for you guys that have already rebuilt a couple of motors, would it be more exspensive to rebuild a 454 big block to near stock specs (i.e. .30 over bore and stock stroke) versus build a 383 with a 350. i was planning on building a 383 with a 350 block that i have now but i have a buddy of mine that knows a guy that has a 454. im looking to make 500+ hp so i think it would be easier to reach my goal with a 454 than a 383. its going in a 89 RS that will be my summer/dragstrip car. i already have a goodmark steel cowl hood so some of the heating and clearance issues would already be taken care of. also when you took your blocks to the machine shop what all did you have them do besides bore? any other info and opinions would be great. i just dont know exactly where to go with this one.

 

It would depend on what reusable parts you had from the 454.

 

The cost to do machine work is about the same. The cost for bearings, rings, gaskets etc is only slightly more. The cost of basic aftermarket parts is only slightly more.

It really depends what you have and how far you want to go.

 

Depends upon what heads you've got. If you've got good SBC heads, the 383 will be cheaper to build, even with the new 3.75" crank, than it will to replace BBC peanut heads (unless you've got a sweetheart source for good BBC heads).

 

well i was planning on running aluminum heads on the 383 (which i dont have yet)

 

Find out what heads the 454 has on it, then. The vast majority of these engines came out of trucks, which were built for low end grunt, not high end power.