[eg30.06]

Hey guys everyone says come here for the best big block tech. I've built small blocks in the past but this will be my first big block build. Here it goes, I bought a 2000 454 BBC for 400$ with the plans of repowering my 95 Chevy 1500 that's got a 350 standered. It's gunna be a mild build for a weekend driver and do some hauling.
I got the block torn down and is at the mechine shop now getting inspected and cleaned and bored .030 over. Just bought a Scat striker rotating assembly to make her a 489. Looking torun the l29 heads but from what I've read they need some beefing up. I already bought the studs to do away with the none adjustable rockers. Anyone done a build like this around here?

 

[eg30.06]

Anybody have any pointers for a 454 build?

 

[70-SS454]

I hope it's a "Stroker" Rotating Kit & not a "Striker" Rotating Kit...

 

[eg30.06]

I hope it's a "Stroker" Rotating Kit & not a "Striker" Rotating Kit...

My bad, typo. It is a stroker kit, why what's a striker?

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Are you going throttle body or MPFI ('96 & up)? I understand there was a change in the "convenience" plug at the firewall between '95 and '96. I haven't found anyone that did the conversion yet, though. Hope it's simple, I have a '95 that I want to do the exact same thing to without having to swap out the complete dash. Mine is 4WD, I want it for the low range. BTW, the '96/'96 dash is my favorite of all Chevy trucks, love the drop-down passenger side.
The L-29 heads should work fine as long as you're not planning to wring it out, should make tons of torque. I dug through an old Crane Cams book and found a hydraulic roller advertised as good for towing and economy, duration at .050 is something like 214/220. I found a guy selling new take-outs, I gave $50 for the core and sent it to Delta Cams and had it reground to the Crane specs. Nobody makes headers specific for the MPFI, most folks use the TBI headers and add the second O2 sensor bung.

 

[eg30.06]

Thanks busted knuckles. Yes I'm planning on running a throttle body. I already have a Holley 670 2in bore tbi that I'm going to try on it. Just hope it will be enough. For a cam I've been reading a lot about a factory zz502 cam, think its like a 527/543. There common and cheep and great for torque. For the heads there gunna have to be gone through and I just bought ARP studs for the to do away with the non adjustable ones. Prob going to run 502 beehive springs as well. And yes ill prob weld in a bung for the O2 censor.

 

[383ram]

Seems to me that the ZZ502 cam might be a little to much for the rest of the induction/ heads. Might look into something smaller like the 454 HO cam, which should be a a little more than what the stocker L29 Cam is.

 

[Busted Knuckles]

There are TONS of knowledge about your setup at the 454SS website. A few guys have tossed the TBI in favor of carbs, but most haven't. They've worked through many combos and can probably save you a ton of headaches and a stack of Franklins.

http://www.454ss.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl

Good luck with the build, keep us posted...and I'll look for you over at the 454SS site. Make a comment early about hearing that "momma says TBI is the devil", you'll get a rise out of most of 'em, that's a running joke there.

 

[eg30.06]

Thanks for the info! I will definitely check them out. I was/am thinking about going carb but well see. I'm planning on running a performer intake with a tbi adapter so if it dosent work out I can easily bolt up a carb.

 

[eg30.06]

Will a double roller timing set fit under the stock 6 bolt timing cover or does anyone have a part number of one ill have to get?

 

[OLDED]

i used a Comp Cams double roller on my Gen VI with no clearance issues - don't recall the #, but it was a Summit buy.

 

[eg30.06]

Great thanks

 

[427L88]

Seems to me that the ZZ502 cam might be a little to much for the rest of the induction/ heads. Might look into something smaller like the 454 HO cam, which should be a a little more than what the stocker L29 Cam is.

Yeah, you want about 10-15 degrees less duration, definitely the 454HO or similar.

Keep us posted, I have a 95 Tahoe that needs another 50-75 ft lbs eventually! I think the TBI is screwed or it needs a valve job.

 

[SS_Dave]

I'm still trying to figure out how you scored a 454 for 400 bucks..
And, it doesn't sound to me like you need any help doing this.
The stroker already bumped the intensity level past the "mild build" level.

All you really needed was some good heads, mild cam and a TBFI.
IMO.
Lottsa torque in a 454

 

[eg30.06]

Howd i get it for 400, a Ford guy that needed money to fix his Ford lol.
Ive built smallblocks before but these BBCs are a completely different animal.
i wasnt planning on stroking it but once i tore into it and decided to bore it, so ide need new pistons anywise and the crank would have to be turned i priced everything out and for a couple hundred more i could have a quarter stroke.
I built a smallblock with vortec heads and the thing was an animal so i want to try them out on the bigblock. my plans are comp cams 1.72 roller tip rockers, i bought ARP adjustable valve studs and i also ordered 502HO valve springs. only thing is it needs all new exhaust valve guides/seals, so thats gunna cost some good money.