427 or 454?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Wakefield Nebraska
427 or 454?
Ok so right now i have a 350 in my vette with a 3 speed tranny. I'm looking at replacing it this spring with a 427 or 454. What would you recommend and what's it gonna take?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
Hmmm
I dont want to hijack your thread here or get to far off topic but I have been pondering the same sort of thing about going to BB and ran across these mini rat SB as yet another option to the 427/454 BB and thought I would pass it along just in case you might be interested.If your set on a BB just ignore me 
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/4..._block_review/
K
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/4..._block_review/
K
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
If you don't end up buying a complete engine and building your own, go 496. Cranks, rods and pistons cost the same, might as well get all the cubes you can. Then all you have to get used to is your eyeballs pressed against the back of your skull!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 2
From: MS
Originally Posted by PRNDL
The only 427 I know about is the LS7, which would be a great choice, but you might want to try one of the 454 crate engines.
Go with the cubes, 468 or 496
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,441
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The blocks weight the same, go with the big one. Another way you could think of it is if you wanted to replace you small block you probably wouldn't consider a 327.
As far as what it will take, you'll have to round up the necessary pulleys and brackets unique to the Vette. The biggest odd ball pulley is for the water pump, it's a 3 grove unit. If I were considering this swap I'd be pricing an after market serpentine solution. It might be cheaper than original equipment parts.
As far as what it will take, you'll have to round up the necessary pulleys and brackets unique to the Vette. The biggest odd ball pulley is for the water pump, it's a 3 grove unit. If I were considering this swap I'd be pricing an after market serpentine solution. It might be cheaper than original equipment parts.
Last edited by shafrs3; Nov 29, 2006 at 08:35 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,175
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From: State of Confusion
..... other-than financial-considerations, why use displacements determined 30+ years ago?
As stated above, the 496, or even the 502CID/502HP/567TQ crate-engines, offer more power for less work (RPM ), and would give unsuspecting C5/C6 owners a surprise!
As stated above, the 496, or even the 502CID/502HP/567TQ crate-engines, offer more power for less work (RPM ), and would give unsuspecting C5/C6 owners a surprise!
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
For the street a 454 will outpull a 427. In identical set up engines the 454 puts out 25 more horse then the 427 but why stop with a 454. Use the block and put in a cheap stroker crank, the only custom part of the 496. Pistons cost the same, same cam, same everything except for the 1/4 inch stroker crank.
A 496 is really a big step above the 454 and certainly a long way above the 427. A mild oval port 496 can easily put out 600 horse. This is from Lenginfelter.
Guys I don't read other replies before jumping in so if I said the same thing as already posted it means I agree. I like to give my un biased opinion and then go back and read what others have said.
L88 I see already said the same thing.
A 496 is really a big step above the 454 and certainly a long way above the 427. A mild oval port 496 can easily put out 600 horse. This is from Lenginfelter.
Guys I don't read other replies before jumping in so if I said the same thing as already posted it means I agree. I like to give my un biased opinion and then go back and read what others have said.
L88 I see already said the same thing.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 1
From: North Bend Ohio
Originally Posted by brentcarl84
Ok so right now i have a 350 in my vette with a 3 speed tranny. I'm looking at replacing it this spring with a 427 or 454. What would you recommend and what's it gonna take?
The rear suspensions in these cars can't hook up 400 HP let alone 600 or 700. Without spending a lot of money that is. Once the rear tires start smoking it's all good. A will built 427 can easily top out at 160 to 170 MPH. The L88 cames to mind here.
I think it would be neat to have "427" on the hood of a rubber bumper car.
BigBlockk
Later.....
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
The rear suspensions in these cars can't hook up 400 HP let alone 600 or 700. Without spending a lot of money that is. Once the rear tires start smoking it's all good. A will built 427 can easily top out at 160 to 170 MPH. The L88 cames to mind here.
As stated above go for as many cubes as you can afford. I wish I could do it all over again because I would have spent my money on a 540 (that is the next motor I am going to build). A 496 costs roughly the same to build as a 454 or 427 so I would go at least 496 no real reason to go any smaller. Cubic inches are easy horsepower.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 1
From: North Bend Ohio
Originally Posted by bence13_33
This is not true, my rear suspension is completely stock except for my rear leaf spring and I have no problem hooking up at the track with 28x11.5x15 ET Street tires and my motor was putting out around 500HP. As for MPH that is more of a gearing issue. My car will probably tap out around 130MPH (redlined in 4th) but it will do 120+ MPH down the 1/4 mile.
As stated above go for as many cubes as you can afford. I wish I could do it all over again because I would have spent my money on a 540 (that is the next motor I am going to build). A 496 costs roughly the same to build as a 454 or 427 so I would go at least 496 no real reason to go any smaller. Cubic inches are easy horsepower.
As stated above go for as many cubes as you can afford. I wish I could do it all over again because I would have spent my money on a 540 (that is the next motor I am going to build). A 496 costs roughly the same to build as a 454 or 427 so I would go at least 496 no real reason to go any smaller. Cubic inches are easy horsepower.
A well built 427 or 454 will activate the pucker reflex in most people. Building much more than this will add little to the fun factor and a lot to the annoyance factor.
I don't know, I guess I'm mellowing with age.
BigBlockk
Later.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 832
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From: Sarasota Florida
this is what i heard about these two engines (i was looking into doing the same swap).
i think the 427 is the better overall for torque and horsepower (it's power to weight ratio).
but my buddy will be putting a 454 into a 73 camaro. the 454's are the much better choice for forced induction purposes, the 427s are not. but simply for natural aspiration, i think the 427 may be better. i also thing the 454's run hot in the vettes (can't say for sure though, but check into it).
my .02 cents
i think the 427 is the better overall for torque and horsepower (it's power to weight ratio).
but my buddy will be putting a 454 into a 73 camaro. the 454's are the much better choice for forced induction purposes, the 427s are not. but simply for natural aspiration, i think the 427 may be better. i also thing the 454's run hot in the vettes (can't say for sure though, but check into it).
my .02 cents
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 62,198
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From: All humans are vermin in the eyes of Guru VA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Since you have an automatic, I would go with a 454 or a 502 crate motor.
the 427 is a good motor for a revv monster big block. the 3.766 stroke and the 4.25 bore make for a create high RPM beast. Unless you already have the parts, go with the 454 or a 502.
A ZZ502 crate motor will rock all day.
the 427 is a good motor for a revv monster big block. the 3.766 stroke and the 4.25 bore make for a create high RPM beast. Unless you already have the parts, go with the 454 or a 502.
A ZZ502 crate motor will rock all day.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
So are you saying that if you had to do over again you would go with a crate big block 427/454 ?
Thanks
K
Thanks
K
Originally Posted by KJL
This what I did but it was not cheap!! A crate big block would have given me more bang for the buck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Yes. A big block will give you more flexability as well. Big inch small blocks are limited by the heads. I can never put any kind of forced induction on my engine because I could never get my CR low enough because of the limited combustion chamber sizes in small block heads. Don't get me wrong, I like my set up but in hind site I would have given much more consideration to one of those big inch big blocks. We could discuss for days how much HP is to much HP but torque is where the fun is and HP is where the bragging rights are. In five years after you install your new Whipple screw type blower you may decide to fine tune your suspension to handle the 800 hp and extra wide drag slicks hanging off your offset trailing arms.....who knows...right?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 152
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From: South Beloit IL
Bigger is better! I started out with my 72' and the stock 350. A short time later came the 383 but after a little nitrous incident, along came the big block. I built an aluminum headed 427 monster. On motor it ran 11.3 @ 125 mph, on the nitrious it ran 9.9 sec. @ 140 mph. That was a fun ride!!! But after another small incident with nitrous, you'd think I'd learn, it's now time for the next engine. If I had the money I'd go with a 572 crate motor and be done with it. Speed is addictive, what ever you build will soon not be enough and you'll wish you went bigger. So go as big as you can afford !