Another new guy
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
Likes: 3,090
From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Sounds to me like you are just looking for a way to throw some money away. I don’t understand your logic? You want to change it to a 427 but then you want to change it to F.I.?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 26
Likes: 31
From: Colorado Springs
Fair question Hemi. I bought the car thinking I would be ok with the 454 - turns out I really wanted the 427 - so my wife said to just get the car the way I wanted and I'd be happier so thats the way I'm leaning. As far as FI it just works much better here in Colorado with the significant altitude changes we can experience. I'm a part time flight instructor in an aero club and most of our planes are FI while a couple are carbs - FI just flat out run better. Altitude changes are greater in the plane but the principle is the same. And all the shops that I talked to out here about switching to FI recommended the change - only one shop said stay with the carb.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 332
From: Dallas TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'09,'22,'25
I'm in Dallas and would switch to FI as well if I could get my priorities organized 
There are so many advantages, from starting to driveability to maintenance. Let us know how it goes.
There are so many advantages, from starting to driveability to maintenance. Let us know how it goes.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 26
Likes: 31
From: Colorado Springs
I purchase the car from Gateway Classics in Dallas - it had a new Holley 750 on it - we just couldn't get it running right so the shop swapped it out for a 650 - runs better now but the FI will be better. It should also fix the vapor lock issue I've had with it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
Put that Sniper on there and you may be satisfied with that engine. If you do build something else, why go smaller? 25 extra cubes is like 25 extra H.P. or ft. lbs. torque! Or even go bigger. No replacement for displacement!
P.S. That is a beautiful ride!!!
P.S. That is a beautiful ride!!!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
everybody is stroking their 454's to 496 these days. you really can not tell the difference between the 2 when looking at them or when driving them. not enough power or torque diff at any given rpm. this car is gonna enjoy telling you "buy me this! buy me that!" don't sink 3 to 5k into destroking a motor 1/4 of an inch when it is a good engine. arguably better than the 427...
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,180
Likes: 9,310
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
everybody is stroking their 454's to 496 these days. you really can not tell the difference between the 2 when looking at them or when driving them. not enough power or torque diff at any given rpm. this car is gonna enjoy telling you "buy me this! buy me that!" don't sink 3 to 5k into destroking a motor 1/4 of an inch when it is a good engine. arguably better than the 427...
I say be honest to yourself and build what you want. I built a 12 second 327. I was proud of that motor and will rebuild her better eventually. But right now im building a 427 and have to limit Her to 500hp and 500 ft/lbs or i will break something. Sometimes you just gotta know when to say when.
You other folks that like your 454s, for fun , get a desktop dyno and try and build one under 500 ft/lbs. With todays tech it isnt easy. Kind of ridiculous how much power we can get out of these old blocks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
I just can't think of any good reason to make that engine smaller. You aren't racing in a class with a cubic inch limitation. It will not be a "factory high output" 427 anyway, so what's the point? If you were starting with a 427 to begin with, great. But spending money to make it smaller, in a way that is invisible anyway, I just don't understand.
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
a dished piston 454 with peanut ports? i would agree with you Roger. but nobody takes a 91 truck motor and drops it into a 69 corvette with the truck heads, pistons and cam. and if it is a mercruiser engine, it already has 13 cc domes, dimple rods, forged crank, 4 bolt mains and iron rectangle heads. a 71 LS6 chevelle engine except for the crappy marine cam. a decent cam and it is 425 HP. and a LOT of these 365 mercruiser engines got pulled from Fountains, Cigarettes and Velocity's cuz they were too small...
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,180
Likes: 9,310
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I just can't think of any good reason to make that engine smaller. You aren't racing in a class with a cubic inch limitation. It will not be a "factory high output" 427 anyway, so what's the point? If you were starting with a 427 to begin with, great. But spending money to make it smaller, in a way that is invisible anyway, I just don't understand.
at this point you do you, We do us.
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Arkansas, U.S.A.
I've always liked the 454's longer stroke more that the 427, or maybe it's something else completely. I haven't had a 427 in 27 years, but the 454 seemed more street friendly, even but stronger. Maybe the longer stroke is better for vacuum or maybe just easier to develop low end power. I'm a 2-stroke mechanic and that's kinda the way those work. I'm just a shade tree hot rodder other than that, never spent the time to do hard study on the big engines. Anyway, absolutely stunning Vette
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
I would not lie and try to pass a 454 as a real 427. I'm just saying, if it is a good intact 454 with decent pistons, not dished, I'd go ahead and use it vs. de-stroking it. I'd tell anyone who wanted to know exactly what it was.
I totally understand why you would want a 427-435 H.P. engine, the legendary 'Vette motor.
I totally understand why you would want a 427-435 H.P. engine, the legendary 'Vette motor.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,180
Likes: 9,310
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I agree you can build anything to be anything.... and there is a lot of 454 smoggers out there...its just easier to have a 427 in the bay, a 427 emblem on your hood and say yes its a 427 vs a whole story of how it was an old 396 402 block and I bored it out and stroked it to 454 then 496 but then the old lady became a roadie for Guns N Roses and got into heroin and yada yada yada its a 305 now.......lol
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 26
Likes: 31
From: Colorado Springs
Lol, No you didn't scare me away - on the contrary I couldn't wait to get home from flying all day to jump on the forum. First I want to say Wow! what a great discussion on the merits of 454 vs 427 - open my eyes quite a bit. But as Rescue R said its about honesty - so let me tell you rest of story at my embarrassment. I bought this car thinking it was a 427 - it was advertised as 427, sales guy said it was 427 - even had an "inspector" say "...its a great running 427...". Imagine my surprise AND anger when I discovered it was not - some very ugly phone calls were made and the seller agreed to give back a significant amount of $$ from the purchase price. And I thought I'd be fine with the 454 - but its not what I really wanted - its always been my bucket list to own a 1969 Corvette, 427, 4 speed. But too many moves and overseas assignments, kids, and life as we all know it just seemed to make it too hard to do. Finally at age 69 I just said I'm going to get one! So I got what I thought checked off that bucket list item. Thats why I've been just focused on the 427. But I must say many of you have pointed out some very good thoughts about the 454 and going bigger - very much appreciated.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,180
Likes: 9,310
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
If you go with a bigger motor, just make sure you think about the rear end and tranny. If you run alot of power just make sure your rear tires arent too sticky so that they will spin instead of hooking up and tearing apart either of those parts of your drive train. If you really want that 427 look on facebook market place and ebay. 69 427 motors are are out there
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 838
From: New York
2017 C3 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '20- '21
.
Shocking a dealer/salesman not telling the truth??? Why were those lips not moving??
Glad you got them to adjust the sales price. Ike
I purchase the car from Gateway Classics in Dallas -
Shocking a dealer/salesman not telling the truth??? Why were those lips not moving??
Glad you got them to adjust the sales price. Ike
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 515
Likes: 66
From: Grosse Pte. Mich.
Lol, No you didn't scare me away - on the contrary I couldn't wait to get home from flying all day to jump on the forum. First I want to say Wow! what a great discussion on the merits of 454 vs 427 - open my eyes quite a bit. But as Rescue R said its about honesty - so let me tell you rest of story at my embarrassment. I bought this car thinking it was a 427 - it was advertised as 427, sales guy said it was 427 - even had an "inspector" say "...its a great running 427...". Imagine my surprise AND anger when I discovered it was not - some very ugly phone calls were made and the seller agreed to give back a significant amount of $$ from the purchase price. And I thought I'd be fine with the 454 - but its not what I really wanted - its always been my bucket list to own a 1969 Corvette, 427, 4 speed. But too many moves and overseas assignments, kids, and life as we all know it just seemed to make it too hard to do. Finally at age 69 I just said I'm going to get one! So I got what I thought checked off that bucket list item. Thats why I've been just focused on the 427. But I must say many of you have pointed out some very good thoughts about the 454 and going bigger - very much appreciated.
That would just compound things. I'm glad to hear that they gave you some compensation. Hopefully these dollars can go toward your engine modification.
While there have been tremendous comments made about the merits of the 454, I agree with your wanting what you've always wanted.
It's looks like a great car from our vantage point, why not complete your dream.
