big block 454 head choice
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
big block 454 head choice
I've recently bought a 454 1974 corvette and i would like to upgrade it.
I've bought a TKO 600 for the transmission but before changing my trans, i would like to upgrade my 454 engine.
It is a 8.25 :1 comp ratio and 395lbs ft torque. It is a standart engine.
Fist of all, would like to change the heads - cam - intake manifold. Of course the exhaust will be changed also.
1. For the intake, i've read in the forum, i have no choice : Torker II ?
2. Concerning the heads, i have to buy it rapidly but i would be sure to choose the correct ones. I would like to have a strong engine (best for torque and high HP).
I 've read that some of the members hesitate with :
- AFR 315 CNC IMO AFR 315cc Fully CNC Ported Magnum BBC
- GMPP Alu rect port GM Performance 110cc chamber and 290cc Intake Runner or GM Performance 118cc Chamber, 315cc Intake Runner
- Brodix RR BB-O Brodix RR BB-R with 294cc intake port or 294cc
- Edelbrock Edelbrock PERFORMER RPM 454-O or 454-R
I start to buy the heads and then, i will decide the cam and the pistons (std or dome)
Thanks for your response
I've bought a TKO 600 for the transmission but before changing my trans, i would like to upgrade my 454 engine.
It is a 8.25 :1 comp ratio and 395lbs ft torque. It is a standart engine.
Fist of all, would like to change the heads - cam - intake manifold. Of course the exhaust will be changed also.
1. For the intake, i've read in the forum, i have no choice : Torker II ?
2. Concerning the heads, i have to buy it rapidly but i would be sure to choose the correct ones. I would like to have a strong engine (best for torque and high HP).
I 've read that some of the members hesitate with :
- AFR 315 CNC IMO AFR 315cc Fully CNC Ported Magnum BBC
- GMPP Alu rect port GM Performance 110cc chamber and 290cc Intake Runner or GM Performance 118cc Chamber, 315cc Intake Runner
- Brodix RR BB-O Brodix RR BB-R with 294cc intake port or 294cc
- Edelbrock Edelbrock PERFORMER RPM 454-O or 454-R
I start to buy the heads and then, i will decide the cam and the pistons (std or dome)
Thanks for your response
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
First off your going to have to decide the use of the car and what operating range you will want it to run in. Without changing the hood to run a better intake then a torker 2 (or a L-36 if you want a better street intake), your wasting your time with most aftermarket heads. You'll never be able to pull the airflow throught the intake to take advantage of it. So you'll have to decide if you want to change the hood to run a better intake, before deciding on the rest of your setup.
Pat Kunz
Pat Kunz
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 592
Likes: 55
From: Loxahatchee Florida
Performer RPM Aluminum Oval Port Heads:
Fuel Injection System:
Pro Billet Distributor:
Add in a timing chain and a cam to match your profile, I use a 680 lift roller, Lifters, springs, push rods, rockers, girdle, Hooker supercomp sidepipes. Should be around $6750.00 not including machine shop costs... You should dyno around 575TQ and 550HP at the crank.
If you are going to get that deep into the pocket might as well get this:
http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/540_classic.asp
Fuel Injection System:
Pro Billet Distributor:
Add in a timing chain and a cam to match your profile, I use a 680 lift roller, Lifters, springs, push rods, rockers, girdle, Hooker supercomp sidepipes. Should be around $6750.00 not including machine shop costs... You should dyno around 575TQ and 550HP at the crank.
If you are going to get that deep into the pocket might as well get this:
http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/540_classic.asp
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
I went with the Performer series heads, intake and carb hoping the combo would fit under the stock hood. Now that I'm changing the hood I wish I would have bought the RPM series with the Air Gap intake.
I can't complain though, the motor looks good and sounds strong.
I can't complain though, the motor looks good and sounds strong.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Without changing the hood to run a better intake then a torker 2 (or a L-36 if you want a better street intake), your wasting your time with most aftermarket heads. You'll never be able to pull the airflow throught the intake to take advantage of it. So you'll have to decide if you want to change the hood to run a better intake, before deciding on the rest of your setup.
Originally Posted by eastltd
I went with the Performer series heads, intake and carb hoping the combo would fit under the stock hood. Now that I'm changing the hood I wish I would have bought the RPM series with the Air Gap intake.
I can't complain though, the motor looks good and sounds strong
I can't complain though, the motor looks good and sounds strong
What about the modification? Do you really think it is the best choice : price/performance?
What is the difference between your engine modified and the stock one, easy with high RPM? Torque? HP?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Hazerswoude-Rijndijk Zuid Holland
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
As for the hood, I'm about to order the L88 hood with the fresh air chamber. I'll post some shots once is gets here.
Good luck with your purchases.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
[QUOTE=nicoduc;1565638334]I would like to have an operating range from 2000 (or idle would be perfect for max torque) to 5500-6000 trs/min. I would like to have a strong engine with torque but with high HP. I will drive my corvette on automobile circuit and on french roads (week end).
If i understand, i can not keep my stock hood if i want to optimise the intake.
Since you plan on keeping it under 6k rpm, your best bet is to stick with Oval port heads, eg performer RPM ovals would be a good set of street heads that will breath easily to 6k and keep a broad torque curve since the runners aren't that large to lose the low end torque. Since you would like to keep the torque curve broad, stick with large dual plane intakes such as the performer RPM, or rpm airgap (not sure of the air gap fitting under an L-88 hood or not) or the like. An intake like these should be able to take advantage of those heads nicely. In either case an aftermarket hood would be needed. Then of course you have to decide on what compression ratio, cam choice, do I want to run on pump gas, idle quality, and etc. You have many choices from here on out but the important thing is that everything compliments each other.
Pat Kunz
If i understand, i can not keep my stock hood if i want to optimise the intake.
Since you plan on keeping it under 6k rpm, your best bet is to stick with Oval port heads, eg performer RPM ovals would be a good set of street heads that will breath easily to 6k and keep a broad torque curve since the runners aren't that large to lose the low end torque. Since you would like to keep the torque curve broad, stick with large dual plane intakes such as the performer RPM, or rpm airgap (not sure of the air gap fitting under an L-88 hood or not) or the like. An intake like these should be able to take advantage of those heads nicely. In either case an aftermarket hood would be needed. Then of course you have to decide on what compression ratio, cam choice, do I want to run on pump gas, idle quality, and etc. You have many choices from here on out but the important thing is that everything compliments each other.
Pat Kunz