[tommytempest]

so I have an old Mark IV 454 block thats already .060 over. I have one closed chamber head and one open chamber head, both with the stock size valves. I have it all at the machine shop right now. he has some old head cores laying around and can match either the closed or open head. If this motor doesn't need bored, then i'm going with the closed, since the pistons in there now are flattops, which i think will give me close to 9.5 to one (haven't ran it through the compression calc yet, just going by what the machinist said). If it has to be bored, i could go with either head and just buy the pistons accordingly to get my 9.5:1. Am I going to be able to make 500HP with a minimum (without boring) of 468 cubes, 9.5:1 compression, stock oval port heads (closed or open), stock valves, and a big nasty cam? Really don't want to do a roller cam just because of $$$$. I was thinking the comp 292 cam. I have a Wieand Stealth intake, and an 850 street demon carb, but might upgrade to a Victor Jr at some point....
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Tom

[techinspector1]

To run that cam, you're gonna need more c.r.

[65 Imp SS]

If you go to http://www.21cgt.com/FMWebCatalog/default.htm and put your info in. It will give you an idea on comp ratio.
The 292 cam calls for 10:1 cr the 280 calls for 9:1+cr and the 286 needs 9.5:1cr (I think the 292 would be big for you). I would call comp cams or any other manufacture and get their suggestion (also check out their xtreme energy cams).

[454C10]

I like the 292H cam in a SBC but never ran one in a BBC.

Most likely will need more than 9.5:1cr to run that cam. I run 11:1 cr with a sbc using that cam with pump gas. 10:1 CR should be a good value to go for, but 9.5:1 isn't that bad when used in a 454.

In a 350, that cam has no torque under 3000 rpm but comes on like crazy from 3 to 7K. With a 454, you will need at least 3.73 gears and a 2800 rpm stall with an automatic, and headers. And don't forget the stronger springs and rockers.

500 hp should be easy to get with that cam. However, bigger valves and a little bowl work would help a lot.

With a good set of aftermarket heads, a 350 can make about 450hp with that cam, so 500hp with a 468 should be easily obtainable if the engine is set up right (valve train, exhaust, intake, carb, ignition, et.)

And remember to use diesel engine oil with your new cam.

[tommytempest]

Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like I need to spend some more $$$ to be able to run the 292. I might step back one size on the cam. You guys aren't having trouble at 10 or 11:1 with pump gas? I guess my biggest decision right now, since the block and heads are at the machine shop, is which heads and pistons/compression ratio to run. I plan on running stock cast iron heads for now, then stepping up to aftermarket aluminums later. Should I shoot for 10:1? My machinist was talking between 9 and 9.5, but will obviously do whatever I tell him. I'm having him put the short block together and just do a valve job on whichever stock heads I end up running, then I'll put the cam and the rest of the motor together myself. I plan on racing this thing at the local 1/8 mile track but keeping it street legal at least at first. I am going to run a 400 tranny with a 2500 or so stall and 4.10 gears in the stock 10 bolt for now, just because someone gave me the gear set with a limited slip carrier. Eventually, after saving up more $$$ I'll probably do a mini tub, 12 bolt or 9" rear end with a spool or locker, aluminum heads and a 100 shot of nitrous, but first I need to get this short block built. I've done several SBC's, but this is my first BB. The last sb I built was a 383 with sportsman II heads with 9.75 cr and a comp 268 cam, and I wish I had gone bigger with that cam. It is in a boat though and I was worried about bottom end. It runs great actually, but doesn't have that nasty cam cackle that I wish it did. Anyway, any suggestion on pistons and heads would be appreciated!
Thanks
Tom

[66GMC]

As someone else (454C10) has eluded to, make sure you use a motor oil with a ZDDP additive which is crucial for breaking in a flat-tappet camshaft in any engine.

The problem is that many engine oils have dropped this ZDDP additive from thier additive package ... including many of the "diesel oils". Newer engines with roller cams don't need it, and the EPA is forcing oil mfrs to drop it because the zinc plugs up catalytic convertors when the engine begins to burn a lot of oil.

There have been a lot of discussions here at HR.com on the subject of ZDDP.
ZDDP discussions

I am at the point that the next cam I buy WILL be a roller cam.

[firestone]

500 is possible, but you will need the right heads. I would look for a set of 049 or 781 heads. Just any set of oval port heads will not get you what you are after. I think sticking with 9.5-10:1 and going with a little smaller cam would be a good idea. In order to get a solid 500 hp, you will need to get heads like the ones above along with getting some 2.19 1.88 valves installed. I would also recommend getting some clean up port work done on the heads. As for the cam, I have a couple of recommendations depending on what you are willing to do with the converter. If you are set on the 2500, I would not recommend going wtih anything larger than the XE274H (230 236 @.050 .552 .555 lift). The only thing about this setup is that unless you get some pretty serious port work done on the heads, I dont think 500 hp will be attainable. In order to get the 500 hp you are after, I would recommend something like the comp xe284h (240 246 @.050 .547 .578 lift) along with a 2800 stall. Comp recommends 9.5:1 compression with this cam along with a 2800+ stall. I think that this cam with a little porting and larger valves in a set of 049 or 781 heads in a 9.5:1 468 will get you the 500 you are after.

Here is a motor my friend built that will show you what it takes to get the power you are after.

461
9.5:1 compression
ported 781 heads with 2.19 1.88 valves (flowed 290 cfm, so they had some decient work done on them as far as porting goes)
victor Jr intake ported and port matched to heads (I would recommend a dual plane with yours)
comp hyd roller cam 242 248 @.050 ~.600 lift

This motor made 560 hp @ 6100 RPM and 560 ft lbs on an engine dyno.

Adam

[tommytempest]

049 is what my open chamber head is. Those things are like 120cc chambers though. It would take a pretty sizeable dome to get any compression with those, but I have heard that they flow good. I could go for 9.5 with the 049 heads then step up to the aluminum heads later and get 110cc chambers to get me up a little higher. Not sure i really want to do things twice, but I know drag racing is going to require lots of wrenching anyway. Maybe i'll should pop for a roller cam setup. How much more $$ does the roller cam and required lifters run as compared to flat tappet? decisions decisions....... No matter what I do, I think a 468 in a 70 Nova with a stall and a 4.10 rear end is going to be alot of fun! I'll check what my closed chamber head casting number is. BTW, my closed chamber head is a 3904390 which mortec shows as a 98cc head.

[F-BIRD'88]

Its real easy to get 500hp out of a street 454. But not when you got to make this work with that junk etc etc.
Do not sell yourself short. Port the stock oval port open chamber heads put the big valves in them.
You will not need aftermarket heads.
When "home ported" these heads will make all the power your after and much more. they flow very well when ported.
Why not just do it right the first time. Most of the work is in the bowl/ guide boss area under the valves. you can do this yourself at home. Then let the machinist finish them with big valves.

Ran your flat tops in the cr calc. (I 've used these pistons before). With 396/325HP 96cc oval heads (215 castings) flat tops .022" stock deck clearance and the LS6.022" gasket your cr is 9.33:1. Not quite enough. You want 9.6:1to 9.8:1 for this combo. on pump gas.
Its easier and better to use the 24cc dome pistons with your open chamber heads (they do vary in cc from 118 to 126cc)
The power advantage of the open chamber heads is well worth the trw 24.5cc domed pistons cost.
Sell your flat tops to someone else along with the 292h cam.
The 049 heads will need porting and larger 2.19x1.88 valves. The intake is fine. get an 850 cfm carb Use either of these two Comp cams and sell your 292H.
1. hyd Comp XE284H-10 #11-250-3
or 2. Solid Comp cams CB-280S-10 #11-551-5
yes its a solid. it is not hard to live with at all. BBC's like a solid cam because the valvetrain is so big and heavy.
A solid (the right solid) really pays off above 5200 rpm with these motors.
You will like this motor. its a good combo.
use Hooker or some other big 2" 2.125" headers. Needs a 3.73 or 4.10 gear and a 3000 to 3500stall. 11" or 10"
Consider a Performer RPM or a Weiand Accelerator street single plane with the divider plate in place. Works very well.
Build it like this and you will hit your power goal the first time.
the BBC 454 closed chamber heads really vary in chamber size.
can range from 100 to 115cc in the same casting number. reguardless, the open chamber heads are way better.
Don;t bother with the old closed chamber heads.
Do not get silly on cr with this motor. A BBC with its big bore size tends to be less knock tolerant than a SBC. + side is that it does not get effected by a modest pump gas friendly cr like a small ci motor will.
9.6-to 9.8 using either of my cam recomendations will more than do the job.

.030+ 454
TRW 24.5CC dome forged pistons
.025" deck clearance (stock)
felpro or GM "LS6" .022" gasket
120c heads
gets you 9.8:1 easy pump gas 11sec 500++hp car.
you can even drive it to work.
Woops just noticed you at +.060" already.
In that case the head cc size should be 121-122cc. easy to grind out a few cc if nessessary. Check first many of the 049 and 781 heads are bigger than adv 118-120cc.

[tommytempest]

Wow! Thanks F-Bird 88! Sounds like some sound advice! I agree with doing it right the first time. I haven't done any bowl work before, but I have read up on it and I have done some porting in the past, so I'll give it a shot. There is a wealth of information available on the internet! Open chambers it is, and 24.5 domed pistons as well. Once I get a mate to my 049 open head, which my machinist says he thinks he has, I'll take them back home, do the bowl work and porting, then take them back to him for the bigger valves. I'll have to find out what he'll charge me for machining out for the bigger valves.
Thanks again, I'll keep you posted!

[454C10]

You should calculate the dynamic compression ratio (DCR) to find the best static compression ratio (SCR) to use. DCR is calculated using rod length, stroke, and advertised intake closing point (not at 0.050" lift). There are a lot of free, on line, DCR calculators to use.

With a detonation prone BBC, you should go for about 7.5:1 DCR. And with out doing the math, I would guess that 10:1 SCR used with a 292H will make about 7.5:1 DCR in a 454. I wouldn't go below 7:1 DCR or above 8:1 DCR for pump gas.

I think the 292H will work OK in a 9.5:1 454 with 049 heads with stock valves and some bowl work. Not ideal, but it will certainly run a fairly low et.

Old 112cc, semi-open chambered, #820 BBC heads flow well. They especially have a good intake to exhaust flow ratio due to the exhaust valve being unshrouded in the chamber. The combustion chamber is much more open around the exhaust port which runs even with the edge of the head and not angled toward the exhaust valve like the 049 or 781 heads.

[tommytempest]

Sounds like I am going to be very close with my cr depending on what the cc's are exactly on the 049 heads. Mortec has them listed at 122, but how do I tell exactly? Do you fill them with water and measure the water? Whats the standard procedure? I haven't heard back from the machinist on the bore yet, but if he has to bore this already .060 over block, its going to be .100 over and then my compression is going to be a problem with the 24.5cc pistons.

[F-BIRD'88]

If you have to go over .06" use Keith Black KB779 pistons (1/16" ring) or KB9919 (5/64" ring) {stock ring size}
.070 or .100" over available. has a 18cc dome

.100" over 118cc head .022" gasket =9.81:1
You must follow KB's ring end gap recomendations to the letter with these pistons They work great thou.

Note: you must check the piston dome to chamber wall clearance with all KB BBC pistons and all oval port heads.
Usually only minor grinding of the dome edge or chamber wall is nessessary. You must check this.
You have to go to a GM parts dealer to get the .022" 454 "LS6" head gasket. app is 1970 454-450hp chevelle

[F-BIRD'88]

it is easy to cc your heads at home yourself.
you will need
1. Glass graduated cylinder 100ML (Local Pharmacy counter)
2. one disposable insulin needle (1cc) remove and dispose of the needle tip. tell the pharmasist what you need it for.
3. one old every day CD ROM disc
4. some vaseline.

Use the vaseline around the valve edge/valve seat edge to seal the seats. Only a tiny amount around the valve edge is nesssessary.

use the vaseline between the cd rom and head surface to get a water tight seal.

Install the valves and a spark plug.

prop the head up level fill the graduated cylinder up to 100ML ( full) pour the water thru the hole in the CD rom into the chamber.
When almost full use the 1cc needle to fill the last bit, using water from the glass cylinder. Tip the head around to get the air bubble out. when ya got it full, subtract the remaining water in the glass cylinder from 100. thats the chamber volume in CC's
100ML= 100cc
Not that hard.

[454C10]

I use a 1/4 inch thick flat piece of clear plastic with a 1/4 inch hole drilled at one end, squirt bottle, bearing grease to seal the plastic to the head, and a digital scale.

1cc of water weighs 1gm.

Subtract the weight of the squirt bottle before and after filling the combustion chamber.