Gen V 454 build

[sloth454]

Alright guys I'm looking for some advice . A few months ago I picked up a gen v 454 casting number 10114182. It's a Tonawanda engine from the early 90's trucks. I don't have the casting numbers off the heads. From the casting number I've determined that is a 4 bolt main. I haven't had a chance to physically verify. Do you all think this engine/ block is even worth building . I want upwards of 500hp. Just looking for some advice. Thank you .

[trucks72]

Bottom end is fine. The heads are not good at all.

[hugger6933]

Buy some decent aftermarket heads and achieve your goal rather easily. The heads on the motor are referred as peanut port for some reason I have heard many head swap stories that woke up the other wise way detuned rat motor. I have had several in some trucks that I've built [say 88- 98 body style] I used to build a ton of 3/4 and 1 tons. If you would unplug the little connector under the floor mat then crank some timing into that motor it was like a big cam swap or something.
A head change will let it breathe so it can make more power

[57taskforce]

Head change is big. is it a vortec or tbi? Are you planning to keep it injected or carb it? A computer tune alone with make a pretty good difference. The vortec motors are rated at around 300 hp and 410ish ftlbs of torque. On the full size Chevy forum there is about a million page thread that is strictly limited to building and tuning the vortec 7.4. There's a few guys over there that have dyno'd above what your looking for on stock heads but a head swap will net big gains.
This is a pretty common swap into the Chevelles and those guys are able to make big power with the gen v. The factory roller cam is a big plus as well.