Homer

iTrader: (1)

I saw an ad the other day for a 85 Z28 with a big block 454 and a turbo 400. The ad says the body's fair (which I'll bet means really beat).

I've also read on this site that a big block swap costs thousands of dollars, and is generally not worth it (depending on who you ask). My question is this: What does the engine cost by itself? People pay a lot of money to get 350's and more for 400's, but what's a 454 worth?

The car costs $1400 which I've noticed is about on par with a 305 and about half of a 350. Why is this car so cheap?

urbman

There is a "freshened" 454 in the paper today ...
1685.00 asking price

ede

about the best i've saw is 300-400 dollars for an old high miles complete engine from a truck or subburan

Homer

iTrader: (1)

400 dollars? You're kidding! People pay that much for a complete high miles 350! Why are big blocks so worthless anymore? Are they losing popularity because small blocks make more power than they used to?

82Z28_Camaro

I would trade my hopped up 350 for a mildy hopped up 454 without even thinking.

AlkyIROC

It really depends on how much comes with the engine. If you don't already have a big block then you need all the brackets for the alternator etc.

Around here typical bare engines are in the $1000-$1500 range. Just the block is worth $500. A complete running engine (old and tired) can fetch at least $2500 with all the brackets etc.

I've seen pickups that aren't worth $500 sell for $1500 just because they have a big block.

Carefull about what you buy. Truck engines usually have tiny peanut port heads. They're good for low end torque where a truck can use it but have no performance potential. I have a set of truck heads out in my shed. First thing I did when I got my engine was hunt down a set of 781 casting heads for some performance. I've put on some Merlin heads since then.

Rob P

iTrader: (1)

If you get around the right circuit, big blocks do pull in good money. The supply of good, rebuildable big blocks is dwindling.
Many drag racers (non-efi guys) use them (no replacement for displacement) and classic car restorers look for good blocks for project cars when the original engine is long gone.
My brother bought my 71 Impala 402BB/TH400 in Baltimore for around a grand. He immediately had an offer of the same for just the engine/tranny.
Be warned though, if you thought SBC EFI parts are expensive, BB chevy stuff gets kinda pricey. ANd fuggetabout BB EFI!

Ace_Murdock

yeah,

around me, the big thing is the 400s for all of the circle track guys. they take them use them blow them up, so there are not too many of them anymore.

also possibly maybe the value of a big block is going down because not too many people can feed it everyday, and the only vehicles that can easily accomidate a big block are trucks and the muscle cars.

who knows

andrew

Homer

iTrader: (1)

....Moot point. Called today and the damn thing was sold.

Now I get to look forward to picking between 305's and six-guns. Joy. Don't feel like paying double for a 350.

And it seems they've all got rust, body damage, and/or T-tops

Rob P

iTrader: (1)

Try and be patient and get what you want. Don't settle for some POS you'll hate later. If you need to travel a little for something nice, bite the bullet. You're car is out there!

EVAN WILLIAMS

[QUOTE=Homer;715075]....Moot point. Called today and the damn thing was sold.

Now I get to look forward to picking between 305's and six-guns. Joy. Don't feel like paying double for a 350.

And it seems they've all got rust, body damage, and/or T-tops [/QUOT

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

The relationships among 454, 305, 350, these cars, LS motors of various sorts, and so on, have changed maybe ... just ... a little bit since 2002. Butt hay, you get points for searching, at least. If that's what you did.


Check your preferences and make sure you're not set to answer "oldest first" or whatever it calls it. Set it to "newest first". That way you're less likely to NECROMANCE a thread that's 18 yrs old and DEAD since then, as your first post and introduction to this community.

AlkyIROC

New engines are far superior to older engine but you still can't beat cubic inches. I own a 2019 F150 with a 2.5L twin turbo V6. It puts out more HP and torque than my 91 454 SS pickup did and gets a lot better fuel mileage. On the other hand my race car engine putting out somewhere between 800-1000 HP naturally aspirated but isn't anywhere near streetable like some of the turbo LS engines making close to the same power levels.

ploegi

It used to be that 100 horsepower per liter was the holy grail of engine builders.... These days, factory stock engines are coming with 130 or more horsepower/liter....... and they have 3 year/36,000 mile warranties......

Kip Worden

I have a 454 out of a,1984 pacearrow motorhome with tranny.The engine was rebuilt by my father in-law who was a mechanic by trade.He worked for several dealer ships and ran his own shop for years.It probably has no more than 3000 miles on it.But it's been sitting for 7yr.s how much is it worth?

Kip Worden

SOrry I don't know what I'm doing here