[john6066]

Does anybody have any experience with these engines? Summit lists a partial BB (454) engine. complete minus intake, carb and oil pan. it feature a eagle 4340 crank, H beam rods, forged pistons and hyd. cam. and Merlin oval port aluminum heads. sounds very good for $5,995.
need some opinions please.

thanks john

 

[Schurkey]

That's a lot of money for Communist Chinese internal parts.

OTOH, they seem to have their combo nailed, and tend to make much more than the claimed horsepower. Having a 2-year warranty is a plus, too. I don't know if the warranty applies to partial engines, or how they are about honoring the warranty, though.

 

[john6066]

thanks, i feel the same about the political side of it. i didn't realize how many of the engine parts are imported now. i had a engine builder tell me the GM crate motors are from china. all under 502 anyway.
i'm just looking for a strong, realiable 454 engine for my chevelle.

thanks john

any other comments are welcome

 

[mr 4 speed]

If you really need a crate motor,I'd go with the GM 454HO

if not,pick up a 454 core,do a search in the performance forum for the many,many documented 454 combos from mild to wild,and then find a competent machinist.
If you get good core,you'll only to need to do minor machine work,like bore the cylinders,recon the rods and cut the crank.This can all be done on a reasonable budget if you don't crazy with parts.You'd be more suprised at what you don't really need.
With that in mind,I built my 454 for $2500
stock oil pan,stock rods,stock untouched heads w/stamped rockers (other than valve job,new valves/springs) fresh bore/pistons and a mild hydraulic cam.
Fast enough for a fun,but almost stock looking musclecar

 

[john6066]

understood. i like the ZZ454 @ 440 HP. i've had the rect. port heads that these come with and i'd rather run the oval port aluminum. the above mentioned GM crate features the rect. btw the world products merlin lll is a bit cheaper with the same warranty. i'm loking for quality concerns?

what do you think?

 

[MJRIBEIRO]

I have the zz454 - it dyno'd stronger than advertised - check the engine link in my sig.

 

[john6066]

thanks mike. am i reading that right? aprox 500hp? ver strong...
can i ask which intake and carb your running? also are the exhuast flanges on the aluminum heads "stock size" to allow my headers to bolt up? very little clearance on my 69 chevelle.

thanks john

ps the local chevy dealer sells Merlin engines?

 

[MJRIBEIRO]

John - 490 hp 516ft lbs of torque. It's the stock zz454 intake, and I have my old set of Thorly headers from my 402. Holley 770 street avenger with stock jets. Engine fits in the bay as well as a 396 block - the outside dimensions and mount points are identical - you headers should be fine - but I do suggest a prefit befor you lower the engine into the bay. I've heard that some cheaper headers do not have a relief in the flange for the head bolts. Mine were fine, but it was 30 minutes well spent. I got mine from Sallee Chevrolet - I highly recommend them - I also suggest the extra money for the dyno tuning. They break it in, dyno tune your carb, and send you an engine that is truly turn key.

 

[john6066]

thanks again mike. my ps on the last note about Merlin engines? i've been comparing the zz454 chevy crate to the merlin lll from world products. the chevy has rect. port heads, right?

john

 

[MJRIBEIRO]

John - they are ovals on the zz454. I've heard that they are actually the eldelbrock performer heads, but I can't verify that. The sizes look the same, but the ones I have came with slightly bigger intake valves (2.25). I looked at the WP engines as well - almost went with them, but I like the idea of the nationwide GM dealer network when it came to the warrantee and replacement parts. Plus my local WP dealer didn't offer the dyno tuning service, and they were not familiar with the components needed to fit it into an A body. Sallee replaced those parts for me with swap out prices, and kept it all in the warrantee. I think they can get WP's as well - you should check out their website - http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/ Call their tech line and ask for Tom - (Tom Sallee)

 

[john6066]

i pulled up the ZZ454 on the web site you gave me. they have a great array of performance equipment. that engine sounds perfect. Sallee chevy wants $5675 plus shipping. i checked a local chevy dealer here in Michigan. they want $6,550 for it? i'll need the flywheel with my 4 speed. i wonder how they balance the engine without the flywheel? i guess they're seperately balanced?
when you talked to Sallee's tech. did you have any internal options ie. a different cam? maybe a roller hyd. unit? also how's the lope on your engine? they gotta sound good even if it doesn't make them run better.

thanks for all of the information. john