i am having my engine shop build me a 454.
30 over prob about 11 to 1 compression .what heads could i get the most out of? im considering those merlin heads but im not sure . or should i go aluminum ? will aluminum be that much better?whats a good intake for the street ?? also is 11 to 1 too much compression for the street , i want this to be a insane beast of a street motor pushing about 500 to 550 horse. ill be running it w a tremec tko. also any suggestions for a cam to make this kind of power would help too .
thx

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Nick Penna
72 SS Convertible 383

Some Dart Oval Aluminum heads (265 cc ports, 123 cc chambers) would make a lot of power and a ton of torque. The large chambers would require a large dome piston or some machine work. Not sure on the price though. But they do flow considerably better than the Merlins. I personaly would go aluminum just for the 90 lbs or so you shed off the nose of the car, and how well they dissipate heat. Running 11:1 compression is pretty high, but with the right camshaft and aluminum heads it should be fine with pump gas. UDHarold I'm sure can help you pick out the right cam. The Edelbrock Performer RPM (or Air-gap) is definatly one of the best manifolds you can find, I recommend it.

Nick,

There are a number of 454 combinations on this site that are proven. One thing to put out of your mind is the word Horsepower. In a street car, getting 550 HP out of a 454 is not that hard, it is getting it to actually perform on the street presents the biggest challenge. I estimate I have about 510 HP, but I really don't care, I focuse on covering the first 100 ft as quick As I can, then the rest of the trip will take care of itself within reason of course, it is all a balance. 500+ ft/lbs at 3000 RPM would light a grin across your face way more than 550 HP at 6000+ RPM.

I am sure there are a number of FIXED items that pertain to your car..Things such as gear ratio, desired highway cruising RPM, auto or stick, Pump Gas?, potential future upgrades in your mind, typical 1/4 mile performance if you should happen to race it, Stall speed and its relation to heat build up in the trans, Maintenance issues. Do you have a set of heads already?

In My Opinion, you can't really go wrong with an RPM intake as SS454 recommended.

I would like to hear more.

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'71 468 Street/Strip Monte Carlo 3950lbs, 9.8:1, 3.90's, 11.367 @ 117, 7.21 1/8 mile
1.585 60'

definitely consider a solid cam, since you'll need something good sized with 11:1. free hp. even so 11:1 will needs lots of duration and overlap to bleed off enough for pump gas. you might want to shoot for something lower once you get a cam narrowed down.

He, He!! And if that isn't enough power for you then just add one 1/4" longer crank and build a 496!!!

If you already need a crank, then it is a no-brainer, in my book...

BTW, E-brock has some small 290 cc aluminum "roval" heads that are semi closed/open chambered that are down around 100 cc's so you might check into them b/c they should be great with flat-tops, but not at 11 to 1 CR. pdq67

You can get the 500 hp easily without 11 to 1 comp.
Here is the motor I built mine as close to as possible.
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/index.html

Go to Technical Info, Dyno Results, 454 Chevy Oval port. You will see the dyno numbers and the components in the motor.
I built mine very much like this, but 781 heads, which I planned to replace with the Edelbrock heads, and my compression is 10.5


Dave



[This message has been edited by SS_Dave (edited 11-11-2002).]

im running 3.42 rear gears and i soon hope to put a tremec tko so highway rpm shouldnt be a issue in the car.ya i think your right about 500 ft lbs at 3000 rpms. i wantthe kind of power that when i punch the gas im like "oh **** ".im runnin a 383 w about 4- 415 hp but it doesnt give me that rush like i think a big block would. what would be a better compression ratio? 10 to 1? i will be runnnin 93pump gas and would like to run aluminum heads . which heads is the question. i dont know too much about heads but i want the most bang for the buck. thw 496 is the way i think i wanna go . so letme know what you guys think.
thx

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 72droptopchevelle:
im running 3.42 rear gears and i soon hope to put a tremec tko so highway rpm shouldnt be a issue in the car.ya i think your right about 500 ft lbs at 3000 rpms. i wantthe kind of power that when i punch the gas im like "oh **** ".im runnin a 383 w about 4- 415 hp but it doesnt give me that rush like i think a big block would. what would be a better compression ratio? 10 to 1? i will be runnnin 93pump gas and would like to run aluminum heads . which heads is the question. i dont know too much about heads but i want the most bang for the buck. thw 496 is the way i think i wanna go . so letme know what you guys think.
thx<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


The '73 era 781 oval port heads are actually very good flowing heads, and are very versatile. I added the 2.19 intake valve to mine on my street driven 454 ('69 Chevelle). With the .625 solid roller cam, Desktop Dyno2000 says 550hp/550ft/lb, with 450ft/lb at 2500rpm!

I have these heads on my street driven Chevelle, and on my 10.30s 427 drag car.

They're heavy at 75lbs bare, but not real difficult to find, and are less money than the new alum heads.

If cost isn't a problem, then the new heads are the way to go (i.e. less risky on getting a bad set).

take care,


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Gold Member, #178: '69 Malibu Pro-Street
Tremec Distributor at http://www.5speedtransmissions.com
Ask about the Team Chevelle Discount
mjpell@prostreetcar.com or mjpell@5speedtransmissions.com

The hp is easy, the compression doesn't need to be that high. I built a 454,.030 over KB 257 pistons,Crane h/r 296/304 adv. dur,234/242 @.050, 112* lsa, .610/.632 lift ,10.3:1 comp.,rpm airgap,830 Holley annular.Dougs 1&3/4 in headers. It makes 514hp and over 500 ft/lbs. tqe from 3K up. It made 543 hp with no tuning with 2 in. supercomps but I already had the Dougs headers and the torque is a hair better with the smaller tubes,not that I need it.I'm using 781s, 2.19/1.88 valves,unshrouded and smoothed and so far no detonation trouble but I'm sure I'm close.Running 15 * initial and 21* mechanical all in about 2500rpm.The engine starts to run down @ 6k but thats fine with me. The cam advertises 2500-6500rpm but I think thats a little ambitious

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1969 SS 396 Camaro/Th 400/355s.(454 now)
Not a Chevelle but the BBC guys are here!

Yeah, in the 10s compression-wise is good street with a hot cam, and you can push that with aluminum. 11 is doable, on pump, with alloy heads and a cam with some bleed off. But its pushing "street" pretty hard.

Nick, I'm sure you've got some great ideas from around here. What heads did you decide on?

phel 69, is that a motor i could use on the street and long trips? im gonna be pairing it up to a tremec 3550 or tko, im not sure yet. but i wanna have a nice 11 sec street car if this is reachable
thx

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Nick Penna
72 SS Convertible 383

I'm not too sure about long trips but it pulls about 11 in. vacuum at 900-1000 rpm and really doesn't sound too radical. I don't have any plans for long trips. This car is for stress relief only. It's a pretty well mannered engine but not a daily cruiser.

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1969 SS 396 Camaro/Th 400/355s.(454 now)
Not a Chevelle but the BBC guys are here!

Put togther my motor exactly,except use the 2.19/1.88 valves,and you'll be over 500 HP easy...and you'll break stuff too.. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif
just due to mad,mad torque http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif


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My 70 SS396 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/mr4speed70SS1)
Engine pic (http://chevelles.com/showroom/mr4speed70SSengine2)
My Black Cherry 70 SS454 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/mr4speed/Picture025.jpg)
The launch (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/CClaunch.jpg) 13.13 @ 101.490/1.92 60 ft. with radials,2.73's,and thru the mufflers
1.90 Best 60 ft.
101.84 Best MPH
My Drag Race page and combo (http://www.prestage.com/site/site_display.asp?SiteID=589)
1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible
1985 Cadillac Eldorado (daily driver)
Chris Corwel,TC Member # 785
Member # 141 AMCA

[This message has been edited by mr 4 speed (edited 01-15-2003).]