Should I swap in my 454? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Sniper X · 05-03-2010, 05:14 PM

OK, let's see where to start! I have a 1978 C20 Camper Special with a 454 in it that has been recently rebuilt. BUT, it needs valve seals because the person who rebuilt it didn't do the heads and the valve seals went south soon after the motor went in the truck.....

Anyway, the 1974 has a 350 that has also been rebuilt, but it is a small block and although it runs well, isn't a big block!

So, should I swap in the 454 and find some good HP heads and cam for it, or just leave the never needs smog again 1974 alone? BTW the 74 is a 3 speed w granny (4 speed) which I would leave in there.

**N2TRUX** · 05-03-2010, 08:11 PM

If it ain't broke, don't fix it till it is. There's nothing wrong with 454's, but you don't seem to "need" it, you just happen to "have" it. I would leave well ernough alone.

ratty 46 · 05-03-2010, 08:35 PM

I'm with N2TRUX ....... if it ain't broke ...... course if you got a wild hair & need the power - by all means start the change over!!!

I have a 54 in my crew & am in the process of building a pro touring styled 1946 ford cpe. Power is .... you guessed it 454 in front of a muncie 4 speed (till I can afford a T56).

Go for it.

Ratty 46

andrewmp6 · 05-04-2010, 10:05 AM

Why not sell the 454 and buy a ls1 its lighter can make the same power easy and easier on gas with a over drive trans.

Jim85IROC · 05-04-2010, 02:39 PM

You might be able to get the same peak horsepower out of an LS1, but I don't see too many n/a LS motors making big block torque at low rpms.

softballnrd27 · 05-04-2010, 02:45 PM

Is the 74 a 1/2 or 3/4 ton? 2wd or 4wd? What are you looking to do with the truck?

softballnrd27 · 05-04-2010, 02:48 PM

Just from what you have stated about the 74, I would think that the 454 in the 74 with heads and a cam would be a waste of time with the 4spd if you are looking for performance(fast truck). Now if you are looking for a truck to haul stuff with then the 454 would make sense, but if performance is what you are after then you might want to just leave them as they are.

Sniper X · 05-04-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by softballnrd27

Is the 74 a 1/2 or 3/4 ton? 2wd or 4wd? What are you looking to do with the truck?

4X2 and tow stuff. Oh, and C20 so 3/4ton

Big Port Jimmy 6 · 05-04-2010, 10:36 PM

I'm not really enjoying mine(87 454 TBI) and am putting together a 5.3 to replace it. However it will pass most anything but a gas station. Jay

Hubscrub · 05-04-2010, 10:39 PM

good reason to find another truck project just sayin

05-03-2010, 05:14 PM	#1
Sniper X Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Albuquerque New mexico Posts: 169	Should I swap in my 454? OK, let's see where to start! I have a 1978 C20 Camper Special with a 454 in it that has been recently rebuilt. BUT, it needs valve seals because the person who rebuilt it didn't do the heads and the valve seals went south soon after the motor went in the truck..... Anyway, the 1974 has a 350 that has also been rebuilt, but it is a small block and although it runs well, isn't a big block! So, should I swap in the 454 and find some good HP heads and cam for it, or just leave the never needs smog again 1974 alone? BTW the 74 is a 3 speed w granny (4 speed) which I would leave in there.

05-03-2010, 08:11 PM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Should I swap in my 454? If it ain't broke, don't fix it till it is. There's nothing wrong with 454's, but you don't seem to "need" it, you just happen to "have" it. I would leave well ernough alone. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

05-03-2010, 08:35 PM	#3
ratty 46 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta, Ga. Posts: 1,104	Re: Should I swap in my 454? I'm with N2TRUX ....... if it ain't broke ...... course if you got a wild hair & need the power - by all means start the change over!!! I have a 54 in my crew & am in the process of building a pro touring styled 1946 ford cpe. Power is .... you guessed it 454 in front of a muncie 4 speed (till I can afford a T56). Go for it. Ratty 46

05-04-2010, 10:05 AM	#4
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: Should I swap in my 454? Why not sell the 454 and buy a ls1 its lighter can make the same power easy and easier on gas with a over drive trans.

05-04-2010, 02:39 PM	#5
Jim85IROC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Readsboro, VT Posts: 502	Re: Should I swap in my 454? You might be able to get the same peak horsepower out of an LS1, but I don't see too many n/a LS motors making big block torque at low rpms. __________________ 1987 GMC Sierra Classic 3500 454 TH400 My Sounddomain Page

05-04-2010, 02:45 PM	#6
softballnrd27 Always a work in progress Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Harker Heights, TX Posts: 1,599	Re: Should I swap in my 454? Is the 74 a 1/2 or 3/4 ton? 2wd or 4wd? What are you looking to do with the truck? __________________ USMC Retired Never trust a man who can't laugh at his own fart! 2010 Silverado Crew Cab 73 SWB 5.3/4l80e Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=695168

05-04-2010, 02:48 PM	#7
softballnrd27 Always a work in progress Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Harker Heights, TX Posts: 1,599	Re: Should I swap in my 454? Just from what you have stated about the 74, I would think that the 454 in the 74 with heads and a cam would be a waste of time with the 4spd if you are looking for performance(fast truck). Now if you are looking for a truck to haul stuff with then the 454 would make sense, but if performance is what you are after then you might want to just leave them as they are. __________________ USMC Retired Never trust a man who can't laugh at his own fart! 2010 Silverado Crew Cab 73 SWB 5.3/4l80e Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=695168

05-04-2010, 10:36 PM	#9
Big Port Jimmy 6 Addicted to Rust Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Abbeville SC Posts: 1,030	Re: Should I swap in my 454? I'm not really enjoying mine(87 454 TBI) and am putting together a 5.3 to replace it. However it will pass most anything but a gas station. Jay __________________ Current trucks: (48 GMC100 320 inliner) Gone (48 Suburban in pieces) Sold 87 GMC CCSB 5.3 4l60E Daily Driver ECTA National record holder XO/PP We never really grow up, we just learn how to act in public.

05-04-2010, 10:39 PM	#10
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,835	Re: Should I swap in my 454? good reason to find another truck project just sayin __________________ Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14



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