I am getting very close to finally getting the big block 454 I have been dreaming about, the machine shop is starting on it next week graemlins/hurray.gif . I am sure most of you have been in my shoes! Anyway I would like to hear how you finished it off, meaning you have a long block that will produce 450hp, what kind of intake, carb, iginition, headers, exaust, oil pan, and what ever else completed the deal. Would you do anything different? and if so why? I have talked to my machine shop about this but think that it is important to get more than one opinion. Thank you in advance.

I would be looking for a nice dual plane intake (I like the RPM air gap), a holley 4150 series carb(I have had very good luck with an Avenger 770), some dynomax 1 3/4 x 3 ceramic coated headers, stock oil pan, a HEI distributor (you dont need all that "MSD style" stuff). Your going to need a good water pump, Stewart makes some very good ones, and a rad that will cool it all down, a good three core or an aluminum rad will do fine. Clutch fan and rad shroud should take care of the cooling. If you have plans for more power later, and need a new exhaust I would run a 3 inch system. Dont neglect the fuel system feeding that new carb. 3/8 hard line will be fine, look towards a Carter mech pump to take care of the fuel supply. If your gonna stay happy at 450 HP, 2.5 inch exhaust is just fine. What are you runnning for heads? How's the drive train behind the new BBC power? At that power level you will start to find the "weak links" behind the motor. If your running an automatic trans, score a good conveter that matches your combo. If this is your first BBC, get ready for a major change..........and big fun!!!!!!

Just what Craig said.
450 HP from a 454 is very,very easy.You do not need anything "fancy" or exotic.
My motor is completely stock down to the rockers.
Only the cam,lifters and springs are not stock.Bolt on's are an RPM intake,3310 Holley and 1 3/4" primary headers.

Thanks for all the info ak69 and Mr 4 speed, you listed pretty much what I had in mind. I already have an air gap and will be purchasing the rest with a week or two. The only difference I was thinking about was using a Demon 750cfm carb instead of a Holley. The heads are cast "049" but are 3 angled and I will be running pump gas. I will go with 3" flowmaster exhaust, Hedman Elite coated headers, HEI, and mech pump. I was plannig on buying a MSD 6AL iginition but am not positive yet. The rest of the drivetrain is a turbo 350 and 12 bolt rear end with 3.73 geard all professionally built. Now I know you are probably questioning the 350, but my trans. builder will swear by it and I will not have any problems. Oh yea, I am ready for a changein a big way!!!

Nothing wrong with a well built TH350 behind a healthy big block.
Sounds like you're on the right track graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Finished my 396 off with the consensus picks of this site (thanks guys)..Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold, Holley 4150HP series carb, Dynomax ceramic coated headers (1.75" model 86110), then out through a Flowmaster American Thunder series exhaust. Sounds really nice!! Ignition is GM HEI (recurved) for now..may upgrade to MSD down the road. Backing it all up is a new Autogear M22W four speed.

Here's a taste:

http://img136.exs.cx/img136/3994/mvc005f8dl.th.jpg (http://img136.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img136&image=mvc005f8dl.jpg)

U done good on the parts pickin. Don't worry about the T350, it will be just fine. I did frag a built 350, but I am covinced that it was all my doing thru stupid abuse / way wrong burn out technique at the strip and the likes of block long three gear burn outs.........when it did fail, it did so in a big way, made chunks out of perfectly good parts. Your putting together a nice combo.

T350s a4re stronger than people give them credit for. I like'em better than T400s anyway.

Tell the shop not to use stainless steel oil galley plugs! ( Its s Pioneer kit and they leak like hell).