350 or 454

[kennels]

Have a 1970 that was originaly a 454. The previous owner changed it to a 350. I now need to rebuild or replace the motor. Would it be best to stay with the 350 or go back to a 454? The car is a daily driver and has enough HP as is but wondering if going back to a 454 would be best when it comes time to sell.

 

[ChuckG]

I'd contact the previous owner and see if he still has the original 454. If he does, buy it. If he doesn't, find out what happened to it. You just might locate it. The hunt can be fun.

Quick story: Friend had 2 Top Flight Corvettes. Wanted to build a driver. Bought a NOM 64 roadster project car. Painted it white. Red Leather interior...side pipes, stinger hood, built up 350, etc. Not much original about it. After he finished the car, for some reason, he did a title search.

Car was always in Maryland. Started calling previous owners. Called one guy who owned the car in the early 70's. Still lived at the same house. Told him he bought it from a friend...down the street. Helped him change the motor when it "blew up". This was the next in line owner on the title search...called him. The guy still had the original 327/300 in his shed.

My bud bought it obviously. Re-restored the car to original. The "blown up" motor had a spun bearing....

SO....check it out. Chuck

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Probably the cost of converting the car back to a correctly configured 454 (ie non-Bubba version) would exceed any gain in sales price.

Sort of like houses renovations- you never get 100% of your money back when you sell.

 

[matchframe]

Personally, I would go back to the Big Block.

Whether you decide to go back original, or modified, your frame is made to handle the extra weight. If you cannot locate the original, then buying a crate would be dependable and with a warranty.

The resale value would definately increase!

Just my .02

Bill

 

[Gunther]

Hi

Changing from small to big block is easy.
The frame is exactly the same. All you need is big block front springs , otherwise the body will rest on the tires.:Roll
Finding a correctly dated block is also easy, but bare blocks go for 1500 $ + and probably will need to be bored and decked and .....
Of course, you also need to find the correct heads, intake, carb , alterantor brackets, possibly power steering brackets and , and ....
This is a hell of an undertaking.
Do you have any original paperwork that prooves the big block option ?
If not, it doesn't pay at all to install any originaly dated stuff.
I'm in a similar position with my 68, no paparework proof.
My car has a big block installed, wrong casting number.
I do have the correct heads, but wrong intake/carb setup.
I still don't know what route to go ??

Good luck. Gunther

 

[BeaterShark]

I'll base my response on the fact that you have a 350 which has adequate power for you and it is your daily driver.

Rebuild your 350. The car would not increase in value with a BB (unless it is the orig VIN motor) more than it would cost you to build it. You already have the 350 heads, intake, exhaust, etc. and rebuilding your 350 would be cheap.

 

[TWINRAY]

My .02 is that if you have the $$, ambition and time , you might go back to a 454. If it's not "numbers matching" and you go to sell it with a NOM 454, you'll probably break-even with time and $$ put into it that it took you to go from a 350 to the 454. I , and it's a personal matter, do things to my vehicle without thinking of the effect of "when I sell it" because when the're sold, I'll be in the box.

 

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

-gotta'be dis or dat...

-Well to me, the criteria would be handling-quality, --if you like driving a truck then the original-BB would certainly do the trick, but if you need the added torque then why not consider a 400ci/Small-block and preserve the car's decent handling...
~Bob vH in sandiego
:s