427 versus 454
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
427 versus 454
Why is the 427 a better or "preferred" engine than the 454?
Is it because of the shorter stroke that it can rev higher/quicker and produce more HP? Can't I just stick a 427 crank in a 454 and make it 427? If this is stupid question don't laugh too much. I got a 74 454 block with 427 heads now and have been thinking about it.
Is it because of the shorter stroke that it can rev higher/quicker and produce more HP? Can't I just stick a 427 crank in a 454 and make it 427? If this is stupid question don't laugh too much. I got a 74 454 block with 427 heads now and have been thinking about it.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
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From: Living in the Hartland
I think it depends on what you are going to use the car for, if a race only car then maybe the 427 is the way to go but if you want a car that jumps off the line or when hitting the gas at low rpm's then the extra torq the 454 provides might be the way to go.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
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From: Huntersville NC
In what way do you find the 427 is preferred to the 454? The 427 preceeded the 454 and there seems to be a halo effect from the L88s of 67-69. I know there are many that will carefully weigh the benefits/shortcomings of the two displacements but I would bet that most would be hardpressed to tell the difference without the air cleaner decals! 
27 cubic inches?
27 cubic inches?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,453
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From: Republic of Texas
If both engine are equal (same heads, cam, intake, carb, etc) the 454 will make roughly 25hp/ 25tq more than the 427. A 427 and 454 share the same bore, only the stroke is different. So yes you can swap crank to shorten the stroke, but you will be giving up cubic inches as well as power. Both are EXCELLENT engines but give the the cubic inches everyime. A built 454 will have no problem reving to 7,000rpms, don't think b/c of the longer stroke it ca't rev. 
Last edited by Corey_68; Aug 4, 2004 at 04:20 PM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 667
Likes: 3
From: College Station TX
Originally Posted by Hvymtlc5
Why is the 427 a better or "preferred" engine than the 454?
Is it because of the shorter stroke that it can rev higher/quicker and produce more HP? Can't I just stick a 427 crank in a 454 and make it 427? If this is stupid question don't laugh too much. I got a 74 454 block with 427 heads now and have been thinking about it.
Is it because of the shorter stroke that it can rev higher/quicker and produce more HP? Can't I just stick a 427 crank in a 454 and make it 427? If this is stupid question don't laugh too much. I got a 74 454 block with 427 heads now and have been thinking about it.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
I don't have an informed opinion, just a comment. A similar argument was advanced when the 327 became a 350. There might be some truth in the short stroke theory/fact(?) but I will leave it to others to make judgements based their experiences.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I thought this post would turn into a debate but everyone agrees the 454 is preferred on the street for it's increased torque. I wouldn't even settle for a 454 anymore. If something happens to mine I will settle for no less then 502 and possible a 540. Even the 454 eventually becomes too tame.
As for revving I regularly took mine to 7500.
As for revving I regularly took mine to 7500.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
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From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by 03ki11er
It doesn't matter, four cylinder with a turbo will own any big block any day! Turbo's will never die, never! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
You're joking about the 4 banger, right ?
You can put five turbos on there, and never meet the low end
torque of a BB.
Oh - are talking about a 4cylinder in a CRX or a vette ?
A BB CRX would also kick the 4cyl turbo version down the strip.
You can put five turbos on there, and never meet the low end
torque of a BB.
Oh - are talking about a 4cylinder in a CRX or a vette ?
A BB CRX would also kick the 4cyl turbo version down the strip.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
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From: Taylor Michigan
Originally Posted by 03ki11er
It doesn't matter, four cylinder with a turbo will own any big block any day! Turbo's will never die, never!
No substitute for inches. 
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 202
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the 'prefered engine' thing comes from how the engines were in their stock form.
the 427 came with compression ratios ranging from 10.25 to 11 to 1, and had higher horsepower numbers. When emissions started creaping in they designed the 454 and gave it lower compression numbers, which in turn lowered the HP. All things equal, the only substitute for cubic inches are cubic feet.
the 427 came with compression ratios ranging from 10.25 to 11 to 1, and had higher horsepower numbers. When emissions started creaping in they designed the 454 and gave it lower compression numbers, which in turn lowered the HP. All things equal, the only substitute for cubic inches are cubic feet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
I remember when the 454 first came out, it was considered a truck/station wagon motor or an emissions motor. The 427 was a derivitave of the LeMans/Nascar motor, slightly tamed for the street. You could get a steel crank in a 427, too, which everyone in the day "knew" was required for any real horsepower. Now we are smarter, of course, and realize torque rules the street and there's no replacement for displacement. Same thing for the 400 small block, initially poo-poo'd, but now highly desired. Joe
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
427 and 454 is teh same block.. GM notched the bottom of the cyl to clear the longer stroke and then gave a new casting number and part number.
Regarding cranks, Scat, Eagle make internal balanced cranks in 4, 4.25 inch strokes.
Regarding cranks, Scat, Eagle make internal balanced cranks in 4, 4.25 inch strokes.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,600
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From: Valencia (near LA) CA
I had romantic feelings about my 427. It just seems right for the car. It's a part of American history!
But my engine builder told that cubic inches = torque, and torque is what you feel. It was a cheap way to make significat power in a street car.
So I am keeping the 427 numbers on the hood, and enjoying 468ci under it
~Jay
But my engine builder told that cubic inches = torque, and torque is what you feel. It was a cheap way to make significat power in a street car.
So I am keeping the 427 numbers on the hood, and enjoying 468ci under it
~Jay
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
You all got my attention. 7000 rpm out of the 454 is more than I care to build. I'll stick with what I have (454) and work from there. Thanks for the open minded opinions and advice.