The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 454 vs 350

I've been mulling around which engine to drop in my 56 GMC when I hot rod it out. I believe the truck has the room for both but I ran into a guy who had a 66' El Camino and he put a 454 in his ride. He said he didn't anticipate the problems of having too much power on such a light vehicle. So I'm back to the chalk board on whether I want to drop in a 454 big block or the 350. I'm sure either will be fine but I've always wanted to go a cut above the norm. Of course that "norm" of having a Chevy 350 was almost 30 years ago and maybe I don't even know what the norm is anymore. All I do know is that I am going with a fuel injected engine because carbs and I just don't get along. I can accept the fact that I suck with trying to adjust a carb.


DippinBob

This is why my '48 has a six in it.

If you haven't got an engine yet and want fuel injection why not go with an LS. It will blow the doors off a 454 AND get at least 20mpg. To top it off your wife can drive it to the grocery store and leave it idling with the a/c on while she shops.

I put in a 350 with 4L60E in my 58 Chevy half ton from a 94 Buick Roadmaster. Used the ECM from the car along with some of the wiring.

Still has the 3:90 rear gears. It is fuel injected and all computer controlled. At 70 mph I get right at 20mpg.

But, from a dead stop I have to watch how much gas peddle I give it when I take off. Wet roads can really get fun. But on dry pavement once you are rolling a little bit, you gun it it goes.

It will turn the truck around in a heartbeat if you get into the throttle because the rear is so light. (Mine is a short narrow bed)

A good friend (in his mid 70's) has a 39 Chev Coupe with a 454. Every time we visit he bemoans the 454 while wishing for a 350. I recently mentioned a LS1, however he's a points and carb guy so that ain't gonna happen. His dissatisfaction has even led to considering a 250 which I do think would be nice. Plenty of power, add Vintage air and cruise on. Only thing is it doesn't have the BadBoy street cruiser look.

You can probably stuff 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound sack, but don't be surprised if something rips. It might be a good idea to line the bed with a piece of 3/4" steel plate so you can get a little bit of traction if you go with the rat motor.
Jerry

You might get more interest & respect by posting this in the Hi-Po Shop forum?
But, even there, Jerry's comment/opinion/sarcasm is most likely pertinent.

I saw a datsun pickup with a 396 once, it was way, way more engine than was necessary. kind of like this.

Just food for thought ... If you want fuel injection, power and to be "above the norm" of all the "me too" V-8s out there, what about a diesel?? Seriously.

A DD 3-53 would fit the engine compartment nicely.

Ed

If, as you say, it will have no traction, extra power won't do anything.
Why not diesel? You mean besides the smell, how many miles it will take to recover the cost, and lack of power?
500 reason, they're pounds.

Diesels are just like sex- - - - -highly overrated and stinky!
Jerry

Philistines!

Thanks Coilover for the LS suggestion. So far I'm feeling there is a real good spread of advice from staying with a straight 6 to going over to diesel. I do not have the engine yet so I am going to start studying which one and why. But letting my wife drive it.... anywhere? I'm going to discourage that. Speaking of that, is there a way to disengage the power steering so the truck can revert back to its original non-power steering feel? That would end any thoughts of her wanting to drive my truck....

Thanks, I'll visit that forum and start catching up.

a 302 GMC would be a decent option, not the cheapest by any means. But at least it is almost period correct. And they are capable of more power than you can use.

302 is nice, but "capable" isn't really a precise description.
The stock HP is 160 (half of a 350 crate engine), and everything after that is $$$.

Did your GMC have a Pontiac engine in it? 287 or some such?

Ed

It would be tough with hydraulic power steering, but dead simple with electric power assist. Just disconnect the power. There are kits out there to use the electric assist from various cars. You pick up the steering bits at the junk yard and wire it up. I've thought about doing it with my truck but haven't done it yet.

If you want fuel injection and want to be above the norm, why not try the Vortec 4200/GM Atlas LL8. It's an inline 6 and the later models (up through 2009 according to Wikipedia) were knocking on the door of 300HP. I've seen posts on here in the Hi Po forum about the swap. Might be worth a look.

Of course, call me old fashioned, but these days the most above the norm thing to do with a classic truck is to keep a Stovebolt in it. :-) Nobody does that anymore....

Hi Ed,
Not sure if you were asking me or not but either way I'm a bit embarrassed to say I don't know very much about the engine I have other than it is a GMC Straight 6. I am assuming that the in-line 6 was original since the truck still had the 6-volt positive ground battery and oil bath filter. But over the years once I found out what the Hydramatic emblem on the side actually meant I realized that the previous owners had definitely modified the truck as it now has a manual transmission and a poorly crafted hole in the floor board where the stick shift now resides. Knowing back yard mods have been done I can totally understand why I ended up with those three dash fires.
Not knowing what engine I have makes me want to get out there and pull it. Part of my original plan is to put it on an engine stand and rebuild it myself back to full working condition. But I don't have any intention of putting it back into my truck. Part of the reason why I've joined this site is to find out what I should do with any of the parts I pull off. I hate throwing large items away that will just go to the local land fill especially if there is any chance that someone else might want them.

Sam

Sam, that's why we have a Swap Meet forum. Post your unwanted parts and earn a little cash.🛠

Sissels makes 12 port heads for the 292, The heads are $3500 which isn't horrible, don't know how much the injection is, but it sure does look nice. And you won't see very many others around.

The engine SN starts with the displacement, 228xxxx, 248xxxx, etc, that will give you a start, stamped on machined surface, right side, by starter.

Ed