I've decided that once I do the heads on my stock engine that I'm done with mods to it, since it's a 2 bolt.

What I want to do is the 454 small block (motown block .) From what I can see is I can get the short block for just under $5k vs. the whole thing assembled for $11k. I want to use one of the aftermarket FI setups on it like the Holley Commander, Edelbrock Pro-Flo, or Accel DFI so the $11k setup isn't really needed. I figure I could probably get it all up and running for under $11k by building it up myself.

I'm sure I could probably get a big block for less money but I like the fact that the small block will fit right in ALMOST perfectly with less mods needed to fit it. The complete engine from World Products says 600hp on 91 octane out of the box, I figure I could probably tune it down a touch and still be over 500hp and run 87 octane and still get possibly over 20mpg on the highway, with an overdrive.

Comments, opinions? This isn't a project that's going to happen any time soon but I'd like to actually plan this way ahead of time so I'm not running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

 

Update!

I just talked to my local engine builder that rebuilt my 350 and talked to him about making a 454 small block and he's estimating the whole long block for under $3k. He admits it might not be as great of quality as the World Products one because he's not sure what parts they use but he assured me that it'd still be a strong street motor.

Amazing what knowing local shops can do for ya.

 

Im going the biginch SB route myself.

At the moment im looking at this:
http://www.shafiroff.com/ultrastreet/434_595_engine.asp

I think it make sense to leave material enough for at least one rebuild

 

You can get quality engine pieces from PAW out in Calf. Get my cranks and rods from them and never have had a problem. Buy the parts individually, then bring them to a local shop who you can trust and does good work. You can build a motor with very high quality parts a lot cheaper this way IMO. The Mototown block is a good one but I wouldn't take it out to 454 as it doesn't allow you to bore the motor if it ever needs to be rebuilt. If you're looking for a 500 HP motor you can use even a 2 bolt block with main stud kit on the street. A well built 383/406 small block is very capable of that easily with plenty of tourque too. Many posts on the forum here about stroker small blocks and their build ups. Check those first might just save yourself some money too, instead of going the 454 way, houstonvett

 

Sure I can get 500hp out of a smaller displacement BUT I can make 500hp with a 454 and use lower octane much easier.

What I'm going to have to do first is the transmission and rear end, though. I think I may just go with the 2004R, instead of the TKO-600, just so I don't have to worry about tearing up the rear end as easily. I'll definitely need to beefen up the differential to handle the power, though. Think I should stick with the 3.08 rear gears? This is a street monster, remember, not a drag queen.

 

Why are you worried about the octane level? You will outlay much more money in your initial buildup of your 454 then a 2 bolt stroker. You will sure have to burn a lot of gallons of gas at about $.15 to .$20 cheaper for regular then premium to make up the difference in your initial cost of building the 454. What compression ratio are you going to run in your 454 small block? What type of cam are you going to use? If you're going the low compression route with the 454 a high lift cam won't do you much good. With todays gas you can run higher compression then in past years as the gas has been formulated to support it. I would check into Toms rear ends for your differential parts for your new monster. Have all the Toms parts going into my 383 stroker differential. Never a good thing when you have to call for the tow truck the first time you unleash your new monster, houstonvett

 

I was thinking about Toms, however, does he make stuff to fit the '81 now?
Since I now know that I can have this massive mouse motor built for half the cost I originally thought it would this project may move up much closer than I thought. The whole project may end up costing under $11k with the transmission and rear end. (Probably cost $3500 for the engine, $3000 for the fuel injection, $1500 for the transmission, $1500 for the rear end)

My reasoning behind the use of lower octane isn't that I'm trying to be cheap in the long run but to make it easier to drive around. Sure I can build it up to do 600hp on '91 octane but I would settle just fine to build it to 500hp and run it on 87 octane. More of a bragging rights, in my opinion. Some ricer says he has 400hp and he says with premium, well I can do 500hp on regular gas, who wins now? I haven't gotten in to the cam specs and such yet as I'm still in the basic plan of it. You can make suggestions though.

The order of operations for this project is obviously going to be transmission, rear end, then the engine so the rest of the car is prepared for the massive amount of power. Would the level 3 Bowtie 2004R be able to withstand that power, or should I look to a better builder of them? I'd prefer to stick with a transmission builder in southern california, in case something goes wrong.