Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

I have a chance to purchase an engine and transmission combo for a project. The engine is a GM crate 454 gen6 with a 700-4r trans that was ran together for 10,000 miles or so -as always, the guy swapped for an LS combo. It will come with everything I need to drop it in, minus the carb. All the accessories including the A/C pump and power steering.

My question: Without putting too much more money into this package, is it worth just changing the factory high lift .510"/.540" roller cam for more torque without having to change springs, lifters, etc... With only 8.75 factory compression I assume there wont be much room for a performance cam. Has anyone done this with these factory crate engines?

Thanks!

A cam swap in that package can pay big dividends. You can get a profile that can use those springs, but upgrading the springs and going to a standard bbc rocker setup will open the door to more power. I have done it a couple times with positive results.

Paul

some gen6 have 5/16 pushrods and guide plates, so you probably want the conversion rocker studs and new guideplates, possibly the performance engines don't have these obstacles, check under the valve cover or maybe decode the numbers

A powerful 7.4L backed-up by a 700/4L60 trans?

Expect trans problems. That thing is crying out for a 4L80E.

Well, I went to look at the engine today and it wasn't a Gen6. Bad pictures on the listing. Looks like the last of the 14015445 blocks of 1990. 2 piece rear seal and a flat tappet, I'm sure. Still a good running engine in its form. The guy said it did one of the Power Tours.

I bet the 700 trans ran great behind the 454, and still would.

Overpriced for a Gen 4 GM Crate -IMO

Thank you for the replies.