The 454 in my 70 ss just died. Does anyone have any experience with the 502 crate motors? I can get the motor for dealers cost. What should I change if anything to get a little more power? My car is basically stock and weighed 3960 lbs with me in it and 1/4 tank of gas. I would like to run low 12's (well really high 11's) but I also drive it on the street and it needs to run on pump gas. I have a 373 rear gear and a Turbo 400. Also will the headers that fit my 454 fit the 502?

thought of the new ZZ454?? sweeeeeet motor!
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/ChevyBigBlockV8s/454-440.html

Well I can't answer all your questions but,

The ZZ-502 is Great.

My 72 went 12.53 @ 108 mph, last year on "Lee Radials" through the exhaust, with 3.55 gears, on 92 oct. pump gas with no tuning at all.

My Mom could live with this engine.
Its a sweetheart, docile, and easy to live with but the power is just a little further down the gas pedal.

Yeah, there are a lot of guys with 454s that can go faster, but it would be hard to beat this engine, in a street /strip car.

The only thing I don't like, is the need to run an electric fuel pump.

I'd rather have the ZZ-454 with the mechanical fuel pump,
and a little more cam to get the power lost to the smaller engine.

I think with better traction there is at least 3 tenths or more there.

I run a 502 and it runs high 10s.I would step up to a little more cam [hyd roller].I'll tell what I did.I bought it as a short block,added a set of
edlebrock alum ovals and had the speed shop work on them.[cost $200 extra for that]Bigger hyd roller cam]victor jr intake and a 950 hp carb and the 1st pass it ran a 10.97.With a gear change and some tune-up it now runs 10.84.The cam is a lunati hyd roller/LIFT.595in/.612ex/DURATION@.50
.242in/.252ex.This cam is very streetable.The cost is around the same as a whole 502.This is a very easy low 11s-high 10s pump gas street motor.
At least you can build part of the motor your way for around the same price.Or buy the whole motor and send out the heads and have work done to them and then do all the other changes.I like the 1st plan
better!I'm telling you with this set-up this car
is nothing but bad.[fast]Just my thoughts!

I have a 454HO in my 70 right now. Haven't got to fire it up yet, but all the work should be done in about 6 weeks. I can't wait to turn it over!

Build a 489 or 496. Stroke the 454 step up to better vlaves and cam and hell of a motor. As long as you didn't throw a rod through the block. Besides 454's go 100 over or more most of the time so I've read and heard. So 30, 40, or 60 over is nothing and save the rest of what you have. I would like to have added a hyd roller to mine and a set of Brodix RR ovals.

Just my 2 cents

I just did a Ramjet 502 in a '70. Well worth the cost and effort. Email me if interested. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

The cams in the 502/502HP are relatively mild...A simple swap to a bigger cam (something in the range of 240/250@050 and 600-630lift)and 950 carb will add 50+HP...getting 600HP out of them on pump gas doesnt take much.

If your just looking for a little more just step up on the cam and you'll be happy.Check out the cam I told you about in my 1st post.I think you'll
like it.

Not trying to hijack your post WALT3006, but I am also considering a 502 and have a few questions for you 502 owners. First what fuel pump do you guys run, would a Holley "Red" pump work? Would an Edelbrock Performer RPM air gap intake work good or better than what comes with the 502? For you guys with automatics what stall converter are you using? Since it has been said that a bigger cam will make more power out of a 502 which one would you suggest, would a Comp cams 280 or 290 hydraulic roller cam work? Will it give a nice rough idle, will it work with power brakes or would you need a vacum resivoir? Thanks.

TTT

Originally posted by WALT3006:
The 454 in my 70 ss just died. Does anyone have any experience with the 502 crate motors? I can get the motor for dealers cost. What should I change if anything to get a little more power? My car is basically stock and weighed 3960 lbs with me in it and 1/4 tank of gas. I would like to run low 12's (well really high 11's) but I also drive it on the street and it needs to run on pump gas. I have a 373 rear gear and a Turbo 400. Also will the headers that fit my 454 fit the 502? Well if you plan on going with a 502 Walt, I'll take that worn out 454 for you, as long as there's no damage to the block or heads :D

Ramjet 502 in a '70 SS coupe.
Using a rock valley custom tank with in tank TPI fuel pump. Custom fuel lines. Hooker competition headers. 2.5" exhaust. Stock accessories and pulleys. Using stock clutch fan, and cooling system.
Running stock turbo 400 with tci saturday night special converter. I did mod the governor shift points to shift at 5500 WOT and 6000 governor shift when locked in first.
12 bolt DTS axle with 3.08 gears and eaton posi.
The engine will pretty much bolt right in, wiring was incredibly simple. Stock SS domed hood will shut, I removed some bracing underneath to allow for engine movement.
I STRONGLY recommend this swap. It costs more, but is well worth it. You have something more unique, it runs and drives so much better than a carbureted engine, and is fairly maintenance free. Email me for more info! :D