Any one have any info on this. Can this work just by switching the intakes.
Thanks.

Manny

 

Actually, you would only need to remove the TBI adapter and it should be a qjet intake on the engine. If you decide to put a different intake on, then you should also swap out the heads. The 88-95 TBI 454 engines have the peanut port heads which is a very restricted intake port for making torque. Take a look at the engine and see if it has the TBI adapter bolted to the quadrajet intake. The other issue is that these engines used an electric fuel pump so you need to address that and the distributor has electronic advance so you would need to swap that out as well. Oh, and there is an EGR setup you don't need. Basically, if you want to use that engine, yank the intake and heads, put some 781 or 049 heads on it, a regular oval port dual plane intake, change out the distributor and take care of the fuel pump(I'm not sure if the 90 454 block even has a provision for running a mechanical fuel pump, the cam most likely doesn't).

 

Wow Jeff H, thanks for the info. So to make this easier for me I should find a 70s 454 engine? I just want to unbolt my 350 and bolt in the 454 into my 4speed. I know there will be other issues but I want to make this as easy as possible without speending to much money, I am new at the big blocks so I might ask some stupid questions. Thanks again.

 

Yeah, you're probably better off finding a carbed 454 rather than a TBI 454. I'm not sure about the early 80's 454 engines, they might have "computer" controlled qjet carbs on them but they should work fine.

 

the 81-up 454s had computer carbs mostly except RV and 1 ton+ heavy duty 454s. Metered from O2 sensors and vacuum advance. The 454 block is fine from the truck. Swap out heads and intake and get an electric in-line fuel pump for carb psi and a HEI distributor and you will have a great setup. If you can find a 70s big block that is fine too but the one ou have found will be a good one also. Good luck.