Big Block Problem
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
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Big Block Problem
I've been seaching for a Big Block 454 to build this winter and put in my 1979. I have a numbers matching car and I wanna save my L-48 for when I grow out of my drag racing addiction. I'm not wanting to spend a fortune on this unit but I know I can build a nice strong reliable 454 that can push over 400 horse for $2500-$3000.
Now here is my problem. I CANNOT locate a 454 within 200 miles of myself (Eastern Nova Scotia) but at 5:00pm tonight I found a complete 396 engine. It is all there, and will require a rebuild, but I'm told it's a virgin block.
Should I change my plans and go with this 396, or stick to my original idea of having more cubes. I'm very aware that both engines will require changes to my car, but gimme some advise.
The 396 is gonna cost me $1000 (Canadian) but its all there.
Help
Now here is my problem. I CANNOT locate a 454 within 200 miles of myself (Eastern Nova Scotia) but at 5:00pm tonight I found a complete 396 engine. It is all there, and will require a rebuild, but I'm told it's a virgin block.
Should I change my plans and go with this 396, or stick to my original idea of having more cubes. I'm very aware that both engines will require changes to my car, but gimme some advise.
The 396 is gonna cost me $1000 (Canadian) but its all there.
Help
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Go with more cubes! It will cost the same for a 396 or 454. Go with the extra cubes for the $$$. The 396 is a very small BB. In fact it isn't even a very big SB. Be patient you will find a 454. They are everywhere down here.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Go with more cubes! It will cost the same for a 396 or 454 rebuild. Go with the extra cubes for the $$$. The 396 is a very small BB. In fact it isn't even a very big SB. Be patient you will find a 454. They are everywhere down here.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Go with the 454. The 396 is a very small BB. It is not even a very big SB. A 396 or 454 will cost about the same to rebuild. The 454 will put out more torque. The 454 is very common down here. Be patient a 454 will come around.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Gordonm
Go with more cubes! It will cost the same for a 396 or 454. Go with the extra cubes for the $$$. The 396 is a very small BB. In fact it isn't even a very big SB. Be patient you will find a 454. They are everywhere down here.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
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From: San Jose California
I wouldn't be too quick to pass up the 396 if it is still standard bore and in otherwise good shape. Is a 4 bolt main? This engine will easily make the kind of power to stated you were looking for. If it has good heads with 2.19 intakes you can make 500 horsepower without much sweat. Because it has a bit less stroke than the 454, it will rev higher more safely. BB heads flow much better than small block heads so you should make more power more easily than if you were to compare to a 383 or 400 cube small block.
But know what you are comparing to. Personally I would much prefer a 396 high performance four bolt virgin block free of cracks compared to a 2 bolt low performance 454.
Chuck
But know what you are comparing to. Personally I would much prefer a 396 high performance four bolt virgin block free of cracks compared to a 2 bolt low performance 454.
Chuck
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a 427 just a bored-out 396....and isn't a 454 just a stroked 427?????
Would not bother to build a 396 BB. 396 is good in a SB.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 641
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From: Storm lake Iowa
Lotsa chevy trucks and suburban-type vehicles have a 454 block...I'd think calling around to some wrecking yards should turn one up for cheap. If you're going to rebuild it anyway with parts capable of 400+hp, then ANY undamaged chevy big block should suit your purposes, no need to look for one that came from a vette or camaro or whatever. Just check out Jughead's homepage! 
-Roy
-Roy
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: St. Louis MO
A freind of mine has a 396 bored out to a 402 or 406(can't remember for sure) with a set of rect port iron heads and a street dominator intake and a 750 deamon to top it off in a 69 chevelle that runs in the low 12's hight 11's. 396's are still a big block and they still have outragous torque due to the longer conrods than your 396 small blocks. And torque is the name of the game when it comes to 60ft times. And with the shorter stroke of the 396 higher rev's are a little easier to attain. If all your looking for is about 400 hp, that shouldn't be a problem with the 396, stock from chevy they made some 375hp engines and those were probably underrated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
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From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
According to a book I have on big blocks, a 396 can be bored safely 0.125" to 4.25". That gets your motor out to 427. In fact, the 427 and 396 blocks share casting numbers in many cases. A 454 (MKIV)crank will drop right in and will get you to 454 ci. You can buy a cast steel 454 crank for $200 new very easily. Another consideration is that all 396 engines (as well as 427's) have forged steel cranks (if my memory is correct). 427 and 396 cranks will interchange if you re-balance the rotating assembly. This is the route I'd take if I was building a 396. It won't cost much more money than building the 396 back to stock displacement, and in fact, may be cheaper. 454 pistons are much cheaper than 396 pistons and have many more compression ratio options. In fact, 454 parts are in general, cheaper.
The 396 cylinder heads are the same as you will find on 454's. If you have large oval ports, some larger intake valves and porting can make these very good performance heads. If the 396 already has the rectangle port heads you are already there.
Go for it!!
The 396 cylinder heads are the same as you will find on 454's. If you have large oval ports, some larger intake valves and porting can make these very good performance heads. If the 396 already has the rectangle port heads you are already there.
Go for it!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
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Thanks for the words of advise on this issue. The field did appear equally split on this issue and I have spent two solid months, on many 454 searches to find nothing. The truth is I've found about 4 that could not be bought for any price. What a place I live in here! Anyway, I've made a deal on the 396 and I'll be spending the winter making it the way I want it. *Rubs hands together* 
for fun next summer!
for fun next summer!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
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From: Europe , Luxembourg
Originally Posted by 442olds
stock from chevy they made some 375hp engines and those were probably underrated.
The 1965 Vette had a 396 / 425 HP engine.
Was the same as the other GM 396/375 HP, so the other GM where underrated.
I have in my 68 Vette a 1968 Camaro 375 HP block now bored to 427 and 30 over and it runs strong with the original 375 L71 square solid lifter heads.
1000 $ for a complete 396 CI engine is OK if it is the 4 bolt main, I guess.
Grds. Gunther
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by Grinchia
Just check out Jughead's homepage!
-Roy
-Roy
For $1,000 and ready to go? I couldn't pass it up either. Torque in a BB rules. You can always make changes later.
Just watch that the HP & upgrade bug doesn't bite you like it did me. I started my project as a simple head, cam & intake swap!
My 454 Project
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
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Indynut,
If you want to take the ferry and drive to St. John's in a pickup truck,
I can get you a 454 in about ten seconds!!
What do you want ...LS4, 5, 6 or 7??
I have a block that I used in my Vette last year. The combination was LS7. I burned the pistons and instead of having it bored out, I went with a 540 block and kept my Dart Pro 1's and full roller setup.
I have my original numbers # LS4....not for sale.
I have a complete LS6, new and ready to go. Probably too expensive for your liking.
I can get my hands on a few other 454's too, pretty quickly!!
Including a fuel injected pickup 454 with 100 000Km complete for $1000-00.
If you want to take the ferry and drive to St. John's in a pickup truck,
I can get you a 454 in about ten seconds!!
What do you want ...LS4, 5, 6 or 7??
I have a block that I used in my Vette last year. The combination was LS7. I burned the pistons and instead of having it bored out, I went with a 540 block and kept my Dart Pro 1's and full roller setup.
I have my original numbers # LS4....not for sale.
I have a complete LS6, new and ready to go. Probably too expensive for your liking.
I can get my hands on a few other 454's too, pretty quickly!!
Including a fuel injected pickup 454 with 100 000Km complete for $1000-00.