So what do you all think I should do here..

[Shaggy]

I have that 73 with the original 454 in it. I want to get a newer 454 or diesel engine in it. It will be either one. I want to hear what you all think I should do?

 

[85k10383]

Kinda depends on what you want the truck to do when finished. If you want to drink gas and haul ass, then go for the 454. If you want big torque and decent mileage, go diesel. Since I already have a "mud truck" I would go for the low and mean carbed 454 street truck myself. I have re-discovered a love of old, simple-minded machinery when it comes to hobby vehicles lately so I am biased....

 

[Swims350]

eeehh don't like diesels, keep it 454, and for me I'd keep the one that's in it and not go newer, just spend the cash on new old 454 parts.

 

[chummins crew]

I'd go diesel , but shaggy knows that , when I'm done the chummins should be around 450 reliable horsepower , and still make 20 mpg when running empty I was a hardcore gas guy , then I drove and owned a few modded cummins powered trucks , and that was all she wrote.

 

[Shaggy]

eeehh don't like diesels, keep it 454, and for me I'd keep the one that's in it and not go newer, just spend the cash on new old 454 parts.

Why keep the older 454?

I'd go diesel , but shaggy knows that , when I'm done the chummins should be around 450 reliable horsepower , and still make 20 mpg when running empty I was a hardcore gas guy , then I drove and owned a few modded cummins powered trucks , and that was all she wrote.

Ha ha, yep I do know. I love my duramax I have in my 07, and my 73 is a dually so it seems to me its a match made in heaven, but still haven't decided. I have been thinking of getting into that truck of over 3 years now and still it sits in the same spot it did when I parked it there.

 

[crazy4offroad]

You should go diesel, or new 454, and send me the old one!
Like said before it just depends on what you wanna do with it. If you want a street truck go with the new 454, but if it is going to be a hauler/work truck go with the diesel.

 

[Swims350]

why go with a newer 454 when he already has one? The cash you spend on buying a newer 454 to have or use could be put towards the old 454 to make more power, like a new cam upgrade, or heads or rebuild stuff. I don't see asny use or benefit in going to a newer model 454.

IMO a 454 is a 454. build the one you got and make it better then any newer 454 ever thought about.

 

[HotRodPC]

why go with a newer 454 when he already has one? The cash you spend on buying a newer 454 to have or use could be put towards the old 454 to make more power, like a new cam upgrade, or heads or rebuild stuff. I don't see asny use or benefit in going to a newer model 454.

IMO a 454 is a 454. build the one you got and make it better then any newer 454 ever thought about.

I see both sides of this issue. The later 454's are better, tighter in tolerances, and should outlast an older 454 and be a little more efficent also. True, the initial expense of buying the later 454 is funds towards more power parts, but, that initial expense to build a later model unit, is likely to come back to him in longevity. What I don't see here, is if he intends to run it with electronics or going back to simple old school. I'd love to put a later model Vortec FoFittyFo with SFI in one my old squarebodies. Lots O' work to do it, but it sure be cool. However, I think if I were to spend that kind of money and time on an updated conversion, since going thru the motions, I think I'd just go with an LS 5.3 or 6.0 engine and get he best bang for the buck as far as HP/Torque and economy.

 

[Irishman999]

I saw a video a while ago on the 67-72 board of a guy who swapped in a 2 stroke Detroit, he even had a hi-lo range transmission with 2 shifters. It was probably as sweet as swapping in the duramax.

 

[Shaggy]

Well I want to have electronic in the truck and I am going with the EFI, but I am still clueless on what exactly what I want to do.

 

[crazy4offroad]

On one of the local forums there was an 8.1 Vortec, with wiring harness and computer, for $800, said it needed rebuilt that it was beginning to knock. Never have I ever hated myself more for letting a good deal slip by. It sure didnt last long either.

 

[HotRodPC]

On one of the local forums there was an 8.1 Vortec, with wiring harness and computer, for $800, said it needed rebuilt that it was beginning to knock. Never have I ever hated myself more for letting a good deal slip by. It sure didnt last long either.

I have not heard to many good things about the 8.1. Maybe just bugs GM got worked out. But if Shaggy wants Electronics, I think I'd go with a 5.3 or 6.0 LS motor. Since you are going thru the same motions. But the Votec 454 would be a direct bolt in, and the just deal with wiring it in. It would be the SFI (Sequential Fuel Injection) unit. Found in 96 on up til the LS 4.8 and 5.3 came out. So at least til 99, and maybe later on some of the 1 tons etc. I think it would be a good combo, and go with a 4L80-E if automatic and an NV4500 if manual trans. Should be simple enough.