Generation V 454 soup up

[svensk]

The pre-vortec 454 put down pathetic HP due to the cam/head combo. Weren't most putting down 230/400 in that range?

 

[dirtyoldman]

I feel your pain Art,I have basically the same engine in my Burb.Last year I put in a Comp Cams cam and it helped some but I also found layer on I should have gotten a cam with more lift.It runs pretty good but like you said I want more too.I found if I advanced the timing 4*-6* it had more umph.My old '77 would run like shit at factory timimg,but if I bumped the timing from 8 BTDC to 12BTDC it woke that 454 up.Until the current engine takes a shit I don't want to tear it apart.Some day I'll do what Clancy suggests,heads,a different cam,headers,etc.Here's the cam specs on my cam,maybe one of our cam gurus can give an opinion if it was the right one,might help you decide on your next step.

 

[Hawghauler]

Thanks GD,

I am of a belief if I am going to have a BBC getting 9mph I should have tire shredding power at my command. The 94 design is only good for turning lots of gas into great sound. With only 42K on the truck the wait for the engine to wear out would be too long. I'd love some build ideas in the 5K range.

 

[svensk]

In the 5K range you can make a monster...

 

[66nova]

Thanks GD,

I am of a belief if I am going to have a BBC getting 9mph I should have tire shredding power at my command. The 94 design is only good for turning lots of gas into great sound. With only 42K on the truck the wait for the engine to wear out would be too long. I'd love some build ideas in the 5K range.

Are you able to do the work yourself or going to have to hire it out? The labor is where a lot of $$$ can get ate up.

If you are able to do it, you should be able to make a hp and torque monster for 5K.

With that few of miles on the clock, I would leave the Rods, Pistons and Cylinders alone and focus on a good set of heads, intake, and cam (and headers if you don't already have them). You can easily do all this for 5k and come out with a 450 to 500 hp motor and still have 500+lb/ft of torque. One hp per cubic inch should be easy to achieve.

 

[Hawghauler]

Thanks GD,

I am of a belief if I am going to have a BBC getting 9mph I should have tire shredding power at my command. The 94 design is only good for turning lots of gas into great sound. With only 42K on the truck the wait for the engine to wear out would be too long. I'd love some build ideas in the 5K range.

Are you able to do the work yourself or going to have to hire it out? The labor is where a lot of $$$ can get ate up.

If you are able to do it, you should be able to make a hp and torque monster for 5K.

With that few of miles on the clock, I would leave the Rods, Pistons and Cylinders alone and focus on a good set of heads, intake, and cam (and headers if you don't already have them). You can easily do all this for 5k and come out with a 450 to 500 hp motor and still have 500+lb/ft of torque. One hp per cubic inch should be easy to achieve.

I can do the work but I probably lack the time to do so. I am not home long enough to accomplish much, but perhaps I can make the time. I can cheat and buy a crate motor, but that is kinda like hiring a prostitute rather than experience the true joy of conquest.

 

[Texas Jim]

I can cheat and buy a crate motor, but that is kinda like hiring a prostitute rather than experience the true joy of conquest.

That there is a quote worthy of remembering.

 

[Texas1911]

The good thing about a 454ci motor is that it's so damn big. It's going to make power somewhere and that's generally going to be everywhere if you work with the motor.

My opinion is that you work with the engine and just open it up. Get some moderate heads, a cam to match, and headers. Just getting heads and cams is worthless in my opinion. It takes a complete package to really make each component work well.

I'd be tempted to plug the exhaust somewhere and measure the backpressure, preferably nearest to the port as possible before any cats. I'd be willing to bet your port velocity is most of your problem, it has to be through the roof.