454 upgrades

[eric.s.t]

Im doing research on mods for the 454 to upgrade its performance. Now I haven't actually took the truck for a good ride yet, but it is ALL original. So I figured I do abit of research, possibly improve gas mileage, or hell, make more power!! So a few questions,

Can I do the TBI mod on it?
Would it make a difference running vortec heads on the 454, I read place they say no...

Im planning on running dual exhaust and header setup, I may even do an MSD wires/coil setup

I wouldn't mind possibly changing the cam aswell.


Also, what is the best manual tranny for these beasts? Id love to make it manual...

 

[sewlow]

BBC + Stick = NV4500.
There's 2 models. Early = granny gear low. I'd say use the later one, without that ultra low 1st. gear.

 

[skylark]

Everything you need is in here.
http://www.gmt400.com/forum/showthread.php?9859-88GMCtruck-s-never-ending-88-GMC-build-thread

 

[eric.s.t]

his got lots to read^^ lol does he explain stuff bout the tranny, and the motor?

 

[Vortec Lover]

nv4500

i'll stick one in mine when my tranny goes and I have nothing better to do

 

[eric.s.t]

lol^^

 

[shortchevy]

ditch fuel injection. whatcha need is a nice weiand 8-71 with dual holley 750 blower carbs and a big hole through your hood

 

[JollyGreen]

I may have missed this but what year 454 are we talking about?

 

[Blue95]

Ya what year?

If it is a TBI which seems to be the case, then do all the normal TBI mods, air tube and filter housing mods, definitely a set of longtubes and free flowing exhaust.
Any tune up parts should be ACDelco, no MSD crap as their isn't going to be a gain. Really the only good ignition upgrades are advancing time a few degrees, changing the ignition module to a "369" model from another truck from the junkyard (assuming the 454 and 350 used the same dizzy)

 

[eric.s.t]

sorry guys, 1989 c3500 454 TBI

when I advance the timing, is their anything else to do to it?