I'm sure this will come as a great surprise, but I WANT MORE POWER. I've thought about hopping up my (non-matching) 396/402, but would really rather do a 454 swap. There's a shop called D&J Machine in Phoenix that's been advertising motors on ebay for a while now - they have a 450 horse 454 for $3,495 delivered. The specs sound pretty good and it seems like a good deal for the money, but I obviously know little about the company (they have 99 feedbacks - all positive). It's got 2.07/1.72 oval port heads, 9-1 compression, performer 2-0 intake, and a 290/292 cam (224/232 @.50, .527/.553 lift, on a 114 LSA). Do you think this would be a good choice for my '70 El Camino daily driver? I'm a little worried that this might be too much cam, but the guy says he can also build one with a little less cam.

Here's the link if you have time to look at it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33615&item=2471883397

Thank for your input!!

No comment on the company, but there's no way a stock oval port head 454 w/ 9.0/1 CR and that small of a hydraulic cam will get 450HP. Maybe closer to 380 - 390 HP. That is really a rather mild combination for a 454. I had the same cam in my 402 before I freshened it up, the idle was very mild with the wide LSA, almost stock. In reality, as long as they do a good job with the machining, that is a very nice daily driver motor. Basically only slightly warmer than the '71 LS5 454/365 HP motor that came stock is Chevelles & Vettes.

..that cam isn't a good choice for 9 to 1..you need cylinder pressure,and that 114 LSA ain't gonna cut it..you want 110 to 112 LSA with 9 to 1
I have to respectfully disagree with Joe (GRN69CHV) on the HP number though..awhile back,a fellow TCer had a 468 built,and running 9 to 1 compression,and using the old UD/Lunati 288/296 advertised 231/239 @ .050 .550/.575 cam with 049 heads and small valves was 490 HP/525 ft/lb. torque..the members name as AK 69 do a search..you'll find it.A 396 with that generic Crane cam you mentioned would be about 380HP,but a 454 with it would make more than that,but its nots a good cam choice unless the motor had at least 9.75 to 1,and I still woudn't use that cam.JMHO

Thanks for the input guys - I bet he's using that LSA to keep the idle quality and vacuum good for a driver. If I were to specify a cam with a narrower LSA, would you recommend reducing the duration a little (remember, this is a daily driver). Thanks.