suggestion about 454

[454flyinby]

im new to the boat scene so i just wanted to if anyone could offer suggestion about building a 454, what type of cam is best, pistons, valves,etc. (not costing an arm or a leg)
thanks

[Hotcrusader76]

There are many great camshafts out there. Your best bet would be to call up Comp Cams or even Crane for beginners.
Otherwise there are alot of great guys on this site that can steer you into good customer service oriented grinders.
Isky, Edelbrock, Comp Cams, Crane, Lunati, etc.

[twistedpair]

Welcome to the boards! What kind of boat do you have, and what kind of performance are you looking for?
Skiing, cruising, or good old 'hold my beer and watch this' ass-hauling are all a little different. But you came to the right place, there are some seriously smart fellers around here. (present company excluded!) :D

[GofastRacer]

454flyinby:
im new to the boat scene so i just wanted to if anyone could offer suggestion about building a 454, what type of cam is best, pistons, valves,etc. (not costing an arm or a leg)
thanks Welcome 454, there is a lot of knowledge on these forums and I know everyone, myself included, is more than willing to help since we all at one time were new to the boat scene!..If you could fill us in on what kind of boat you have and what your intentions are for it(race, ski, criuser,ETC), I'm sure you'll be educated in no time!... wink

[Fiat48]

Price has gone up. Now costs and arm AND a leg to build one. Inflation..ya know! :D
You gotta tell us what you wanna do with it.

[Craig]

We welcome another AZ boy :D Where are you at in AZ, 454? I'm always beating this drum, but for good reason, if you need a shop that's good, but not the cheapest (you get what you pay for) try Larry's Speed & Marine in Tucson.
Whatcha workin' on?
Craig
[ January 07, 2003, 08:07 AM: Message edited by: Craig ]

[Bow Tie Omega]

Welcome. Many of us are going through our boats right now also. Lots of options, make sure you figure out what you want from your motor first and remember; speed= parts and labor= MONEY!!!

[Craig]

Bow Tie Omega:
Welcome. Many of us are going through our boats right now also. Lots of options, make sure you figure out what you want from your motor first and remember; speed= parts and labor= MONEY!!! Amen Brother :D
[ January 07, 2003, 12:58 PM: Message edited by: Craig ]

[Blown 472]

Well, she is kinda hot.

[454flyinby]

well the type of boat is a kacina with a 454 and a berkley jet. i want to be able to cruise about 70mph and throw some rooster tail. :D :D :D

[Bow Tie Omega]

454, how big is your boat, how fast (or not) is it now? For the Rooster tail, you need a diverter. If you already know these things, I am not trying to slam you or anything. I am trying to get a base line of what you have and what you know. For starters, go down to Barns and Noble or go onto Amazon and pick up a Big Block Chevy Build-Up Book, go to Kragen and get the manual for your motor. Get to know your motor. Once you get to know your motor you will have alot easier time with what you need to do to your motor. Find out what 454 you have. Look at the number on the left rear side of the block just above the bell housing. Go to banderlog.com and go to big block chevy stuff to match the number. Do the same on your heads. As far as your Jet goes, find out what model number it is and then start to ask questions about your model of jet. If you know all of this already, disregard what I have said, if not, the above will get you going in the right direction. This board is a great resource. I know as a teenager I was a motor head and got away from it for 10 years. I have had to re-learn alot of things in the last 4 months. If you do the above, come back and not only will the posters be able to better help you, but you will also have a better understanding of what they are saying and what is going on. Good Luck and Welcome to Hot Boat. Joe

[77charger]

i think something like a comp cams 280 magnum hydraulic with a good dual plane intake topped with a 750 or up holley dp And at least a 9-1 comp would work out just fine.Now if you want a race motor then you need alot more.The best increase can be found in reworking the pump also.For a lake boat motor or your needs i think you will be fine with a cast piston and 2 bolt block i really wouldnt think you will be spinning past 5300 rpm.(with an A or an AB impeller assumed)

[454flyinby]

is it okay to run hyperutechics pistons with cast crank in a 454, turning 4500-5000 rpm.im not building a race boat just a cruiser to have a little fun with my buddies.what type of head work is suggested to be done?(781heads) :D :D

[GofastRacer]

454flyinby:
is it okay to run hyperutechics pistons with cast crank in a 454, turning 4500-5000 rpm.im not building a race boat just a cruiser to have a little fun with my buddies.what type of head work is suggested to be done?(781heads) :D :D From what you're describing, those pistons will work fine!, as far as the heads goes, just do a quality valve job and you should be good to go!!.. :cool:

[Hotcrusader76]

:::::foot tapping:::::
"I fly you buy?"

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

I am sure glad he is trying to learn. 454flynby is my buddy and we are building identical motors but I want him to learn a little bit so I told him to jump on ***boat and ask away. I will be helping him but he needs to learn himself wink wink
396

[Bow Tie Omega]

That is cool 396. Their is nothing wrong with people who want to learn. I hope this ends up being a cool project for you both...Joe

[BK]

454flyinby:
is it okay to run hyperutechics pistons with cast crank in a 454, turning 4500-5000 rpm.im not building a race boat just a cruiser to have a little fun with my buddies.what type of head work is suggested to be done?(781heads) :D :D Im running KB hyperutechtic pistons with 500hp at at around 5300rpm and havent had any problems. If your gonna have the heads done it wouldnt be a bad idea to go with larger valves (2.19 - 1.88) while your add it, just a thought. Arent the 781's basically the same as the 049's?

[O.B eddie]

Economy budgit, 454 30 over 11-1 (kinda heavy TRWs) rect ports (990)s 580in 620ex. 112 lobe center 256 266 dur. solid lifter at 50 T-Ram dual 660s. I personally am angry with comp based on the fact they dont back there product up!!!So I would go with anyone other than them!!! Good luck!!

[BigBoyToys]

O.B eddie:
Economy budgit, 454 30 over 11-1 (kinda heavy TRWs) rect ports (990)s 580in 620ex. 112 lobe center 256 266 dur. solid lifter at 50 T-Ram dual 660s. I personally am angry with comp based on the fact they dont back there product up!!!So I would go with anyone other than them!!! Good luck!! Budgit? What's that? And 580in 620 ex? Are you on crack again?
[ January 13, 2003, 07:33 PM: Message edited by: BigBoyToys ]

[O.B eddie]

You should know after seein the spruce orange goose run I think you left a few pistons out.. Kinda cool how you put plugs in those empty holes!!! Must have put that motor together under the big oak tree down by the river!!!!

[Infomaniac]

396_WAYS_TO_SPIT:
I am sure glad he is trying to learn. 454flynby is my buddy and we are building identical motors but I want him to learn a little bit so I told him to jump on ***boat and ask away. I will be helping him but he needs to learn himself wink wink
396 I know how these deals end up.
He will end up kicking your butt. LOL

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

I know how these deals end up.
He will end up kicking your butt. LOL [/QB][/QUOTE]
No......... actually my hull is lighter and the bottom was speedcoated :D :D His boat is a little more heavier and has more v to it wink wink
396_Ways_To_Fly_By_454_With_His_454 :D :D

[GofastRacer]

Hotcrusader76:
:::::foot tapping:::::
"I fly you buy?" :::::toe tapping:::::
Well, you buy, I fly??.. :D wink :D
http://free.***boat.net/ubb/Avatars/Forum_Graphic_Depot/Rons.JPG
[ January 14, 2003, 08:06 AM: Message edited by: GofastRacer ]