tomas_wallin

I have now decided to hot up my rather tired Gen V Merc 454 (330hp) to 420-450hp. The plan is to keep the bottom end and change the heads, cam and intake manifold, and try to max at 5000-5200rpm

I'm mostly looking for more top speed, what will be the best choice? Oval or rectangular ported heads.

I would prefer to keep the cost at around $1000 - do you guys have some good advice in what parts I would choose?!

I have been looking at these:
intake or Edelbrock Perfomer RPM ~$150
heads no1 ~$720
heads no2 ~$740
camshaft ~$120

A Edelbrock 1410 750cfm, 9" K&N Air filter and a complete MSD Marine Ignition consisting of MSD 6M-2 Marine Ign box, MSD Marine Distributor, MSD Coil and MSD rpm limiter is also going to be fitted on the engine. I'm considering replacing the 3/8-rod bolts with ARP-ones to be on the safe side.

Do I need to change the oilpump and oilcooler as well?

SeaRay Jim

Put it towards fuel until you're ready to spend enough to do that. If you're doing all the R&R it'll help, but even working the heads you have will will pretty much eat up that $1000 and that doesn't count cam, intake, carb etc.....and there are lot's of "etc.'s"

I'd guess $3000-$4000 minimum to get to 450HP and that's cutting corners....a guess anyway.

Stormrider

Agreed...
$1000 will get you a good set of heads.

tomas_wallin

Yes, I'm going to do all the R&R myself.

Will the cost for assembling the heads really be that significant since they include "valves, springs, retainers, keepers, chromemoly screw-in studs, and hardened steel guideplates".

The ignition, airfilter, and carb is already bought so thats not included in the $1000 - that's only the heads (assembled), intake and cam.

blue thunder

You definately want to go with the 110cc head (oval) due to pistons. I prefer the rect port for WOT over 5k rpm application, but with your pistons the 118cc chamber would give you about 7.5:1 compression. You will probably get best performance if you buy 2 heads for $1500. Buying just one will be sub optimal

Next, air gap or performer intake.

Last, since on a budget, I would go with the comp cams 4x4 cam. Memory says... 224/234 544/564 on 111lsa. These are usually $99 and seem to work ok in lower compression applications. I've tried them and like them.

Depending on exhaust, that should get you in the low to mid 400hp range.

BT

Ty Russell

I have been working on my buildup for 2 months now and here's what I've done. Edelbrock 110 cc oval port heads, Edelbrock Airgap intake, GM 502/502 cam, Gil exhaust and risers with Corsa Captains Call and tips keeping the Thunderbolt V ignition but will probably change the rev limiter to 5050. Had to change the push roods to 3/8 and installed Crane Gold roller rockers. I ha d a guy run it on his desktop dyno and he came out with 468 hp @ 5000 rpm with over 500 lb ft of tourqe from 2500 all they way to 4500. Then I had to buy new props as the old ones were to small. I just hope it starts. I'll know in a week or two. Good luck on your project> I have about $6,500 into mine and I'm doing all the work too. My Wife thinks I'm crazy for tearing apart a perfectly good engine but she will love it when it's roaring across the lake. T R

boatn70

thomas,if you follow in tys steps, ive got some parts you may want.....take out stuff from a zz502. good price cam,lifters,timing chain etc. problem may be that it came from gen 6 motor. not sure if thats ok in your application.

KAAMA

iTrader: (1)

tomas,

My cousin's 454's made 461hp @5100rpm on the dyno with dyno headers. He would be using GIL aftermarket exhaust manifolds. He used some junk oval port GM heads with larger valves stainless valves installed, hardend exhaust seats, and were pocket ported by JimV, bore notch job, dual plane intake manifold, 800cfm Holley carb and a flat tappet hydraulic 218*/226* cam on 110* lobes and some roller rocker arms. The torque curve was real flat from about 3400rpm to 5000rpm at about 510 foot pounds. This was done with an 8.6 comp ratio. Not too shaby. He used a 2.19" stainless intake valve and a 1.84" exhaust valve. So you can probably still use the stock GM oval port heads you already have-----they are probably what are nick named the "peanut port" heads---they should get you to about the 420hp mark. And YES, new ARP rod bolts are a very good idea---just make sure the rods are reconditioned when installing new rod bolts and make sure they mains saddles in the block are align honed.

Pat McPherson

I have an extra set of L-29 Vortec heads with 100-105cc combustion chambers and the larger 230cc intake runners.
They are far better than stock peanut port heads.
With these heads the compression is around 9:1 with flat tops and will flow enough to make near 450HP.
They are the perfect upgrade for a low budget Gen V or Gen VI 454 rebuild.
Let me know if your interested...

tomas_wallin

I must have been drunk last night when looking around for prices... As Blue Thunder said: "Buying just one will be sub optimal"... So there goes my budget... (for now)

Pat - you've got a PM!