This video proves why I love my big blocks. For a towing application, I want it all down low. My race car might wind to the moon,, but when I'm towing, I want it right now at 2500 rpm.
Waaaaaaaaaay too many people have their imagination all wrong. The crankshaft is the heart of an engine. The more stroke and force on that stroke... the more power. Torque is what wins races. A smaller engine/smaller stroke has to wind higher to reach the level of Torque and power that the bigger engine already has from the start.
BBC for the win! I am a die hard big block guy mainly because of my age being almost 50 and grew up with BBC muscle cars, boats, and trucks. The biggest trend on boat racing is still BBC...as usual. LS engines are the daily driver standard GM came up with to survive the EPA gas and oil regulation issues about MPH. I have never owned an LS in any of my 20 plus hot rods over last 25 years (and still own 7 of them) but considered it for sure after MSD and Holley made it possible to put a carb on one around 2012. You are a guru Rich for sure and my BBC favoritism is shared by every top fuel dragster, super gas drag boat, and all SS GM 58-74 muscle cars. Trucks fortunately have a BBC option until 2013 which spanned 55 years(2009 was offical official announcement of last year made but loyal guys preordered 3 years worth of more to be made). GM's final BBC ZZ632 BBC makes 1,000 HP and 850TQ without power adders under 6,000 RPM. Never heard of an LS that did that! Thanks for your never ending sharing of the hard work you do to find real world answers! 👍
Done building my 1999 Chevy 464 Vortech. Its built strong from GM. Factory Aligned honed main bores. Factory forged rods align honed with Boron steel riod bolts. Factory Priority main oil feed system. 4 -bolt mains on all 5 caps. Factory 3/8" diameter Tubular pushrods. Looked up the 454 Vortech Heads they actually flow decent. Like Pontiac V8 Ram Air 3 did !
The stock injectors in those 454's are leaky garbage after a few years, one of the best mods is replacing them and the stock distributor. I have driven about 500,000 miles with that 7.4 454, it is amazing how much headers, injectors, a tune, and some good plugs and wires wake them up.
I would be interested to see how a 6.0 compares to a Vortec 8100, the architecture changes to the big block pretty much made it a giant LS engine, even down to things like the firing order.
the 8100 may make more torque on stock applications, but the 6.0 has way way more aftermarket support that the 8.1. So I think it wouldn't take much for the 6.0 to stomp on the 8.1. Just my opinion
I know. Holy grail, gonna drop the cash, we aren’t going to go pull one from the yard, and if we did who’s gonna put it in a tow rig. BUT, a 427 LS7 comparison would be cool to throw into the mix as far as torque vs mileage.
@@BruceLee-xn3nn I’m in the process of rebuilding my 2001 LQ4. I live in PA and as others have said, no matter what you do, unless you have a heated garage with a floor drain to clean it off every day in the winter the frames and body just rust to death. I love the LQ4 engine though 👍🏼
Actual LS motors(aluminum block ls1 ls2 ls6, ls7)etc aren’t even on the radar anymore…if you see them they’re stock to the bolt LS1’s and LS2’s and they’re in really nice and really boring prefab restomods….
It's not just the torque that is a plus bigger engines with an unrestrictive intake and exhaust make more horsepower N/A in an apples to apples comparison. Some of that torque though can be traded off when making big horsepower numbers.
i have the 450 hp 454 and i just love it way better then my 5.3 ls engine plus i changed the intake and put a 750 on it made a big different on power plus it just looks so much bigger in my 68 chevy pu plus i get them for free with low miles on them and they come with a 02xx 400r turbo good to 800 hp just this year i have got 4 set ups for free from 6,000 to 58,000 miles on them all perfect running engines with steel crank heavy rods high flow heads so the bottom ends are built by the factory
I’d gladly buy a 454 from you for my van… I need something that will fit and has been done enough I can find online support. My options are a 454 which I can only do if the price is low enough to justify daily driving it 45 miles a day, an LS preferably a 6.0 but could manage a 5.3, a sb 400 crate motor with gobs of low end torque for 7000 bucks, or simply rebuild my current 350. Right now I’m leaning towards the 400
@@ricktaylor3748 Running low RPM isn’t bad at all. Never heard of engine issues at low rpm. High RPM is what ruins an engine even with higher oil pressure.
@@ricktaylor3748 never ever heard some one say a 5.3 tows better than something else you need 3k rpm to pull a lawn mower 75mph my 20ft boat takes 4k and stabing the petal
@Richard Holdener, I'd like to see some combos and testing of a 454 in a attempt to bring MPG of the big block more in line with LS engines. That's always one of the arguments of BBC versus LS engines. Is there a way to get 20+ MPG out of a 454 and retain the HP and torque synonymous with the BBC? Now that is a challenge!
Your not likely to ever see the mileage of a 454 get close to an LS, that’s Richards argument when he says “better” the ls design is so much more efficient. In the same way, your never going to see that low down torque production in the LS, pretty much for the same reason, the port flow on the modern engines is so good, you don’t see high velocity at low rpm like you do on the older designed bbc heads. Small ports with big cubes creates very high velocity at low rpm, that’s why “peanut port” truck heads make so much low rpm grunt and run out of steam above 4000rpm. All those cubes and the old inefficient heads need lots of fuel and air to run. The new stuff is so much better, but small cubes and big ports can’t create the grunt down low, it needs the rpm to get the flow velocity up.
@@guyforlogos you also didn't have the air fuel accuracy or the trans that put the engine at the most efficient range running small tires compared to today or or the accuracy in spark timing I think you could break 20mpg with a big block more compression and dialing in the engine would be key
@@austinhowze6280 you definitely can in a car with an overdrive trans and modern fuel injection, or even a very well tuned carby, but not likely to ever see high teens let alone 20mpg in a tow vehicle, which was what my comments were based on because of the nature of Richards video. My sisters all stock 06 2500 with a 6.0 and 4:10’s, built to tow well, gets 12 unloaded and about 8-9 towing 5k. That’s pretty modern, my buddies all stock 17 yukon xl, 6.2 gets 21!! unloaded and under 70mph, 18 mpg at interstate speeds, 8-10 towing his enclosed 7k trailer. Towing is brutal for gas engine mpg. If you tow a lot you want diesel for mpg.
Love the video. Been towing with a 6.0 Vortec and it's always reving like a damn Hayabusa, and drinking gas like it's going out of style. This is just more evidence I gotta get on that FI 7.4 train. I have heard the BB gospel.
The 8.1 is a monster. They used to slam those in early 2000s A class RVs. Most that should've had a diesel engine but that 8.1 moves them like a feather.
Love the channel so far. Very informative. I’ve been building engines for 30 years now and I am trying I get better with these newer LS based engines. They are amazing. So much potential.
I liked the 496 they put in Topkicks with MPFI. It pulled better than the Ford V10 at about the same MPG, maybe because of the 6 speed Allsion. It also sounded better.
Pontiac V8 guy myself. 454 Big Block Chevy just needs a stouter camshaft profile and not much more. Wipe LS for torque and Hp. All LS Has Dinky Crankshaft Thrust Bearings the #1 weak area and impossible to improve any. An Engineering Flaw they all have. Big Block Chevy Has a Large crankshaft thrust bearing. Pontiac 455 has an even larger crankshaft thrust. Important when putting continous Heavy loads on a V8 Towing or Racing. Will not fail hard use and abuse 454 BBC or Pontiac 455. Worked on Grain Trucks with 427 Tall Deck BBC and pulled 80,000 lbs loaded no sweat. Worked on Firetrucks with a 454 BBC Tall Deck with water tanks built in pumper tankers weighed 100,000 lbs. 454 BBC Pulled effortlessly. No failures any BBC.
yeah it would be interesting to see. but good luck getting any of them to run long enough to make it through testing lmaoo. i do love the 5.2 and 5.9l but they didnt age with grace. these days their mostly clapped beyond clapping for.
@@chehystpewpur4754 Ive got a 98 5.9 durango that was wrecked 8yrs ago at 190k. All i need to do is throw a jumper on it and it fires right up. I have a video on my page doing it.
@@98dodge360v8 exactly. it doesnt have another 8 years of wear and tear on it... it got stopped while it could still clap. shed have 300k or more by now and be wheezing if not worse off.
@@98dodge360v8 shell start wheezing soon dont worry. i used to love those motors but not anymore or the vehicle their attached to. too many problems in most of the ones ive seen. i mean lets be honest if dodge was so great it would have never went under and got bought up by fiat the worst car company in the world. dodge ii is a joke but the newer ram trucks. supposedly jeep and ram stayed out of the deal and are still an american company. and the trucks have gotten better. i would never own a dodge or ram but the trucks look to be somewhere between ford and chevy quality these days... i used to be a chevy guy but those are garbage now..
VERY VERY happy to see some focus on torque. for street bbc I've been trying balance low speed torque with really good horsepower... so glad you focused on torque
Man, I swear read my mind! This is right in my wheel house! I’m building a 403 for my single cab Silverado. I’m loosing my mind trying to pick a daily driver cam for it! I don’t want to throw away all my torque with to much cam. Can’t wait to see how the 408 stacks up to the 454!
The cam swap on the 5.9l magnum really surprised me with how much power it really made. A smaller cam is gonna be up under like 2500 and lots up under 2000, a bigger cam will add some and even lots over 4500...for street driven stuff i really think small cam is the way to go. Everyone i have met and built with only one guy regretted going to small with his cam and he had a C4 corvette with a stick that he drove about 2000 miles a year with drag radials.
I have a 94 k2500 with a tbi 454, and a 2018 chevey 3500 with a 6.0. Both are stock. I have pulled the 12k skid steer that I use at work with both trucks. My k2500 pulls that skid and trailer so much better than my 3500hd. My k2500 will pull it at 75mph on the interstate in overdrive. While my 3500 screams at 4k in 4th gear to keep the same speed.
The 6.0 really isn't a great motor for big trucks and pulling. Also, you gotta think the 6.0 is in a far bigger/heavier truck (new trucks are obnoxiously big) and probably has less power.
Richard great video for us truck torque junkies. Waiting for a video featuring the 8.1L. Last I checked I didn't see it in any of your videos. I'm thinking about swapping my 2002 6.0L for a early 2000s 8.1L for more torque for towing. Donor truck would have an Allison trans as well which has better gearing than my 4L80E for towing.
I drove a loaded down full-size V10 passenger van when they first came out, and was very impressed with the torque and had going up hills, you hardly needed to push on the gas at all to maintain speed, and just giving it a little bit more I was doing 90 mph no-sweat uphill. I've heard they've been called gas Hogs but don't know
@@7x779 I have one in my '97 service truck, it's an ex U-Haul box truck loaded down to about 12K & on highway I get 11.5, drops to 9.5 to 10 in town depending on how many lights I hit. Honestly not bad for what it is. Top end power isn't the greatest but it has a tractor-like torque curve that I like, doesn't slow down or come out of OD on hills. My favorite part about it is how dry it is underneath with almost 300K on the clock. Never leaks a drop of anything.
@@acemobile9806 11.5 MPG V10 not bad at all for £12000. If I hooked up a 6,000 pound trailer to my 6L LS Chevy van, bringing it to the same total weight as yours I don't think it would be any better on gas. Probably very close to the same
@@ryancompeau146 mine didn't come with an engine in it at all or a wiring harness. So I found a $175 5.3 and slapped it in there. I have a video going up on my channel about it.
I think you Should do a 454lsx vs 454 bbc of same build quality and show the difference of the two and how the newer generation differs from the older ones , I know it’s not easy to come by a 454lsx but would be a killer video to showcase the lsx
At work we have a 97 c3500 single cab dually with a 11 ft dump box that has a 454 and a manual. Great old reliable workhorse. My company pickup is a 14 Sierra 3500 single rear wheel with a 6.0L. I'll take that 6.0 any time. That's an awesome powerplant.
Yeah the LS might be the "better" more modern engine, but I will stick to my 454 with an Edelbrock carb on top and SM465 4 speed behind it. We have several trucks around here, and the only one that will outpull the 81 with the 454 is the 74 GMC with a 455 Olds swapped into it. And the best part...I can work on the damn thing with basic hand tools out in the barn, instead of having to take it to the shop where I have computer access to diagnose it
Even with an standalone ECU and EFI conversion system, would be easier to work and improve the performance on that engine design. My godfather had an 1975 Dodge Dart Swinger Special Edition with an 318 converted to EFI, that engine worked excellent and was easy to make mechanical repairs.
@@richardholdener1727 Just for fun. Let's say you're chilling at the Santa Nella In-N-Out with a 10k-15k truck and you felt like "racing" over to Gilroy/Hollister on the Pacheco Pass. Same truck, same trans, same rear gear, and same tires, same induction.... only difference is this gen 6 454 or 6.0. Which would get to the summit first?
Sill at idle to 2000rpm not a lot of turbos going to make up ft-lbs versus displacement because the turbo won't be working much yet. Would take a very small turbo with some big gates to get the low end up without being a huge restriction later on.
Awesome video Rich , keep up the great work , great information for the people who are car lovers , and passionate about building their cars themselves , thanks !
What about #’s of fuel to achieve the horsepower numbers? That would be a good comparison to see the value factor. A 5.3/ 6.0 with/ without turbochargers. Throw in a supercharger and compare the results.
Great comparison Richard, I love these kind of comparisons. It would be a cool experiment to see if one added a small turbo, very small, on these STOCK ls engines to see if it could raise the low rpm velocity and therefore low end torque production, like they do on the modern small 3 and 4 cylinders. Something with less then 10 lbs boost for towing. The mpg issue will always be a problem for any tow engine. Your not likely to ever see the mileage of a 454 get close to an LS, that’s Richards argument when he says “better” the ls design is so much more efficient. In the same way, your never going to see that low down torque production in the LS, pretty much for the same reason, the port flow on the modern engines is so good, you don’t see high velocity at low rpm like you do on the older designed bbc heads. Small ports with big cubes creates very high velocity at low rpm, that’s why “peanut port” truck heads make so much low rpm grunt and run out of steam above 4000rpm. All those cubes and the old inefficient heads need lots of fuel and air to run. The new stuff is so much better, but small cubes and big ports can’t create the grunt down low, it needs the rpm to get the flow velocity up.
@@richardholdener1727 I agree it’s the cubes that make the torque, I would be curious to see if a 427 or bigger LS stoker with the stock truck cam and heads would still have the torque peak as low as the bbc. To see how the more efficient LS style heads compare to old antiquated bbc tech. I bet it would make overwhelmingly more power and torque, just curious as to at what rpm levels! Love your stuff!
All depends on how much space is available in the engine bay. I have a 454 for one of my older pickups, but in another project a BBC is tighter than I want to deal with. One or more of each engine would be cool.
Probably didn't hurt MPG much either, my 460 gets 12-14 mpg with 9.75 to 1 compression and 2.75 gear 315-75-16 tire (35") cruises 65mph at 1850 Rpm, I bet that 521 is closer to the 10 Mpg mark but a lot stouter
When I tow my TT I'm at 2800 rpm in 3rd with 33inch tires and 3.73 on my 4.8 4l60e sierra. Thats on the sweet spot of that 454 although with the extra torque over my 4.8 I could run it in D
Would love to see a small turbo LS build just for curiosity's sake... Would be interesting to see an LS setup that made max boost around 2500-2800. Somthing similar to the boost characteristics of an OEM turbo engine
I have a gen 5 454 that is worn out in a 92 k2500 (4l80e trans) 4x4 thinking about swapping in either a 6.0 or 5.3 ls for mpg and reliability purposes can’t make up my mind on which one to use I don’t use the truck as hard as I use to but it does get used for work every now and then. I have a lot of people telling me just to rebuild the 454 and move on, but I’m not sure any more I love the big block just hate how that it has a drinking problem any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance
@@BBCMONTE34 if you're near Youngstown Ohio I have a 1995 3.4 4L60e with a rod knock sitting there collecting dust. I'd be willing to donate any parts you need lol
You have my attention. I’m fairly LS resistant, but currently trying to decide between a turbo 383 SBC and a N/A 540 BBC for my vintage “work” 4x4 truck. And by work truck I mean play truck. Don’t tell my wife.
I mean you can get a sohc 2v hemi with a 4.5 inch bore spacing from ford right now... best of all the world's right there I think, only downside is no AL block
Would be great to get one of the new HD 6.6 gas gm engines on the dyno to see how they build TQ vs the LQ4 6.0! Maybe a 454 LSX would be nice to see built for TQ
I was looking at a used fi 8.1 with loom and ecu for $800 the other day. With that in mind I see literally no reason but internet steez to pick an ls over the big block lol.
I have a 1999 Chevy 454 motor is sluggish. It has 120,000 miles. What could be the problem I put it on computer nothing pops up except for O2 sensors needs new exhaust with that cause my sluggish motor.
I would like to see the power numbers averaged out under the curve. My guess is that in stock trim the 6.0 produces very comparable average power and does so more efficiently.
a 402 or 408 or 416 with an aloominium block and aloominium heads is light weight. It'll fit in a Nash Metropolitan too. With a factory intake and a factory Vette pan, you could mount it low and probably still close the hood. You might not tow with a Nash Metropolitan, but you could. And you'd be cool.
Hey Richard 😊 You asked for other engines, I tried to find it in you videos (you have A LOT of videos🤣), and I could not find a video of a Mazda FE engine. I am going to put a FE engine in my 1977 Mazda 929 H/T, and are curious to what you can do to it NA (it is supposedly good for turbocharging too, but I prefere NA, and really do not need a ton of power in my lightweight Mazda, 150hp pluss is where I want to go😊).
Silly question. Can you make an LS7 into a towing motor? More cubes with maybe a LQ4 cam for a torque curve down relatively low.....or could the LS7 just be cost prohibitive ?
i have a question about the 6.0L V8 366. i have a 1987 GMC school bus (21ft) with a 6.0L V8 366 that I want to convert into a schoolie. is this a good engine for long distance driving?
CAN YOU ANSWER A QUESTON, 98 7.4 GMC 3500, IF I TAKE THE MANIFOLDS OFF ANP PUT A HOLLEY CARB ON IT WITH A HEI WILL MY TRUCK 4L80E AUTO TRANS STILL SHIFT?? IF I JUST LEAVE THE WIRES NOT USING LOOSE WILL IT WORK?? NEED MORE POWER TO HAUL A 13 THOUSAND POUND TRAILER. THANKS
I just got my 1985 c20 with 454 running the truck is really good shape. I pulled the emissions crap off it and now im ready to put money into their motor where do I start? im thinking intake manifold and carburetor cus its not crazy expensive
This video proves why I love my big blocks. For a towing application, I want it all down low. My race car might wind to the moon,, but when I'm towing, I want it right now at 2500 rpm.
Waaaaaaaaaay too many people have their imagination all wrong. The crankshaft is the heart of an engine. The more stroke and force on that stroke... the more power. Torque is what wins races. A smaller engine/smaller stroke has to wind higher to reach the level of Torque and power that the bigger engine already has from the start.
I'll always go with the Big Block!
I've got a 97 GMC suburban 2500 with the 454 I love the beast, just towed my travel trailer from Montana 9 hours and 4 mountain passes. Did perfect!!
BBC for the win! I am a die hard big block guy mainly because of my age being almost 50 and grew up with BBC muscle cars, boats, and trucks. The biggest trend on boat racing is still BBC...as usual. LS engines are the daily driver standard GM came up with to survive the EPA gas and oil regulation issues about MPH. I have never owned an LS in any of my 20 plus hot rods over last 25 years (and still own 7 of them) but considered it for sure after MSD and Holley made it possible to put a carb on one around 2012. You are a guru Rich for sure and my BBC favoritism is shared by every top fuel dragster, super gas drag boat, and all SS GM 58-74 muscle cars. Trucks fortunately have a BBC option until 2013 which spanned 55 years(2009 was offical official announcement of last year made but loyal guys preordered 3 years worth of more to be made). GM's final BBC ZZ632 BBC makes 1,000 HP and 850TQ without power adders under 6,000 RPM. Never heard of an LS that did that! Thanks for your never ending sharing of the hard work you do to find real world answers! 👍
Done building my 1999 Chevy 464 Vortech.
Its built strong from GM.
Factory Aligned honed main bores.
Factory forged rods align honed with Boron steel riod bolts.
Factory Priority main oil feed system.
4 -bolt mains on all 5 caps.
Factory 3/8" diameter Tubular pushrods.
Looked up the 454 Vortech Heads they actually flow decent.
Like Pontiac V8 Ram Air 3 did !
"No replacement for displacement" is what I've always been told.
The stock injectors in those 454's are leaky garbage after a few years, one of the best mods is replacing them and the stock distributor.
I have driven about 500,000 miles with that 7.4 454, it is amazing how much headers, injectors, a tune, and some good plugs and wires wake them up.
I would be interested to see how a 6.0 compares to a Vortec 8100, the architecture changes to the big block pretty much made it a giant LS engine, even down to things like the firing order.
8.1 will shiz all over the 6.0
@@corvetteZ3rWould you bet your dookie shoot on it?
@@wildestcowboy2668 oh yea
the 8100 may make more torque on stock applications, but the 6.0 has way way more aftermarket support that the 8.1. So I think it wouldn't take much for the 6.0 to stomp on the 8.1. Just my opinion
@@paulcarter2879 I'm glad you told that Joe Biden loving gun banning clown off.
I know. Holy grail, gonna drop the cash, we aren’t going to go pull one from the yard, and if we did who’s gonna put it in a tow rig. BUT, a 427 LS7 comparison would be cool to throw into the mix as far as torque vs mileage.
I bought a running driving 02 Denali ( bad trans and paint) for 1,200 with a 6.0 for my Chevelle.It was cheaper than most torn apart sbc in my area.
@@BruceLee-xn3nn I’m in the process of rebuilding my 2001 LQ4. I live in PA and as others have said, no matter what you do, unless you have a heated garage with a floor drain to clean it off every day in the winter the frames and body just rust to death. I love the LQ4 engine though 👍🏼
Actual LS motors(aluminum block ls1 ls2 ls6, ls7)etc aren’t even on the radar anymore…if you see them they’re stock to the bolt LS1’s and LS2’s and they’re in really nice and really boring prefab restomods….
@@corypoteet6543 very true
Thats one high revving small block too
it looks like a 25% increase in displacement yields about 33% increase in power...thats a good return
I think its important to mention that not only does the 454 make more torque, it makes it a lot lower in the rpm range where it is needed for towing
It's not just the torque that is a plus bigger engines with an unrestrictive intake and exhaust make more horsepower N/A in an apples to apples comparison. Some of that torque though can be traded off when making big horsepower numbers.
i have the 450 hp 454 and i just love it way better then my 5.3 ls engine plus i changed the intake and put a 750 on it made a big different on power plus it just looks so much bigger in my 68 chevy pu plus i get them for free with low miles on them and they come with a 02xx 400r turbo good to 800 hp just this year i have got 4 set ups for free from 6,000 to 58,000 miles on them all perfect running engines with steel crank heavy rods high flow heads so the bottom ends are built by the factory
Richard Holder can you test a stock 8.1 in with the mix.factory spec has them pretty tame down with what they call torque management
I’d gladly buy a 454 from you for my van… I need something that will fit and has been done enough I can find online support. My options are a 454 which I can only do if the price is low enough to justify daily driving it 45 miles a day, an LS preferably a 6.0 but could manage a 5.3, a sb 400 crate motor with gobs of low end torque for 7000 bucks, or simply rebuild my current 350. Right now I’m leaning towards the 400
Small block towing: downshift and high revs uphill.
Big block towing: lug and grunt up the hills in high gear, much less drama.
Lug and grunt uphill = Low oil pressure, and heavy wear on bottom end crank and rod bearings.
The 5.3 tows better than the gas guzzler 6.0.
@@ricktaylor3748 ever understood the obsession with lugging a motor
@@ricktaylor3748 Running low RPM isn’t bad at all. Never heard of engine issues at low rpm. High RPM is what ruins an engine even with higher oil pressure.
@@ricktaylor3748 never ever heard some one say a 5.3 tows better than something else you need 3k rpm to pull a lawn mower 75mph my 20ft boat takes 4k and stabing the petal
@@sstevocamaro high load and low rpm is terrible for an engine. Everything from the low oil pressure and high combustion temperatures.
@Richard Holdener, I'd like to see some combos and testing of a 454 in a attempt to bring MPG of the big block more in line with LS engines. That's always one of the arguments of BBC versus LS engines.
Is there a way to get 20+ MPG out of a 454 and retain the HP and torque synonymous with the BBC?
Now that is a challenge!
Your not likely to ever see the mileage of a 454 get close to an LS, that’s Richards argument when he says “better” the ls design is so much more efficient. In the same way, your never going to see that low down torque production in the LS, pretty much for the same reason, the port flow on the modern engines is so good, you don’t see high velocity at low rpm like you do on the older designed bbc heads.
Small ports with big cubes creates very high velocity at low rpm, that’s why “peanut port” truck heads make so much low rpm grunt and run out of steam above 4000rpm. All those cubes and the old inefficient heads need lots of fuel and air to run. The new stuff is so much better, but small cubes and big ports can’t create the grunt down low, it needs the rpm to get the flow velocity up.
@@guyforlogos you also didn't have the air fuel accuracy or the trans that put the engine at the most efficient range running small tires compared to today or or the accuracy in spark timing I think you could break 20mpg with a big block more compression and dialing in the engine would be key
@@austinhowze6280 you definitely can in a car with an overdrive trans and modern fuel injection, or even a very well tuned carby, but not likely to ever see high teens let alone 20mpg in a tow vehicle, which was what my comments were based on because of the nature of Richards video.
My sisters all stock 06 2500 with a 6.0 and 4:10’s, built to tow well, gets 12 unloaded and about 8-9 towing 5k. That’s pretty modern, my buddies all stock 17 yukon xl, 6.2 gets 21!! unloaded and under 70mph, 18 mpg at interstate speeds, 8-10 towing his enclosed 7k trailer. Towing is brutal for gas engine mpg. If you tow a lot you want diesel for mpg.
@@guyforlogos my cousin old 460 did 10mpgs unload and 9 white 15 20k behind it buts it's mostly on how you drive it
I got 20 in a 96 k3500 single cab long bed non dually
Can't wait to see the BIG BANG BBC test.
"Nothing beats the torque of a big block chevy". Stroked Buick 455...hold my beer
"stroked Buick 455... hold my beer" single turbo Cadillac bbc429... hey um, i dropped your beer😂
besides bowtie, luv my tin indian Pontiac 455
@@242bleek cadillac 500?
Caddy 572?
Love the video. Been towing with a 6.0 Vortec and it's always reving like a damn Hayabusa, and drinking gas like it's going out of style. This is just more evidence I gotta get on that FI 7.4 train. I have heard the BB gospel.
The 8.1 is a monster. They used to slam those in early 2000s A class RVs. Most that should've had a diesel engine but that 8.1 moves them like a feather.
Thanks Richard! I'm hung up on this exact question with my 84 C10 street/strip build (not towing). Everyone I ask (mostly) says big block!
Wrong ,get a blueprint small block 400 like I did ..500hp and 473 lbs torque and sounds wicked as hell
Hurray, finally a short video, but i remember the results of this comparison in an earlier video.
I just ask this question and now there is a vid !! Heck yeah!!
Love the channel so far. Very informative. I’ve been building engines for 30 years now and I am trying I get better with these newer LS based engines. They are amazing. So much potential.
I liked the 496 they put in Topkicks with MPFI. It pulled better than the Ford V10 at about the same MPG, maybe because of the 6 speed Allsion. It also sounded better.
Probably all in the trans cause I just pulled the power cruves and the v10 holds more low end power but after that the 8.1 starts making more power
Pontiac V8 guy myself.
454 Big Block Chevy just needs a stouter camshaft profile and not much more.
Wipe LS for torque and Hp.
All LS Has Dinky Crankshaft Thrust Bearings the #1 weak area and impossible to improve any. An Engineering Flaw they all have.
Big Block Chevy Has a Large crankshaft thrust bearing. Pontiac 455 has an even larger crankshaft thrust.
Important when putting continous Heavy loads on a V8 Towing or Racing.
Will not fail hard use and abuse 454 BBC or Pontiac 455.
Worked on Grain Trucks with 427 Tall Deck BBC and pulled 80,000 lbs loaded no sweat.
Worked on Firetrucks with a 454 BBC Tall Deck with water tanks built in pumper tankers weighed 100,000 lbs. 454 BBC Pulled effortlessly.
No failures any BBC.
Thanks got having us!
Would be interesting to see a 5.2, 5.9, and 8.0 v10 magnum run on the dyno.
yeah it would be interesting to see. but good luck getting any of them to run long enough to make it through testing lmaoo.
i do love the 5.2 and 5.9l but they didnt age with grace. these days their mostly clapped beyond clapping for.
@@chehystpewpur4754 Ive got a 98 5.9 durango that was wrecked 8yrs ago at 190k. All i need to do is throw a jumper on it and it fires right up. I have a video on my page doing it.
@@98dodge360v8 exactly. it doesnt have another 8 years of wear and tear on it... it got stopped while it could still clap. shed have 300k or more by now and be wheezing if not worse off.
@@chehystpewpur4754 I picked up a 01 2500 5.9 v8 last year with a service body. 277k and runs fine?
@@98dodge360v8 shell start wheezing soon dont worry. i used to love those motors but not anymore or the vehicle their attached to. too many problems in most of the ones ive seen.
i mean lets be honest if dodge was so great it would have never went under and got bought up by fiat the worst car company in the world. dodge ii is a joke but the newer ram trucks. supposedly jeep and ram stayed out of the deal and are still an american company. and the trucks have gotten better. i would never own a dodge or ram but the trucks look to be somewhere between ford and chevy quality these days... i used to be a chevy guy but those are garbage now..
VERY VERY happy to see some focus on torque. for street bbc I've been trying balance low speed torque with really good horsepower... so glad you focused on torque
Man, I swear read my mind! This is right in my wheel house! I’m building a 403 for my single cab Silverado. I’m loosing my mind trying to pick a daily driver cam for it! I don’t want to throw away all my torque with to much cam. Can’t wait to see how the 408 stacks up to the 454!
The cam swap on the 5.9l magnum really surprised me with how much power it really made. A smaller cam is gonna be up under like 2500 and lots up under 2000, a bigger cam will add some and even lots over 4500...for street driven stuff i really think small cam is the way to go. Everyone i have met and built with only one guy regretted going to small with his cam and he had a C4 corvette with a stick that he drove about 2000 miles a year with drag radials.
I have a 94 k2500 with a tbi 454, and a 2018 chevey 3500 with a 6.0. Both are stock. I have pulled the 12k skid steer that I use at work with both trucks. My k2500 pulls that skid and trailer so much better than my 3500hd. My k2500 will pull it at 75mph on the interstate in overdrive. While my 3500 screams at 4k in 4th gear to keep the same speed.
The 6.0 really isn't a great motor for big trucks and pulling. Also, you gotta think the 6.0 is in a far bigger/heavier truck (new trucks are obnoxiously big) and probably has less power.
Been pointed out in LSX Engine builds by Hotrod Magazine and Car Craft LS X Weak area is the tiny crankshaft thrust bearings.
That weak area holds 1000hp so weak is subjective
Richard great video for us truck torque junkies. Waiting for a video featuring the 8.1L. Last I checked I didn't see it in any of your videos. I'm thinking about swapping my 2002 6.0L for a early 2000s 8.1L for more torque for towing. Donor truck would have an Allison trans as well which has better gearing than my 4L80E for towing.
Just find an old 12valve Cummins.
Richard, can you please do something with the Ford V10? I'm sure there are a bunch of people that want to see it. Compare it with the big block!
I drove a loaded down full-size V10 passenger van when they first came out, and was very impressed with the torque and had going up hills, you hardly needed to push on the gas at all to maintain speed, and just giving it a little bit more I was doing 90 mph no-sweat uphill. I've heard they've been called gas Hogs but don't know
@@7x779 I have one in my '97 service truck, it's an ex U-Haul box truck loaded down to about 12K & on highway I get 11.5, drops to 9.5 to 10 in town depending on how many lights I hit. Honestly not bad for what it is. Top end power isn't the greatest but it has a tractor-like torque curve that I like, doesn't slow down or come out of OD on hills. My favorite part about it is how dry it is underneath with almost 300K on the clock. Never leaks a drop of anything.
@@acemobile9806 11.5 MPG V10 not bad at all for £12000. If I hooked up a 6,000 pound trailer to my 6L LS Chevy van, bringing it to the same total weight as yours I don't think it would be any better on gas. Probably very close to the same
Love the video. Can't wait for part 2.
Love to see what the Ford super duty 534 SD V8. 8.8 liter. Marine twin turbos version would do with a little tinkering do!
Richard out here giving us all the information. I just picked up a 6.0 for my C6 that had a 5.3, can't wait to get that extra 50 lbs down low!
This doesn't make sense. You picked up a 6.0 for a C6 corvette that had a 5.3? The C6 came with a 6.0, 6.2, or a 7.0. Never a 5.3.
@@ryancompeau146 mine didn't come with an engine in it at all or a wiring harness. So I found a $175 5.3 and slapped it in there. I have a video going up on my channel about it.
LTs TH-cam has been doing a 4.8L vs Big Block build comparison lately also. So this is pretty good supporting data that can run along w his premise.
I think you Should do a 454lsx vs 454 bbc of same build quality and show the difference of the two and how the newer generation differs from the older ones , I know it’s not easy to come by a 454lsx but would be a killer video to showcase the lsx
WHAT A GREAT COMPARISON. COULD SOMEONE LINK ME TO PART TWO WITH THE MODIFIED ENGINES PLEASE
At work we have a 97 c3500 single cab dually with a 11 ft dump box that has a 454 and a manual. Great old reliable workhorse. My company pickup is a 14 Sierra 3500 single rear wheel with a 6.0L. I'll take that 6.0 any time. That's an awesome powerplant.
A 454 can be a good towing/ racing motor while an LS is mainly made for street racing
Yeah the LS might be the "better" more modern engine, but I will stick to my 454 with an Edelbrock carb on top and SM465 4 speed behind it. We have several trucks around here, and the only one that will outpull the 81 with the 454 is the 74 GMC with a 455 Olds swapped into it. And the best part...I can work on the damn thing with basic hand tools out in the barn, instead of having to take it to the shop where I have computer access to diagnose it
Even with an standalone ECU and EFI conversion system, would be easier to work and improve the performance on that engine design. My godfather had an 1975 Dodge Dart Swinger Special Edition with an 318 converted to EFI, that engine worked excellent and was easy to make mechanical repairs.
Yes indeed, carbed big cubes all day long, no need for lame shit shiny turds
Well, the big block Buick Stage 2 would pull the Queen Mary up Pikes Peak in 4th gear.
Why edelbrock and not Holley? At least Holley is all plug and play no tuning your carb bullshit like edelbrock.
that 455 olds is just like 455 pontiac. lighter than the BBC and produces over 500+ lb ft of torque to move weight with ease
im back for the big block - thanks 4 the vid
Cool video. Looking forward to part 2 comparing a stroked LS to a 454.
that vid is up-and part 3
@@richardholdener1727
Just for fun. Let's say you're chilling at the Santa Nella In-N-Out with a 10k-15k truck and you felt like "racing" over to Gilroy/Hollister on the Pacheco Pass. Same truck, same trans, same rear gear, and same tires, same induction.... only difference is this gen 6 454 or 6.0. Which would get to the summit first?
Sill at idle to 2000rpm not a lot of turbos going to make up ft-lbs versus displacement because the turbo won't be working much yet. Would take a very small turbo with some big gates to get the low end up without being a huge restriction later on.
Awesome video Rich , keep up the great work , great information for the people who are car lovers , and passionate about building their cars themselves , thanks !
Would have liked to see what the 454 to was at 2000 rpm..
Good ft-lbs is good but good ft-lbs with gas mileage is key for a daily driver truck 😎
Exactly
on fuel mileage...the focus on lobe separation becomes important
Transmission change is how you get mpg
@@blainesnider9089 only so much even the best gearbox can do! Efficient gearbox+efficient motor=all the MPGS
@@blainesnider9089 if you think fuel mileage is ALL in the gearbox..you need to study up on lobe separation.
Gotta love that big block 6mpg flooring it or put putin.
The MPG is the only drawback for sure.
What about #’s of fuel to achieve the horsepower numbers? That would be a good comparison to see the value factor. A 5.3/ 6.0 with/ without turbochargers. Throw in a supercharger and compare the results.
the LS was not able to replace the BBC until the 6L80E transmission came along
Great comparison Richard, I love these kind of comparisons. It would be a cool experiment to see if one added a small turbo, very small, on these STOCK ls engines to see if it could raise the low rpm velocity and therefore low end torque production, like they do on the modern small 3 and 4 cylinders. Something with less then 10 lbs boost for towing. The mpg issue will always be a problem for any tow engine.
Your not likely to ever see the mileage of a 454 get close to an LS, that’s Richards argument when he says “better” the ls design is so much more efficient. In the same way, your never going to see that low down torque production in the LS, pretty much for the same reason, the port flow on the modern engines is so good, you don’t see high velocity at low rpm like you do on the older designed bbc heads.
Small ports with big cubes creates very high velocity at low rpm, that’s why “peanut port” truck heads make so much low rpm grunt and run out of steam above 4000rpm. All those cubes and the old inefficient heads need lots of fuel and air to run. The new stuff is so much better, but small cubes and big ports can’t create the grunt down low, it needs the rpm to get the flow velocity up.
the port velocity is not where the additional torque comes from the in BBC-it's just displacement
@@richardholdener1727 I agree it’s the cubes that make the torque, I would be curious to see if a 427 or bigger LS stoker with the stock truck cam and heads would still have the torque peak as low as the bbc. To see how the more efficient LS style heads compare to old antiquated bbc tech.
I bet it would make overwhelmingly more power and torque, just curious as to at what rpm levels!
Love your stuff!
great video. I wish there was at least a brief comparison with the 8.1 though
Hey at PRI AFR introduced G3 hemi heads, you should bug them to get a set for test on the channel!
8.1 vortec comparison?
All depends on how much space is available in the engine bay. I have a 454 for one of my older pickups, but in another project a BBC is tighter than I want to deal with. One or more of each engine would be cool.
Bring on the 400+ inch stroker LS info!
To me bigger is always better for engines which is why I rebuilt a 460 Ford out to 521 inches in my 1978 Mercury Grand Marquis daily driver.
Probably didn't hurt MPG much either, my 460 gets 12-14 mpg with 9.75 to 1 compression and 2.75 gear 315-75-16 tire (35") cruises 65mph at 1850 Rpm, I bet that 521 is closer to the 10 Mpg mark but a lot stouter
When I tow my TT I'm at 2800 rpm in 3rd with 33inch tires and 3.73 on my 4.8 4l60e sierra. Thats on the sweet spot of that 454 although with the extra torque over my 4.8 I could run it in D
Would love to see a small turbo LS build just for curiosity's sake... Would be interesting to see an LS setup that made max boost around 2500-2800. Somthing similar to the boost characteristics of an OEM turbo engine
I second this. I want to see low end boost on these engines.
I have a gen 5 454 that is worn out in a 92 k2500 (4l80e trans) 4x4 thinking about swapping in either a 6.0 or 5.3 ls for mpg and reliability purposes can’t make up my mind on which one to use I don’t use the truck as hard as I use to but it does get used for work every now and then. I have a lot of people telling me just to rebuild the 454 and move on, but I’m not sure any more I love the big block just hate how that it has a drinking problem any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance
fuck the LS Vortec L29 swap or 8.1 swap. OR if you wanna get creative Vortec head swap on the Gen V with a turbo or super cahrger
I daily drive a 2500 454. It just does everything so effortlessly. Doesn't get excited, just lets out a kinda mildly grumpy sound and rolls out.
I’d love to see a 60 degree v6 build. Like a 3.4/3400/3500. Trying to build one for an mgb swap
A 3.4/3500 hybrid!!!
@@illililililillli that’d be sweet. Though I’m biased to the LA1 since I already have one. 😂
@@BBCMONTE34 if you're near Youngstown Ohio I have a 1995 3.4 4L60e with a rod knock sitting there collecting dust. I'd be willing to donate any parts you need lol
@@illililililillli I appreciate it but I’m in fl. Might end up having to get a 3.4 t5 combo anyways for the other parts involved.
@@BBCMONTE34 Check out WOT Tech 3.4/3500 hybrid. Gen 3 heads & intake are a massive upgrade for these engines
What about the big block with the LS style ignition? They did put them in 99+
adds nothing to power
You have my attention. I’m fairly LS resistant, but currently trying to decide between a turbo 383 SBC and a N/A 540 BBC for my vintage “work” 4x4 truck. And by work truck I mean play truck. Don’t tell my wife.
Stop being LS resistant:)
I mean you can get a sohc 2v hemi with a 4.5 inch bore spacing from ford right now... best of all the world's right there I think, only downside is no AL block
resistance is futile! said the Borg S480!
At 1:12 in the video no one ever shows or talks about these engines the Shelby/Dodge 2.2/2.5 single cam but they’re cool torque monsters also 😁
please see the many videos I have up on the 2.2l-many dyno vids coming
@@richardholdener1727 I definitely will thks
Would be great to get one of the new HD 6.6 gas gm engines on the dyno to see how they build TQ vs the LQ4 6.0! Maybe a 454 LSX would be nice to see built for TQ
I know Scoggin Dickey Parts center dynoed the 6.6 to 2000 HP so far, with twin turbos.
Richard, to really put a point on this you should pull up the Cadillac 500 torque numbers. I think it can beat the BBC in ft-lbs/CID.
Stock Cad 500 made 550 lbft
455 buick is even better at making torque
Pontiac 455 also
Keep these videos coming. Got work Richard
Wuz up Richard been watching your channel for a while now but whenever you can may you do a video on which is better between a 454sbc vs a 454bbc
What's a good aftermarket ecm for the L29? Maybe one with trans controller for 4L80
Love big blocks but the 6.0 mpg vs that 7.4 mpg but Also who's running around constantly over 4500 rpm
Have you done anything with an 8.1? Interested in the torque those make compared to the 454.
I was looking at a used fi 8.1 with loom and ecu for $800 the other day. With that in mind I see literally no reason but internet steez to pick an ls over the big block lol.
I agree. I'd like to see Richard run a 8.1 on the dyno and see exactly what kind of numbers is produces compared to the L29 7.4
You can get a $350 stroker crank for the 454 and make a 495 (8.1) easily ... Unless you just want the factory 8.1 packaging, Cubes are cubes.
@@arcdestriumph586 I know you can stroke a 454 cheap, but I'm curious about the 8100 truck engine since the heads are so much different.
@@arcdestriumph586 cubes are cubes. but the 8100 has decent heads and 0411 😎
I have a 1999 Chevy 454 motor is sluggish. It has 120,000 miles. What could be the problem I put it on computer nothing pops up except for O2 sensors needs new exhaust with that cause my sluggish motor.
if the sensor is bad-the a/f is likely off-clogged exhaust is also bad
Love my 7.4
I would like to see the power numbers averaged out under the curve. My guess is that in stock trim the 6.0 produces very comparable average power and does so more efficiently.
Fit trucks and vans, average shouldn’t matter. Low end does… but of coarse gas mileage matters……
Well my 6.0 got 10mpg so.....
I would have liked to see how the ls 5.7 and the 8.1 compares in the mix.
What kind of ring gap do you put in a BBC when you're going to add boost?
.0065 per 1 inch of bore
a 402 or 408 or 416 with an aloominium block and aloominium heads is light weight. It'll fit in a Nash Metropolitan too. With a factory intake and a factory Vette pan, you could mount it low and probably still close the hood. You might not tow with a Nash Metropolitan, but you could. And you'd be cool.
I just saw a factory GM picture of a mid-90s ZR1 Corvette towing a fairly large boat. As though they approve of it. That blew me away
but how many times are you going to hit 5000 rpm with a 454 mine in a 4x4 suburban runs 65 mph at 1600 rpm all day long towing or not
Not as much aftermarket support but what about the 8.1 vortec?
I have 8.1 vids up
I love big NA cubes for low-end torque, but in my car I can only fit a 9.240 deck. Not crazy about core-shift and improper valve angles. 🤷♂️
"BOOSTED STROKER" - Daytrade Scottie.. now that'll raise some eyebrows.
I'd love to see how the new 6.6 L8T compares
Would have been intresting to see 6.2l and 7.0l with truck cams as well
Hey Richard 😊
You asked for other engines, I tried to find it in you videos (you have A LOT of videos🤣), and I could not find a video of a Mazda FE engine. I am going to put a FE engine in my 1977 Mazda 929 H/T, and are curious to what you can do to it NA (it is supposedly good for turbocharging too, but I prefere NA, and really do not need a ton of power in my lightweight Mazda, 150hp pluss is where I want to go😊).
Would like to see low rpm torque results from a peanut port stroker 454 compared to std oval port.
DO YOU HAVE A VIDEO ON 6.0 2008 MAKING IT A 427 WITH A WHIPPLE SUPERCHARGER
YOU NEED TO SLEEVE IT TO MAKE A 427 (CORRECTLY) A 408 WOULD BE MORE COMMON
Why did the 6.0 lq9 that engine power just built only make 450hp? It had 317 heads and a 231/239 cam.
not sure-that is a long way away from what it should make
Great video as usual!
I think at this point it is which engine fets yo it powerband faster to get ahead yhis is where the ls shines
Silly question. Can you make an LS7 into a towing motor? More cubes with maybe a LQ4 cam for a torque curve down relatively low.....or could the LS7 just be cost prohibitive ?
too costly-just build a stroker
Can you do a comparison of the ford 6.8 v10 vs the GM 8.1 v8? In the market for a gas RV. Would love to see how they compare.
As well as the dodge v10 8.0
BOOST MATTERS!! (I like this one Richard)
I would like to see how the new lt8 stacks up
i have a question about the 6.0L V8 366. i have a 1987 GMC school bus (21ft) with a 6.0L V8 366 that I want to convert into a schoolie. is this a good engine for long distance driving?
is it the BBC 366?
CAN YOU ANSWER A QUESTON, 98 7.4 GMC 3500, IF I TAKE THE MANIFOLDS OFF ANP PUT A HOLLEY CARB ON IT WITH A HEI WILL MY TRUCK 4L80E AUTO TRANS STILL SHIFT?? IF I JUST LEAVE THE WIRES NOT USING LOOSE WILL IT WORK?? NEED MORE POWER TO HAUL A 13 THOUSAND POUND TRAILER. THANKS
your transmission is ecu controlled-I doubt it will work without inputs from the efi
IS THERE AN AFTERMARKET TRANS CONTROLER THAT CAN BE HAD???@@richardholdener1727
What's the big bang number on the 6.2L ford SOHC?
I just got my 1985 c20 with 454 running the truck is really good shape. I pulled the emissions crap off it and now im ready to put money into their motor where do I start? im thinking intake manifold and carburetor cus its not crazy expensive
good start-then mild cam
Answers my question.... Now to find a 90s model 3/4 ton suburban in nc
I think you can do both but the gearing that will be different.
Does a 8.2 liter Cadillac Eldorado motor have more power than a 1966 international v8 motor