sportster89

I bought a 1974 with 454 it all stock should I modify for more horse power or leave it stock? What I am not sure is it more collectable stock or modified?

mwm1993

A good quality stock car like that is worth more than a modified one in similar condition.

Any pics?

Mike

sportster89

Just processed uploading pics. They are pending for approval.

Thanks

John

redwhitekat

I love my 74 l82 I think these cars are fun to drive as Is

mwm1993

it's probably a torque monster as it is. I would just maintain and enjoy it stock

GPGG70

If you do decide to modify the engine or anything on the car for that fact, be sure to keep all the parts. Bag and tag everything. Me? I'd clean it up (detail) and keep it stock. Is it a 4 speed?

sportster89

No its auto. Thanks John

diehrd

Just by how you asked , I would pull that block freshen it up convert it to roller add aluminum heads and have me 500hp vette to tool around in !~!~! Of course save all oem parts ...

Easy Mike

FWIW: If the car has managed to last all this time without anyone monkeying with it, it deserves to be left stock.

sportster89

Thats what i am thinking. It has 39000 miles on it right now [original]

zuendler

So you have the low compression 8,5:1 454?
You could add 50HP just be increasing the compression to 10:1.
Some more with an other cam and the engine will still look like stock.

But then the original feeling will be gone. I wont drive like it did 40 years ago.
I would keep it as it is.

In my case it was easy to do the 502 swap, because the original engine was not in the car when i bought it.

Easy Mike

Clean it; tune it; drive it. Looks like a nice car.

Big Block Dave

Im in a similar situation, as Ive also got a # matching 74 454 car, and often ponder with "what to do".

My car is also stock, but I venture to guess that your car looks prettier under the hood. My car looks like doody under the hood, which leaves me in the position of having to make it look pretty....and with that I may just decide to change the intake.

The shame is that one of the coolest parts of this car is the air cleaner set up, but quite frankly, I want to have a little more fun with the car, and feel that intake, carb, and headers (or sidepipes) will make me happier than knowing Ive got the original set up under the hood.

For what its worth, if my car looked pretty under the hood, Id probably leave it alone, except for maybe putting on a 427/390 intake manifold. When it gets hot outside, you will notice that the low compression 454 with cast iron intake doesnt love it once it gets warmed up.

Easy Mike

So clean under the hood and get it pretty.

Mike Ward

What's that got to do with the intake?

Leo23

The car has lasted 39 years as it is, if it's in decent shape, modifications can only lower the value. Keep this one stock, and buy a high mileage car that needs work, and mod the hell out of it.

sportster89

I like the way you think. Thanks

74 LS4-454

ok, here is my 2cents..... I have a 1 owner 10,000 mile 74 454 Convertible that I took just about completely apart, even the engine. I could have left it as a survivor, but decided against it. I never had a BB Vette, so I am happy I have one. Have owned for over 4 years now and I am taking 3 weeks of my vacation this June to work on the Vert and get it back together again. I may even do a color change. If you bought yours as a investment, then leave as is, and there is nothing wrong with that. I chose to do some light mods on the engine which should give the 454 some added power. I also don't intend to sell the 74 or the 82 for that matter, as my grandsons will probably get both of them
My 82 is my "dd", when the 74 is done, it will be the weekend machine to use.
My feeling is that life passes you by and you should enjoy the Corvette for what it is and what it is for and IMO, it's to drive and enjoy. Don't get me wrong, it can be just as enjoyable for someone to let it sit in the garage and just enjoy it being there.
Whatever you do, have fun with it and post some more pics, would like to see the engine compartment.........................Tom

Big Block Dave

Mike, from many of your posts that Ive read, Ive learned that you are very knowledgeable in many areas of this hobby. I dont claim to be a scientist, but it is my understanding that aluminum dissipates heat better than cast iron.

This is my 3rd street driven big block, and by far the tamest of them all. Any musclecar Ive owned has always been hampered by summer heat (as expected), but Ive never seen a motor suffer from a seat of the pants loss of performance like I have with this LS4 in the middle of the summer. It will roll out of the garage and run hard, but after lets say a ride on the highway and full operating temp, a full throttle run through the gears is not the same.

Ive had cars that lost a tenth or two at the track from May air to July air. I would speculate that this car would lose more than that, and I attribute it largely to the cast iron manifold holding on to the heat. I suppose its possible that if I just blocked the heat crossover Id get some positive results, and maybe a valley oil shield would help too.

Just my thoughts, maybe that Im dead wrong, but my observation with this car is what I consider to be a gross loss of performance. Someone else might not feel the same way, but maybe Im just sensitive

Big Block Dave

Extremely well said, and I feel the same way. Thats why Im looking for an old Edelbrock C396qj to throw my 800dp on top of....the factory set up would be very satisfying to restore, but Id rather have a little more performance. These cars are rare, but they dont get big big dollars, so might as well enjoy it!