Just a bit of a 5 AM curiosity question

[Cpufreak101]

So I was trying to sleep, but I couldn't stop thinking about this, I want to get myself a 4th gen 2500 for towing, and was planning on tracking down one with a 350 for a cheaper purchase price then swap in a 454 later for the extra torque. However now my question is, would it be better to source a used 454 from another car or truck that had it from the factory, or would it be better to purchase one brand new through Chevrolet performance? Don't plan on trying to have it make crazy power but instead just be a reliable tow vehicle, so which 454 is better for that purpose?

 

[BowtieBrody]

Well it all depends on how deep your pockets are IMO; a crate 454 is gonna run 5-6K from what I've seen shopping around.
If there's a decent machine shop/engine rebuilder near you, it could be cheaper to source a 454 from a salvage truck or something, perform a basic rebuild (hone cylinders, rebuild heads, new rings and gaskets, new bearings, etc.) and you'd be a little better off price wise.
I think one of the quotes I got to rebuild the 454 in my 96 K2500 was right around $3500 for a rebuild along with some porting and polishing on the heads.

I'd just wait to find the right truck too. I searched for a couples months to find my truck, but it was easier to just wait it out instead of planning to swap anything out.

 

[Schurkey]

I want to get myself a 4th gen 2500 for towing, and was planning on tracking down one with a 350 for a cheaper purchase price then swap in a 454 later for the extra torque.

Get the truck with the 454, because the 350 version won't have a strong enough trans, and may not have a strong enough rear axle.

Pulling power is rarely the problem--the troubles come from durability and stopping power.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

Get the truck with the 454, because the 350 version won't have a strong enough trans, and may not have a strong enough rear axle.

Pulling power is rarely the problem--the troubles come from durability and stopping power.

If it is an 8 lug truck the 350 and 454 trucks as well as the diesels have the same rear end, same transmission, same suspension and same brakes.

 

[BowtieBrody]

If it is an 8 lug truck the 350 and 454 trucks as well as the diesels have the same rear end, same transmission, same suspension and same brakes.

454 and 6.5 trucks had the 10.5 Full float rear end I believe; if it was 350/80E it normally got the semi float; but as odd as GM was with optioning trucks, I can assume there's a hand full of trucks with the RPO for the 14-Bolt FF.

 

[smdk2500]

If it is an 8 lug truck the 350 and 454 trucks as well as the diesels have the same rear end, same transmission, same suspension and same brakes.

My 95 has the 350/NV3500 combo and has a SF 14 bolt. A buddy of mine has a 93 with a 6.5?/NV4500 with a FF 14 bolt. Im not saying that both of them are one of a kind but that kinda shoots your comment of them being all the same out of the air. And yes both are 2500 trucks.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

My 95 has the 350/NV3500 combo and has a SF 14 bolt. A buddy of mine has a 93 with a 6.5?/NV4500 with a FF 14 bolt. Im not saying that both of them are one of a kind but that kinda shoots your comment of them being all the same out of the air. And yes both are 2500 trucks.

Not saying you are not right but I have not seen a SF 8-lug rear or atleast it is not common. On the Express vans atleast there were 2 different 2500 models. One had 6 lug wheels, a SF 9.5" and a 4L60E and then there was the 8-lug, FF 10.5" with a 4L80E. Depended on the GVW you choose.

 

[smdk2500]

Not saying you are not right but I have not seen a SF 8-lug rear or atleast it is not common. On the Express vans atleast there were 2 different 2500 models. One had 6 lug wheels, a SF 9.5" and a 4L60E and then there was the 8-lug, FF 10.5" with a 4L80E. Depended on the GVW you choose.

From what i have seen and read there are 3 different rears for the 2500's. There is the 6 lug and then the 2 8 lug 14 bolts. Just depends on the GVW of the truck on if its a 6 or 8 lug. I dont know how the figured which 8 lug to put in. My grandfather had a 90 2500 with the 6 lug. As for being common to have a 14 bolt sf I don't know. Ive seen quite a few around where I live. I wish mine did have the ff but that might change in the next few months if what i have dreamed up for the truck work out.

 

[skylark]

I have a 94 k2500 with an 8 lug semi float sitting in my driveway. It is a 350/4L80E.

 

[Cpufreak101]

sorry for not getting to respond for a while (have been away from my PC a while) but thank you all for the input. I knew about the transmission potentially being too weak, though I didn't think about the rear axle potentially being too weak. I'd have to recalculate now and figure out if it'd be worth it or of i'd have to just settle for the 350, because I almost never see any with the 454 (that isn't a questionable swap) for sale that isn't a dually.