Is a 454 worth the money and work vs a 350?

Question

I have an 84 k10, ton axles, 4 speed granny and a krate 350 with flat top pistons. Would it be worth it to save up fro a 454 and swap it in? or should i just build my 350? What can i do to make this small block pull like a diesel or big block without swapping one in? (i know it probly cante get as much torque but i just mean as close as i can get for cheap) It is a primarily offroad truck, drive it around every now and then, and wouldnt mind being able to yank a few fords and dodges around at school haha

Answer 1

If oyu put 6.535 long connecting rods in it, then yes it IS worth the money. You'll spend 800-1000 on rods and pistons doing this. You'll have a 454 that revs like a 350 and get significantly better gas mileage than a traditional 454. Put one of my blueprinted QuadraJets on it with one of my cams, and it will make great power and get good mileage. It will also make the most power for you with a single exhaust, not a dual. Same with a Small Block.



Do not put big valves in the heads and stick with Oval port heads.

Lots of things to consider.

Put a 4 hole carburetor spacer on, at least an inch thick.



I would do it primarily because the small block is never going to make the torque of the Big Block, especially when you consider the RPM where you want it.



Zero deck the block, etc.



Much of what I am suggesting will apply to either engine. The Big Block is going to be alot more useable for you in the low RPM range than a small block. A good Big Block will put out at 1,500 RPM what a decent small block will at 2,500.



It comes down to your budget and how much you are willing to live by the principle of bang for the buck, as well as the principle of not cutting corners to save a couple hundred bucks.



You need a small advertised duration cam, but one with a really fast opening ramp like mine.

If you use a correctly sized single exhaust, because it will scavenge the crappy factory stock Big Block cylinder head exhaust port so much better than a dual, you can keep a single pattern cam in the engine, which will also help to keep low RPM torque in it.



Plan to spend $2,500 for this build if you put rods and pistons in. And that is a low budget build, too.

There are some very key way to build. Don't think that you will make more power here simply because you put a Big Block in it. Most Big Blocks out there are s**ty builds. Do it right, or it's just another problem traded for another that won't meet your needs and will end up doing a WHOLE lot less than you ever thought it would.

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Answer 2

ultimately, "there is no replacement for displacement".



and of the big blocks, the 454 is just purely and simply a torque monster. not so great for high HP, even though it can reliably make 900 hp, the 454 excels at making torque, pure tire turning force.



the 350 is a very good motor. reliably it can make 700 hp, and plenty of torque. it is a lighter motor, all small blocks are lighter then all big blocks, and the TH350 tranny can handle the power it can make easily (if built right).



you'll spend more to get the 454, but you'll get more power out of it for less money once you have it.

and its a big block, nothing says POWER like a big block does.





truck, off road use, and you want to drag the inferior fords around, whichever motor you end up with, concentrate on low end power.

dont worry so much about having huge power numbers at the redline, get BIG numbers at idle and have total off the line superiority.



the most important part, develop a plan. figure out a budget, figure out what that buys and what the best mix of parts is.

you'll definetly want to include a cam, and getting the RIGHT cam is all about having a plan in place and knowing exactly what you will be building. crane cams, give them a call, tell them the plan and what you want out of the motor, and they will get you the RIGHT cam for your setup and desires.







BTW, for allison, TRY to drive across country in a ford truck, even without a load, without stopping for repairs at least once.

chevy's big sales claim, "most reliable truck". ford's, "best selling truck" and its a LIE.

GM, the company that makes chevy trucks ALSO makes GMC trucks, beyond the name they are the same truck. combined sales is more then fords.....



dodge, cummins diesel, best deisel pickup on the road PERIOD.

good gas powered trucks too, but not chevy reliable.

Answer 3

relies on the scale of cam, heads, consumption, carburetor, and the last going for walks gears. i might say i could anticipate a few wherein among 6-10 mpg with the 454. with the 350 i could wager a few wherein among 10-14 mpgs. you do not have a trouble with the vigour float being in a position to manage the torque and horsepower. it used to be dealing with the approximately the identical horse vigour because the 409.

Answer 4

You could always get a inline 6 cylinder for torque with no speed or you could stroke and bore out your 350 to a 383stroker and make it have a high stroke to get a lot of torque and speed but a 454 is still the best bu either of the two would work for what you will probably need.

Answer 5

put the money in a good winch,block and tackle and heavy duty bumpers.