454 swap? What does it entail?

[99xcss4]

money no object I would be running a ht502 crate engine do not know if it would be carb tbi or aftermarket efi system though would have to think about it to decide

 

[The_Family_Tahoe]

To be specific the 454 only wins in the low RPM torque category. All the rest the 6.0 wins.

The 454 will drive much better in a full size truck used for truck stuff in any comparison with a 6.0.

Stock vs stock the 454 is easier to drive. The torque peak is 1000s of rpm lower.

Let's add headers and a camshaft to both. The 6.0 will still make more horsepower, given the restriction in stock gen vi 454 heads and valve lift limitations from the stock pistons. The 6.0 is likely 500 hp and 470ish lb-ft. While the 454 will make closer to 480-500 lb-ft and 450 hp. The 6.0 will have a nice torque plateau around 4000 rpm with a peak near 5000 rpm carrying up close to 6000 rpm. The 454 will have a torque peak well below 4000 rpm. Driveability wise the 454 is going to be the clear winner in this hypothetical.

For a third comparison let's add compression, limited to pump gas, and cylinder heads to both combinations. The 6.0 is now close to and likely over 600 hp at nearly 7000 rpm. The torque is approaxhing 550 lb-ft, but at a much higher 5000 rpm. With the same treatment the 454 is 550 lb-ft at 3700-4400 and nearly 600 hp at 5700 rpm. Again a clear winner in a full size truck doing truck stuff. With wilder cams in both combinations, and the same heads and compression, the 6.0 remains around 600hp and now the 454 is making over 650 and close to 700. On pump gas.

Now let's add a nice fat turbo to both, maybe an 88mm. The 454 will always outpace the 6.0. Boost just multiplies the naturally aspirated power.

Under duress the LS has weaknesses in the cam bearings, and the big block needs HEAVY valve springs to rev, but can still make more power than the lower displacement 6.0 LS given the cylinder head and displacement advantages. The big block is a better motor for a full size truck doing truck stuff, and overall power production.

 

[Moofus02]

I have a lead on a 454 with 156k that I can get for 400$. 700$ with fuel system. It is a 97 vortec 454.

My truck is a 1990 single cab short bed 350 with a 5 speed manual.

What does a 454 swap entail? I would like to keep the EFI as I only planing on running a mild cam.

Will it bolt up to my 5 speed (I’ll upgrade the clutch for now and drive it till breaks then get nv4500)

How plug and play is s vortec 454 swap. I figured a 454 swap might be easier than a LS as they came in these trucks for the SS, 2500s, and 3500s.

Also how hard is it to make a gen 5 454 run like a gen 6. Im aware the TBI 454 will be much more plug and play but I also don’t want to swap for an extra 30 HP. Not to mention I can get a gen 6 for cheap.

Is it pretty much the same process as an LS swap? Engine mounts, exhaust, splice harness together, mate tranny, etc.


I honestly don’t even want a ton of power. The 310hp and 410ft-lb torque I’ll get out of a cammed gen 6 454 will be plenty over my stock 230hp 300ft-lb torque. And the 454 is easy to get more power out of later down the road if I want to throw some bigger injectors, intake and heads, and more aggressive cam. Not to mention BBCs sound amazing in my opinion

The vortec 7.4 should bolt in to the mounts and against your transmission. I think you need a 454 flywheel because of the balance but don't know. If you have the nv3500 you will have to be gentle with it no shock load like dropping the clutch or wheel hop. The vortec trucks run battery and airfilter and ac compressor on opposite sides. You can steal the battery tray and washer bottle out of any small or bbc vortec truck in junk yard. At a minimum I would want the computer, engine harness and air filter stuff out of the bbc donar with the engine. A ep381 vortec pump in your tank and I would convert to 0411 or p59 computer. You also want the 7.4 accessory drive with the motor. Radiator and shroud. L31maxexpress has operating system for 5.7 and 5 speed for the p59 computer. Adjust the fuel and timing with 8.1l stuff to start. You can tune those computers with$100 worth of hardware and free software.

I'm considering the same swap in a exsb 95 using a97 k2500 60k miles donar truck 7.4 nv4500

 

[Moofus02]

A bbc makes a nice driving truck that runs strong and does truck stuff without seeming busy lol