If it were your truck ????

[bobby v]

So for future reference I ask this*****
My truck is a true SS454 1990, everything indicates that, vin#, running gear etc. although the oem motor is long gone it is still a BBC, with a 700R4 trans and it runs oK, not fast by any means thou and I don't know what the motor has inside of it. I guess I could have it rebuilt with a top end kit if it were the original block, but it isn't. Horsepower is the object obviously and the cost when all is said and one is pretty close to a GM Performance Complete motor with warranty !!!!
Having said that (and if I get the OK from Momma lol) I would really like to go with a fresh motor, such as a ZZ454 so that it at least keeps in form with a BBC. Seems the motor to choose install wise also.
But I have had a Corvette (just sold it) with the LS3 and that motor is so smooth and performs so well and so reliable that it is a possibility, the obvious draw back is everything will have to be changed, EVERYTHING. And I lose that identity that a BBC would lend the truck and that means something to me and I would assume that for resale it would also.
So dare I ask opinions on this, thats asking for a lot of pro & con I know but data from the trucking world is what I want. What better place than an open forum to get it eh
So thanks for your thoughts
Bobby V
PS IMHO the truck is turning out well enough to warrant this expenditure

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[df2x4]

If it were my truck, the first thing I'd think about is getting rid of that 700R4. Adding any more power/ torque than you already have in front of that transmission is a recipe for disaster in my honest opinion.

Personally I would do a 6.0L LQ4 and a 4L80E. That's the combo I'm working towards in my red '97, unless I decide to go with a newer LT V8.

 

[RichLo]

If it was my truck, I'd sell it to you for a smokin' deal!

 

[Jglew82]

I have a 1990 ECSB LQ9/4L65E and I adore it. It runs so great, smooth, and has plenty of power and fuel efficiency. I love an LS-based engine as much as any enthusiast. That said... on a 454 SS, especially one as beautiful as yours, I'd personally be more inclined to go with a big badass ram jet big block. If it did belong to me, what I would do is either a 454 or 502 with a built TH400 and gear vendors overdrive behind it.

 

[Crytone]

If money was no object, I'd do an LSX 454 engine with a 4L80E. I'd fit perfectly with that truck!

Otherwise I'm agreeing with what the others said, LQ4/LQ9 swap. Planning to do one of those in my truck.

 

[98chevy2500SS]

My question is, why does it have a 700R4? It should have a TH400 tranny in it. I agree with @Crytone on swapping in a LSX 454 w/ 4L80E.

 

[letitsnow]

I say new BBC. The 6.0 is great if you want to turn rpms. Otherwise, if you are gonna get **** mpg anyways, might as well have some TQ to enjoy.

 

[Jglew82]

I say new BBC. The 6.0 is great if you want to turn rpms. Otherwise, if you are gonna get **** mpg anyways, might as well have some TQ to enjoy.

All the TQ's! Plus, it's really hard to beat the music a BBC emits.

 

[kennythewelder]

Im old school, so a BBK is what I would do. If money was no issue, maybe a 632. 800+ HP rite out of the box is hard to beat. But if its i driver, then a 502 is a nice choice. Since you already have a BBK, I would find out what it is ( run the numbers) and take it from there. As for the 700R4, well you can always have it built to hold a lot of HP, but if you get above 500 HP, that may be an issue. I have seen an old Vette with dual turbos pushing over 1200 HP and it has a 200R4. So it is possible to build a small trans to hold a lot of HP. Here is a video on the vette.

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[454cid]

Why would anyone start with a 454SS only to remove the main thing that made it special? Maybe you'd also like a Syclone converted to rwd with a NA engine?