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-   -   Thoughts on doing some 454, 330 upgrades? (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/do-yourself-boating-budget/305945-thoughts-doing-some-454-330-upgrades.html)

Sunrocket24 12-03-2013 08:05 PM


Originally Posted by mike tkach (Post 4036197)
i heard there is a guy in texas that does MAGIC with the peanus port heads.

LOL!! I don't have peanut ports anymore but my 2 bolt with ARP studs is doing good at 400hp. I have beat the piss out off it for 3 seasons and still runs great at less than 5000rpm! I would not try and push it any farther.

Sunrocket24 12-03-2013 08:09 PM

My next engine will not be based off a 330. But I have been happy with my budget 330 build the last 3 seasons. And the best part about my build is I read posts and listened to all the guys that are posting right now in this thread.

mike tkach 12-03-2013 08:09 PM


Originally Posted by MILD THUNDER (Post 4036190)
Apparently on oso, its okay to tear apart a HP500, put a better set of heads on, a better cam, and gain 75-100HP for 3k per engine. But if you want to gain 75-100HP from a 330HP 454, from a cam and head swap, you're wasting your time and money. If 400HP and 5000RPM blows apart a 4 bolt main, BBC cast crank and forged rods, I'd say you forgot to put oil in it. :coolcowboy:

wich of these 2 engines would be easier to sell?and wich one would you buy ?for me ill take the 600 hp500 for 6500 over the 400 hp 330 for 4000 any day of the week.but if the 330 is all that is in the budget id still wait until the 600 hp engine is in the budget but thats just me.

mike tkach 12-03-2013 08:13 PM


Originally Posted by Sunrocket24 (Post 4036207)
My next engine will not be based off a 330. But I have been happy with my budget 330 build the last 3 seasons. And the best part about my build is I read posts and listened to all the guys that are posting right now in this thread.

why do you want to build a different engine?

mike tkach 12-03-2013 08:17 PM


Originally Posted by Sunrocket24 (Post 4036203)
LOL!! I don't have peanut ports anymore but my 2 bolt with ARP studs is doing good at 400hp. I have beat the piss out off it for 3 seasons and still runs great at less than 5000rpm! I would not try and push it any farther.

a lot of people underestimate the 2 bolt main block,with arp studs and a fresh line hone i would trust it to 500 hp all day long.

Sunrocket24 12-03-2013 08:21 PM


Originally Posted by mike tkach (Post 4036211)
why do you want to build a different engine?

I'm on a budget as said in earlier posts and that's why I have the budget 330 build ( I'm a poor enlisted military man). I am saving money and would like to do a quality 502 or 540 build in a few years and would like to see at least 75mph in my boat.

mike tkach 12-03-2013 08:23 PM

for the record,this is the first mild and myself had different thoughts on engines.

mike tkach 12-03-2013 08:25 PM


Originally Posted by Sunrocket24 (Post 4036218)
I'm on a budget as said in earlier posts and that's why I have the budget 330 build ( I'm a poor enlisted military man). I am saving money and would like to do a quality 502 or 540 build in a few years and would like to see at least 75mph in my boat.

no doubt in my mind you will achieve your goal and thank you for your service!

MILD THUNDER 12-03-2013 08:38 PM


Originally Posted by mike tkach (Post 4036214)
a lot of people underestimate the 2 bolt main block,with arp studs and a fresh line hone i would trust it to 500 hp all day long.

I agree. I also think people underestimate the limits of a cast BBC crank, in a 4 bolt main setup. How many 455 Buicks, Olds, Pontiacs, raced back in the day with cast cranks and 2 bolt mains, twisting out 500-600FT lbs at the strip every weekend? or the old Ford 427's racing back in the 60's spinning big rpm with a nodular?

Im not disagreeing that it is not near what a forged crank can handle, and wouldn't try to run 600-700HP with one. And definitely wouldn't run one with a roots blower hanging off the snout at that level. . But my original advice of bolting a pair of vortec L29 heads on, which can be had for pennies, would be a nice upgrade. Even if he stayed with a flat tappet setup, those heads, better intake and exhaust, he can see a nice increase in mph for not a ton of money.

Guys over on yellowbullet, chevelles.com, and some other sites, are running GM nodular bbc cranks, shifting at 6500+ making 600+hp with very few failures. They aren't as bad as people think. And I know Dave Wessledyke would not have used them in some of his customers builds at 475HP level if he felt they were timebombs.

Sunrocket24 12-03-2013 08:42 PM

Mike and Mild I have learned so much from reading your posts and you guys answering questions! My questions and other OSO members questions! I thank you both! I will be back on the Great Lakes soon! Either if get stationed on the lakes again or when I retire in 8 years. (I'm from MI originally). Hope to run on the big pond with you guys one day!

That's all i got to say I don't think I can be anymore help on this thread.


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