[tls3028]

I would like some guidance on building a nice streetable 454 with a 289 block and 781 heads. I want a 400 or less horse area build. For a 1970 area corvette.
I would like to keep the price down. I need to keep the intake manifold low rise to clear the stock hood. Suggestions would be appreciated.

[my87Z]

I'm very confused, you mention trying to build a 454 with a 289 block? this would not be possible. a 289 is a ford motor and it certainly couldn't be bored and stroked to 454 cubic inches, not even close.

if i disregard the 289 block part of the post then building a 454 with 400hp or less would be gravy, it would be an absolute tq monster.

but you need to clarrify what is going on

[my87Z]

disregard that last post i just realized you were talking about the block casting, sorry about that

do you have the motor in complete form, or is it just the block, what all do you have. the stock crank and rods can easily handle 400hp, you could go with a cast or hyper piston in my opinion.

781 bbc heads are good performing heads and really wont need any work in order to get them to handle 400hp, you may want to get them checked out by a machine shop to see if they are in good working order but other than that they should do fine stock. i will recomend a hyd roller cam, one with around 214-222 duration @ .050, advertised duration around 268-274, you should be able to use about 9.0:1 comrpession and stock stall, i would upgrade the rear gears thought to around 3.42's if they aren't about that already. you could go with a performer intake or if you can fit it you could also use a performer rpm intake and about a 750cfm double pumper.

this combo should give you about 390-415hp and 515-530tq (if not just a bit more, as i think my estimation may be a little modest, but not by much)