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Not so budget anymore 454 build

howdiy

howdiy

1/2 ton status
Joined
Jan 28, 2004
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Location
Fl
What would you do with a budget 454 build?

Basically I have a stock 88 big block with peanut port heads and 8:1 compression

I really don't have much money to spend on it either.

It looks like I'll need some new pistons to get the compression up.

But after adding up the costs of redoing all my stock stuff it seems like I might as well go with a 496 rotating assembly

This kit for 1k seems to include everything I need, then to machine the rods and new bolts will be around another 150 dollars. I'll also have to get new heads then too.

http://www.usaperform.com/chevy-engine-rods-cast-crank-flat-pistons-bearings-p-421.html
 
I see a snowball starting here....Avalance on the way!

I just put over 5K into my "hope I can get away with a ring and bearing rebuild"

Do a LOT of pricing before you pull a bolt on it!
 
76zimmer said:
I see a snowball starting here....Avalance on the way!

I just put over 5K into my "hope I can get away with a ring and bearing rebuild"

Do a LOT of pricing before you pull a bolt on it!
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I can definitely see it snow balling also, I just can't see it being worth the effort to just build a small 400 horse 454.

Cornfield creations said:
Freshen it up. That's about as close to budget a BBC gets
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Probably my best bet


After thinking this through I think my best bet may be to put it off for awhile until I get some money.
 
My 454 is at the machine shop now. I am not redoing the heads right now. That would have been an extra 250 or so if nothing was wrong with them.

So my rebuild will consist of new pistons, rings, bearings, seals, timing chain, new cam lunati voodoo cam) new lunati lifters and thats about it. I am painting the parts I would like to make shiny (valve covers timing chain cover, etc) I am splurging by getting the assembly balanced. Hopefully the crank will polish out. I bought a used set of headers for 50 bucks (my engine didn't have manifolds that were good, cracked in about 4 places on either one) A used edelbrock intake manifold for 80 bucks. I am going to rebuild the carb with a "high performance" kit. Bought a new water pump and using a stock HEI, new chain store plug wires etc.

Not going as cheap as possible but pretty close. Not sure how much I will have into it we will see when the machine work gets done.
 
Bring up your compression with milling or new pistons. 9-9.2:1 is good on pump gas.
Peanut port heads are fine for low RPM grunt. If you want to go for higher RPM than a set of good large oval port heads would be in order.
 
Also on my engine the timing chain went out so every valve hit the pistons and they are now bent.

I also just remembered last night that my big block has the full serpentine belts on the from and the brackets for the A/C compressor.

I have two sets of headers right now and I imagine one set will fit.


I'm just not sure of the machining cost. And I think if you deck it you still wont get above 8.5:1 compression. I think a cheap piston and ring set is around 275
 
I just read a budget 454 build in a chevy magazine... can't remember the name of it. They swapped the heads and cam and reringed the pistons for 2500. It made 540 horsepower I'll try to find it.
 
I believe the out of round, and taper is pretty tight on a 454. More so than a small block. just a FYI if your thinking about a re-ring job.
 
Ok good news, great actually, I asked my dads friend that is a few shops down if he had some BBc parts to sell.

I can get heads and KB hyper pistons and rods with ARP bolts within mythe budget.

The heads are larger oval ports, he is going to do a 5 angle valve job. The pistons are flat top with single valve relief, he said this should be around 9.5:1.

He also has retrofit hydraulic roller lifters I can get for a good price also.

Also has many aluminum intakes.

So really all that is left is cam shaft selection, he has some of these, but I want to get the best cam for the application possible.

I can get custom cams cut down the street and he said he could give me a core.

I may just put a zz502 cam in it, he said that it would be pretty good in a 454

progress.gif

I should be taking the BB to the machine shop Wednesday to get bored .30 over

All said and done I think I'm looking at a reliable 460ish HP and 500+ tq, which will be more than enough.

edit:I don't know how I put that spinning thing in there but it looks cool so im leaving it
 
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howdiy said:
progress.gif



edit:I don't know how I put that spinning thing in there but it looks cool so im leaving it
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Thats the money adding up fast enough to make your head spin:haha::haha::haha:.

Just make sure you get quality parts to put in it, and try to match all your parts for a package. what rpm range are you shooting for?
 
76zimmer said:
Thats the money adding up fast enough to make your head spin:haha::haha::haha:.

Just make sure you get quality parts to put in it, and try to match all your parts for a package. what rpm range are you shooting for?
Click to expand...

All the parts seem pretty quality, some are take outs from barely/never run NAVY boat engines.

I'm just thinking around 2000-6000 should be good.

I Just want good power with reliability
 
I hear that would be plenty for a cast crank assy.
Balancing, magnafluxing, squaring the block...any of that stuff being done?

I would talk with a machinist before getting started with the machine work....most want to do it right, some will just do what you want done.
 
The guy I'm getting the parts from is also the machinist. I'm not sure what I'll do yet, I know I'll be boring it an decking it, I'm not sure what else they will do.

I'll see on Wednesday
 
a blown head gasket for the second time on my cheap POS rebuilt 350 turned into a $5,000 385 stroker motor very quickly. I have now had the 385 for 7 years and about 100,000 miles. I had my truck, 21' toy hauler, and sand rail weighed yesterday. It came in at just under 16,000 pounds total. I am surprised that small block tows it that well (still pathetic compared to a new diesel). I do have a th400 and gear vendors overdrive to give me 6 forward speeds though, so that helps big time.

Now that i know how much my truck weighs i am curious to see what the torque numbers are on my engine: 385, 9.6:1, edelbrock performer heads, intake and cam (204/214 duration at 50, 420/442 lift), msd ignition, performer carb 600 cfm, thorley tri y headers and flowmaster 3" exhaust.
 
Gee, I am super happy with my intake/header/cam swapped 80k mile peanut port 454. That being said my 660hp 427 may find its way into the k30 if I do drag it to the sand in OK. Not sure about spinning 7500 with out a blowproof though.
 
Dropped the block and crank off at the machine shop, hopefully it will be done by the time I get back home on Tuesday

As far as balancing, the crank is already balance, and the pistons and rods I'm getting are also balanced.


I'll find about the heads next week probably. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the larger valves and do a little pocket port. With that work and a decent cam it seems like I'll be able to get 500 hp pretty easy.

My goal is to have it done and swapped into to go to the mudfest the 12th, we will see.
 
balancing should include the harmonic dampner, and the flywheel too!

Are you getting a crank kit then, to go 496?

Man if you can get quality machine work done that quick, thats awesome. I had to wait like 3 months.
 
I'm just using the stock crank, so that part should be fine, right? I would like 496 but this is going to be about 700 dollars cheaper.

Yeah it's not bad, the machine shop is right down the street from our shop, it also helps that my dad's friend owns it. I'm honestly not sure how long it is going to take them to machine everything though. I'm just hoping the bore and hone will be done by next week, then we can see how much we need to deck it.




I can't to put it back together :D :D
 
howdiy said:
I'm just using the stock crank, so that part should be fine, right? I would like 496 but this is going to be about 700 dollars cheaper.

Yeah it's not bad, the machine shop is right down the street from our shop, it also helps that my dad's friend owns it. I'm honestly not sure how long it is going to take them to machine everything though. I'm just hoping the bore and hone will be done by next week, then we can see how much we need to deck it.
Click to expand...


I think you can use the stock crank assy. with the flywheel and dampner that it has been run with, and those themselves wouldn't necessarily need a re-balance. Scott (4x4high) would know for sure, but I think the rods/pistons are balanced as units, but also play into the total reciprocating mass that includes the counter weights on the crankshaft.
So if I'm correct, and your close to the stock weight that was on the crank, with the new parts, you may be ok, up to a point.....I would think your machinist would guide you on this, but I would be surprised if he doesn't want to balance the whole assy to be sure if your running it up to 6K.


"I can't to put it back together :D :D"

I guess not, your so excited you can't even write what your thinking straight.....I've been there, and I just call it geeked!:D
 
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