Keep the 454 or go 350??

[bucket]

I've driven both before, and sometimes back to back. The 454 always pulls better. There must be something wrong with his if it's that low on power and the MPG is that low. That's worse MPG than the 8.1... and those are REALLY known as gas hogs.

 

[Bagged Dually]

Luckily I don't drive it everyday or it might break me lol. I just love to get any extra mileage I can. The more fuel I save the longer I can stay out cruising and actually getting to drive my truck. I'm gunna try to get the ole beast breathing a little better. After that I'll just have to eat the fuel bill. Long term goal after all my bags are finally finished will probably be hunting down an old 12valve Cummins. Not sure if it'll really do anything for my mileage but it should be fun driving an old square body sporting a Cummins.

 

[Bagged Dually]

I just figured out that my O2 sensor was broke this whole time....Couldn't have been helping my mileage...

 

[WHEELMAN]

why would you want to go backwards.454-more torque and horse power..motor last longer..all you would be getting..is a lower power and a motor that weighs less..not sure how much less..you get your fuel mileage ..by what turns.

over drive to keep the rpms down.saves fuel.get your speed up and your rpms down..wheels tires and the gear set up..in the rear..

 

[crazy4offroad]

Sorry there Bill gotta call you out again, a 350 w/overdrive vs a 454 w/overdrive, the 350 will get better mpg than the 454.

 

[HotRodPC]

I dunno C4, my K10 with a 350/Th350 isn't doing to much better if any than my C20 with a 454/Th400. Granted the 4x4 has more powertrain to carry and turn and might be the difference.

 

[Bagged Dually]

I had mentioned this on a different post, but I have my manifolds off to make room for some new headers, and got rid of emissions. When I got the left side manifold off I could see a tag on the block. After some inspection of this tag and some number digging I learned that my truck has a GM Goodwrench 454, 4 bolt with only about 10k on it. Now that I know what I have I'm glad I didn't make the swap for a small block I knew nothing about other than it ran at the moment.

 

[HotRodPC]

I had mentioned this on a different post, but I have my manifolds off to make room for some new headers, and got rid of emissions. When I got the left side manifold off I could see a tag on the block. After some inspection of this tag and some number digging I learned that my truck has a GM Goodwrench 454, 4 bolt with only about 10k on it. Now that I know what I have I'm glad I didn't make the swap for a small block I knew nothing about other than it ran at the moment.

Hell, without a doubt, Rock it !!!

 

[hirschdalechevy]

Sorry there Bill gotta call you out again, a 350 w/overdrive vs a 454 w/overdrive, the 350 will get better mpg than the 454.

Totally Wrong , crazyoffroad. It's all about volumetric efficiency of the motor. I built a 454 quench motor (454) in a 74 , 6" lift , long bed , with a jet (q-jet carb) , 9.75 to 1 comp , big oval port heads (L-89 closed chamber), 268h comp cam , 4sp trans , 36" tires , 4.11 gears , that got better mph. than my wifes 97 4runner , (15-17 mph) , problably because you could leave in in 4th and cruz up hill , down hill and never move your foot on the skinny petal and never had to open the seondairy's on the q-jet.It would drag around 350's like honda's as far as power and torque.So I would not dish the 454 , it's way better than the 350 in every way if you build it right , in a truck. If you are going with crate motor's or running late model tbi motor's they all suck for mpg. and power , IMO. 350 with o/d vs. 454 with o/d , 350 get's better mpg's ? not true , IMO , for properly built motor's.

 

[HotRodPC]

You've said the keyword though, properly built... and I'll add properly designed as in the cam, heads, aspiration etc. And of course, IF YOU discipline yourself to keep your foot out of it. Which I find hard to do when I feel that torque. But I think even my OEM crate piss port head 454 is doing about the same as my 350.

 

[hirschdalechevy]

You've said the keyword though, properly built... and I'll add properly designed as in the cam, heads, aspiration etc. And of course, IF YOU discipline yourself to keep your foot out of it. Which I find hard to do when I feel that torque. But I think even my OEM crate piss port head 454 is doing about the same as my 350.

Agree , (I love the rat's)

 

[RetroC10Sport]

When I did snow removal, I used a Blazer with a 454. My two co-workers had a Blazer with a 350 and a SWB with a 350, all automatics.

They were getting gas while i kept on working.

A 454 just loafs while a 350 works.

 

[oneluckypops]

Debate all you fellers want. NONE of you are comparing apples to apples. The only way to compare the 2 would be to use the exact same chasis, meaning run a test with a truck with 1 of the motors, then swap it with the other motor and run a test. There are ALWAYS other variables when trying to compare 2 different trucks, rather it is gear ratio's, Transmissions, Carbeurator CFM or just plain and simple the mechanical condition, even MILEAGE of the 2 can and will play a role.

to the OP if you want to keep the 454 then by all means keep it, if you decide to swap in a 350 then IMO you arnt really going to notice anything it sounds like all you do is just drive the truck once in awhile.

 

[davbell22602]

Totally Wrong , crazyoffroad. It's all about volumetric efficiency of the motor. I built a 454 quench motor (454) in a 74 , 6" lift , long bed , with a jet (q-jet carb) , 9.75 to 1 comp , big oval port heads (L-89 closed chamber), 268h comp cam , 4sp trans , 36" tires , 4.11 gears , that got better mph. than my wifes 97 4runner , (15-17 mph) , problably because you could leave in in 4th and cruz up hill , down hill and never move your foot on the skinny petal and never had to open the seondairy's on the q-jet.It would drag around 350's like honda's as far as power and torque.So I would not dish the 454 , it's way better than the 350 in every way if you build it right , in a truck. If you are going with crate motor's or running late model tbi motor's they all suck for mpg. and power , IMO. 350 with o/d vs. 454 with o/d , 350 get's better mpg's ? not true , IMO , for properly built motor's.

Amen, Good post.

 

[HotRodPC]

Strangely enough, everyone makes valid points about this arguement, but I think everyone would agree, even the BBC lovers, that dollar for dollar, pound for pound, cu in for cu in, a SBC 350 can't be beat. For those who want a 454, you're gonna pay for it, double or more, what you can get a 350 for. That to me makes the extra 104 cubic inches very expensive. I myself prefer a 350, but if I had a Crew Cab dually, or a 3/4 ton Burb, I'd prefer a 454 in them, but they also wouldn't be my DD.