I bought a 96 vortec 454 and was wanting to use it in a mild bracket race type motor. Are the lifters non adjustable? It has a large set of ovals. Want to use a solid or hydraulic cam-anyone know of a 500 hp combo on pump gas that could be made from this engine? probably will change the pistons out to make 9.5 comp-Thanks if anyone can help!:)

it would make a great motor. the heads flow better than the older heads and they have a smaller chamber. flat top pistons should get you the compression you want. these heads have a flow vane in the intake port that might be better removed on a higher hp build but with the right combo it should make 500 hp easy without doing anything but a good valve job and bowl blend

1. You'll need two sets (16) of valve rotator eliminator shims. Watch the intake valve guide-to-spring seat radius; some of the shims won't want to seat properly because of poor machining. Not an issue on the exhaust side.

2. The exhaust port is wonderful. The intake port needs major help.

3. Oversize valves are probably a total waste of time--they'd be terribly shrouded by the chamber.

4. You can install small-dome pistons, but you'll have to carve some of the chamber "vane" away between intake and exhaust valve.

5. All Gen 5/6 engines are net-lash. You can re-drill and tap the rocker stud holes for 7/16-14; or if you won't be going over 300 lbs on the valve springs you can use special rocker studs with a smaller base thread and 7/16-20 top thread.