Rebuild 454 or Swap in Cummins, Powerstroke, or SBC.

[ChevyRealHeavy]

I really appreciate the info and thoughts from everyone. I'll weigh my options and my next thread will probably be a 454 Rebuild or in the gasser swap sub-forum.

 

[shiftpro]

Would stroking the 454 be around the same price as just rebuilding it? Would it be just as reliable as a 350 stroked to a 383?

Pretty close depending what parts you use. For example Scat crank vs Eagle. Using Scat a crank will cost a a little more than a crank regrind, but imo it's worth it.

Lots of guys in BC running 496s wearing out everything else but the engine. I don't think there is any reliability sacrificed. I'm seeing trucks for sale online that were stroked years ago and driven for years still running great.
My high compression 383 has just under 100K miles on it and ran awesome until parked... van was too rusty to go further. Eventually after my BBC crewcab is on the road I will freshen up the 383 and find a new (SqBody) to toss it in.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I'd go internally balanced. I never understood when it externally balanced and you just chuck on a 454 flex plate or flywheel and balancer and call it balanced.......to many different variable in my opinion. Again use longer rods less layover on a long stroke is a good thing and will promote longer cylinder life. And it's better for rpm stress.

 

[74 Shortbed]

Scat crank vs Eagle.

Eagle is CRAP, the machine work is horrible, last one I did I sent the crank back 3 times and every replacement was the same, finally I said phuc it and had it turned 10/10, customer didn't like it but he wanted Eagle, oh well!!. Scat uses the same forging but all machine work is done in house and it's top quality, I used to live right down the street from them, been in there quite a few times and got to know them it's a well organized clean shop, if you're gonna go that route Scat is the way to go..

 

[Honky Kong jr]

X10000

 

[shiftpro]

Eagle is CRAP, the machine work is horrible, last one I did I sent the crank back 3 times and every replacement was the same, finally I said phuc it and had it turned 10/10, customer didn't like it but he wanted Eagle, oh well!!. Scat uses the same forging but all machine work is done in house and it's top quality, I used to live right down the street from them, been in there quite a few times and got to know them it's a well organized clean shop, if you're gonna go that route Scat is the way to go..

Awesome report thanks for making it. I thought Eagle was more expensive than Scat... and therefor maybe better? Whoo guess not.
I've bought two Scat cranks, my 383 and my 496 kit. The 496 is still on the shelf waiting for... a bunch of life changing events and the 383 has close to 200K on it. Anyway, micrometer said both those cranks were spot on with no taper. Good machining as you are saying.

 

[RustyPile]

My uncle is pushing me towards buying a rebuilt crate engine with a decent warranty. Does anyone know a company that'll stand behind their rebuilds? The only thing I'm worried about with those is having to pull the engine again in the future. I'm also ify on doing a rebuild, I know I can do it right but I would want it to be bullet proof and on a budget.

This thread is a month old so you're probably well on your way into the project.. I have no idea of the quality of the product nor the terms of the warranty, but Summit's Blue Print brand engines have a 50,000 mile warranty and they offer a 496...

 

[ChevyRealHeavy]

This thread is a month old so you're probably well on your way into the project.. I have no idea of the quality of the product nor the terms of the warranty, but Summit's Blue Print brand engines have a 50,000 mile warranty and they offer a 496...

I'm not actually look at my latest thread in the gasser swaps lol