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Does anyone have the 454 HO crate motor installed? I am considering swapping my 350 for the crate 454 but I would really like to know how it sounds. Does it have a rough idle or is it too smooth? I like a nice rough, lopey idle. The 350 I have now has a .510" lift, 245 duration cam and has a great sound at idle. Thanks for any info. :flag
Does anyone have the 454 HO crate motor installed? I am considering swapping my 350 for the crate 454 but I would really like to know how it sounds. Does it have a rough idle or is it too smooth? I like a nice rough, lopey idle. The 350 I have now has a .510" lift, 245 duration cam and has a great sound at idle. Thanks for any info. :flag
I put the 454HO in the '67 (same frame as a C-3). It's a great motor! Starts very well, and doesn't ever overheat. It idles around 800 rpm's, and lopes nicely with the side pipes. Of course it DOES idle smoother than the ZZ/502 in the '79!
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:
P.S.
Big Blocks sound NOTHING like small blocks........Big Blocks scare old women and children!
:lol: :lol:
IMO, the 454 with it's 210 or so degree cam will idle WAY smoother than a small block with a 245 degree cam. 35 degrees less duration and 100 extra cubes will make a big difference. If you want to approximate the idle of your small block, you'll need a much bigger cam. Just swap it!
My 427 currently has a cam similar to the 210 in the crate 454, and it's very smooth. Too smooth for me.
I think the cam will sound to smooth, in my taste. But the reliability can't be beaten.
If you want to change cam, you must go with the same lift due to the net-lash system. If you also change the lift: rollerlifters, pushrods, rockers and studs must be replaced. Check the latest numbers of Chevy HP magazine.
I have a 454HO crate that is waiting to go in my '73. I also obtained a new ZZ502 camshaft. The guy I got my motor from works for a shop in Dallas that assembles the 454HO for GM, and he said the ZZ cam is an easy swap, and works with all the stock 454HO valvetrain stuff (ie: the net lash rockers). The ZZ specs are 224/234dur.-.527/.544lift-110lobe sep. I don't know the intake centerline, but I think it is 106. May give up a little bottom end over the stock cam, but I think this thing may have a little to spare in the name of a way cool idle. Wish I could tell you how it sounds! Soon, I hope.