FAST ENOUGH

I have a 87 454 mag 330 hp and would like to have around 425hp. I am told that my heads are the main problem. Are these peanut heads? Is that true? The engine has around 400 hours. Money wise would it be better to get a new engine or work on this one. I just dont want to nickle and dime this engine when it seems I can get a new one for 5-7k. I was thinking new alum exhaust manifold/ marine alum perfomance heads and alum intake. Seems like around $2500 just for all the parts. Would this put me around 425 hp?? I have done alot of work on a top end of an engine, but I do not have any exp on a bottom end. HELP!!!

BY U BOY

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Inspector

iTrader: (1)

You would be better of starting with a hi performance engine. The 330 is kind of a low end station wagon type of engine with a 2 bolt main block, cast crank, cast pistons and 3/8 rod bolts in the connecting rods and yes, your heads are not great. If you could find a reasonable priced running 454 Magnum (365 HP) that would be a great start for a freshening and upgrades. The issue you may run into is your outdrive... if it is an Alpha One you will need to be nice to it with more HP. Good Luck.

ghittner

Not true, my 1989 330 HP is a 4 bolt. Yes, it has peanut heads, an upgrade to the heads and an intake and Holley 850 Vacuum secondary marine carb would be good for the #'s you are looking for. Change the cam as well and you can get 600 HP without too much trouble. I am now running 500 cubic inch blown w/ Canfield aluminum heads and over 900 HP out of that same 330 HP block from 1989. It is a great 4 bolt base to work from. P.S., did I say that I have all that 600 HP stuff that I have replaced with the new blower set up? Right here in my garage? Lunati roller cam for a Gen 4 & lifters, Weiand Intake, World Products Grumpy Jenkins large oval port heads and an 850 Holley Vacuum secondry marine coast guard approved carb, Holley Marine Coast Guard approved high volume fuel pump, stainless monster flame arrestor. And, oh yeah, it made 600 HP. It's all here in So. Cal collecting dust my man.
949-701-0900 Greg.

FAST ENOUGH

Thanks for the help.. Greg, I may be giving you a call in a couple months in you still have the parts. I am going to start a rebuild this winter. Thanks
Brent

fastboat269

large oval heads are the best for boating RPM's. Match that with an edelbrock RPM Air Gap and a 800 holley. Exhaust is ALWAYS a good purchase...

THLWL

I had twin 1987 330 hp 454's. Installed a slightly more agressive cam, mild pop up pistons, MSD supplement to Thunderbolt ignition, epoxy coated Edlebrock RPM Performer intake, and marine Holley carb. Dyno #'s for both engines were very close and they read 424 hp & 509 ft/lb torque. The dyno was by Owens Racing in Houston and they were impressed by the little heads that could! The peanut port heads can produce some serious torque. Tommy

fastboat269

Dual plane manifold builds more velocity at 5200 than a single plane intake.
BOATING= TORQUE.... HP is RPM . Build engine for max torque between 4000 and 5500.
I dont care about HP I want to see what the engine can do,Torque wise, at 5000(5250).

Just my .02

ghittner

No sweat Brent, It's a good block you have. I may be putting the stuff on E bay soon so if intertested, please let me know..

fastboat269

I read a post about Upgrading an HP 500 (carb)

1. Replace rect heads for large oval port 20 hp
2. Replace Single plane intake with Performer RPM Air Gap
10-20

Operating a WOT @5000 is Not High enough to effectively flow Large Heads and Hi rise single plane manifolds.