Thread: 1973 454 Truck motor in to a car - specs help

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Hi all,
I just joined.

I bought a 67 Impala sport sedan without motor and trans a few days ago.

So the car will never be a numbers matching car. I want to build it to enjoy using it.

I have been searching for a big block 427 or 454 engine which I can rebuild and have not had much finding one.

The one I have found, is apparently a 1973 dated 454 2 bolt main 289 casting block and I have been told it has a TRH suffix code. The seller thinks the block is out of a truck originally.

The heads are 122cc #049 heads.

I would build it with a Thumper or Mutha thumper cam, the highest compression pistons that I can still run with 91 Octane and 2.19/1.88 valves. I can go with any other mods like higher ratio rockers if so advised.

The car will be for road use and that too, not for motor way use. We have no motor ways here in Sri Lanka.

Hard acceleration is what I'm interested in and a killer idle like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igypWubPPrw

What sort of BHP could be expected from such a build ?
Is there any "shame" in using a truck block in a car (of this nature) ??

What pistons would I use ? car or truck ?

If you're not looking for max hp from the gear you have then the poser cam will work for you.

If you want real hp for your money.. listen to the guys like Jerry and Pat McCarthy.. they've forgotten more then alot of guys ever knew on some of these forums.


either one can build you a real good working motor and probably help get it into shipping for you too.

To put it another way, picking the cam based on the sound at idle is not the right approach if you're wanting good power. You need to pick your parts based on your 91 octane fuel, and once you have your static & dynamic compression ratios set, along with proper squish pick the cam for optimum performance across the load range and let the idle take care of itself. Having an engine built by a reputable shop is a good idea, and I also believe that buying a complete engine from a reputable supplier like Chevrolet Performance, or even SummitRacing or JEGS is a good approach for you, too. You'll be time and money ahead over trying to build the engine yourself, even considering shipping cost and import duties, I expect. With a complete engine you'll get a nice warranty, too.

TRH is a 454 truck motor and would carry about the same shame factor as you marrying a Presbyterian.

TRH 1973 Truck 454 240hp TH400 LS-4 VIN Z, L, 10, 20
TRH 1974 Truck 454 245hp TH400 LS-4 VIN Z, L, 10, 20
TRH 1978 Truck 454 250hp LF-8 VIN S, 30, fwd
TRH 1980 Truck 454 225hp LE-8 VIN W, 30, fwd

.

Wait . . . wait. My wife married a Presbyterian . . .

Jack, Did he live in Sri Lanka?

No I don't, Jerry.

Probably Virden