A 454 in "what car?"

If its a 70s 454 with peanut port heads they are sloooow. The only vehicle I have been in with a 454 was a 70s gmc truck, and it was way slower than a 350, and got about half the mileage. Some chevy big blocks are good, but there are a lot of them that are only superior to a 350 if you plan on swapping the heads.

It will go into an S-10 with very little trouble. Since the motor mounts are the same as an SBC, the Hooker mount kit will work, for about 50.00. Traction will be challenged. Also, will fit into an Astro Van. Yes, I have seen these done.

easy answer: Vega / Monza. Kits were produced (Motion Performance in NY comes to mind) to get a BBC into a Vega.

FWIW small blocks (both traditional and LSX) now actually go all the way out to 454. It's about the upper limit for an SBC though.

'88-'98 full sized GM pickup. It was an optional engine from the factory so all the support pieces exist in the wild, the engine bay is huge, and they're reasonably simple vehicles. Problems include finding one cheap (when I was looking locally they seemed to be going for more than they're worth) and they like to rust in a few specific locations.

+1 on '88-'98 Trucks.

C3 corvettes ('68 to '82) - GM put the big block in these cars up to '74, but it is a bolt-in up to '82. Great aftermarket support and parts availability. Fiberglass body but check for rust on the frame, body mounts, and the windshield surround (birdcage).

I bought a 1978 corvette with no motor/trans, added a built 454 bored and stroked to 496 cubes, and I rebuilt and upgraded a T56 6-speed for the trans. 575 hp and 500+ft/lbs torque never ceases to put a smile on my face.

you can put one any place where a small block has ever been put- using the same mounts and everything.

as to which ones are fast- they last really "good" factory 454 was in 70, which was also the first year of the 454.. everything after that was choked off by smog regulations.

Thanks for the input guys. I'll pass this on to him. It should help a bunch.

In reply to a401cj: I owned a vega with a SBC. It was a really tight fit, I had to unbolt the motor from the chassis and lift it to change plugs. I believe you about the BB, but I wonder if how workable it would be.

+1 to a C3 Corvette.

Come to California and pick up post-'75s on the cheap ('76 and newer have to pass smog, so they're MUCH less desirable).

In reply to ReverendDexter:

ROAD TRIP!

Related question: I have a 1995 Chevy 2500 with the 454 big block. What can I do to wake it up, performance wise? Within reason. It's a tow vehicle so nothing that will make it more fragile.

dculberson wrote: Related question: I *have* a 1995 Chevy 2500 with the 454 big block. What can I do to wake it up, performance wise? Within reason. It's a tow vehicle so nothing that will make it more fragile.

Does '95 already have the Vortec heads? If not, that'd be a good start.

I don't think so. I'll look into it.

In reply to dculberson:

check on the mini-blower that used to be manufactured by Weiand and/or B&M. It's a small roots type that fits under the stock hood of a truck. it seems that a low-compression BBC just LOVES the blower and they make a huge difference. last time I checked they wouldn't break the bank either. I've only ever seen them done with carbs though

In reply to ReverendDexter:

I had a '76 with a BBC (396 according to the numbers on the block). It had an '82 style nose and tail piece. Beautiful car. Got all kinds of positive attention. It ran ok but still had stock 3.08 gears and auto-tragic. With a tight converter it wasn't anything special off the line. I put in an 11" converter which made it significantly snappier but it slipped too much. I noticed my RPMs going up to maintain the same road speed as the fluid heated up. No amount of external coolers seemed to help. I traded it for a Harley Davidson rather than re-gearing it

I'd just slap it into a 3rd gen F-body with the biggest cowl hood i could find.

Then break out the Skynrd tapes.

as mentioned an s10 would be doable... and you can get em cheap all day long (i'm sure I could pick up at least 5 today for under $500)... but all that tourqe and no weight on the rear... I could get my mema's 2.2l slushbox powered '95 to spin tires... never have managed that with my father in laws '98 ex cab 2.2l though... granted some cheap tires could = a fun smoke show at will lol

novaderrik wrote: you can put one any place where a small block has ever been put- using the same mounts and everything. as to which ones are fast- they last really "good" factory 454 was in 70, which was also the first year of the 454.. everything after that was choked off by smog regulations.

any of the smog era 454s with a good set of today's open chamber aftermarket heads will shame a '70 LS6. And they only need a reasonable (9:1) compression ratio to do so.

elcamino!!!

There's a $200 no-drivetrain El Camino on the Columbia/Jeff City Craigslist right now. It looks beat, but that could be fun!

I'd lean toward a truck for a big block, personally...but that's just me.

I don't know how cheap he's looking at, but the bigblock Corvette ideas here have my interest piqued. Find a devalued (IE, non-original) old corvette and make a fun, fast, reliable car out of it with bigblock power!

Off to search craigslist for stuff reardrive GM stuff to throw your way. I'm an enabler, to be sure.

Clem

I have 2 complete 454 plus trannys out of trucks/suburbans , motors are complete in Florida waiting for someone to come and fullfill a dream . My dream is to sell them yours is ?

'85 Corvette shell (who knows how complete or title status): http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/pts/2522243410.html

I don't even know why...but how about this!: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/2538533805.html

Here's a good short wheelbase truck (well...it's not "good"): http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/2537165075.html

Perfect!: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/2550441339.html

Your guess is as good as mine: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/2550298154.html

Thirdgen: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/2539666167.html

Maybe it's a shortie (doubtful, but hopeful): http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/2550095843.html

No-va: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/2549411392.html

Meh...that's a few.

http://springfieldil.craigslist.org/cto/2528540135.html

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/2530965433.html