540ci BBC build
 

tore down a old complete 454 i had bought used, "it was running when i pulled it" was BS, has cracked water jackets. it was a 4bolt block too! well it had a factory steel crank so i will sell it since i wont be neededing it.

well, i went out and bought another complete 454, ran the numbers and had a 50/50 chance of a 4 bolt, pulled it apart very clean but its a 2 bolt.

bought a DART intake with a complete fogger set-up and bottle for a STEAL!!
i bought it for the fogger since in using a merlin intake.

so far i have...
std bore 454 2bolt block
merlin rect. port intake 4150 flange
merlin rect. port 345cc runner heads(manley valves etc.)
4150 quick fuel 1050 cfm carb
harlan sharp RR's
NOS fogger system

still need to order my Callies rotating assembly, and take the block to the machine shop. and get a cam ground. hope to make 600hp on all motor. theres still alot of small stuff that i need to buy like an fittings,push rods, hardware etc.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

Your gonna need a different block if you are building a 540.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

im all ears...

if its about it being a two bolt im with you, im lookin everyday for a 4bolt, its kinda the reason i havent taken it to the machine shop yet, ive had many people say it wont work and many say it will do just fine. what do you thank?

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

you cant bore a standard 454 to a 540.. i think you can only go .125 over? on a 454.. you will need a aftermarket block. and 2 or 4 bolt doesnt matter, if its a 2 bolt you can buy new splayed caps and get the block machined to a 4 bolt :)

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

Maximum displacement of a standard deck 454 "SAFE AND RELIABLE" is 510ci. And That is pushing it. I am at 505ci with 4.25 stroke, 4.350 bore, and 6.385 rod. You gotta have a tall deck block to get the BIG cubes.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

Isn't that funny that we are at a time when a 454 is considered small? Heck, they should re-classify the 396 as a SBC! Doesn't World build a 632 now? SHEEEEESH

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

512 is max for a 454 block 4.375 stroke and 4.375 bore. The bore would need to be sonic tested. At that i wouldn't want to spray it unless the block was filled. Safe, 4.375 crank, 4.310 bore and you can do what you want. The 4.375 crank would only need minimal clearance.

Prostreet, 707ci is the big daddy.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

Couldn't a guy get somewhere around a 540 with a 502 block and a 4.25 crank?

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

A 502 will go to about 548ci. Not sure the limit of it but yes.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

If you are dead set on a 540 plus engine I would buy a dart block. I am building a 548 for my truck with a bowtie block. I got this block pretty cheap but I spent a pretty penny on machine work. The 502 blocks are gen 5 and gen 6 and some stuff is not the same. The dart, bowtie, merlin and brodix blocks are based off gen 4 parts.


I also don't agree with only having to do minimal clearancing for a 4.375 stroke crank. I know my aluminum rods causes me to have to do a ton of clearancing but I only have a 4.25 stroke and mine was clearanced on a mill first then touched up by hand. Some of the later 454 blocks have a little more clearance cast into the block than the old stuff. With your power goals you should be able to get those numbers with a 4.25 stroke and a small bore. I would look at a 489 or 496 rotating assembly for your power goals. One other thing if you are gonna drag race this truck sell the merlin heads and intake to someone with a boat and buy aluminum heads the merlins are crazy heavy.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

I have a GEN V block in mine and it has been clearanced a moderate amount for the Eagle rotating assembly.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

i will look into all that alittle more... here is the specs


4.250 Callies Compstar 4340 forged steel crankshaft
6.385 Compstar H-Beam Connecting rods with ARP 2000 Rod Bolts( Bushed Fit Pins )
10.4:1 w/ 118cc SRP performance forged aluminum pistons, with pins and locks
4.500 Bore

heres the link to the kit.
http://www.cnc-motorsports.com/produ...D=27083&CtgID=

heres something to read.
http://www.roadsters.com/bbc/#bore


further investigation looks like this kit is for a 502 bowtie block.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

Whats the bore size? If it isnt atleast 4.50. It is a 489, 496, 502 kit depending on bore size.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

the bore is a 4.500 which is for a aftermarket block.

how do you like your 505

what do you think about 4.000 factory steel crank, 6.385 rod, srp forged pistons? it would be about a 467ci.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

get a 4.25 stroke crank. You will be glad you did. If you can swing the extra cheese get an aftermarket block if not build a 489 or 496.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

dj do you mind sending me the build on your engine? mid 6 in the 1/8th is pretty much what im goin for on all motor, i have the fogger setup but im not dead set on using it at first. its nice to have when the 6.50s start to feel slow.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

The times in my sig are from a 60 over 454 with 14 to 1 compression and aluminum Brodix heads. I don't have the new motor together yet.

My truck only weighed 3200lbs with me in it also.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

if you want big cubes cheap get a 427 tall deck i built a 555 out of one with pump gas and went 11.20's (1/4 mile) on motor with little tunning if you were to put compression in it then surely you could could get mid tens which could be like 6.60's or so (in the 1/8). and my truck weighs 3800

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

I love my 505. It made 668hp on the machine shop dyno on 93 octane. You can go 6.50's no problem with a 496 or 489 kit. Paul69 is running 6.50's with a 489 that was having major issue's. He is now bumping it up to a 496. You can make major power without a aftermarket block, but if you have to have 540+ cubes than a would get a 427 tall deck. I have seen them on Craigslist here in houston for 100.00. Cam and heads make more of a difference than cubic inches.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

If it were me, since you already have the block and things, i would just build a 496. 496's are putting some serious numbers on the board. Save the extra money and put it to a set of good heads. The 4bolt and 2bolt thing doesnt matter, as stated you can have it machined to be a 4 bolt. I know alot of 2bolt blocks making alot of power though. You wanting a 540 just to say you have a 540 or ?????

Shawn

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

when i was looking around the 540 callies kit wasnt much more than a scat or eagle 496 so thats why i chose it, as with a 427t i could do that because i have a dart tall deck intake that is matched to my merlins already. just how much bigger is the tall deck

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

Dart Tall deck intake, 540 rotating assy, and a 2 bolt 454. You didnt do any homework did you? Just bought a bunch. Really should look more into stuff before you buy engine parts.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

please re-read the first post, i have two intakes, one tall deck and a short deck, yes i do have a 454 block.

since i havent bought a rotating assembly yet this would be a good time to figure out what i want to do, either buy a tall deck or stay with my 454 and build a smaller cubic inch bb.

so please leave your comments to yourself if there not helpful.

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

Go with your 454 block. Get a 496 kit or however much you need to bore the block to clean up the cylinders correctly. I can give you my build sheet on my engine and you can match it. It is hyd roller though. Sell that tall deck Dart intake. Should be able to get your money back or more on the intake. I went 100 over on mine because I broke an oil ring and it scored one cylinder pretty deep. I like the sound of 505 anyway....:lol:

Re: 540ci BBC build
 

yea send me over your build.

i bought the dart intake complete plumbed with the fogger and bottle for $400, heck its even powder coated silver. i just wanted it for the fogger. so i was goin to ebay it or put it on yellowbullet.