Thread: Best build for torque?

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I am rebuilding my '88 454 from my Motor home and would like some input on the best way to do it. Here are the two scenarios that I am looking at.

1) New pistons, stock bore, stock heads(14092360), stock intake(14087497), summit racing cam(Duration 266/276, Lift .475/.500) Chevy RV headers.

2) New Pistons, stock bore, 3993820 heads, Summit racing intake(Stage 1, Dual Plane, Aluminum, Natural, Square/Spread Bore, Chevy, Big Block, Oval Ports,), summit racing cam(Duration 266/276, Lift .475/.500) Chevy RV headers.

Which scenario will work best in my 31'-11,000 pound motor home? Fuel economy isn't really an issue, i would just like to be able to go down the road while towing my Jeep and have enough power to go up hills.

any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Pat is the engine builder who normally posts on BBC's.My input to this is you should make a aftermarket cast iron head apart of your plan.The stock truck engine heads are pretty poor as was the camming.

iron stock heads will work for TQ use. what rpm range are you looking for ? bigger engine would help some

I just turned the air cleaner lid up side down on my 1984 454----------biggest change I saw between my truck was I got better milage with single rear wheels than my buddy did with idenical truck except for dual wheels---they were 4 numbers apart in vin as we ordered them at same time--I had bigger Chapperal gooseneck triler, he had Wells Cargo bumper hitch, both hauling Pro stockers, same speed on the road ( aprox 70-75 on interstate, 4.11 gears)I'd get 8mpg he got 6mph---------

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

iron stock heads will work for TQ use. what rpm range are you looking for ? bigger engine would help some

Surprised about the stock heads Pat.I'll set back in the cheap seats to learn more.

Originally Posted by 1gary

Surprised about the stock heads Pat.I'll set back in the cheap seats to learn more.

why should there be a surprise ? about the head s. i do not know what head numbers he has. but bbc iron heads are not that bad over all many bbc that can make 600hp+ all day with stock iron heads .thats is not to say there is better but for what he is doing no need for any thing much more then stock casting with a tune up job maybe some better valves nice 4 angle valve job and a 11/32 stem if it needs guide work . i think he looking for off idle to 2700 max RPM for TQ alot of stock heads will do this job

Pat I just thought about everytime we talk about the GM truck BBC peanut heads and how poor they are.Not questioning you,but learning more.

Originally Posted by 1gary

Pat I just thought about everytime we talk about the GM truck BBC peanut heads and how poor they are.Not questioning you,but learning more.

please show me here were i said there junk heads ? i never said the peanut ports would not work for this build and that head is not as bad as many think . i do not bad mouth them heads.i have seen them work good for what they are . but i may have told you on the tall deck build 526 or bigger that you wanted numbers for.. yes there is better heads for a build like that

I am sorry for the confusion on scenario #2. The heads i plan to use are GM 3993820 heads. From what i have read that are similar to the 049 and 781 heads.
I understand the theory of using the Peanut Ports for TQ but this motor stock is rated at 230hp 385TQ.
I feel that with the big port heads, big port intake, headers, a decent cam and a tuned quadrajet this motor should be 325-350 hp and 425-450TQ or am i wrong?
I have all the parts I mentioned so why wouldn't I use them?

Originally Posted by ksjohn

I am sorry for the confusion on scenario #2. The heads i plan to use are GM 3993820 heads. From what i have read that are similar to the 049 and 781 heads.
I understand the theory of using the Peanut Ports for TQ but this motor stock is rated at 230hp 385TQ.
I feel that with the big port heads, big port intake, headers, a decent cam and a tuned quadrajet this motor should be 325-350 hp and 425-450TQ or am i wrong?
I have all the parts I mentioned so why wouldn't I use them?

i built alot of bbc thats about all i do and do this for a living . i am just not so fast to post on many of the what can i get threads. there is many ways to do it .but i can tell you many marine engines used the peanut port heads on a bone stock 454 with a marine cam about 500/500 and 222/222 and 114 or 115 i think. they made 330 hp thats with a low pro iron intake and iron log ex . think about it a hi rise dual plane intake and a good EX 375hp EZ it not just heads smaller ports work better for low rpm and cam .engine i am working on right now that will make over 600 tq just off ilde abit to 3200 or so hp is 500 . they do go some what hand in hand but who cares about hp .i need TQ so i work the numbers for max tq at the RPM range . for what we are looking for. i work cam numbers till i get what i want