454 block. How big can I go?

[River 4 Fun]

It's a 496 BBC now. Can I go to 540 c.i.? What bore & stroke?

[Nucking futs]

It's a 496 BBC now. Can I go to 540 c.i.? What bore & stroke?
a 540 is 4.25" crank and 4.500" bore.
496 is as big as I would take a standard block. The bowties can go bigger and if you have an older 427 tall deck people have taken them as much as .100" over

[MR V]

Mine Is At 100 Over And Runs Fine. Years Of Trouble Free Runs.

[obnoxious001]

It's a 496 BBC now. Can I go to 540 c.i.? What bore & stroke?
You probably should consider having it sonic tested to check wall thickness if you wanted to go to 4.350" (.100" over). For the 9 cubic inch gain, probably not worth it unless the block needs to be bored?
*I also ran my 505 cu in turbo engine for years with no problems, but it is an early truck block. Supposedly they could go as much as .125" over

[SmokinLowriderSS]

If it can be safely bored .100" over, 505CID with a 4.250" stroke crank.
same bore with a 4.5" crank would net a 535CID, but that would put you into VERY short rods with the standard height block.
If it can be safely bored .125" over (absolute max), 511CID with a 4.250" stroke crank.
I don't think you can do 4.5" bore in a factory block. :confused:

[GofastRacer]

At .125 it better be an early block and have it sonic checked for core shift, personally .100 is the very most I'd go!..

[76miller]

just buy a factory FORD block, then you could stroke it to a 557ci. with no prolems!! Sorry, I had to.;)

[adjones419]

Like everyone has said, I wouldn't go more than .100 over.

[Warp Speed]

just buy a factory FORD block, then you could stroke it to a 557ci. with no prolems!! Sorry, I had to.;)
Or buy a factory CHEVY block and go 598 with no problems ;)
Sorry, couldn't resist either!!!! :D :D :D
Warp Speed ;)

[ghittner]

just buy a factory FORD block, then you could stroke it to a 557ci. with no prolems!! Sorry, I had to.;)
Or stay with the 498 and pound that Ford all day long!!! For 1/2 the price!!! Oh yeah, "Sorry,had too!" ;)

[76miller]

Or buy a factory CHEVY block and go 598 with no problems ;)
Sorry, couldn't resist either!!!! :D :D :D
Warp Speed ;)
Factory chevy block 598ci. , with no problems ??? Not on your life ! You must know a very talented machinist, cause I have never seen it. :idea:

[76miller]

Or stay with the 498 and pound that Ford all day long!!! For 1/2 the price!!! Oh yeah, "Sorry,had too!" ;)
There is a catch 22 for "half the price",and that is.... they grenade in half the time.:jawdrop: The hole "pounding" comment, well....depends on what Ford your racing!!;)

[Warp Speed]

Factory chevy block 598ci. , with no problems ??? Not on your life ! You must know a very talented machinist, cause I have never seen it. :idea:
Looks like you need a new machinist!!! :D :D :D ;)
A different brand preference would make your life easier also!!! :D :D :D ;)
Now lets not hi-jack this thread anymore. The man asked about max bore size of a passenger BBC.
Warp Speed ;)

[lamsv]

Don't mean to jack this thread...and maybe, this is the next natural progression to the question...but...
I am in the same boat (so to speak). I have a factory 2 bolt 454. I was thinking of going 496. But, if I choose to start fresh, what is the best block that would allow 500+ cubes, safely? Say, I wanted a tried and true 540. What is the best budget block to start with?

[BDMar]

Don't mean to jack this thread...and maybe, this is the next natural progression to the question...but...
I am in the same boat (so to speak). I have a factory 2 bolt 454. I was thinking of going 496. But, if I choose to start fresh, what is the best block that would allow 500+ cubes, safely? Say, I wanted a tried and true 540. What is the best budget block to start with?
I don't think you can say best and budget at the same time.....:D
We use Dart blocks for 540 and up.

[lamsv]

I don't think you can say best and budget at the same time.....:D
We use Dart blocks for 540 and up.
HA! I think I use the term "budget" loosely. Just like all my other project...I realize that you have to pay to play.
Is it cheaper to get a 10.2" deck height block that is already bored for what ever displacement you need? Or would it be recommended to start with a smaller bore and have a machine shop take it to the final bore? Meaning, are World Products or Dart blocks (for example) already fairly well machined right out of the box?

[adjones419]

Don't mean to jack this thread...and maybe, this is the next natural progression to the question...but...
I am in the same boat (so to speak). I have a factory 2 bolt 454. I was thinking of going 496. But, if I choose to start fresh, what is the best block that would allow 500+ cubes, safely? Say, I wanted a tried and true 540. What is the best budget block to start with?
Dart Big M

[victorfb]

GM crate ZZ572 crate engine. do some research, i bet you cant build a comparable one for the same price and have alot left on the table for upgrades.

[cstraub]

Don't mean to jack this thread...and maybe, this is the next natural progression to the question...but...
I am in the same boat (so to speak). I have a factory 2 bolt 454. I was thinking of going 496. But, if I choose to start fresh, what is the best block that would allow 500+ cubes, safely? Say, I wanted a tried and true 540. What is the best budget block to start with?
At what GM is selling the Gen 6 502 block for one would be better off to aftermarket with a Dart. Overall the Dart is a better casting, can go up to 4.630" bore and comes with fuel pump provision, takes a 2 pc crank, Gen 4 cover and sorts.
With a low deck, 9.8" you can build up to a 598 but it is a "stepchild" as a combo. You can do a 572 as GM does with a a 4.375" stroke and 4.600" bore.

[lamsv]

I think I would safely, and probably be easier, build a 540-598 starting with a Dart block. Heck, the price doesn't seem too bad. I can handle the $2,000-$2,500 price when the time comes.
On the other hand...maybe a supercharged 496 is the direction I should go! Ah...choices.
So, 496 is probably the safest you can take a Gen IV block?

[cstraub]

As stated a Gen IV can go 4.375 bore in some cases but I would have the cylinder walls checked. Max stroke in those blocks is 4.250"
Now a Gen VI will maybe go 4.350" bore at max but not likely. Most I have seen would only go 4.310", BUT the Gen VI with the relocated oil galley will take a 4.375" arm. So you have some choices.

[River 4 Fun]

Answered all my questions. Thanks. I guess I'll leave it a 496 unless it needs to be bored. Hell, still got another month of river time, then I'll tear it down.