Calling all Chebby guys!

[Boomyal]

Any suggestions for a forum to inquire about re-camming my 94 454 Burb. The motor is a pure boat anchor, weighing in at slightly under 8 to 1 c/r. It only has 42k miles on it and I don't drive it all that much but I would sure like to get a little more punch for the abysmal gas mileage the beast gets.<br /><br />It alread has a Banks Power Pack and a street legal piggyback chip. Those really woke it up a bit from it's stock state but maybe the right cam can give it a little more dynamic compression??

 

[bandit86]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

dont bump your compression ratio too much or you'lll be looking at high test gas. A nice marine head and cam would work great for you, as long as the intake port is the same.(I know youre talking about a truck, doesnt matter) There are aftermarket chips for the power increase, I met a guy online who reprograms chips for ewhatever you done to your engine so you can keep your stock fuel injection setup for $100. remember, as power goes up, you'll need bigger fuel pump, better torque converter, tranny etc. <br />I would find a decent cam, throw it in and see if it works.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

http://www.chevytalk.com/ <br /><br />I would look for some headers on ebay. There are often sets that go for under $50...even cheaper if they're a little rusty or otherwise ugly.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Originally posted by bandit86:<br />I met a guy online who reprograms chips for ewhatever you done to your engine so you can keep your stock fuel injection setup for $100.

Do you have a link bandit? As for the other components, I should hope that the tranny, torque converter and the rest of the drive train could withstand a small increase. The 99 vortec 350's have a higher horsepower rating than mine, seem to pull just as hard loaded, run circles around me unloaded and get 75% better fuel economy as well. I'd just like to see my 454 be able to beat the pants off of an MPI 350 even if it doesn't improve the mileage.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br /> http://www.chevytalk.com/ <br /><br />I would look for some headers on ebay. There are often sets that go for under $50...even cheaper if they're a little rusty or otherwise ugly.

Zm, thanks for the link. I will check it out. As for headers?, I got the best. They are the Gale Banks Stainless Steel headers with 5/8 in flanges and a tail pipe you could just about crawl up thru. I even added a hi flow cat behind the Gale Banks hi flow muffler just so I wouldn't choke it at the factory cat. It made a considerable differance. Wheras that boat anchor used to die at 3k rpm, it now just continues to pull right up into redline.<br /><br />Still, a MPI Vortech 350 will keep up with me under equivalant boat load and get 50% better mileage in the process. I don't hope to improve the mileage but I should be able to kick bu** on the 350 while under load.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

I have to ask you, what is you present rear end ratio? Thats where I would put my money now.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Originally posted by LubeDude:<br /> I have to ask you, what is you present rear end ratio? Thats where I would put my money now.

They (front and rear) are 410's Lubedude. Can't change one without t' other. Besides that might help with the mileage but would hurt the power. My friends 99 350 1/2 ton MPI vortec has ??370's, and he still keeps up with me over the pass to Tillamook and gets 12.5 mpg to my 8.5. ( pulling similar boats). Push come to shove, I might be able to walk away from him but not by much.

 

[bandit86]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

sounds like your engine is not running properly. did you have a deealer look at it yet?

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Got Boost?....... Headers, full 4" exhaust, RV Cam, and BOOST (about 6-8 psi).... <br /><br />Aside from un-choking the beast (exhaust and intake), A blower will give you the easiest install and best "bang for the buck" IMHO... 100HP..

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Originally posted by snapperbait:<br /> Got Boost?....... Headers, full 4" exhaust, RV Cam, and BOOST (about 6-8 psi).... <br /><br />Aside from un-choking the beast (exhaust and intake), A blower will give you the easiest install and best "bang for the buck" IMHO... 100HP..

Yeah, I thought of that snapper. I've been tempted over the years. (owned this since '96) This would probably be the ideal candidate for a blower. Big motor, low compression, low miles. But I would have to run premium in it and they cost around $3k.<br /><br />Was hoping to do a leeeetle better (than stock) for a lot less.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

I would go with a Edlbrock performer cam.<br />It is designed specifly for your TBI engine.<br />If you want to really increase your power go with the complete edelbrock performer fuel injection kit. This will give your older TBI motor MPI. You will get better milage and way more power than stock.<br />check out this link<br /><br /> http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/efi/multi-point-efi_chevy_bb.shtml

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Two words:<br /><br />Vortec heads.<br /><br />Not the cheapest mod, but it'll bump your hp and torque significantly.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Buy yourself a good used vortec 350, like your buddies. With the 410 gears you can probably kick his but.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Boom, I assume that your year of 454 was about 230 horse, not sure of it's torque. Well, GM made that a "Vortec" in what 1997? It was then 290horse and 410 lf-ft of torque. Mileage still sucks, but they pull well. So I am thinking that to truly get Vortec performance, you are going to have to install Vortec parts. Heads would be the first thing to bolt on. Then a camshaft. After that, there isn't much else to do. If you make a cam & head change, with all the exhaust stuff you've already done, that motor should actually develop those power figures. And run better than a 255horse (330lb-ft) 5.7 Vortec. But you'll still be lucky to get 11mpg empty and you'll get 8 while towing.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Originally posted by TilliamWe:<br /> Boom, I assume that your year of 454 was about 230 horse, not sure of it's torque. Well, GM made that a "Vortec" in what 1997? It was then 290horse and 410 lf-ft of torque. Mileage still sucks, but they pull well. So I am thinking that to truly get Vortec performance, you are going to have to install Vortec parts. Heads would be the first thing to bolt on. Then a camshaft. After that, there isn't much else to do. If you make a cam & head change, with all the exhaust stuff you've already done, that motor should actually develop those power figures. And run better than a 255horse (330lb-ft) 5.7 Vortec. But you'll still be lucky to get 11mpg empty and you'll get 8 while towing.

You hit the nail on the head on all counts TW. Along with different heads, the '97 V went to sequential Multiport injection, with more sophisticated ignition electronics and a point higher static compression. (GM acted like they invented MPI when Ford had it since '88) <br /><br />Currently my unit is pretty snorty at the bottom end and continues to pull right up thru 3k rpm where the totally stock Burb would fall flat on it's face. But it is still weak with a modest boat load on it. Sure was a lot of iron for GM to put out with such little reward.<br /><br />All indications are that a cam upgrade will do great things in combination with my Gale Banks System. As has been pointed out, new cams need to be choosen keeping the proper vacuum profile in mind.<br /><br />I'm also intrigued with the Edelbrock MPI (thank you bluewater) even though it is not sequential. Maybe an Edelbrock cam and MPI would be the ticket. It's still half the price of a blower and I could stick with regular gas.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Originally posted by Boomyal:<br /> Sure was a lot of iron for GM to put out with such little reward.

The one in my truck was only rated at around 205hp and 330ft lbs. We have the EPA to thank for that, not GM. They were 245hp in the early 70s and got the same mileage.<br /><br />If you haven't already got yourself a Jegs catalog, order one and spend a few hours looking at it saying "I need one of those....oooo, look at that, and oh I bet that would help". A cam is definately a good place to start.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br />.... get yourself a Jegs catalog, order one and spend a few hours looking at it saying "I need one of those....oooo, look at that, and oh I bet that would help".

Oh how well I know that game ZmO!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Boom or anybody, the next time you see a 1997 or newer 454, would you remove the air cleaner & photo the injection system for me. Cause on my dad's 97 Burb 2500 it sure looked like a normal TBI to me, I couldn't see individual fuel rails.<br /><br />If not a Jegs, then a Summit catalog. And if you are ever in Akron, OH (sorry if you are!) just stop by Summits place, they actually have a retail showroom. My dad stops in almost every time he's up visiting from Florida, he loves the place.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Currently my unit is pretty snorty at the bottom end and continues to pull right up thru 3k rpm where the totally stock Burb would fall flat on it's face.

Sounds like a classic breathing problem to me. And yep, since you've addressed exhaust, it's intake, or in your cause heads.<br /><br />Now Vortec heads and a blower, that would be something!!!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Calling all Chebby guys!

Originally posted by TilliamWe:<br />

Currently my unit is pretty snorty at the bottom end and continues to pull right up thru 3k rpm where the totally stock Burb would fall flat on it's face.

Sounds like a classic breathing problem to me. And yep, since you've addressed exhaust, it's intake, or in your cause heads.<br /><br />Now Vortec heads and a blower, that would be something!!!

Well intake is undoubtedly a culprit but how can you expect to inhale anything with a stock intake valve opening of only .398???? I wish I could find a chevy website the equivalant of this SBF site. You talk about serious knowledge, these guys know it all and I don't think there is a chevy site that is near it's equal.<br /><br />I guess that must be why SBF's are now eating SBC's for lunch. <br /><br /> http://www.network54.com/Forum/119417/ <br /><br />ps, I would want to talk with someone with vast experience before I tried to switch heads. That'd be all I need to create a TBI nightmare.