454 Characteristics
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa ON
454 Characteristics
I'm looking at a '72 Coupe 454 LS-5 auto - and I know nothing about Chevy BB's.
What features do they have?
2 bolt or 4 bolt mains?
HP and TQ numbers?
What kind of mileage should I be looking at for rebuild?
TIA
Scott
What features do they have?
2 bolt or 4 bolt mains?
HP and TQ numbers?
What kind of mileage should I be looking at for rebuild?
TIA
Scott
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
They have 2 bolt mains with the exception of the LS-6 from 1971.
They also generate a ton of heat.
They are about 100 pounds heavier than a small block so expect some front end push in corners if you're doing any road racing.
Expect to pay $5-$10K more for an original engine big block car than for a small block in similar shape. Especially for cars with A/C and a 4 Speed.
What you pay always depends on condition, original parts and what's missing and of course documentation.
cc
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,001
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From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Big Blocks..........
They're great motors Scott....
They're great motors Scott....
Last edited by SEVNT6; Mar 10, 2007 at 03:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa ON
Two bolt shouldn't be a problem as far as power is concerned, I mean a good set of heads and with that swept area It should make a ton of power (not that 455 ft-lbs of torque isn't already) even if I'm only spinning it to 6K.
MMMMmmmmmmm........Big Block.......
Was at Sanair a couple years back and one of the Dragsters was a solid lifter 454 69 Camaro - now I love the sound of a Ford 289 at 7K but that Bowtie was shaking the ground beneath me.......
Thanks all
Scott
MMMMmmmmmmm........Big Block.......
Was at Sanair a couple years back and one of the Dragsters was a solid lifter 454 69 Camaro - now I love the sound of a Ford 289 at 7K but that Bowtie was shaking the ground beneath me.......
Thanks all
Scott
Last edited by Scottys72; Mar 10, 2007 at 05:12 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
For "street use" (whatever that means), the 454 oval port heads and 2-bolt main engines are popular. You can get plenty of different manifolds and performance parts for that motor. Personally, I think tooling around on the street with a motor like that is kind of a waste. For true performace (as in RACING ON TRACKS), the only way to go is a 4-bolt main block and rectangular port heads. They have MONSTER ports and gigantic valves rivaling even the 426 hemi in breathing ability.
Dep
Dep
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
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From: Taylor Michigan
All engines get hot, so a statement that they get hot is correct. The kicker is that they all do. I dont care what you have, but one is not worse than the other. I have 6, yes 6 big block cars from 270 HP in my El Camino to whatever in my Vettes and Camaros. NONE overheat and all have stock cooling systems. The only people that will complain about BB Chevies are those that are jelious because they dont have one. Basically it boils down to two types of Vette owners. Those that have one and those that want one. If any are left over, the rest are liers.
Last edited by Ironcross; Mar 11, 2007 at 10:07 AM.
Le Mans Master
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
All engines get hot, so a statement that they get hot is correct. The kicker is that they all do. I dont care what you have, but one is not worse than the other. I have 6, yes 6 big block cars from 270 HP in my El Camino to whatever in my Vettes and Camaros. NONE overheat and all have stock cooling systems. The only people that will complain about BB Chevies are those that are jelious because they dont have one. Basically it boils down to two types of Vette owners. Those that have one and those that want one. If any are left over, the rest are liers.
It's a bigger heater that's all there is to it.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa ON
Ok Easy Guys - I was just looking for tips on where to look for problem areas on the 454 - compression and leak down tests, common failures - that sort of thing - didn't want to start a BB vs SB thing......
Scott
Scott
Last edited by Scottys72; Mar 12, 2007 at 12:26 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
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From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Dep
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Orange massachusettes
Basically it boils down to two types of Vette owners. Those that have one and those that want one. If any are left over, the rest are liers.
I want another vette in the garage , this time a BB to keep my ZZ4 SB company.
Last edited by 72 LT1; Mar 12, 2007 at 06:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa ON
DJ my Buddy runs a 427 smallblock stroker Chevy pulling 680hp on the motor and somewhere around 1050hp on the second solonoid.....That's a smallblock Baby!!!!
I agree though - Big Blocks Rule!!
Scott
I agree though - Big Blocks Rule!!
Scott
Last edited by Scottys72; Mar 12, 2007 at 08:16 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
We are fortunate to have 2 Vettes. I love em both. A 53,000 mile ...loaded...72 small block that looks like new. We seldom drive it since we got the 74 BB Roadster.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,544
Likes: 0
From: Youngstown Ohio
If the price is right, if the car is nice, yadda yadda yadda, the big block is the right choice. If you are interested in doing some mods, converting a 2 bolt to a better than 4, 4 bolt is relatively easy by any competant machine shop and how too's are readily available. There are more options than you want to know for engine system upgrades.
Good luck
Good luck
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 190
Likes: 1
From: Greenville CA
Any other vette problem will not be related to 350 vs 454. Hope this helps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
I can personally tell you, having owned 3 '70 LS5 coupes, 2 '71 LS6 coupes, 1 LS5 coupe and 2 '72 coupes, that the big block engine option in a car with A/C will heat up the inside cabin area a lot more than a car without A/C. THAT'S because there are NO operating fresh air vents down in the footwell areas. The fresh air vents makes a huge difference in keeping the inside cabin cooler with a big block engine. I personally will never own another big block A/C equipped car again.