post your chevy 454 tips and tricks!

ok so i know about 350's but i have almost zero 454 knowledge because very few ppl have them around my area.

this thread is for everyone , and anyone so answer questions and ask them.

what i want to know are the basics. do most early 454's have oval port heads?what year did they start making peanut port heads?

how much lift can the stock 454 springs, lifters, push rods take before needing upgrade?

if one does find a peanut port 454 , what kinda hp/torque numbers can they make with per say a 268 cam?

till what hp/tq levels is a standard ignition good for?

what type of cams did these engines have stock , flat tapped , hyd roller , solid ext ext ext?  

blacksheep,,,
Looks like few people want to jump in and answer all those questions you pose.
I know a little bit about the Chevy Big Block Rat Engine.
1) It is everything a Small Block is and then some
2) It is a side oiler by design and enjoys main priority oiling
3) Most BB's have oval ports, yes. Truck 366's and 427's have "peanut" ports
4) Valve springs, OEM's came in many spring rates for different applications.
5) OEM Push Rods were 3/8",,, except L-88's, LS-6's and LS-7's used 7/16"
6) HEI ignitions go 7000+ and torque or hp has no bearing on the spark energy
the unit delivers.
Fuelers run mags to fire spark,,, but I believe we are talking street performance here.
I strongly suggest you get a book by Car Tech, available at most auto parts outlets.
The book is called " How To Build Chevy Rat Motors" by Ed Staffel
He covers a good portion of what you need to get started with Big Blocks,,,
you can expand your knowledge base later, once you absorb his material.
Hope I covered your questions for you.
 
When the Flag Drops... the Bull Chit Stops...

Great thread idea blacksheeo84.  

mpayne,,,
Are you offering jobs?
huh
LOL
 
When the Flag Drops... the Bull Chit Stops...

The only opening we have in my department is for assistants web producer which would means I would get to boss you around all day.  

do you hen peck a lot,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, are you a "nagger"
like a a a a a  w i f e  would? LOL
thanks for the offer tho
I'd have to move there for the job no doubt?
 
When the Flag Drops... the Bull Chit Stops...

I have a bamboo stick I whack my assistant with all the time. "WT% is this crap"

 

If I was allowed to I could work from home and get my job done no problem. I could even have a few drinks during lunch. What a life that would be.  

mp,,,
you'd be working on your tan all day and I'd be drowning in my own sweat,,, trying to do your job and mine,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
if you hired me
lol
we'd make a great team,,, you'd make snowballs, and I throw them, in Cali, huh
 
When the Flag Drops... the Bull Chit Stops...

the 496's on ebay are pritty cheap , some are built with good quality internals , others have lots of procomp internals/parts.

it just seems like it makes more financial sense to go ebay? what are your thoughts?  

I never used much of the stock 454, except for the block and occasionally the crank and rods. I do think most of the stock stuff should be good for around 500 hp or so even with the oval ports. The peanut ports are good for boat anchors in my opinion.
Just add a good intake, carb, cam, headers and have a good time. Should be able to put one together for 2000 or so if you do all your own work and use mostly salvage parts.
Don't expect to be a drag strip killer with this combo but it should make a nice street runner.
If money is no object there are BBs that could rip your chassis in half around.  

+1, very easy to make power with a big block. peanut ports not good. ebays got some good stuff if you becarful.

if you want to learn alot blacksheep buy "how to build max performance chevy rat motors" by- ED STAFFEL. not a blue print book.  

I think getting 500 horse from a BB is doable without breaking the bank.
The next 100 take a bit of doing and,,,, experience really helps
 
When the Flag Drops... the Bull Chit Stops...

+1, thats why when i start ill be here with you jews....j/k....but for real.  

69,,,
you'll have to get a 10 gallon yalmukka to cover your head,
before we can help you
 
When the Flag Drops... the Bull Chit Stops...