454 Virgin

[jmwenzel87]

I just got a 454 out of a 1987 Suburban and I'm in the planning stages of rebuilding the 454 and putting it in an '83-87 Chevy Pickup. I was hoping some of you fellas that have done this a couple times could tell me where I need to start. I don't have a whole lot of money, but time isn't an issue right now, so I can save until I have enough for whatever part is next. I'd like to have a 400 hp truck or so that can roast tires and put you back in the seat when you romp it. Then again, I have no idea if 400 hp can do that, or if that's a breeze for 400 hp. So if someone could help me firgure out where to start, I'd be most appreciative. Also, If anyone has any trucks like this, please post some pics for us to admire! Thanks guys!

[BlacK20]

what kind of truck are you wanting to put this into? it makes a huge difference, is it a 1ton CCLB 4x4 with a lift and 44" tires or is it a 1/2ton RCSB thats slammed?

[jmwenzel87]

what kind of truck are you wanting to put this into? it makes a huge difference, is it a 1ton CCLB 4x4 with a lift and 44" tires or is it a 1/2ton RCSB thats slammed?



I want to put it in a 1/2 ton, stock ride height or there about, larger tires (30-34's maybe?), and a manual tranny if possible. I'm willing to concede on any points if needed, but that is my current idea of what I want.

[Your41Plague12]

400 HP and a set of 4.10's running 33" tires will throw you back in the seat just fine. Believe me, that's more than enough. My 350 is putting out 350 HP, I'm running 4.10's with 38's and it throws you back in the seat. As far as the swap, it should bolt right in. The exhaust will need changed as well as fuel lines, but other than little things, it practically bolts right in. Good luck and post pics!

[jmwenzel87]

400 HP and a set of 4.10's running 33" tires will throw you back in the seat just fine. Believe me, that's more than enough. My 350 is putting out 350 HP, I'm running 4.10's with 38's and it throws you back in the seat. As far as the swap, it should bolt right in. The exhaust will need changed as well as fuel lines, but other than little things, it practically bolts right in. Good luck and post pics!

Thanks alot man! I will post some pics as soon as I get some. Anybody know where I can find good build lists?

[gambo117]

you should get the bb radiator. you are also going to need the computer to run the tbi.

[jmwenzel87]

you should get the bb radiator. you are also going to need the computer to run the tbi.


Sorry for the ignorance, TBI?

[Your41Plague12]

Throttle Body Injection. The 454 from the suburban won't be carbureted, it has an early form of fuel injection on it. You'll need the computer and basically the whole wiring harness.

[jmwenzel87]

Throttle Body Injection. The 454 from the suburban won't be carbureted, it has an early form of fuel injection on it. You'll need the computer and basically the whole wiring harness.


I see. Is there a conversion kit to make it carb'ed or would I be better off leaving the TBI?

[richmond2000]

Sorry for the ignorance, TBI?
TBI = throttle body Fuel Injection
from a 88 + SS454 engine
if you have a carby and you do not mind carby the fitting would be easier almost "drop in"



I see. Is there a conversion kit to make it carb'ed or would I be better off leaving the TBI?
if truck is carby the 454 could get a carb intake / carb and a "big cap" distributor (non FI dizzy on stock GM engines avail aftermarket) and you will fit a mechanical fuel pump to the engine

[jmwenzel87]

TBI = throttle body Fuel Injection
from a 88 + SS454 engine
if you have a carby and you do not mind carby the fitting would be easier almost "drop in"


if truck is carby the 454 could get a carb intake / carb and a "big cap" distributor (non FI dizzy on stock GM engines avail aftermarket) and you will fit a mechanical fuel pump to the engine


I love the way a carb looks, but if I'd see a noticeable increase in performance or economy, then I'll go the TBI route. But that's why I'm here, to ask questions. Thanks again for everybodies help!

[1badbowtie4x4]

TBI = throttle body Fuel Injection
from a 88 + SS454 engine
if you have a carby and you do not mind carby the fitting would be easier almost "drop in"


if truck is carby the 454 could get a carb intake / carb and a "big cap" distributor (non FI dizzy on stock GM engines avail aftermarket) and you will fit a mechanical fuel pump to the engine
TBI engines don't have a lobe for a fuel pump pushrod, at least the small blocks don't (my old sbc was casted in that whole area, so even a new cam wouldn't work), i'm pretty sure the big blocks don't either. Just get a fuel pressure regulator..

And if you want 400hp then forget TBI, just get some oval port heads, intake, and a decent cam. Those things along with a good carb would make 400+ easy.

[BlacK20]

TBI engines don't have a lobe for a fuel pump pushrod, at least the small blocks don't (my old sbc was casted in that whole area, so even a new cam wouldn't work), i'm pretty sure the big blocks don't either. Just get a fuel pressure regulator..

And if you want 400hp then forget TBI, just get some oval port heads, intake, and a decent cam. Those things along with a good carb would make 400+ easy.

Not true, my current TBI 350 was fuel pump ready, and all the cams i have seen were as well. its hit and miss with the machining. some were, some weren't.

[jmwenzel87]

Well I'll probably go the carb route. It will most likely be easier for me to work on and hopefully cheaper. So I'll have to get a new fuel pump then?

[DieselPower]

If you are only after 400 hp, a SBC will do that easily enough. The 454 will give you boatloads of torque - more than you can hook up with. What it will do better than the SBC is suck down a tank of fuel. Unless you de-tune the 454 down to the mild level of a 454SS, you'll have a vehicle that is barely driveable in anything less than perfect weather. It will make for a fun toy, but with no traction control involved you will have troubles controlling the wheelspin. If this is your daily driver, you will most likely not be very happy with the result. Cops will love you as they can nail you for a reckless ticket every time you take off from a light, even at idle.

FWIW - bone stock, that 454 should be capable of roasting tires faster than you can replace them.

I do understand the temptation though. 454 Suburbans make great donor vehicles and they are dirt cheap on Craigslist. And power corrupts absolutely!!!

[richmond2000]

I would go Carby in my first conversion and for cost 350 is PLENTY of engine for a "basic" truck with out the weight of a suburban or heavy towing
+ 350 parts are cheaper and more plentiful

Well I'll probably go the carb route. It will most likely be easier for me to work on and hopefully cheaper. So I'll have to get a new fuel pump then? if your current engine/truck is FI then YES if carby then MAYBE but recommended
on your old engine there will be a pump on the right side front of the engine (viewed from front of engine)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/3053988515_48b8648941.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/swartlkk/1970%20Chevelle%20Resto/SBC_fuel_pump_01.jpg
and if your "NEW" engine has the mounting pad and is machined for one just bolt it up and go IF NOT
then get an inline electric pump and a fuel PSI regulator and plumb/wire in

[1badbowtie4x4]

I would go Carby in my first conversion and for cost 350 is PLENTY of engine for a "basic" truck with out the weight of a suburban or heavy towing
+ 350 parts are cheaper and more plentiful
if your current engine/truck is FI then YES if carby then MAYBE but recommended
on your old engine there will be a pump on the right side front of the engine (viewed from front of engine)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/3053988515_48b8648941.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/swartlkk/1970%20Chevelle%20Resto/SBC_fuel_pump_01.jpg
and if your "NEW" engine has the mounting pad and is machined for one just bolt it up and go IF NOT
then get an inline electric pump and a fuel PSI regulator and plumb/wire in
Even if it does have a hole it won't have a lobe.

And to the OP, go big block.

[BlacK20]

Even if it does have a hole it won't have a lobe.

And to the OP, go big block.

maybe on big blocks, but all the small blocks i have seen had a lobe.

[jmwenzel87]

Ok, so I'm gonna swap the TBI for a carb and get an inline fuel pump and a fuel PSI regulator. Are there anymore things I should be aware of when swapping the TBI for a carb? The best I understand it so far is that it should pretty much bolt on. Unless I need a conversion kit or something like that.

[richmond2000]

a "big cap" distributor of a carby engine GM HEI
http://image.hotrod.com/f/techarticles/engine/18766575+w200/hrdp_0906_16_z+small_block_chevy_engine+build.jpg
EZ wire up and avail from the breakers all the way up to custom billet "show piece" @ your friendly hot rod shop
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/cantwait_forviolence/heiconnqx5.jpg
plus intake manifold plus carb plus new air cleaner
and change the gauge senders from your old engine to the NEW Big block assuming the suburban and your pick up have different instrument packages IE idiot lights VS actual gauges
and the motor mounts and the rad SHOULD be upgraded and the tranny NEEDS to be upgraded to handle the power / TQ
as for the fuel pump this was lifted from a hot rod forum RE 87 Suburban 454 into 57 bel air

One tip I can give on the fuel pump is check to make sure the fuel pump push rod was drilled all the way through to the cam as I have seen several instances where they weren`t or were only partially drilled and we had to drill them the rest of the way. And when this is the case you have to also drill oil return holes in the bottom of the fuel pump boss
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tbi-engine-carb-my-version-153088.html

[jmwenzel87]

a "big cap" distributor of a carby engine GM HEI
http://image.hotrod.com/f/techarticles/engine/18766575+w200/hrdp_0906_16_z+small_block_chevy_engine+build.jpg
EZ wire up and avail from the breakers all the way up to custom billet "show piece" @ your friendly hot rod shop
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/cantwait_forviolence/heiconnqx5.jpg
plus intake manifold plus carb plus new air cleaner
and change the gauge senders from your old engine to the NEW Big block assuming the suburban and your pick up have different instrument packages IE idiot lights VS actual gauges
and the motor mounts and the rad SHOULD be upgraded and the tranny NEEDS to be upgraded to handle the power / TQ
as for the fuel pump this was lifted from a hot rod forum RE 87 Suburban 454 into 57 bel air

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tbi-engine-carb-my-version-153088.html



That's great info man! Thanks! So, anybody have any thoughts on a tranny? I'd like to go standard, But I'll entertain any suggestions. Again guys, this has been more helpful than you know! Thanks!

[jmwenzel87]

Also, does anybody have any ideas of an intake manifold/carburetor that i could find in a junkyard or swap meet that would fit? Something that would be decent, if not an improvement over stock? If not, I can buy some aftermarket stuff, but if I don't have to, that would be great.

[richmond2000]

the breakers MIGHT get /have some aftermarket stuff BUT most likely only stock 4Bbl "spread bore" quadrajet intake / Carb as that is what GM fitted 454 carbys with where as aftermarket usually is staight bore
meaning the secondary 2 bbls on the carb are the same as the primary 2
https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1383/4598577066_4c85142da5_m.jpg
one place to look are commercial truck wreckers and look for gm school buses / topkick/kodiac or motorhomes from the 80 often came with GM 454 BUT a breaker may insist you buy the engine complete as they get better money from rodders then Ppl buying a part here and there + E bay is your friend
from another site thread

Originally Posted by oldred95
The 87-91 or 92 454's used a spread bore carb intake with an adapter on top to adapt to the throttle body. I don't know how that particular intake flowed but it opens up several different options and really you could say its all stock equipment too.
X2

the BBC intakes did NOT have TBI bores or holes at all, they were regular spreadbore CARB intakes.. what made the tbi mount to them was the "heated TBI riser adapter plate" bolted to the top.

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/general-discussion/performance/312436-what-best-tbi-intake-1995-454-7-4l.html
if so remove adapter plate and bolt on spread bore carb and go

[jmwenzel87]

the breakers MIGHT get /have some aftermarket stuff BUT most likely only stock 4Bbl "spread bore" quadrajet intake / Carb as that is what GM fitted 454 carbys with where as aftermarket usually is staight bore
meaning the secondary 2 bbls on the carb are the same as the primary 2
https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1383/4598577066_4c85142da5_m.jpg
one place to look are commercial truck wreckers and look for gm school buses / topkick/kodiac or motorhomes from the 80 often came with GM 454 BUT a breaker may insist you buy the engine complete as they get better money from rodders then Ppl buying a part here and there + E bay is your friend
from another site thread

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/general-discussion/performance/312436-what-best-tbi-intake-1995-454-7-4l.html
if so remove adapter plate and bolt on spread bore carb and go

This is great info man. If I understand right, I can take the plate off of the stock '87 454 and bolt on a carb? That would be awesome! Anybody have ideas for a good manual tranny?

[trickedout420]

for direct bolt in. a manual would be a SM465

[jmwenzel87]

for direct bolt in. a manual would be a SM465

Awesome! I've also been trying to figure out what carb would fit onto the stock intake manifold after I remove the adapter plate, but since all the website have you search by engine type and stuff, I can't find one that I know will fit. Any help guys?

[richmond2000]

Awesome! I've also been trying to figure out what carb would fit onto the stock intake manifold after I remove the adapter plate, but since all the website have you search by engine type and stuff, I can't find one that I know will fit. Any help guys?
it would be a Rochester Quadrajet OR you get an adapter to go from spread bore to square bore type of carb AND any 4 Bbl would work
if you want a holley spread bore
http://www.amazon.com/Holley-0-9895-4-Barrel-Replacement-Carburetor/dp/B000C3J4LG
something like that would work