If you were inclinded to try to "wake up" a 330hp 454, what's the first thing or first couple of things you'd do to it.

To avoid the repsonse "pull it and stick a quad whipple motor in" lets say you're limited to $5,000.

This has been fully gone thru in the Q&A section.
That engine has 2 bolt mains and isn't the best to start with.

BUT, if you are going to keep it... an intake, carb and exhaust is all i would do.

Or go through the classifieds and look for a new motor.
You can get some real power for 10k.

You could sell yours for a few g and buy this, then get exhuast... that would be an easy 50hp w/ a better engine to build on.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-13757.html

or... one of these + SM gen2 for 10k = 570hp.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-13468.html

... i always thought this was a smart package...
http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-11701.html
i think pat Mcpherson has gone this route.

... this one is from a nice rebuild.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-12736.html


...this from BAM marine.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-11925.html


... mag496HO 10K.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-8066.html

... and lastly, i know Bruce Seroff has a motor for sale that would make that baby cook!

IMO, don't throw much $ into that 454.
You won't see a big enough gain from 5k. 4-5hp?

I'd heard it was kind of a crap shoot as to whether the 330hp was a two or four bolt motor.

Someone I talked to last night told me that an exhuast was worth the dough, but an n/a intake/manifold really wasn't and that I'd bet better off with a small blower (like the Weiand 177) and exhaust.

Just curious more than anything. I was talking to Chris about it yesterday and said that I didn't plan on doing much of anything to it!

I beleive all Gen VI were 4 bolt.

I was going to post the quad rotor answer

There was a nice article in Hot Boat about upgrading the 7.4 and/or 454 Mag. I can look it up and tell you what month and year if you like.

The heads are limiting due to the peanut ports.

Don`t blow 5K on a 330 package, I have a motor that will make your boat rock for about 5k more than your budget.

All BBC 1989 and newer have 4 bolt mains...

Like Storm stated, 330 buildups are discussed all the time over in the Tech Forum.
From what I have read, the cast crank and 3/8 bolt rods are safe to about 450HP @ 5200rpm.

With $5000, you can do alot to that engine for sure...
The exhaust is always a good place to start.
New heads, cam, intake, and carb along with rebuilding the bottom end will yield a great running engine for many hoursof fun......

tale it to tommy at cheif

Albert, is it your engine?
For some reason i thought bruce had it?
or atleast you and bruce discussing it.

I'd sell that 330 for $2000 and put 8more towards alberts big motor... just beware of your bravo.

Thanks guys.

I was mulling over an exhaust and intake change (my quadrajet and I are becoming mortal enemies). Just something quick and easy to give it a bit more zip. If the boat is going to stay in the family long term, I'm definately going to go the big motor route (and the 330 will end up in my ramp truck). Seems like when Chris had the boat, 500hp was a perfect fit.