I already know that I want to start with a 454, but I'm not sure where exactly to start. I'd like to build the engine up myself, so I don't want to buy a drop-in crate motor. Should I go to the junk yard and find a used 454, strip it, etc. or should I buy the bare block from a place like Summit and start there? If anyone could point me in the right place to build up a 454 from scratch (what components fit/work best, things to avoid, etc.), I'd appreciate it. I've done everything under the hood except rebuild a motor, and I wanna go big.

 

Start with a used shortblock, at least. The block, crank and rods are incredibly stout. Heads are the bigger crapshoot, with most truck versions basically junk from a performance standpoint. You can get decent factory heads, but a basic shortblock rebuild with good pistons, good cam from one of the majors, some aftermarket heads and you can have a great runner for not a lot of coin.

 

It's goin in a 69 Nova. I didn't want to say at first, because I know this is a forum for 3rd gens, but this is the only place I would trust with a 454 build know-how and know of. I know I could do the entire thing like a snap, I was just looking at where to start. It's gonna be a complete project car. Engine, tranny, suspension, gears. I have a 305 firebird, and from that I've learned one thing. If I don't go big the first time, I'm gonna regret it. With a complete build, I don't think I'd wanna make a 350, then toss it away and replace it with a 454. Sorry for the rant, just wanna make my opinion heard. That being said, should I take the same approach with the big block?

 

Define "big". Compared to a 305 or even a 350, a 454 is "big". Compared to the typical race BBC out there now, a 454 is "tiny".

 

How fast do you want it to go?

How much are you prepared to do to the rear suspension? (the stock setup will be a severely limiting factor with even a decently powered small block, let alone something with some real power)

What kind of budget for THE WHOLE CAR? bearing in mind that you don't just drop a 600-HP 600 ft-lb motor in some old tired street car with 200,000 miles on it, and expect to go fast very many times if at all.

A 454 with GOOD stock heads and well matched parts (10½:1 - 11:1 CR and a solid roller cam with about 280° of .050" duartion) and a GOOD rear suspsension, i.e. a 4-link & coil overs, will get you deep 11s easy; lose some weight and you can be in the low 10s. Get better heads, and you can go even faster. But it ain't gonna happen with worn-out monoleafs and slapper bars, you can believe that.

 

Yep, i have a pretty stock 454, with just cam and intake, 10.5:1 compression, small cam, and go 12.20's at 3800 pounds.

Easy to go fast. Go get a junker, get a cam and some valve springs, and a nice intake and have fun.

 

This car is gonna be a complete overhaul. The engine is just step one. Then it's gonna get a new (probably rebuilt) tranny and new gears and suspension. I don't have a budget, and I'm willing to spend as much time as it takes to build it up. If I blow it up, I'll rip it apart and rebuild it again learning from my mistakes.

 

Yeah, even the 496 going into my 86 Camaro is considered small nowadays.

 

My 540 is small with all the 572 and 632 engines out there but those are tall deck blocks.

A well built SBC can easily beat a typical street BBC however a well hopped up SBC is only about as good as a overly mild BBC. As mentioned above, dropping in a 600 HP engine doesn't mean it's going to be fast. The entire driveline and suspension needs to be able to handle the extra power. Everything needs to be upgraded or you'll end up with more problems.

Swapping in a BBC isn't as easy as just changing to a bigger SBC. Although it's not that hard of a swap, people don't understand that things like swap headers are not cheap. It's all those little things that add up.

If all you want is to have a BBC under the hood, just go buy a good crate engine and the few things required for the swap. If the junk yards where you live are like the ones around here, good luck in finding a BBC. They're all bought by engine shops before they even get into the yards. If you do find one, it's probably not rebuildable (thrown rod etc).

Of course I also have three 454 blocks plus numerous other parts sitting in my garage and my car has a Dart block in it. There isn't a single factory part in/on my engine. Well ok, the alternator is still factory but it's not mounted like a factory alternator.