Alright, so I bought a 78 suburban w/454+TH400 for $250. Engine codes outto 1974 Impala LS3 (or so Tag Team Tells me). I'm setting myself up a spreadsheet so i can get an initial cost outlay to budget myself for over the coming months (March is Install goal). However since this motor just sort of fell into my lap, i hadn't researched BBC components for quite some time (was planning on 383erizing my 327).

Machine work not included, Here are my goals/requirements 450/450 would be nice but not essential:

Already used to Buying 91 Octane for the 327 so upping compression wont affect me too bad. Whats safe for BBC?

Durability: I'm gonna try and do this once and have it last at least 5-10 years, willing to sacrifice some power to achieve it.

Supporting upgrades: Your opinions on exhaust (was thinking dynomax coated + pypes + free flowing quiet mufflers), springs, a good driveline shop, and rear-end set up (8.2 10bolt :eek: )

Fitment: Bracketry issues? Motor Mounts? have 68 A/C sbc radiator, need new one for non-A/C BBC? (also does anyone have a serpentine setup other then $uperbling March setups?)

TH400: Should i worry about her other than a filter change at this point, or will that be dictated by projected HP/TQ

Carb: Quadrajet sits up there now, should I have it rebuilt (professionaly) or sell some parts i have laying around and get a new one? SD750?

Overall i'm looking for an energetic driver with the occasional trip to infineon (not competition, just fun, no slicks, no trans brakes). Sort of a sleeper deal i suppose, but i hear it's hard to muffle a bbc...

Thanks for your time and wisdom folks. Wish me luck:)

~Dan

EDIT: heads unknown @ this time, will check when motor is pulled (which is as soon as i find a place ot get rid of most of a 78 suburban)

Dan,sounds like you have a good starting point with that Suburban drivetrain.
If you want some good info,do a search here in performance by just typing in "454"
There has been plenty of discussion as well as great advice on building a mild,but strong performing 454 that fits your criteria
There is probably several hours of reading material from headers to carbs to cams

Tell us what you're willing to spend first.....

for 450/450 I would...

Cut the ridges off the cyl, disassemble the motor, take everything to be magged. If it checks out, have a rough hone done to the block, and decked by 0.020. New cast rings, bearings all around. Re-assemble. ( don't be surprised if you have to trash everything except the rods )
Find a set of closed chamber oval port heads, that someone has already rebuilt. Resulting compression will be around 9.5:1 with the flat tops.
A hydraulic cam in the neighbourhood of 224/230 @ 50.
Keep the Quad, installed on a performer intake.
Cheap coated 1 7/8" headers.
Good mechanical fuel pump.

An easy and flat 500 ft/lbs from this.

I have searched through and thus know some of the hurdles to be jumped (driveshaft etc). and i'm willing to spend what is necessary but to throw a number out there i have approximately $2000 that i can readily dump into it with the possibility of an extended timeline (more $)


Exhaust: Looking seriously @ Dynomax coated 86110, Jegs 3" Dual kit, and Dynomax Super Turbos 3/3. Anyone know how they sound on a BB? though it'll be a shade on the expensive side if i stay with coated, would i be insane not to?. $550 (coated)

Rear end: i hear Moser axles and an eaton unit should liven 'er up to snuff $750 ish sounds right.

Replacement 396 springs'll fun me $80, gaskets $100

$1480 so far roughly

Cam & lifter set $190...1670

i'd like ot assemble it myself but I'll probably have it checked up @ my local machine shop, any idea what that'll run me?

$$ on shortening a Driveshaft? new slightly better than stock from reputable shop? (dennys)

Overbudget is the name of the game, but i can do non short block related things later if necessary.

i understand i'll be able to know more and ask in greater detail when i have it on the stand, so I'll probably update this thread at that time.


one last thing, anyone have any tricks of the trade on gettign rid of the vehicle that these goodies came out of?

Local junyards/recyclers should take the Suburban carcass for a fee

If you are interested in some of my old pars I have a set of rods and .30 Keith Black Hyper #203 pistons. One rod needs to be checked a bearing spun part way. ROds have upgraded bolts ARP or PBM? I have a Comp Cams 274 Exteme energy cam as well. All parts have about 3000 miles on them. It was a very crisp snappy motor with my 781 ovals. Shoot me an e-mail if your interested. I may keep the cam but I think the 203s 9.1 with 119cc and 9.9 with 108cc. I pulled that from Jegs website.

I also have a almost new Holley 850 vac secondary off a ZZ502 with quick change springs and electric choke.