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Mild 454 Engine Build

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Old Dec 21, 2015 | 03:09 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by Vortecpro
I thought I'd share a recent 454 build with your forum. Built for a 1971 Corvette, although not a correct restoration type build but a every day driver build. Compression turned out right around 9.4 along with a 228 @ .050 hyd roller, A 781 oval port head was used with a 2.190/1.880 valve. The factory cast iron intake was used with a Q-Jet. It will be interesting to see what kind of power this type of build will make for power, I will follow up with a dyno test. Some pictures.
The subject engine is for my 71 w close ratio 4-speed and 3.70 ratio rear end. This engine will be used in place of my numbers matching motor, which is going into hibernation. I reached out to Mark for this build because of his reputation with Big Block iron head Chevys. I wanted to use the Q-jet and stock intake manifold to give the engine the outward appearance of the LS5, which it was replacing. From the pictures, it looks like Mark has nailed the LS5 theme. I wanted a roller-cam, but everything else was left to Mark’s expertise. The roller cam is a custom grind (sourced by Mark), and Mark has worked over the heads with larger valves and porting. I couldn’t be happier with how things have gone so far.
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Old Dec 21, 2015 | 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Jebbysan
I say about 360-370 horsepower....420 ft/lbs. torque....the low rise intake is a HP killer.....

Please do not use a square bore carb on a Q-Jet manifold.....even the best spacers have a horrible mismatch that not only is detrimental to flow....but wreaks havoc on tuning....

It should run great with a Q-jet.....you will have a lot of fun with it.....lots of torque down low

Jebby
462 HP @ 5600 RPM with 532 TQ @ 3500 on this one with a flat tappet cam. The one on this thread (w/roller cam) will make more.

Last edited by Kid Vette; Dec 21, 2015 at 03:31 PM.
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Old Dec 21, 2015 | 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Kid Vette
462 HP @ 5600 RPM with 532 TQ @ 3500 on this one with a flat tappet cam. The one on this thread (w/roller cam) will make more.
Interesting.....I can see it though.....

Jebby
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Old Dec 21, 2015 | 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Jebbysan
Interesting.....I can see it though.....

Jebby
Wheat, you are gonna have a great motor. I always follow Mark's build over at Chevelles and he always delivers. Congrats and can't wait to see the numbers.
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Old Dec 21, 2015 | 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Kid Vette
454Luvr, 96 lt-4, you guys realize you're giving tips to a professional engine builder with a reputation for building phenomenal big blocks, right?
Then he should know an aftermarket intake will make more power

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Old Dec 21, 2015 | 10:01 PM
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Sure he knows maybe customer request. Spoken with vortecpro a number of times, standup guy who delivers imo.
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Old Dec 21, 2015 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by 96 lt-4
Then he should know an aftermarket intake will make more power

He knows. That was my choice...I wanted to stay close to the LS5 theme. I wanted the engine to look OEM and was willing to sacrifice some HP. Anyway, it will be way stronger than the original LS5, which will now be in safekeeping.
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Old Dec 22, 2015 | 07:19 AM
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Originally Posted by 69ttop502
Wheat, you are gonna have a great motor. I always follow Mark's build over at Chevelles and he always delivers. Congrats and can't wait to see the numbers.
Mark built my 468 BB and I still can't believe the amount power every time I drive it....

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Old Dec 22, 2015 | 07:30 PM
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I don't doubt the guys prowess just a little ribbing.
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Old Dec 28, 2015 | 08:22 PM
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I finished the 454 build, I noticed it was pulling quite a bit of vacuum at WOT, 2 inches, Idle vacuum was 13 inches @ 860 RPM @ 6400 feet, vacuum should come in at 17-18 inches @ 1000 feet. Very smooth and mild. BSFC was from .420-.470.
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Last edited by Vortecpro; Dec 28, 2015 at 08:25 PM.
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Old Dec 28, 2015 | 10:35 PM
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Nice! Going to be a nice Christmas present!!!

JIM
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Old Dec 28, 2015 | 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Vortecpro
I finished the 454 build, I noticed it was pulling quite a bit of vacuum at WOT, 2 inches, Idle vacuum was 13 inches @ 860 RPM @ 6400 feet, vacuum should come in at 17-18 inches @ 1000 feet. Very smooth and mild. BSFC was from .420-.470.
What's next ? A ported intake and a modified large bore Qjet ? That's a lot of vac @ WOT !
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Old Dec 28, 2015 | 10:43 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by Vortecpro
I finished the 454 build, I noticed it was pulling quite a bit of vacuum at WOT, 2 inches, Idle vacuum was 13 inches @ 860 RPM @ 6400 feet, vacuum should come in at 17-18 inches @ 1000 feet. Very smooth and mild. BSFC was from .420-.470.
Mark hit it out of the Ballpark. A closer look at the dyno sheet reals 553 torque at 3500 and 501 HP at 5500. Super happy with the results.
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Old Dec 28, 2015 | 10:54 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by 68post
What's next ? A ported intake and a modified large bore Qjet ? That's a lot of vac @ WOT !
The vac #s suggest quite a bit potential in the motor, but I will drive as is for probably quite a while. This is a big upgrade in power from the numbers LS5 motor. Going to take some getting use to. Going to see how long it take to burn up a set of tire.
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 10:07 AM
  #35  
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Thanks for all the nice comments!
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Vortecpro
I thought I'd share a recent 454 build with your forum. Built for a 1971 Corvette, although not a correct restoration type build but a every day driver build. Compression turned out right around 9.4 along with a 228 @ .050 hyd roller, A 781 oval port head was used with a 2.190/1.880 valve. The factory cast iron intake was used with a Q-Jet. It will be interesting to see what kind of power this type of build will make for power, I will follow up with a dyno test. Some pictures.
I had a 71 that was a factory bb car and still had the orig. q jet carb. I rebuilt the 454 that was in it with some mild porting to the oval port heads 11 t0 1 compression stock intake and carb, factory exhaust manifolds ported with 2.5" exhaust and got it to run in the very high 12s at LACR which is in Palmdale Ca. or it used to be.
Anyway the point is that yours should run pretty darn good.
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Vortecpro
I finished the 454 build, I noticed it was pulling quite a bit of vacuum at WOT, 2 inches, Idle vacuum was 13 inches @ 860 RPM @ 6400 feet, vacuum should come in at 17-18 inches @ 1000 feet. Very smooth and mild. BSFC was from .420-.470.
BSFC = Brake Specific Fuel Consumption? Could you explain what the numbers mean? I believe a lower number means you are getting more power with the same amount of fuel, right? Seems I heard somebody say .450 is good and below .420 is awesome. Does that sound right?

Also, what's a good number for vacuum at WOT? I've always heard you need at least 1-1.5 so 2 doesn't seem that high. Do you have a target you shoot for?

Can you post bigger pics of the dyno printout? My old eyes can't make out the numbers.

Last edited by Kid Vette; Dec 29, 2015 at 05:48 PM. Reason: Added comment on pics
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 10:26 PM
  #38  
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Damn.. I was close on the torque but guessed a little high on the hp. No doubt that intake is a killer.. Probably 40hp + hiding in there.

Gives the owner some room to grow down the road if he decides to put an L88 hood on it...

Still damn good power, should get him in the 11s and look stock while doing it.
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 10:38 PM
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Originally Posted by ajrothm
Damn.. I was close on the torque but guessed a little high on the hp. No doubt that intake is a killer.. Probably 40hp + hiding in there.

Gives the owner some room to grow down the road if he decides to put an L88 hood on it...

Still damn good power, should get him in the 11s and look stock while doing it.
That was what I was shooting for. Mark really delivered.
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Kid Vette
BSFC = Brake Specific Fuel Consumption? Could you explain what the numbers mean? I believe a lower number means you are getting more power with the same amount of fuel, right? Seems I heard somebody say .450 is good and below .420 is awesome. Does that sound right?

Also, what's a good number for vacuum at WOT? I've always heard you need at least 1-1.5 so 2 doesn't seem that high. Do you have a target you shoot for?

Can you post bigger pics of the dyno printout? My old eyes can't make out the numbers.
I believe you are correct regarding the BSFC data. I believe it is more typical to have vacuum at near zero at WOT. As for target vac #s, I will leave it to Mark to comment on that.

I was able to read the numbers better by increasing my display size to 175%. Those are some good dyno #s
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