454 engine build

[Joe L.]

Re: 454 engine build

Carb size depends on design speed, but something in the 700-800 range should be okay. Beware of aftermarket cams. Most have too much overlap for a given duration, which kills low end torque. The 390/400 HP cam would be a real toque monster with good top end power and up to 6000 useable revs with well massaged heads, and the L-72/71 cam would work well - a bit less low end torque with more top end power.

There are HUNDREDS of cams out there to choose from, and it's real easy to make a mistake especially if you don't have a good handle on desired broad range performance characteristics and just pick some peak HP number out of the air, which is what most guys seem to do.

A torquey 454 will work very well with a WR trans and 3.08 axle.

Duke

Duke------


As far as flat tappet cams go, I think the 390/400 HP cam is the best street cam ever devised. Of course, as I've said before, I'd never use a flat tappet cam anymore. I'd seek out a retrofit hydraulic roller with specs about the same as the aforementioned.