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Old 08-09-2011, 09:06 PM   #1
cochino12
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Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Id like to get some more power out of my dually and I'm not exactly sure what route to take. Of course I dont want to spend a ton money and I do would like to keep it as reliable as possible. I might be selling my 2wd K5 to help fund upgrades but dont want to spend it all on the motor.

Been doing some reading on tbichips.com and it sounds like its pretty expensive to do the fuel pump, throttle body, heads, chip, cam... Seems like it would be a whole lot cheaper to ditch the tbi and slap a cam, intake and some mild head work to get where I need to be. Anyone have experience with the 454tbi? Yes, I realize the truck has peanut port heads but it doesnt seem like the 400hp mark should be to hard to achieve, even with these boat anchor heads
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Old 08-09-2011, 09:43 PM   #2
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

you mentioned 3 things cheap reliable and lot of power pick 2
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Old 08-09-2011, 09:51 PM   #3
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Quote:
Originally Posted by critict1gc View Post
you mentioned 3 things cheap reliable and lot of power pick 2
I said "cheaper" I dont mind spending some money but I dont want to spend more than I need to just to keep the tbi. I didn think 400hp was considered a lot of power for a bbc?
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Old 08-10-2011, 07:13 AM   #4
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Head over to 454SS.com, they have more big block TBI experience than anyone...
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Old 08-10-2011, 08:57 AM   #5
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Take away TBI and you hurt reliability in my opinion.
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Old 08-10-2011, 10:38 AM   #6
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Talk to Scoti about this. He just spent some time in researching his motor build. He can give you a quick over view.

If it were me, I would be looking at a 6.0 swap.
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Old 08-10-2011, 08:35 PM   #7
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Everything I read/found said if it's within your budget & for a cruiser, go 6.0/6.2 LS power. If it's still used as a truck & expected to tote a loaded trailer, the big-block grunt won't be matched by the LS (now, a turbo diesel would be another alternative....).

Not wanting to get into the electronics of the LS swap, I did the tried & true basics focusing on air-in, air-out; w/minimal restrictions in between.

Peanut port heads work fine for the rpm's a CC dually will see (there are always exceptions). I looked into closed-chamber heads to help compression further but there was too much conflicting info so I just went w/the PP's.

Get a better intake manifold if still using a stock iron unit. Get a RV/towing cam (something geared to make torque down low vs power @ the top). Free flowing exhaust w/some 1 3/4" headers & 2.5" minimum exhaust tubing. I cheated a little on mine by doing flat-tops w/no dish since it had to be gone through (every little bit helps IMO).

The TBI's are around 670cfm & said to work fine up to ~400hp (350 would be realistic) but would likely need the bump in fuel pressure to get it done. The 454ss forum did have some tips on fuel pump alternatives to keeps costs down so it's worth looking into.

Those are the details scribbled on my notepad....
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Old 03-18-2012, 01:23 AM   #8
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SCOTI View Post
...

Get a better intake manifold if still using a stock iron unit. Get a RV/towing cam (something geared to make torque down low vs power @ the top). Free flowing exhaust w/some 1 3/4" headers & 2.5" minimum exhaust tubing. I cheated a little on mine by doing flat-tops w/no dish since it had to be gone through (every little bit helps IMO).

The TBI's are around 670cfm & said to work fine up to ~400hp (350 would be realistic) but would likely need the bump in fuel pressure to get it done. The 454ss forum did have some tips on fuel pump alternatives to keeps costs down so it's worth looking into.

Those are the details scribbled on my notepad....
Were you saying to do this for his 454 or the LS you recommended he get?

I have a 454 in a 1999 GMC 3500. It tows my trailer, but "sounds" like it is struggling during take off and going up slight inclines. I would like to do something to make it a stronger pull. Is there something(s) under 1k (parts) that I could do? Would any of those suggestions help me get past the 10 mpg?

Thanks.
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Old 03-18-2012, 01:44 AM   #9
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

I did a generic hypertec tuner on my 99 old body 7.4 . Made a different truck out of it. Actually does something when i step on it.
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Old 03-18-2012, 12:19 PM   #10
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

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Were you saying to do this for his 454 or the LS you recommended he get?

I have a 454 in a 1999 GMC 3500. It tows my trailer, but "sounds" like it is struggling during take off and going up slight inclines. I would like to do something to make it a stronger pull. Is there something(s) under 1k (parts) that I could do? Would any of those suggestions help me get past the 10 mpg?

Thanks.
This was a recommendation for the 7.4L big-block.

From the info I searched out on the internet, the 6.0/6.2 swap would be worth doing on something driven alot. But, if you still need the big grunt of torque, the bbc still outperformed the smaller LS motor for towing heavy loads.

I won't be pulling 'heavy' loads but felt that w/minimal investment I could wake up the current drivetrain. I haven't started it up yet but I'm getting closer. The exhaust is hung through the mufflers so now I can fire it off once I get all the little stuff reconnected to the motor.
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Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive.
It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar.....

Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.
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Old 03-18-2012, 06:03 PM   #11
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Thanks for the input. Any specific recommendations for the intake manifold? Also, due to a problem I had with a 5.3 I was reading up on lifters and rockers. I read something about changing to a "roller ball" rocker which would perform better than stock and also cooler. Heard anything about that?

Thanks again.
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Old 03-18-2012, 11:11 PM   #12
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

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Thanks for the input. Any specific recommendations for the intake manifold? Also, due to a problem I had with a 5.3 I was reading up on lifters and rockers. I read something about changing to a "roller ball" rocker which would perform better than stock and also cooler. Heard anything about that?

Thanks again.
We're still talking big blocks right?

I've always had good experiences w/Edelbrock intakes so that's what I went with for mine. I knew about their TBI-bbc intake & really didn't look much beyond though.

I'm also assuming you were describing 'roller' rockers above. They utilize needle bearings @ the tips which yields less friction. Less friction = less heat & wear. They're better vs. stock stamped standard rockers for sure. Even better than just the rockers would be to upgrade to a hydraulic roller cam kit. I would bet Comp Cams, Lunati, Melling, Edelbrock, or other major manufacturers offer a few choices for retrofit hyd roller cams for computer controlled TBI applications (search 454ss cams). More work vs just swapping rockers, but more performance too.
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Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive.
It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar.....

Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.
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Old 03-19-2012, 01:34 AM   #13
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Thanks a lot guys. You've got me really excited about opening this up. My work has primarily been outside the engine, and I am looking forward to this. I will keep you posted.
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Old 03-19-2012, 03:29 AM   #14
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

To get 400 HP out 454 TBI you'll need to consider the following changes:

1) Stock TB with 2" bores can provide 625 CFM, but stock injectors will limit amount of fuel needed to support 400 HP. Increasing fuel pressure is one possible option, but this approach will require that you run VRFPR - Aeromotive 13301. This unit will adjust fuel pressure from 17 PSI at idle (and increase from stock 13 PSI) to 25 PSI at WOT where extra fuel is needed to make the 400 HPs. Above assumptions are based on stock BBC TB with a pair of 80 lb-HR injectors (rated at 13PSI). There are plenty of alternatives to stock TB and they should be carefully considered.

2) EBL modified ECM (from dynamic EFI). This is a Swiss knife for tuning as you will needed it to achieve your HP goal. Chips are better left to history books (1990's are over). You'll be doing a lot of changes (Also TunerPro - free ware version is available) to fuel and SA tables.

3) Wide band O2 (WBO) - Zeitronix, Innovate, others. You need WBO to accurately dial in fuel mixture during WOT and elsewhere.

4) High volume - pressure fuel pump (FP). Either TPI or Vortec in tank FP should work and support 400HP target.

5) Previously mentioned, but worth noting - heads. Peanut heads are great for low RPM torque, but will keep high RPM HP potential down. A decent pair of AL aftermarket heads will provide additional HP. You do not need to go crazy high compression with today's gas 9.2:1 should be decent compromise. Make sure to calculate CR before purchasing heads.

6) Camshaft - keep in mind the big rat needs to breath, but keep duration at 0.050 reasonable and LSA above 112 deg to keep idle tuning headaches to minimum. With good heads and cam you can hit 400 HP well below 5000 RPM.

7) Exhaust system - true dual with 2-1/2 should do the trick. Quality built full length headers should be installed as cast iron manifolds choke engine high RPM breathing.

8) Heated NBO - a must with headers.

9) Yes, there will be a learning curve.

//RF
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Old 03-19-2012, 02:18 PM   #15
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Seems like it would be a whole lot cheaper to ditch the tbi and slap a cam, intake and some mild head work to get where I need to be.

Add headers and a bump in compression from the stock 8-1 to 9-1 and you're there. Throw a quadrajet on top to keep some semblance of part throttle economy and you've got a pretty cheap, powerful and reliable motor.
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Old 03-19-2012, 03:49 PM   #16
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Have you looked into the new efi from MSD?
Its called the atomic
http://www.atomicefi.com/
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Old 03-19-2012, 04:32 PM   #17
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

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Have you looked into the new efi from MSD?
Its called the atomic
http://www.atomicefi.com/
I'm waiting for some reviews on this unit myself.

I am in the same delima as the OP of this thread with my 88 crew cab. I am debating send my TBI off to RV Morse machine. He says he can get 700 CFM out of a big block TBI. This will leave a little power on the table from the 750 Holley I am currently running on this engine, but hopefully gain a little economy and driveability.
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Old 03-19-2012, 04:41 PM   #18
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

runs great, i have one installed on my step side.


here is one
http://www.atomicefi.com/forum.aspx?g=posts&t=16551
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Old 03-19-2012, 04:55 PM   #19
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

watchin closely....same deal 88 crew 454 tbi, lots of good ideas on here, im in the middle of paint and dwr to srw conversion so havent touched anthing under hood yet, was thinking of short term tune ,mid 90's intake, spacer, headers, duals.... then save for long term swap to zz454, 454HO, or 502.........but this thread got me thinking 300hp to 400hp tbi might be great alternative....love this site....
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Old 03-19-2012, 10:22 PM   #20
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Here's a link to a number of budget 454 peanut port builds. Some impressive numbers.
http://www.454ss.com/cgi-bin/forum/Y...num=1283147176
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Old 08-08-2012, 11:22 PM   #21
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Any progress?
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Old 08-09-2012, 01:34 AM   #22
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Peanut port heads are fine. Look up demon engines 454 on google. Pulling 400hp out of a 454 is as easy as walking out and getting the paper. Get a bigger cam some headers and a mpfi injection system that will give the airflow and fuel demands you need. As I recall edelbrock makes a kit for this. Of coarse carbureted is the easiest way to go but to others somehow "unreliable". So you will have to warm it up tune it and deal with a little less mpg but a good enough carb tuner can make it to where there is no diff. And a proper setup electric choke will solve any cold start issues
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Old 01-02-2013, 07:55 PM   #23
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

Did anyone finish this? I just bought an 87 quad cab dually with a 454TBI motor and wanted to go with a fast EFI unit... Until I saw this. I have a couple quadrajets I could get rebuilt and I have a nice intake to replace the stock TBI set up. Now I'm thinking I should stick it out with the rats nest of spliced wires the previous owner left me with. I wanna use my Long Tube headers and Torquer intake. Can I get rid of all my emissions crap and still use my stock TBI by just adding the O2 sensor to my headers? Thanks.
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Old 01-02-2013, 08:26 PM   #24
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

take this into consideration,
http://bankspower.com/products/show/128/67
the cams in these motors are small, i beleive in the .430 lift range
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Old 01-02-2013, 09:06 PM   #25
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Re: Best way to get to ~400hp, 454 tbi. Anyone build one?

I would try the basic bolt-ons, and take a look back when your done.

Get the TBI bowl it flows air into the tbi better, headers, exhaust, chip or tuner, electric fans if you like. I don't know how well do when towing.

A friend of mine from work just did the above on a 130K 4.3 in a 1992 extended cab, and it made a world of difference. It now almost feels like he has a good running 305 in there.

So it should due pretty well for you in your big truck, and if it doesn't produce as much as you want. Your better off for the next step in the build.

The only thing I would of done different would of been to add roller rockers.
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