I actually tossed around the idea of putting a 177 blower on it at one point and it's a good solution to getting some #'s rather cheaply but I have a couple hang up's with going that direction.

The first problem is clearance, I'm not sure I really want to cut into my upholstered engine hatch (I don't have a whole lot of room under the hatch as it sits so there's no way a blower would fit w/o doing some cutting). Also, I would have to move my rear seat forward 2-3 inches to clear the belt and build something to cover the gap at the end of the hatch where it would meet the back of the rear seat after I moved it forward.
The other issue which has always been on my mind is that I'm not to sure how the cast internals in the bottom end will hold up and I have already bought the holley carb to be n/a. You have a good point though!

Thanks again Griff,
Sounds like the ac is the way to go.

How much hp could you get from adding a 177 blower on a 454 making 425 hp?

I agree. I wouldn't want to bolt a blower onto a 330 motor.

I also agree that an air-gap manifold is a good manifold for a 502, unless you want to get radical with it. You may want to discuss your Hp goals and what you're considering putting into your new motor with some people on here and base your 454 mods on your new motor. That said, I think an air-gap should be the better intake (more reliable, steadier power, more lower-end power, etc.) up to about 550 hp. Someone on here may have a more accurate #, but the RPM air-gap is a damn good intake.


Griff, you really think that better heads, 1.7's, a new intake, a new prop, and a new exhaust is only worth 2-3 mph? I think the new heads will open up the rpm band 200-300 rpm, the add-ons should add a bit of power, and the combo should allow him to spin the 23's... That was my thinking anyhow...

Why not stay with the existing T-bolt ignition?

Griff, you really think that better heads, 1.7's, a new intake, a new prop, and a new exhaust is only worth 2-3 mph? I think the new heads will open up the rpm band 200-300 rpm, the add-ons should add a bit of power, and the combo should allow him to spin the 23's... That was my thinking anyhow...[/QUOTE]

Your dead on with my 454 upgrades except i'm not swapping the heads. I believe that there would be more hp to be had and better #'s in the long run if I was changing out the heads to say "781's" on the 454 but because I have the 502 on the back burner and am collecting parts I really dont want to invest anything into swapping the peanut ports and would rather invest that money into the factory 12562934 heads I currently have for the 502, another set of darts or maybe even a set of merlins strictly for the 502 build. My 502 will be 516cu. when finished, srp pistons, scat rods, hyd roller cam, approx. 9.3 to 1 comp, msd ign, dart or merlin intake, poss. a 1050 dominator, etc.... (i already have quite a bit of it but it's a long term project so im not pushing the build)
I guess what I'm after is approx 5mph with all the upgrades (everything but the heads) on the 454 and just a all around better running motor. I would be willing to do the 1.7 rockers now simply because they can x-fer over to the 502 later if it helped. I'm just wondering if 5mph is unrealistic when you upgrade the carb, maniold, ign, a better flame arrestor, crossover, exhaust and change the pitch from 21 to 23?

It sound like you are unsure of what to do. I would start with the exhaust, it will gain you about 1.5 MPH. It is a expensive part but you could use them on any BBC. Be sure to get long risers. You will need them later when you upgrade the cam. Roller Rockers only will get you very little HP gain, but again with a performance cam you will need them later anyway.
I would not use a blower on a standard 330. Cast internals will not hold up well.

Already bought the msd for it. I've run msd on everything Ive ever built weather its been on the street or water so I'm comfortable with the system. The only change this time is that I did go "marine" because the motor is enclosed. I didn't run a marine msd system on my flat bottom because ventilation wasn't a concern. Probably should have in hind sight.

The upgrades I have mentioned are ones that I am certainly going to do. I totally agree with you on the exhaust. I think that it's a must! Quick question, long risers...(does that mean that they are taller at the beginning where they attach to the logs?, do they extend further away from the log before they dump water?) I do have clearance issues so going with a taller riser off of the log is going to cause clearance issues with my hatch.

I use the EMI Thunders, they are alluminum manifolds with stainless risers. The water is separated from the exhaust until the end. The log style were used mainly on jet boats so I am not sure what you have now. Do a little research on the different types, EMI, Dana, CMI, look at CP they have a few different brands also.