In my search for a 454 big block to build I have come across a turn-key 396 motor. In order to make an educated decision I need to quickly crunch some numbers on what it would cost to build my own. So if you guys could please help me out with some general numbers on the cost to build a respectable 454, nothing exotic but using all the right parts to build a good street motor that would not disappoint. I know that this is a pretty vague question but I am not looking to know anyone's specific business, just some general figures on total cost to build from those that have already done it before. This might be a good reference post for those of us who are thinking about, but have never acutually gone through the process of building a BB.
Thanks in advance.

I started with a raw block, crank, and bare heads. With all the new parts, and machine work, I spent about $3000.00. I coukd have done it for less but I used a performance cam, roller rockers, etc.

I built my 454 for $2500 and that included buying a 454 core for $300 and a pair of closed chambered head cores for $125

Started from scratch...all parts are new...a lot of careful shopping over a 4 month period.
Total right now is around $8800. Not included are exhaust system, cooling improvements, and fuel system upgrades to support the beast.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/BillsCamino/540a.JPG

Originally posted by BillsCamino:
Started from scratch...all parts are new...a lot of careful shopping over a 4 month period.
Total right now is around $8800. Not included are exhaust system, cooling improvements, and fuel system upgrades to support the beast..and its a 540 graemlins/thumbsup.gif :cool:

Bill, that thing looks mean just sitting on the stand!
Ed.

Originally posted by mr 4 speed:
I built my 454 for $2500 and that included buying a 454 core for $300 and a pair of closed chambered head cores for $125 Care to elaborate a little bit more on that? Sounds like a great deal. I found a 454 block with the crank and pistons in it from a motor home. He said 300 9 months ago but would take 250, it's still there, so I'll offer him 200 cash. Anyway it has a spun bearing and I am unsure if it would be a good engine to use.

EDIT: I just called the man who has it. He said it has a spun rod bearing and comes with the crank, but nothing else. He doesn't know if the crank is cast or steel, but said he'd take 250 for it. I know the heads are laying there in the floor, but I assume they are peanut port.

Double post

If it's got a spun bearing your looking at some machine work, line boring to start with.Then the crank will have to be turned or replaced depending on the damage.

Been down this road a few times. It's almost always cheaper to buy a bare block that you can inspect, and fill it with new components. Cranks and rods are so affordable these days, why would you do otherwise....
You wind up spending a huge amount of personal time removing, dismantleing, and discarding all of the stuff you don't want, and can't re-use.

See my sig. that is TOTAL vehicle build! I would estimate the engine at 2000.00 - 2500.00. But I did alot of the work myself and cut a few corners where I thought I could, right or wrong she hauls!!! but spent quite a few nights on the garage floor till 2 or 3 am.

Milan

I agree with TJC! I would probably go with one of those assembled short blocks for 1200.00, in the back of the magazines. tear it apart myself just to double check everything. you would still be money and time ahead!

Originally posted by Bad Rat 414:
If it's got a spun bearing your looking at some machine work, line boring to start with.Then the crank will have to be turned or replaced depending on the damage. Only if it has a spun main bearing, which it doesn't and even then, my machine shop charges 150 to align bore.

All that I get is the block and crank, and MAYBE the rods if they are thumb rods. Sure wish I had the crank and rods out of that tall deck....sigh but they were long gone before I got the "virgin" block ;) What a knuckle head I was for buying that thing. Anyway, I think I will go with a set of truck rods, and a forged crank so I can spray the engine, and the rest is unknown. I'd like to go with a production head that I can work over.

People are crazy with the prices they are charging on these troublesome blocks...

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?query=tall+deck&ht=1&sosortproperty=1&from=R10&BasicSearch=

I got a running 454 Gen VI off racingjunk.com for $750 and could've had it running for another $500 if I didn't change the cam and port the heads. Still going to be right around $2500 though.

Yep,
Welcome to the wonderful world of "golden" big
blocks.Deals can be hard to find these days.
I found several laying in the weeds at a local
boneyard last year.Some so long 12 inch tall grass
was growing through the manifolds and such.
The lick-knob thinks they're all worth $1200. like they sit.But, a friend called me a couple days ago to let me know about a nicely equipped
502 that could be had for $2200. carb to oil pan
with Dart iron heads on it.Shook the money tree,
but no fruit today. graemlins/clonk.gif

Granted these are small big blocks, but I have a 69 396 .040" over, cost $400. Getting the original heads redone, $455, cam timing chain, gaskets, misc. Total comes to $1100. Hopefully with the 10.3:1, 282 cam, Performer intake, and 290 heads w/2.19/1.88 valves it will make 400hp. My other big block is a 72 402 I bought for $400(but it came with a TH400). It is a good running motor, just needs to be cleaned because it is too greasy to look at. Its going in the car next week, total cost $400.

The 454s are nice because of the cubes(duh graemlins/clonk.gif ), but I like these small ones. They also run very nice. I think it is really cheaper to rebuild a 454 than a 396/402. About $2000+core for a rebuilt 454, and about $2200+core for a rebuilt 396/402 assuming all new parts except rods and crank. If the 396 is really in good shape and cheap, jump on it. If brutal torque is your fancy, wait for the 454. But, either way ought to be fun as an upgrade from a 350. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I have about $3800 to $4000 in my 496 and I started with a $300 core 454 motor.

This includes new cast-iron Merlin ovals, new rebuilt short c/i w/p, new Strip Dom. intake, new cheap Heddman 1.75" four tube, long headers ROSS pistons and a good old CC 282S solid cam.

Now that I know more about doing it, I have a set of -206 closed chambered large oval heads that of course won't do quite as good as the Merlins unless worked over more then just big valves that would save a schosh making another 496 motor quite a bit cheaper, imho..

I guess what I am saying is that nowadays you can build a 496 for not much more then a 460/468 motor IF your core motors crank is bad b/c the 1/4" stroker cranks are cheaper and a lot more plentiful then they used to be.. BUT just remember to use 1/4" longer rods at the least...

pdq67

Thanks for everyones response to this post, it was exactly what I was looking for graemlins/thumbsup.gif