I found a fuel injected 454, about a 93, and the guy says its a ?sp? Towantona from NY. I'm sure I murdered the name, but has anyone heard of one of these? He wants $1000 for the whole motor less the pulleys and exh. manifolds. Syas it was making noise and thinks it needs work.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Ztoy:
Syas it was making noise and thinks it needs work.</font>

Pass on the deal, $1000 is too much for a 454 that makes noise, plus the heads are proboly 156 castings which aren't good performance heads. The only good thing that could come out of the deal is if it came w/a 4L80E tranny and the wiring harness for the TBI


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Confucius says " he who uses small, crimped exhaust, gets short of breath"

I would agree with Bruce. Maybe if it came with the 4L80E, computer and fuel-injection setup it'd be worth the grand (maybe more) but if it's just the basic block, heads, intake- not likely worth it. Also a "Tonawanda" block means nothing- Tonawanda, NY is where GM has a engine casting plant and it means nothing special.

I just ran across a 1966 396, #3855961, 2 bolt main. The heads are oval port, closed chamber, 97cc. He says its 10.5:1.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Ztoy:
I just ran across a 1966 396, #3855961, 2 bolt main. The heads are oval port, closed chamber, 97cc. He says its 10.5:1.</font>


What kind of price is he asking on that? I bought a original 350hp 396 JC code out of a 69 chevelle for $650, running condition drop in and go. I wouldn't pay any more than $700 for the 396 in question.
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Confucius says " he who uses small, crimped exhaust, gets short of breath"

[This message has been edited by Bruce Sherman (edited December 25, 2004).]

he's asking $500 obo, so I think I can get it for about $400

what condition is it in? $400 would be a pretty good deal. Is it complete or in pieces? Friend of mine scored a 90-something 454 for free...the truck was being scrapped and the owner didn't care for engines...

$600 should get you a 454... i could have picked up a 454 and th400 all complete running for $600.. but didnt have the cash

That's a Gen 5 out of the '93. Block will only work with Gen 5 heads. Pass on it - you're so restricted on it's potential that it's not worth the price. Tonawanda is the plant in New York where all the 454 blocks were cast.
Why not keep looking for a 454 out of a suburban, etc.? If you settle for the 396, you'll figure out why Chevy bumped it to 454 inches - you're giving up a good bit of torque with the shorter stroke and the bigger bore of the 454 allows for much better breathing. Go big - costs the same!

EDIT: I typed my response in the dark - this is a Gen 5 block, not Gen 6. If it were Gen 6, it would be a great platform for a performance engine - relocated oil main galley, setup for hydraulic roller lifters, etc.

[This message has been edited by MyBoTy (edited January 04, 2005).]

I thought that the buildup of a 396 was quite a bit cheaper than a 454

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Ztoy:
I just ran across a 1966 396, #3855961, 2 bolt main. The heads are oval port, closed chamber, 97cc. He says its 10.5:1.</font>

If you can get that for $400 or 500 that would be a great candidate. 450Bench has a similar engine I think and he runs in the 10's with it I think.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Ztoy:
I thought that the buildup of a 396 was quite a bit cheaper than a 454</font>


I dont see how. When I was seatching for parts they seem to be as different in price as a 350SB to a 400SB

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by MyBoTy:
If you settle for the 396, you'll figure out why Chevy bumped it to 454 inches </font>

The little 396 dosn't seem to get the credit it should. It can be built(on a budget) to propel a 3500lb car into the low 12's high 11's. There are many people running a 396 on this board and love them(myself for one). If you can score it for $400-$500 do it.



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Confucius says " he who uses small, crimped exhaust, gets short of breath"

Well I've always had sb's, and now want to see what a bb would be like. I really have wanted a 454 for quite some time, but always miss out on the 'deals' you know. I think this is a good project to move to..

Ok, I am going to check out a couple of 454's today, what is it I should be looking for as far as the best for a buildup?

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Ztoy:
Ok, I am going to check out a couple of 454's today, what is it I should be looking for as far as the best for a buildup? </font>


Your going to want to look for something made in the 70's don't get one that was made in the 80's(peanut port heads, low comp, smog motors) the earlier the year the better.


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Confucius says " he who uses small, crimped exhaust, gets short of breath"

A '66 396 might actually be a good block to use, because they used the same casting as the 427 block... meaning it can be bored 4.25" and up... same bore as the 454.

How much horsepower would, lets say a 1985 454 smogger motor out of a suburban make? Im in cali and have been contemplating the darkside!! The only problem is I have a 78 and I have to smog it!
Thanks Travis

[This message has been edited by 78RSCAMARO (edited January 04, 2005).]

SOME of the 396 blocks can be bored up to 4.250, not all. If you'll look thru the center core hole, you can see the distance between the bores. If you can barely stick a pencil or Bic pen thru the gap, it'll probably go 4.250. If it's considerably wider than that, forget it. You'd also need to do extensive grinding to the pan rails and bottom of the bores for clearance if you go with a 4" stroke crank. Leave the 396's to the guys who need 'em for restoration, use a 454 block. They're more common and you can make more power out of them since the valves are less shrouded in the bigger bore. Most 454 blocks I've seen will swallow a 4.25" stroke crank with minimal grinding. HTH