Rinker

I am looking to start a project car soon, I was going with the idea of an 408-427ci iron block LSX motor. So all engine research has been directed that way, but now I like the thought of a BBC, but I honestly don't know much about big blocks as far as what setups they like. I have been looking at cams, for instance, that guys swap in, and to be honest they are not at all what I expected. They were around 224/230 and I was asuming BB's would eat up big cams, I mean my friend swapped in a bigger cam then that into his stock LS1 GTO. So what would you do if you were getting a 454-502ci to build up, as far as cam size and setup. Keep in mind I want a stupid setup meaning, not mistakable for stock or anywhere close to it. Please feel free to school me on BBC cam sizes and setups of what they love.

thanks,
Jim

Racehead

Well the 454 BBC in my '71 has a 244/252 at .050 and no one with ears would ever mistake it for anything close to stock It doesn't sound all that differant than the ASA cam in my LS1, which I love too When I pull up to a stop light soccer moms and other "respectable" types roll up their windows and direct very disaproving frowns at me I love it though and consider it very streetable. It idles fine at 800-900 rpms. I drove it 4 hrs roundtrip to the drag strip a while back and averaged 16.8 mph thru a Richmond Gear 6 speed running about 2500-2700 rpms at about 75-80 mph. Pretty damn respectable if you ask me. One of the first questions people ask me is "what kind of gas mileage do you get with that thing ? About 8-10 mpg ?" they're shocked when I tell them what I can get, many don't believe me ?! I plan on going to a 252/260 @ .050 in the near future and it should still idle just fine at maybe 800-900 rpm and rev to 7K. Just get a Performer RPM intake and some decent oval port heads and you've got a runner. A good rule of thumb is that a BBC will take about 12-15 degrees more duration than a sbc or LS1 with a similiar powerband and idle characteristics.

Rinker

thanks man, those numbers sound more like it. Anyone else wanna share thir setups please chime in.

FastRedChevy

224/230 cam is a towing cam in a 454-502

I have a 248/254 solid roller in my 489 im putting together. Seems most people go for 240-250 with a big block that size. It depeds on your compression, heads and gearing though.

slow trap

iTrader: (22)

i'd say use a cam close to raceheads.240-250 @.050 if you can find a good 454 block get you a 496 ci rotating assembly and you're set . i'd say spring for a good set of aluminum heads also but they're steep in price.

Rinker

yeah, sounds like what i wanna do. You guys have any favorite companies for rotating assemblys, heads, anything? Also I wanted to go fuel injection i possible, but not TBI, anymore make good manifolds?

-Jim