you’re fine with stock rockers with that kit.
Flat tappet cams are fine but be absolutely textbook on the adjustment, break in and oil with zinc, lots of people complain of wiped cams nowadays but if you’re careful you’ll be alright.
Dakotawest25
Registered Member
alright well i appreciate the input i'm not entirely sure which one i wanna go with but the first kit i sent said it required 9:1 compression and since i've decided to just do a dirty build (no machining) i'm not really wanting to figure out all the logistics for it but either way i have the cam/lifters/springs and timing chain figured now i just need to clean up my valves and lap them with grinding compound then figure out pistons and rods and i'm gonna pull the trigger on the parts.
Stock rockers are OK with that lift. Aftermarket rockers are usually stiffer with less deflection and often less friction, but not required at that level.
The magnum cams are decades old, they have better profiles available.
The thumpr cams aren't that old but they are made for people who want a choppy idle but don't need the choppy idle for the RPM range their application requires.
If you want to fill out my form I can make some recommendations?
I could help you select all the parts for the whole build if you want, I do that for free, I just ask you try to buy the parts from me, occasionally I recommend parts I can't get.
The magnum cams are decades old, they have better profiles available.
The thumpr cams aren't that old but they are made for people who want a choppy idle but don't need the choppy idle for the RPM range their application requires.
If you want to fill out my form I can make some recommendations?
I could help you select all the parts for the whole build if you want, I do that for free, I just ask you try to buy the parts from me, occasionally I recommend parts I can't get.
Dakotawest25
Registered Member
yeah man i'd love some more recommendations i can't guarantee i'll be able to buy any parts from you though so i won't feel good with myself if you help me with my entire build so just simple recommendations are fine.
just let me know about the form and i'll happily fill it out.
I will paste the form here, I didn't prefill out anything. If you don't know or need advice just leave it blank or put TBD if you plan to replace it.
Vehicle Year, Make, Model:
Vehicle Weight:
Engine Model:
Engine Bore: Stroke:
Compression:
Cylinder Heads:
Cylinder Heads ported or Stock?
Combustion chamber size:
Runner Volume
Valve Sizes:
Head Flow Numbers:
EFI or Carb
Throttle/Carb Size:
Intake Manifold Model:
Intake Manifold Type:
Induction: NA Nitrous Supercharger Turbo
Stages of Nitrous:
Suprcharger Type : Roots Screw Centrifugal
Transmission:
Torque Converter Size/Stall(if applicable):
Drive Axle Gears:
Tire Size:
Intended Use:
How do you want it to idle? (smooth, fair, moderate, lopey, etc.)
What RPM range do you like to use it/drive in?
Is your priority: low end torque midrange high end power (select 1 or 2)
Can you upgrade valve springs?
Can you upgrade rocker arms?
Exhaust: Manifolds Shorty Headers Mid Length Long Tubes
Primary Diameter:
Collector Diameter:
Exhaust Diameter: Single Dual
Vehicle Year, Make, Model:
Vehicle Weight:
Engine Model:
Engine Bore: Stroke:
Compression:
Cylinder Heads:
Cylinder Heads ported or Stock?
Combustion chamber size:
Runner Volume
Valve Sizes:
Head Flow Numbers:
EFI or Carb
Throttle/Carb Size:
Intake Manifold Model:
Intake Manifold Type:
Induction: NA Nitrous Supercharger Turbo
Stages of Nitrous:
Suprcharger Type : Roots Screw Centrifugal
Transmission:
Torque Converter Size/Stall(if applicable):
Drive Axle Gears:
Tire Size:
Intended Use:
How do you want it to idle? (smooth, fair, moderate, lopey, etc.)
What RPM range do you like to use it/drive in?
Is your priority: low end torque midrange high end power (select 1 or 2)
Can you upgrade valve springs?
Can you upgrade rocker arms?
Exhaust: Manifolds Shorty Headers Mid Length Long Tubes
Primary Diameter:
Collector Diameter:
Exhaust Diameter: Single Dual
Dakotawest25
Registered Member
Thank you, that leads me to more questions...
Can you tell me what are your goals for it, how do you plan to use it, etc?
And right now do you plan to rebuild it, just upgrade it a little, or what is your plan?
Will you be staying with a carb or EFI?
Can you tell me what are your goals for it, how do you plan to use it, etc?
And right now do you plan to rebuild it, just upgrade it a little, or what is your plan?
Will you be staying with a carb or EFI?
Dakotawest25
Registered Member
My goals are daily driver with normal truck use occasionally pulling a boat/fourwheeler maybe some occasional heavier loads but nothing exceeding 8k lbs and not often just if I find a project car/truck I know I can haul it.
And right now the plan is to rebuild it and upgrade it I don’t know if you’ve read through the thread but this engine is not in my truck currently I bought it about a year ago off of Facebook marketplace it was locked up and already had some mods I believe it was locked up from rust in the cylinders since it wasn’t stored properly I’ve since completely torn the engine down to bare block minus removing the cam bearings and I see no evidence of anything bad other than some scarring on a crankshaft bearing I’ve since cleaned up the bores with a 3 stone hone they aren’t perfect but i will be measuring the the bores here soon before I buy parts to make sure they don’t need machining.
And I will be doing a carb because I don’t feel like figuring out efi for it and I figure it’d be simpler to do.
Ok that makes sense.
Do you have pictures of the bores?
Do you have pictures of the bores?
Dakotawest25
Registered Member
I do but I’m not sure how to post them lol
If you are not a member you may have to host them somewhere and then link the image with the icon above...but I am not 100% sure.
