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I'm a first time corvette owner - 1969 convertible, 4 speed with a 454 engine. I'm seriously considering swapping out this engine for a 427 engine. Couple options that I'm thinking about - rebuild this engine as 427 - try to find a 427 - or go with a crate engine. I want to keep a traditional look as much as I can so the newer LS engines are not going to work even though they're supposed to be very good. I also want to keep it a big block. I am making one concession to the traditional look and will be going with fuel injection regardless of which engine I end up with as I live in Colorado Springs and the altitude changes can be pretty significant.
I should also add that I'm a rookie at this with very basic knowledge of these corvettes. When I graduated high school back in 1969 I knew a lot about these cars - but time and beer have taken their toll so I'm looking to the smart guys on this forum for thoughts/ideas/
suggestions on which way to go. And Thanks in advance!
Thanks everyone for the great replies/info - some of the info is a bit over my head but I'm doing my best to keep up with it. I should have added that I won't be doing the rebuild (thats the way I'm leaning) - I don't have the skill set or patience to do that. The speed shop in town that I'll probably use is backed up a few months which would cut into the early summer - so I may do as some have suggested and just run it this summer as is with the new Holley Sniper FI system and plan for fall/winter rebuild. Per ATs request heres a pic of the engine as it sits and another pic of car with top down.
Thank You. I thought I'd be fine with the 454 but I've come to really want the 427 - that was king of the hill back in the day for us kids. and its not a hi performance 454.
How funny! Thats exactly what is on the engine now - "...427/425hp...". And this is not a 512 block - casting # 10069286 - 90-91 454 4 bolt Mark IV short deck. From what we can tell these were mostly truck or marine engines - maybe something else. Thanks for the reply
Welcome to the Forum! I agree with others that most would not know the difference. However, if it's that important to you. Best of luck with the swap. I'm sure if you look hard enough you will find a 427 somewhere.
So not the original motor? You have a lot of options. You could rebuild your current motor with performance cam, heads, etc. and get more power than a factory 427 (and of course you know that visually, they are the same).
You could drop in any number of crate engines from a ZZ502 (around $10K gets you 500+ HP) to a BluePrint BB 427 with 800HP for twice the money.
If you want FI you can go with a Halley Sniper or FI Tech or similar and retain the carb look.
If I were in your position, I'd just drive the car as is for a while and then decide how to get more power. I'm 65 years old so I know the "magic" of the 427 number but these days, it's just a number. What happens when you press the go pedal is what really matters.
IMHO if a 427 is what you really want, I would rebuild the current engine as a 427. I have destroked of few 350s to 327 so I am guessing it would be a similar process. Good luck, and keep us popsted with lots of pics. Like lets see the engine as she sits!
IMHO if a 427 is what you really want, I would rebuild the current engine as a 427. I have destroked of few 350s to 327 so I am guessing it would be a similar process. Good luck, and keep us popsted with lots of pics. Like lets see the engine as she sits!
IMHO if a 427 is what you really want, I would rebuild the current engine as a 427. I have destroked of few 350s to 327 so I am guessing it would be a similar process. Good luck, and keep us popsted with lots of pics. Like lets see the engine as she sits!
Originally Posted by calwldlife
"Do what ya gotta' do" (I WOULD be happy to have your problem though, Class of '68)
Beautiful Vette. I live by the "if it's not broke don't fix it" rule and while I'm more of a purest in regards to appearance there is nothing wrong with a 427 badged car having a 454 engine installed. Not knowing what the current installed engine looks like I'm guessing it would take little effort to have that 454 look like a 427. Strip a 454 down to the long block and for the most part it looks just like a 427 long block.
Sounds like a intake, carb, valve covers and air cleaner would put your engine back to period correct in appearance. If you want to go old school bad *** throw a Tri-Power on top of that 454 engine.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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cheap way is to get a 427 crank and pistons but you wont have the numbers. Then try and reuse as much as you can. But if you want the stamped numbers, lucky for you there is a number of1969 427 complete engines on FB market place that you could get for about $4000 but then it would be another $4000 to $6000 to rebuild. Its about $1100 just to mag, bore, bake,deck an hone. It would be a really expensive way to go. Im replacing all the parts except the crankj and cam on mine....cam and flat tappet lifters is $400, newer flywhweel is $400, new rods are $400, good pistons are $500-$750. Good heads are $2500 for a set. Then you need all the gaskets and bearings
I understand the "427" number. Thats what I'm doing right now, I have a 454 block but wanted the block number as well. When I was a kid 396 was cool, 402 wasnt. 427 was the king, 454 was bleh. 327 was very cool but 350 was boring.
Thanks everyone for the great replies/info - some of the info is a bit over my head but I'm doing my best to keep up with it. I should have added that I won't be doing the rebuild (thats the way I'm leaning) - I don't have the skill set or patience to do that. The speed shop in town that I'll probably use is backed up a few months which would cut into the early summer - so I may do as some have suggested and just run it this summer as is with the new Holley Sniper FI system and plan for fall/winter rebuild. Per ATs request heres a pic of the engine as it sits and another pic of car with top down.
That's great advice, enjoy the car for this season and deal with it in the fall. Who knows, you may have a different opinion on things by then.
BTW, what a beautiful car. Loving the green & saddle color combo. Absolute classic. Looks like you've found a winner, enjoy!
Another new guy
Welcome, and your looks good, have gun cruising the thrill of power.
