454HO Crate Engine ( Good Deal? )
09-24-2003, 11:00 AM
#1
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454HO Crate Engine ( Good Deal? )
Here are the specifics of it:
Does this sound like a good deal? I have been debating a 383 or 406 but this will cost around the same. Just a little extra for the conversion. What do yall think.
JB
[Modified by Shark Attack, 4:01 PM 9/24/2003]
Description:
The 454 HO offers tremendous value in a big block crate engine. Based on the Gen VI block, this 425 horsepower cast iron head engine is a great choice for that muscle car in the garage. We've heard of several customers replacing their rare matching number 396, 427, or 454 with the 454 HO in order to drive on today's gasoline without fear of destroying their classic engine.
The HO stands for high output. It also stands for big valves, retangular ports, forged pistons, forged steel crankshaft, forged connecting rods and four bolt mains. When you add in the steel roller camshaft, shotpeened rods, windage tray, one piece rear main seal and high speed single roller timing chain, it starts to sound more like the performance big block of the new millenium. And it is.
The 454 HO makes 500 ft.lbs of torque with its retangular port open chamber cylinder heads. With 118cc combustion chambers, the modest 8.75 to 1 compression ratio loves today's pump premium and has no appetite for lead, octane boosters or other fuel additives. Its 2.19" intake and 1.88" exhaust valves and high lift .510"/.540" roller cam let it breathe with the best of the early muscle motors.
With your carb, distributor, and exhaust system, you've got a rod worthy of your time, effort, and expertise. And, if you want to use your muscle car's fule system with a mechanical fuel pump, you can because the 454 HO Gen VI block has a conventional style fule pump boss.
Price:4,721.00
The 454 HO offers tremendous value in a big block crate engine. Based on the Gen VI block, this 425 horsepower cast iron head engine is a great choice for that muscle car in the garage. We've heard of several customers replacing their rare matching number 396, 427, or 454 with the 454 HO in order to drive on today's gasoline without fear of destroying their classic engine.
The HO stands for high output. It also stands for big valves, retangular ports, forged pistons, forged steel crankshaft, forged connecting rods and four bolt mains. When you add in the steel roller camshaft, shotpeened rods, windage tray, one piece rear main seal and high speed single roller timing chain, it starts to sound more like the performance big block of the new millenium. And it is.
The 454 HO makes 500 ft.lbs of torque with its retangular port open chamber cylinder heads. With 118cc combustion chambers, the modest 8.75 to 1 compression ratio loves today's pump premium and has no appetite for lead, octane boosters or other fuel additives. Its 2.19" intake and 1.88" exhaust valves and high lift .510"/.540" roller cam let it breathe with the best of the early muscle motors.
With your carb, distributor, and exhaust system, you've got a rod worthy of your time, effort, and expertise. And, if you want to use your muscle car's fule system with a mechanical fuel pump, you can because the 454 HO Gen VI block has a conventional style fule pump boss.
Price:4,721.00
JB
[Modified by Shark Attack, 4:01 PM 9/24/2003]
09-24-2003, 11:05 AM
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Re: 454HO Crate Engine (Shark Attack)
If you have the time and knowledge, build a stroker. You can get more horse power and more torque in a lighter engine. Just my thoughts.....
09-24-2003, 11:20 AM
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Melting Slicks
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Re: 454HO Crate Engine (Brettmc)
Just remember that if you get the big block there are a lot of other items to consider for the total bill. All your accessory brackets will need to be replaced, water pump, probably a bigger carb, headers, springs, possibly bigger radiator, etc. Sounds like fun though! :steering:
09-24-2003, 11:55 AM
#5
Re: 454HO Crate Engine (tshort)
That's the direction I'm probably headed. I have had two rebuilds fail although the last one had nothing to do with the machine shop work done, just a part failure.
Although I hear there is a new version called the ZZ 454 w/440 hp. It has alum oval port heads (which saves about 80 lbs). It is out there but hard to get right now. They are $5500 from Scoggin-Dickey but are back ordered.That would be quite a combo, kind of a little brother to the ZZ502.
There are a few other things that will increase this price as mentioned above.
A small block crate motor would be cheaper (& lighter). But, it's hard not to like the torque of a big block.
Good luck.
Regards, Mark
Although I hear there is a new version called the ZZ 454 w/440 hp. It has alum oval port heads (which saves about 80 lbs). It is out there but hard to get right now. They are $5500 from Scoggin-Dickey but are back ordered.That would be quite a combo, kind of a little brother to the ZZ502.
There are a few other things that will increase this price as mentioned above.
A small block crate motor would be cheaper (& lighter). But, it's hard not to like the torque of a big block.
Good luck.
Regards, Mark
09-24-2003, 12:17 PM
#6
Race Director
Re: 454HO Crate Engine (marky mark)
:iagree: get the ZZ454 like marky mark says.
The sb is a fantastic economy motor, but once you want big power, get a BB.
Just read the HP #'s of BB vs. SB.(tested here by forum members)
I'll take a small BB over a Big sb anyday. :cool:
The sb is a fantastic economy motor, but once you want big power, get a BB.
Just read the HP #'s of BB vs. SB.(tested here by forum members)
I'll take a small BB over a Big sb anyday. :cool:
09-24-2003, 12:56 PM
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Re: 454HO Crate Engine (Shark Attack)
Nothing comes close to BB, I would say yes yes yes The selling feature is the 500 lbs of torque. My buddy has a Chevelle with a 454 crate HO engine All I can said is wow wow. The other bonus is if you dont mess with the engine it will outlast any old vette.
09-24-2003, 02:42 PM
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Re: 454HO Crate Engine (tshort)
Just remember that if you get the big block there are a lot of other items to consider for the total bill. All your accessory brackets will need to be replaced, water pump, probably a bigger carb, headers, springs, possibly bigger radiator, etc. Sounds like fun though! :steering:
What is the car going to be used for?
09-24-2003, 04:55 PM
#12
Team Owner
Re: 454HO Crate Engine (Lasse)
Go for the Big Block, it has WAY more potential than the Small Block ever will. It will make more power (mod for mod) and have a smother idle (cam for cam). Later on you can always bore and stroke to a 496ci. :thumbs:
09-24-2003, 07:44 PM
#13
Safety Car
Re: 454HO Crate Engine (Corey 68)
When I bought my '69 last November, it had one of these in it with 1000 miles on the clock. The GM crate motors are impressive in that its an all forged bottom end (not super, high-$$ forgings that can live at 7500-8000rpm, but still very strong). Remember that the 425/500 rating is "gross" hp and that it is achieved with a high-rise intake (so you cannot use the stock BB/SB hood...if you want to run a high-rise).
All tuned up, with a low-rise "pancake" LS6 rect. port intake, Holley 770 double-pumper, Hooker side-mounted headers mine made 334rwhp/384rwtq. This is not bad for the parts you get in that motor, and is probably as much HP as a typical factory BB (except L88, of course). It makes peak HP at 5400rpm, and peak TQ ~3500rpm (very flat TQ curve from 1800 up).
7 months later I added some better heads, larger cam, and high-rise intake and picked up another 100rwhp/70rwtq. :)
What I would do if I were you is buy the _shortblock_ version of this engine and then, assuming you can afford it, go get some better flowing heads.
You can certainly make more HP than the stock 454 HO with a stroker smallblock if you build it with good heads, intake, exhaust, and the right cam.
All tuned up, with a low-rise "pancake" LS6 rect. port intake, Holley 770 double-pumper, Hooker side-mounted headers mine made 334rwhp/384rwtq. This is not bad for the parts you get in that motor, and is probably as much HP as a typical factory BB (except L88, of course). It makes peak HP at 5400rpm, and peak TQ ~3500rpm (very flat TQ curve from 1800 up).
7 months later I added some better heads, larger cam, and high-rise intake and picked up another 100rwhp/70rwtq. :)
What I would do if I were you is buy the _shortblock_ version of this engine and then, assuming you can afford it, go get some better flowing heads.
You can certainly make more HP than the stock 454 HO with a stroker smallblock if you build it with good heads, intake, exhaust, and the right cam.
09-24-2003, 08:16 PM
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Re: 454HO Crate Engine (WA 2 FST)
Thanks for the opinions guys. I am undecided yet as of which way to go yet. I am looking at a few cars, only one however is a BB.
09-24-2003, 08:47 PM
#15
Race Director
Re: 454HO Crate Engine (WA 2 FST)
When I bought my '69 last November, it had one of these in it with 1000 miles on the clock. The GM crate motors are impressive in that its an all forged bottom end (not super, high-$$ forgings that can live at 7500-8000rpm, but still very strong). Remember that the 425/500 rating is "gross" hp and that it is achieved with a high-rise intake (so you cannot use the stock BB/SB hood...if you want to run a high-rise).
All tuned up, with a low-rise "pancake" LS6 rect. port intake, Holley 770 double-pumper, Hooker side-mounted headers mine made 334rwhp/384rwtq. This is not bad for the parts you get in that motor, and is probably as much HP as a typical factory BB (except L88, of course). It makes peak HP at 5400rpm, and peak TQ ~3500rpm (very flat TQ curve from 1800 up).
7 months later I added some better heads, larger cam, and high-rise intake and picked up another 100rwhp/70rwtq. :)
What I would do if I were you is buy the _shortblock_ version of this engine and then, assuming you can afford it, go get some better flowing heads.
All tuned up, with a low-rise "pancake" LS6 rect. port intake, Holley 770 double-pumper, Hooker side-mounted headers mine made 334rwhp/384rwtq. This is not bad for the parts you get in that motor, and is probably as much HP as a typical factory BB (except L88, of course). It makes peak HP at 5400rpm, and peak TQ ~3500rpm (very flat TQ curve from 1800 up).
7 months later I added some better heads, larger cam, and high-rise intake and picked up another 100rwhp/70rwtq. :)
What I would do if I were you is buy the _shortblock_ version of this engine and then, assuming you can afford it, go get some better flowing heads.
You can certainly make more HP than the stock 454 HO with a stroker smallblock if you build it with good heads, intake, exhaust, and the right cam.
Wa 2 FAST is right: start-out @ 440 HP/500 ft/lb, then, 'build' as much as you see fit, or need! Go WA 2 FAST's route (heads, cam, etc.), or stick a stroker crank in your big-block (a 1/4" 'arm' with a .030" over-bore is a 489" Rat!!!), and keep your 8.75/9:1 CR. With a 'mild' shot of N2O, you'll be knocking on the door of 600 HP.....
09-24-2003, 11:06 PM
#16
Re: 454HO Crate Engine (Shark Attack)
Chevy High Performance did a series on that engine, once they put headers on it think they got 447 horse out of it.
With that being said GM Direct is now selling the ZZ454 with 440 hp for $5399.00
How ever for the same coin you get there 502 HO eninge with 450 poines and 550 torque. For me theres something about having over 500 CI that seem cool. The link below has the ZZ454 engine and also will get to all there other crates too.
Here is a link http://www.gmpartsdepot.com/store/ca...ry_ID=7&Page=3
[Modified by Tominator, 10:07 PM 9/24/2003]
With that being said GM Direct is now selling the ZZ454 with 440 hp for $5399.00
How ever for the same coin you get there 502 HO eninge with 450 poines and 550 torque. For me theres something about having over 500 CI that seem cool. The link below has the ZZ454 engine and also will get to all there other crates too.
Here is a link http://www.gmpartsdepot.com/store/ca...ry_ID=7&Page=3
[Modified by Tominator, 10:07 PM 9/24/2003]