I just purchased a 1976 era 454 that was rebuilt 30,000 miles ago. It is completely stock with the exception of a 780 Holley. My thought was to put a mild (266-268 advertised duration) cam, Edelbrock Performer intake and headers on it when I swap it into my '70 Velle. It will run through a beefed up TH350 with approx 1800-2000 rpm converter, and ten bolt posi rear with 3.55 gears. With me in it the car weighs approximately 3900-4000 pounds. Is it realistic to think that this combination will run mid 13s?

IMHO and experience,yes.What heads does it have?

I haven't taken a valve cover off yet, but the engine feels very strong--I'm guessing that it has decent heads. 781s maybe? I was thinking that with such a small cam that even peanut port heads would respond well.

The quadrajet carb and manifold will pull better than a 780 holley. What did the motor come out of? the head casting can be found under the valve cover so it might be wise to check it out before buying. If it pulls extremely hard it is probably one of the good heads as the peanut ports don't generally run that good.

You could try the motor out before changing cams. Adding headers is a good idea and adding good dual exhausts is beneficial but changing cams in a good running engine is always a crap shoot. Try it the way it is first.

Thanks for the advice! I'll try it as it sits first, then make changes from there.

If you know for a fact that the cam is stock,I'd replace it along with the other parts you mentioned,before you stab it in the car,,,cam,carb,intake and headers WILL really wake up a big block and 13's even high 12's are easily attainable with the gears you mentioned. IMHO

I dont recommend to someone who has limited experience in motors to do a cam swap.

Do you have any close friend in the area who have done sucessful cam installations, talk to them first.


As far as the recommendation, i would look at a slighly smaller cam