maybe a dumb question but im new at all of this muscle car

i have a 71 chevelle with a 350 wich im planning to swap the engine with a 454 and ran across this one wich is a 1990 engine. is this engine a good candidate for a high perfomance 454 on a old car. what i mean is are all 454 engines the same? and if this is a good candidate for a high performance engine what would you do to it to make it run like a train?:yes:

thanks

here is a pic of the engine

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/730/91sc7.th.jpg (http://img369.imageshack.us/my.php?image=91sc7.jpg)

A 1990 454 would be a tbfi not carburated and it should be a MK IV check the casting numbers at Mortec and it would be low compression. If in good shape it is a good cantidate for a Chevelle

Post the block casting number, likely a 14015445. Valve covers look to be Mark IV, so that's my guess. Should be a great starting point. The heads are probably peanut ports, so start searching for some 781 or 049 castings.
Good luck!!!

For a daily driver kinda build, the 1990 engine with the peanut port 236 or 360 heads castings...will be fine. With basic port work, they will respond
If you are looking for a 'go-fast' build, cheapest to buy a 454 1973-1978 or there about, they came with the 781 or 049 heads

If the 1990 engine is a screaming deal....
To raise the CR, the open chember headed 454s will need a domed piston...if they need a total rebuild. If somehow you have a good-running shortblock, lotsa guys swap on early closed-chamber heads....depending on the head casting number, 8.9--9.2:1 ballpark numbers

I loved my 454 in my 1990 454ss.:yes: Talk about torque!!!:yes: The poor thing had no top end power at all.

Maybe a new cam will change that.

For a daily driver kinda build, the 1990 engine with the peanut port 236 or 360 heads castings...will be fine. With basic port work, they will respond
If you are looking for a 'go-fast' build, cheapest to buy a 454 1973-1978 or there about, they came with the 781 or 049 heads

If the 1990 engine is a screaming deal....
To raise the CR, the open chember headed 454s will need a domed piston...if they need a total rebuild. If somehow you have a good-running shortblock, lotsa guys swap on early closed-chamber heads....depending on the head casting number, 8.9--9.2:1 ballpark numbers

The engine is kind of a deal "i think" I'm trading my dad my mild built 350 that its in my car now for the 454. my plan with the engine is to build it from scratch, if it needs pistons, cam, head work ect. it would be like a project engine to build. this is a video of the engine i have now.
im still thinking about it but also the engine comes with a turbo 400

YouTube - 1971 71 chevelle project idle part 2

I loved my 454 in my 1990 454ss.:yes: Talk about torque!!!:yes: The poor thing had no top end power at all.

Maybe a new cam will change that.

torque is good:hurray:

Hmmmm, trading an apparently nice-running 350 for a ???? condition 454.
Is it your Dad's engine or Dad is gonna buy the 454 then trade?
I'd want to know more before trading if your dad is simply getting the engine to do the trade....
What is the cash value of the 454?
Running low cr 454s go for $800 here in WA, often include a motorhome or rusted-out Suburban as part of the deal.....
Complete take-out engines, tired but pan to carb are $500, maybe $600 if the seller can prove it runs.....

A build idea:
I had a set of 1968 #063 closed chamber oval heads lying around the garage, very low miles since pro rebuild and street-strip springs. I bought a $200 1977 454 shortblock.....standard bore and factory slugs. Close examination by Team Chevelle member "FRYNTYR" revealed the bores would only require a hone and the pistons were in great shape. After a few passes with his pro honing machine, piston to wall clearances were still acceptable. Always nice to have a good pal with a machine shop, right? CR worked out to 8.9:1. Earlier heads with smaller chambers would have gotten me a higher number. Basic freshening, swapped some part and acquired a Crane #103072 cam, 226/226* dur @.050", .533/.533" lift, 108 LSA. This cam would make for a snappy street 396, but in a lower compression 454, essentially a super RV cam. I'll run a donated Edelbrock C-396-QJ intake and a carb from my collection. The engine should be a "torque god" kinda deal, with the 'midrange from hell.' Power will lay down rapidly not too far north of 5000 rpms..... This is very suitable for a mostly street 70 Elky wth 2500 stall converter and 3.42 gears..... Consider "package" build, things matched.
This engine should be pretty mild, suitable for frequent use, fair on gas, and assuming I bolt on the right suspension goodies and some sticky tires....should work my way into the 12.7 territory at 105mph

1990 engine will work out to 7.9--8:1 actual CR.
What is the budget?
Even if you keep the Peanut Port heads, simply installing a .500" lift Summit cam, good valve matched springs, 1 3/4 headers, 2.5 or 3" exhaust and a Performer 2-O or C-396-QJ intake....you'll have a tire-shredding beast on your hands and it will make a nice 'driver' engine.

Hmmmm, trading an apparently nice-running 350 for a ???? condition 454.
Is it your Dad's engine or Dad is gonna buy the 454 then trade?
I'd want to know more before trading if your dad is simply getting the engine to do the trade....
What is the cash value of the 454?
Running low cr 454s go for $800 here in WA, often include a motorhome or rusted-out Suburban as part of the deal.....
Complete take-out engines, tired but pan to carb are $500, maybe $600 if the seller can prove it runs.....

A build idea:
I had a set of 1968 #063 closed chamber oval heads lying around the garage, very low miles since pro rebuild and street-strip springs. I bought a $200 1977 454 shortblock.....standard bore and factory slugs. Close examination by Team Chevelle member "FRYNTYR" revealed the bores would only require a hone and the pistons were in great shape. After a few passes with his pro honing machine, piston to wall clearances were still acceptable. Always nice to have a good pal with a machine shop, right? CR worked out to 8.9:1. Earlier heads with smaller chambers would have gotten me a higher number. Basic freshening, swapped some part and acquired a Crane #103072 cam, 226/226* dur @.050", .533/.533" lift, 108 LSA. This cam would make for a snappy street 396, but in a lower compression 454, essentially a super RV cam. I'll run a donated Edelbrock C-396-QJ intake and a carb from my collection. The engine should be a "torque god" kinda deal, with the 'midrange from hell.' Power will lay down rapidly not too far north of 5000 rpms..... This is very suitable for a mostly street 70 Elky wth 2500 stall converter and 3.42 gears..... Consider "package" build, things matched.
This engine should be pretty mild, suitable for frequent use, fair on gas, and assuming I bolt on the right suspension goodies and some sticky tires....should work my way into the 12.7 territory at 105mph

1990 engine will work out to 7.9--8:1 actual CR.
What is the budget?
Even if you keep the Peanut Port heads, simply installing a .500" lift Summit cam, good valve matched springs, 1 3/4 headers, 2.5 or 3" exhaust and a Performer 2-O or C-396-QJ intake....you'll have a tire-shredding beast on your hands and it will make a nice 'driver' engine.

my dad is buying a 72 el camino with out the engine but the guy is trowing that 454 in the picture with the el camino deal, and since im looking for the big block we talk about me giving him my 71 chevelle 350 for the 454 his getting from the camino deal. my boget is about 1,800 dollars to put in the 454 if its worth it

thanks for the advise on the specs

That is a LOT of cash.....
If you are wise, do not buy more than what you need....you'll have cash left over.
Consider buying a few items second hand.
Several TC guys in CT may have some 'extra' stuff to sell to keep your costs in check
When you get going on this, contact DREIS454, mr 4 speed, and BillyGman, all known pack rats.

The engine trade sounds OK but Dad is getting a running engine AND a lotta bolt-ons.
I'd suggest to your pop that he should donate parts or cash to you.....especially if that engine is worn out/broken.

454s are tough, biggest 454 killer is big motorhomes.

hey, the thign about the 1990 454's are that they are low compression,a nd my friend has one in his truck and he claims it to be about 250 hp, but i also know that new high compression cylinder heads and conveerting it to a carb or a better F.I. sysetm can turn some serious results (400+ depending on how crazy you go with the mods)

Look for the SUFFIX code.(three letters) FCJ, FCN, FPK,...,......
You should find it on the block between timing chain cover and intake manifold , below thermostat housing.

Is your car auto or stick? I am not the expert on this but a few years of 454's did not have the hole drilled where the clutch linkage pivots

Block casting number ?

as soon as i get the motor i will post all of the codes

my car is automatic and also the motor comes with a th400.

Forgot about the th400 coming with it.
Is Dad getting your current transmission?

Forgot about the th400 coming with it.
Is Dad getting your current transmission?

yeah he is

but mine is just a th350 stock

cant wait:)