TBI, Vortec, 6.5…. or LS?

[Sean Buick 76]

Rebuild your 454 with sone AFR heads, mild cam, a carb intake and Holley fuel injection. You will be up 100 Hp over stock.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

I felt the same about the Vortec 7.4 that I owned, underwhelming. The folks here say you have to rev up the 6.0 to make power, but at least it makes power somewhere.

Still, if it was my truck that I only used around town for work, I'd probably just take the easiest path which is another Vortec 7.4.

If a 6.0L felt like it had power, your 454 was sick. I did a header install and tuning on a 454 TBI in a Class A RV. It was a stump puller. Also tuned a 1991 R3500 crew cab dually with a 454 in it. Last of the square bodies and that stock 454 would easily spin all 4 rear tires with a 4.10 rear gear.

 

[0xDEADBEEF]

If a 6.0L felt like it had power, your 454 was sick. I did a header install and tuning on a 454 TBI in a Class A RV. It was a stump puller. Also tuned a 1991 R3500 crew cab dually with a 454 in it. Last of the square bodies and that stock 454 would easily spin all 4 rear tires with a 4.10 rear gear.

To be fair, I've never owned a 6.0 in a truck. I did swap one in a CJ7 and it was no slouch, spun 33" tires like nothing. Totally stock, but tuned by Black Bear.

The 7.4 had 120k miles on it when I bought it. Ran great. I do think the FPR was going out because it would take a couple times to start sometimes. I didn't love it and didn't want to work on it, so I sold it.

 

[b454rat]

Too bad weren't closer, i have a complete Vortec 454 out of a 99 I bought as a parts truck. I'd take a 454 over an LS, as mentioned they don't have the torque down low where a truck needs it. The 99 I have has 180k I think, was a tow pig, and it's tired. It will still lite the tires up (285/75) and scoot down the road. The trans don't like it, 1st-2nd shift isn't there, but once into 2nd, it still pulls. I plan on rebuilding it at some point. But I'd rebuild the current motor or look for another. OR look for an Avalanche 2500 and pull the drivetrain....

 

[CumminsFever]

It's the perfect truck for a cummins swap.

 

[454cid]

It's the perfect truck for a cummins swap.

I don't like the frame cutting that I normally see when a Cummins is put into one of our trucks.

 

[Sean Buick 76]

A Cummins, better instal a drip pan under it and start wearing ear muffs lol… clack clack….

 

[L31MaxExpress]

I don't like the frame cutting that I normally see when a Cummins is put into one of our trucks.

It should be possible to swap without cutting into the frame. I have seen a 6BT put into an Express van without cutting the frame or body and that is a much more compact space. It did involve a body lift and a modified core support.

 

[letitsnow]

If I were gonna make a change, I'd do something like a twin turbo'd 4.8 LS.

If not that adventurous, then a used vortec 7.4.

 

[Erik the Awful]

For an around-town work truck? Refresh a stock stroke 350 with Vortec heads and a nice cam. That's essentially the engine that's in WCJr, and it's plenty strong for around town work. I towed Roscoe home with it, and it wasn't hurting for torque. You can build it for under a grand.