I posted this over on Tech is the BBC forums but haven't had any luck on some answers.

I've been looking all over the net for the HP/TQ specs of a 454 from a 1978 1 ton truck and can't find a thing. Anyone know these numbers? Also, what would be a good combination of parts to make 450RWHP N/A out of this engine? Any help at all is greatly appreciated because I'm clueless..

 

Not sure what you'll be routing that power through, but I would expect you'd need about 525-550 at the crank if you're using a TH400 and a 12bolt GM or 9" Ford rear. You also didn't specify if you want to go with a Hydraulic, Flat Tappet (solid lifter), roller, or Hydraulic Roller. I would go with a 850 double pumper on top of a Victor single plane manifold, with something around a .575 lift Hydraulic cam. You could even keep compression low like around 9.5 or 10 to 1. With a "decent" set of heads you should be right around what you're looking for. There are a MILLION and ONE different ways to make that kind of power with a 454, but that would be a fairly reliable pump gas friendly way with very few valve adjustment intervals. Maybe with more info you could more feedback. I love the sound of a Solid Lifter cam, and that's what I run in my smallblock powered Belair, but I check the valves anually, and drive it very little. Not sure if this will be your daily driver, street strip, track only, etc. In any case, that motor stock will be around 240 or so. Here is a link to a 440hp motor, which is limited by the dual plane manifold, and more than likely underated.


http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/fram...s/454-440.html

 

heads, intake, carb, cam and headers.
that engine should be about 300hp/375 tq.
it probably has peanut port heads, which are small round ports[good for low end torque] but the biggest obstacle for performance improvement.
there is tons of stuff out there for that engine but unless your put a blower on it
you should change the heads, i can't give you a detailed list but you need square port heads with about 260-290cc intake runners, intake to match, 750 carb and maybe cam and exhaust
whipple makes an easy to install blower for those stock engines, ati probably too.

Dave

 

Great info, thanks for the help. I'm hoping the motor goes in a 68 Firebird, but not 100% on that yet. I'd like to use a TH350, but I'll have to look into what kind of power they can hold when built. And yeah, the plan is to run a GM 12 bolt. I want this to be as streetable as possible while putting down those numbers, because it's going to be a street/strip car.

I may throw something around a 100-150 shot on it afterwards if I'm not happy on the times it puts down. I guess budget isn't really an issue because this build will take a while and I'll just be spending as I go. If you need to know anything else just ask, and thanks again for the help.