Big Block LS6 454 Rebuild and DYNO!

Big block 454 LS6 crate engine gets rebuilt and dynoed. BEFORE and AFTER dyno too!
LS6 with Terminator Stealth EFI:
• Holley Terminator Stea...
68 Chevelle LS6 454 5 speed vs 71 Chevelle LS5 454 6 speed Gas Mileage Test:
• 5 Speed vs 6 speed - M...
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#LS6 #dyno #454

[@zone47]

I bought that exact crate engine in Dallas Tx in 1990 at the GM warehouse. I think it was like $2875 or something like that. No distributor, no carb, no flywheel or harmonic balancer but everything else was in place. What a deal even back then. The 10.2 / 1 compression was actually an advantage considering the crappy gas we have now. I installed it in a 67 Chevelle. Wow, it's amazing how much power is lurking inside that engine... and you didn't really do anything special to the heads! Cool video, it brings back memories! :)

[@SS454LS6]

Very cool

[@rapidride2]

Love these "stockish" types of rebuilds. Anyone can page through a Jegs or Summit catalog in hopes to achieve an over budget possibly underpowered combination. However massaging and tuning stock parts is far more impressive.

[@bowtiebilly7474]

Amen like we built them back in the day

[@michaelparadisis4076]

Great build. Big block Chevs are such awesome engines.

[@marcushaynes843]

A 454 disguised as a 396 under the hood of a '68 Chevelle? COOL!!! 😎😎😎😎

[@unknownsoldier5141]

The sound is just incredible ..man love it..... good job guys

[@billknepfel]

Phenomenal video! Great information and loved seeing the process from start to finish. Great job!

[@barking.dog.productions1777]

New sub, bells, whistles,, likes, pats on the back all around !!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless you both and thank you both for GREAT video!

[@rbatts9163]

Great content ! Congrats Andrew on the dyno numbers . Can’t wait to see her on the road !

[@SS454LS6]

You and me both!

[@trentdawg2832]

Love the ‘68/‘72 a body platforms, one of my all time favorites right next too chrome bumper vettes of all year

[@musclebone7875]

Great dyno numbers!

[@Silverado5.3]

I'm looking at same engine in my 85 c10. Now I see the potential is. Thanks for video

[@bruceplumisto]

Really liked this!!

[@kellycrawford1346]

I have one of those engines. With the factory heads and an 850 Holly it ran 11.76. I dont remember the mph, but I believe it was around 115. This was in my 68 Chevelle at 3770 lbs with driver.

[@68chevelle17]

That is a great run. Just wondering if your car automatic or manual transmission? Did you run it with full exhaust?

[@Datanka69]

Awesome Awesome Awesome 🤘🏼

[@IRONHEAD12701]

I love the race on 13 June 99. “Raced Dave case of beer…WIN” that’s awesome!🤣🤣🤣🤣 Thanks for the video post and best of luck to you gentlemen and your families.

[@andrewchemello5011]

Good eye and thanks for noticing. Dave was a great friend that had a faster car but he had problems on the run and I beat him. We both won in the end because we drank the beer together and bench raced all night long. He is not around anymore but thanks for the memories

[@HomeImprovementInsider]

Sounds great

[@omidsadjadi8798]

Awesome!

[@bakfixx]

Great build. Very realistic numbers. Will be interesting to see how it runs on the track.

[@SS454LS6]

It did make it to the track. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZ6sY2mGeL-KY6M

[@robertgoodwinr6523]

Wow! Nice! This same LS6 crate engine is in a friend of mines Chevelle from back around this time 90-91. Not SS. But his grandfathers (bench seat) that drove up from FL when he passed away. After dropping this in, tuning it suspension, tranny, rear etc. one of the scariest cars I've ever been in. The first gear launch was insane. He still has this car! Peace from Boston.

[@68chevelle17]

Sounds like your friend has a keeper. I like the bench seat look. Have a great day from Canada

[@robertgoodwinr6523]

@68chevelle17 Yes. U too Thanks

[@1980bwc]

Cool project!

[@68chevelle17]

Thanks not to many videos out there with stock steel heads and GM intake manifold. I also have never seen a video of dyno before and after rebuild

[@ChicagoRob2]

Cammed BBCs have an amazing chop at idle.

[@rooster68able]

Nice engine , no doubt after those upgrades especially cam that thing is gona male 100 hp +! Asome

[@kdsboosted4954]

Good job fellers.....I just finished a twin turbo blown 396 need to install it and fire it up. The primary block is all original internals with exception of the solid roller blower cam and roller valve train. The extra block is all forged.

[@cascadeblue7268]

Twin Turbos and a blower!? Your a brave man to do that on stock internals, especially the pistons!

[@kdsboosted4954]

@@cascadeblue7268 for sure. The pistons are hyperutectic's we're going to push the limits this is certain. The back up block is Keith Black forged internals. And we have a 509 stroker in the works.

[@andy347495]

Well under 500 lb/ft? That seems odd. EDIT: alright, I didn't realize the first run was with the old motor. 554 torque and 554 horse that makes more sense.

[@adama739]

Nice...I have a 68 Chevelle with a 454HO and a Tremec TKX 5-SPEED. You have a solid 100+ hp more than me. That's got to be a fun car.

[@68chevelle17]

You will have the same when you choose to go through the engine. The main thing is to have fun with it

[@shadvan9494]

the cam change from 114 LSA to 110 LSA is what changed the idle quality. tighter LSA's increase valve overlap on the intake stroke. this reduces vacuum at the intake ports at low RPM, but will often increase exhaust scavenging of combustion chamber at higher rpm and can even help pull the new intake charge in to the chamber under certain conditions. it will also move the torque peak and the horsepower peak closer together. where a wide LSA cam will spread them further apart. the 110 and tighter LSA cams can cause problems with vacuum breaks on street cars. that 454 was built right, but i would like to know what the vacuum was at idle. ironically I like to use the Comp Cams Extreme Marine cams with the 112 LSA for anything That I run on the street. they idle better and are much better mannered for the street. but is would probably give up 20-25HP to the exact same cam in a 110 LSA. you could probably gain some more power by going to a 106 LSA cam on a 454, but it would idle like a top fuel car.

[@cascadeblue7268]

You nailed it! LSA is a very important metric on these 454s when considering how you want it to behave.

[@ChicagoRob2]

The cam used in that engine is actually quite mild for a BBC. Even with a 110 LSA, you could easily be streetable at .650+ lift. I ran a solid roller .680 lift in my ‘68 462, and it had excellent street manners.

[@dannymccarty344]

I did the same with the Isky. Going from a 114 to a 110 Isky was like the 100 shot nitrious was activated before the change was made. Huge difference. I wouldn't have used nitrious if I had this cam 5 years ago.

[@Daniellopez-tx5xq]

Wow I love this crate 454 engine it looks very stock and cleaver fuel injection set up that mimics a vintage carberator

[@68chevelle17]

Good eye. My goal is to upgrade as much as I can but keep the stock appearance

[@stevenbean9706]

My first car 70 chevelle i miss that car. Theres a lot of ways to build more power just by putting time into your assembly and paying attention to detail . (Blueprint) They offered a replacement LS7 for drivers whom proved the LS6 was no match for their right foot.my fam has owned a chevy dealership since 63 i always ran zero lash on my intake 030 on exhaust. My 454 was identical in my chevelle.

[@erikalarson6803]

Have a great time with this engine. Given the changes to the rotating assembly and the cam change I am not surprised by the increase in power output. If an apples to apples comparison was the intent then staying with the same rotating assembly and cam would have been great.

[@andrewchemello5011]

Thanks for the comment. The intent was to leave the engine looking the same as it did when removed. I would never reuse a 30 year old cam with 50 year old technology. But my old pistons, rods, and cam will be reused by a young man with a limited budget.

[@stevenmcfarland923]

Great build any pointers or tips for the fuel injection set up ?I know some people have issues yours seem to work well

[@sleeeper88]

Amazing, if these heads had 2 hrs each porting and streched to 6500 the engine would of passed 600hp. Amazing torque for rec heads. For example my ls7 454 crate engine i had with everything factory with a team g single plane, a dominator carb maid 625 hp at 6700. Same engine did 675hp with a roller cam, same engine and cam did 721 hp with ported merlin oval port heads and 615 torque

[@djjohnson9380]

This motor is what I called the under water motor cause the cam is is mild at isle with open headers. What I can tell you is this motor in a 68 chevelle with 4 speed runs 11.55 @115.2 mph open header on 10.5 inch slick. bad ass for stock motor. if you take the ls6 cam out and replace with ls7 cam, you et will be 10.99@122.8.

[@georgebradovka1521]

"I like a really smooth idle.." should have known that cam with a 110 lsa is gonna give you lots of chop.

[@ZacLowing]

Puts to rest the old "underrated from the factory" lie, lol. I like how it woke up tho!

[@BuzzLOLOL]

DZ302/Boss302 and L88 were the under rated engines...

[@BBBILLY86]

Great video. Did Andrew get a track day in yet, with the fresh motor and broken in clutch?

[@SS454LS6]

Yeah he did. I have a few videos of him running down the track.

[@jebbennett7592]

Great video! I'm a little late to the game seeing your channel but subscribed now. What brand headers are you running? Wondering if they would fit in my 90 454SS.

[@68chevelle17]

I have Castler headers that I bought in 1990. I doubt that they are still available, but the primary pipes are 2 inch and collector pipes are 3 1/2 inches. I don't know if they will fit your vehicle. The manufacturer should list it on their website.

[@andrer3854]

Glad to hear some one using Holley Terminator set up . Thinking of putting on my goat 461 under 600 hp. Looking for simple pro touring with 4L80E trans control. Just curious, did you have to run ignition control box with distributor or did you have run coil. Thanks

[@68chevelle17]

I have the holley dual sinc distributor, which is plug and play. Ignition is msd digital 6 and a msd coil

[@zardow365]

I am not sure why are you surprised with the gain! You changed the cam shaft, pistons, connecting rods, balanced the crack shaft, increased the compression, increased the displacement, slight valve job, and freshened the whole engine, I would very likely expect the +90 flywheel HP on such a big displacement V8.

[@68chevelle17]

Yes it was freshened up inside, but still 50 year old GM intake manifold, stock steel heads, and still have a flat tappet cam.

[@benhoke6330]

Awesome engine guys!! Wonder what the cranking compression reading is ? My ls6 454 with flattop pistons and the original stock 291 heads is 125-135lbs.that seems low but the engine makes incredible midrange torque.

[@SS454LS6]

If i was to wager a guess, I'd say probably close to 180, or a bit less.

[@jaredmayer3960]

It’s super cool you have the 396 decals and stock valve covers. What did you open the lash up for?

[@andrewchemello5011]

I set the lash to the recommended .026 . The engine builder set it at .020

[@dannymccarty344]

The cam lobe seperation made a huge difference. I changed my 461 hydro roller, from 114 to 110 and experience the same thing. I didnt touch anything else but a new tune. Cam companies will tell you all kinds of different crap. Dont listen to them! David Vizzard..

[@68chevelle17]

You are getting good advice from the right person (DV). Enjoy your 461

[@noahdunaway]

I have a 1978 SWB BIG10 454 that I special ordered in 78. I pulled the engine at 500 miles to modify it and found the rear main bearing was worn down into the copper. I took the disassembled block to the dealership and the service manager had the regional service manager, who happened to be female, to come look at it and she said that she would warranty the short block. I asked her if I could pay the difference and get a LS6 short block and she agreed, I found out later that due to federal emissions that was a no no. I ported the original 781 cast iron heads and installed 1.88 and 2.19 valves. The cost difference was about $75.00 and I sold the LS6 solid lifter camshaft for $75.00 and installed a hydraulic flat tappet cam. I’m pretty sure I have the only 1978 truck with a factory replacement LS6, although technically illegal. The open chamber 781 heads with the closed chamber 11 to 1 pistons gave me 10.3 to 1 compression.which is what I intended to do with the original 454, put the LS6 pistons in it with the 781 heads. I still have the truck which just turned 85,000 miles. I bought it to pull my enclosed race car trailer, and still do.

[@andrewchemello5011]

What an amazing story. Just wondering what part of the country did this happen?

[@noahdunaway]

@@andrewchemello5011 McInnis Peterson Chevrolet in Baton Rouge Louisiana.

[@andrewchemello5011]

@@noahdunaway I wish they would have allowed that in Canadian dealerships

[@noahdunaway]

@@andrewchemello5011 it was actually a mistake made by a lady in a job that didn’t know what she was doing. I didn’t know either until years later.

[@tomhurley974]

different cam and head work and hand built yes it should make 70 more hp that other 20 that came from the builder I like what you did and i like the stock look you do good work.I wonder is the valve train quiet with the solid cam? and did you stick with the 12 to 1 afr and the 36 degree timing my 454 likes a fat afr of 12 also but i run a lot more timing 38 to 40 degrees also runs 12's at 109 mph in a 4050 pound 71 ss chevelle ps pb ac cowl hood

[@SS454LS6]

valvetrain is very quiet.

[@jeffcarpenter396]

Ls7 was aftermarket gm with cast heads

[@bmclaurine]

Great video ! And congrats for a great build. Next time glass bead that beautiful Winters intake; never paint one of those. LOL

[@andrewchemello5011]

I like the sleeper look and purposely try to hide the aluminum parts........but I did leave the winters snowflake on. Bet you didn't notice the aluminum waterpump LOL

[@noahdunaway]

@@andrewchemello5011 The painted intake makes it look more like 325 hp motor with the cast iron intake. I realize your intentions but in my opinion it would look more correct, 375hp, with the intake left bare aluminum.

[@andrewchemello5011]

Good point it did come with 325 HP. Only problem is the lower HP decal is more difficult to find

[@andrewchemello5011]

​@@noahdunawayGood point

[@brentonk461]

👍

[@cathykallies2807]

Thanks for the great video. I really enjoyed it. As a fellow LS6 owner, this was of great interest to me. Is there a reason why you don't mention the engine builder? I'd love to know who you worked with. He obviously knows what he's doing.

[@SS454LS6]

The builder specifically didn't wish to get mentioned as he is not doing public builds at the moment.

[@patfromamboy]

I raced an LS6 1970 Chevelle in 1983 with my 1966 Chevelle with a 427. I beat him and he sold his car to build something faster which he never did. I still see him occasionally and he regrets selling his car. It would be worth a lot. It was a beautiful car. I still have my 66 and it runs great 40 years later.

[@68chevelle17]

I am like you. I have had my 68 Chevelle for 33 years and my friend owned it for 5 years before me. We both have keepers. Thanks for the comment

[@patfromamboy]

@@68chevelle17good job! Chevelles are nice. Keep up the good work, greetings from Yacolt in Washington state.

[@tomstrum6259]

What youall do to those heads on "Clean up" to Lose peak lift Cfm ?? ....This ain't no truck mid-range stump puller...Plan is to Pickup flow Past mid-lift !! ....Engine is probably still Under cammed on Duration as easy 6500 Hp peak looks achievable.....thx for sharing.....

[@rcfred_689]

Wow that is incredible, especially the torque - I would guess the cam ?

[@SS454LS6]

Given how little headwork was done, I'd say the cam was the biggest factor for the impressive torque curve.

[@joesmith306]

The 110LSA vs 114LSA gave you more overlap and a lumpier idle. With 1.8 rockers with a tight lash and 1" open spacer might get you close to 600hp.

[@andrewchemello5011]

We both think alike. The rockers are 1.7 and the lash spec was .026 . We tightened the lash to .020 . I had a 1 inch spacer but had to cut it in half to avoid touching the hood. 600HP would be nice but unrealistic with a 50 year old GM dual plane intake manifold. I am old school and Replacing it is not an option.

[@richardtyler8922]

@@andrewchemello5011 I wonder what adding a Performer RPM Air Gap Intake manifold would add.

[@68chevelle17]

We will never know if an RPM airgap makes a difference. Years ago I said that all aftermarket parts that I install must appear stock or be hidden. I like the factory appearing stock class (FAST)

[@shazbotnanu7037]

I see the Mopar engine builder took pity on the Chevy guys and sprinkled a little magic on this one for you. Looks good Andrew now get it back on the street/strip

[@boostjunkie2320]

No need for the help. The L88 put the 426 Hemi in it's place. Sorry not sorry.

[@shazbotnanu7037]

The engine builder is a stock/super stock max wedge racer that also built my 440 hence the joke

[@dihydrotestosterone]

@@boostjunkie2320 I'm a Chevy guy at heart but you've got to give respect to the 426 Hemi.... ask Don Garlits and the funny cars racers.

[@boostjunkie2320]

@@dihydrotestosterone Respect to the Hemi but the L88 had the slight edge. I'm more of a 440 guy. Almost as much power and half of the headaches

[@mcrowley8460]

I'll take a mark iv engine over a ls anyday

[@68chevelle17]

Smart choice

[@ChicagoRob2]

100% agree

[@olderthanyoucali8512]

Who was the engine builder?

[@DanielLopez-me9mh]

Wow I like the stock looking air cleaner efi set up it looks like it has a quardra jet

[@68chevelle17]

You probably know how difficult it is to make it look original while trying to use new technology. Believe me before I bought the EFI system I called holley several times for details. My biggest obstacle was hiding the temperature sensor which I installed at the front of the intake manifold.I painted the sensor and covered the connector with hockey tape.

[@68chevelle17]

You probably know how difficult it is to make it look original while trying to use new technology. Believe me before I bought the EFI system I called holley several times for details. My biggest obstacle was hiding the temperature sensor which I installed at the front of the intake manifold.I painted the sensor and covered the connector with hockey tape.

[@68chevelle17]

You probably know how difficult it is to make it look original while trying to use new technology. Believe me before I bought the EFI system I called holley several times for details. My biggest obstacle was hiding the temperature sensor which I installed at the front of the intake manifold.I painted the sensor and covered the connector with hockey tape.

[@68chevelle17]

You probably know how difficult it is to make it look original while trying to use new technology. Believe me before I bought the EFI system I called holley several times for details. My biggest obstacle was hiding the temperature sensor which I installed at the front of the intake manifold.I painted the sensor and covered the connector with hockey tape.

[@68chevelle17]

You probably know how difficult it is to make it look original while trying to use new technology. Believe me before I bought the EFI system I called holley several times for details. My biggest obstacle was hiding the temperature sensor which I installed at the front of the intake manifold.I painted the sensor and covered the connector with hockey tape.

[@bigblocklawyer]

I can tell when I let the clutch out on my '67 Corvette 435 when the lifters need to be adjusted. It's that noticeable.

[@68chevelle17]

Mine has rattled when lifters need adjustment while idling but never when I engage the clutch. Just double check the clutch release bearing and pilot bushing/bearing they may be unhappy

[@bigblocklawyer]

@68 Chevelle The comment has nothing to do with the clutch. I can tell right off idle as I accelerate power is down when the valves are too loose. Also easy to tell when it needs a valve job. When adjusting the valves doesn't make as much of a difference. If yours are rattling, you've let them go too long between adjustment. They make noise, but that sounds excessive.

[@hankclingingsmith8707]

SHOULD HAVE DONE A LEAKDOWN TEST ON OLD MOTOR. THEN THE NEW CAM. THAT CAM IS SUPERIOR. I WILL BET IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BEEN WITIN 20 HP

[@trailerparkcryptoking5213]

The loss from loosening the lash proves that engine wants way more cam. Chris Straub could have spec’ed a cam to give more power and smoother idle with good vacuum! More aggressive ramps on a roller cam would do wonders. Y’all never reached peak HP and those rods should handle it. A good Straub cam would probably hit near 600 HP @6200, so you wouldn’t need to rev higher. I would have tried a couple more degrees of timing also. I run 40 degrees total on my closed chambers on 87 octane in Texas heat. You should be happy with the extra torque, eh?

[@SS454LS6]

I like Straub grinds, but I do not think a cam from him would be much different than the custom grind from Bullet. Owner wanted to stay solid lifter, not roller. This meant the biggest problem was spring pressures, and with the beehive springs there was only one choice. The engine was still climbing, but the builder didn't want to spin it up higher on the stock oil pan with no windage control.

[@markosbo427]

Chevelle should be a clear winner on paper too. GTX mopar weighed significantly more than the Chevelle. Also had less HP and TQ with the 426.

[@68chevelle17]

Thanks for the comment. If you want to see more of the Chevelle keep looking on this Channel

[@harleysgarage327]

Beautiful car, is the roof painted Ermine White, thanks!

[@andrewchemello5011]

The roof color is Palomino Ivory

[@harleysgarage327]

@@andrewchemello5011 Thank you!

[@richardmalone4721]

LS6 Code “XAA”, (XCH for GM Parts Dept LS7). If I remember correctly, Open Chamber Heads were 290’s and Closed, 291’s. (Yes, CRV & CRR are the original “installed” LS6 Codes) We were unwittingly “Smart” having a XAA motor disassembled for balancing only to find out there were Main Caps loose and a 1/4” of metal shavings laying in the pan! Whoa. 🍀 $2,650 new + $750 for the Balance & Massaging.

[@andrewchemello5011]

Yes when I bought the engine I had already heard the horror storys. It came with yellow colored oil in it and no one could tell me why. I think it was dye to check for leaks. Also when the engine had 50 miles it leaked oil between the block and head at front driver side. I retorqued the head bolts and intake bolts.I never had another problem with the engine. I raced it every year for 30 years. The only reason I freshened up the engine is because I found the right engine builder.

[@lenm443]

Noticed you are running a beehive valve spring ...curious what spring?

[@SS454LS6]

I don't have a part number off hand. I know they were comp springs, and given the limited rates with beehives, they really only had one option available.

[@jc-qc3yu]

6200 RPMs that’s pretty high for a big block … Holy cow I run my big block to 52 5300 that’s it

[@jeffcarpenter396]

Get a good 396 they will turn 7500 all day long

[@cascadeblue7268]

When they are balanced and blueprinted that really helps out. Having good rod bolts is a good idea as well. The 454 being externally balanced is the main reason you don't want to rev it to the moon, a 427 bbc will rev all day.

[@johnandersonjjr]

I have one of those in a Vega but with an old edelbrock torquer.what I’d really like to find out on a dyno is the hp on an LS7 crate motor I bought in 83-84!weirdly I’ve noticed the rocker arms have gotten extremely loose over the years.

[@68chevelle17]

I added comp cams roller rocker arms with posi locks. This will stop the rocker arms from backing off. Make sure you CAREFULLY inspect the studs, rocker arms, pushrods, valve springs, and valve keepers. I replaced mine every 10 years as maintenance after finding weak springs, cracked valve keepers, wear on the stud shaft and slight top pushrod wear. Good luck

[@johnandersonjjr]

@@68chevelle17 the weird thing is the engines (LS7)never run.(it’s still in the crate)

[@68chevelle17]

Lol. If it was in my car it would be running. I did install the roller rocker arms when my engine was new. I would inspect in the cylinder that has had the intake and exhaust valve open for the last 40 years. The cylinder will dry/rust up and the rings may leave a witness mark on the cylinder. I had an engine sitting for 10 years and that is what happened. Do the homework before starting it and it will be an awesome engine

[@johnandersonjjr]

@@68chevelle17 I have turned it a few times (with a breaker bar) it’s not seized (yet) maybe I just never noticed it until recently I had the valve covers off to use on another engine.but I’d think they’d have them adjusted.I’m planning on putting it in a 70 corvette so I’m leaving it “stock”probably rarely drive it

[@gordocarbo]

You need to check your lash

[@billywilliams6853]

Car weights 3800 with the driver. What is the weight of the car? Is this the stock weight or have lighten the car? I have a 1970 Chevy and will follow your Big Block build. I will start with your same engine, transmission, rear end. What size and brand of rear tires, do run at the track? Andrew Thanks for the help I plan to use a 1 Quart Moroso Accsump.

[@SS454LS6]

The car is all steel with full interior, but does have some weight saving features like manual steering.

[@andrewchemello5011]

Track tires are Hoosier 28×9-15 slicks. Driver weighs over 200lbs. I put all the bumper bolts and brackets on a diet to reduce weight

[@michaelgreen7028]

If you’re impressed by THOSE numbers you should pull that baby cam and put in a decent bump stick and you’ll easily see 600+.

[@SS454LS6]

It's all relevant to how the car gets used.

[@ChicagoRob2]

My engine builder criticized me for running a .680 lift solid roller in my 462. He said it wasn’t big enough.

[@johnsricke7236]

How much did that engine cost in 1990 , I was in the Navy and saving for one and was talked into a PAW Unassembled 427 and that was a huge mistake . Wondering what it might have cost in 1986 as well . Thanks for posting this .

[@andrewchemello5011]

I paid $4150.00 Canadian dollars in 1990. The intake manifold was never removed until 2021.

[@johnsricke7236]

@@andrewchemello5011 Auto Center in Texas was advertising a ls6 for 2600 and change , sometime around 1990 I'm guessing this was the same engine . I was at a Chevy dealership in Sand Diego getting parts for something and they told me they had a L88 short block for 3300 . Wished I had bought one like yours . It probably worth 10k or more now .

[@Doucette767]

Mine was $3,170 in December 1990 at a Chevy dealership. It came straight to my house from the factory. I still have it. It still runs strong. These things are built to last. I compared all options for getting more HP in my Camaro, and this crate engine was by far the winner. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.

[@gordocarbo]

Similar disaster same place. 3 bad cranks in a row poor machining just plain junk.

[@grumpy1962R]

There’s an arc occurring above #4 cylinder,Actually just above that cylinder by a sensor? At the 12:15-25 period of the video

[@SS454LS6]

It's a water leak at the water temp sensor.

[@thomasstrayer3994]

Around 12:20 into the video, what's going on between cylinders 3&5, in the area around that sensor? Is that arcing or fluid?

[@SS454LS6]

a water leak from the water temp sensor.

[@thomasstrayer3994]

@@SS454LS6 👌

[@grumpy1962R]

What’s up with the bad spark plug boot leeching arcs out of #4 cylinder?

[@68chevelle17]

It is water leaking above the #3 cylinder. The fitting was not the same thread pitch as the head but we made it work

[@ashleykellogg8243]

The temperature sensor plug starts arcing could have robbed some power computer could have been jumping all over maby.

[@SS454LS6]

It's water coming out, not an arc, even though it looks that way.

[@kyle7063]

Was it ever ran on dyno or at strip with factory manifolds on it?

[@SS454LS6]

I believe it always had headers on it

[@jackhowton5030]

Can I get the camshaft part number? Or maybe a pic of the cam card? Thanks in advance.

[@SS454LS6]

It is a custom cam, so no generic part number that I know of. I unfortunately do not have the cam card. I'd recommend giving Bullit Cams a call and have them spec a cam for you.

[@altforce44]

What valve covers are those chrome ones? I'm surprised they fit over the roller rockers.

[@68chevelle17]

They are the gm valve covers that came with the over the counter LS-6. I got them chromed as they were black. The valve covers do not have the drip rails like the original ones had. I had to trim about 3mm off the posi locks and 30+ years later I am still using the GM valve cover gaskets that came with the engine. No leaks

[@scottwheaton9689]

@@68chevelle17I simply use thicker felpro cork v-cover gaskets to clear the poly locks & roller tip rockers on my 69 .030” over 396/now 402 bbc.

[@andrewchemello5011]

That would be a great option if you do not want to trim the posi locks. How much taller are the gaskets? I wonder if a cork gasket will last 34+ years like mine?

[@mikeburnett7028]

I have a question for you if you could please respond. I can’t get my idle to come down fast enough when I let off the throttle. It’s almost like my foot is resting on the gas pedal. Could you tell me, or refer me to one of your videos on how to make my throttle decel respond quicker? I also have a big block chevy in my nova, so knowing some of your settings could be a great amount of HELP. Mine is also a manual shift, 5 speed. Thank you for any help you can provide.

[@SS454LS6]

Which EFI do you have?

[@mikeburnett7028]

The 400hp version

[@gordocarbo]

Make sure your linkage isnt hanging up, proper dual return springs. You may have a vacum leak.

[@alanmiller366]

at 12:15 in the video i see sparks between the 2 and 3 exhaust, what is that?

[@68chevelle17]

Good observation. Read the comments for the answer

[@tysonatkins2236]

Is the 396 air filter cover there to fool the insurance company? 🤔

[@68chevelle17]

It is what the car came with when new. Insurance company knows it is a 454

[@GJ-DT]

Needs more timing and cam.

[@bigredracer7848]

the Pistons you showed us look like 13 to 1 compression on a 119 head is not 10to1

[@SS454LS6]

28.9 cc. Part number 1000295

[@jims2286]

For 1968, chevelle water pump and altinator are wrong should have the short water pump and altinator should be on drivers. Side

[@andrewchemello5011]

Good eye for detail. I went with the 1970 LS-6 pulleys as the are all different diameter and you know that in 1968 the alternator is located on the left side of the engine. The reason I switched sides is the LS-6 belt is thicker than the 1968 belt and I don't know if I would be able to find a longer one.

[@bobsilver3983]

I know of a over the counter crate ls6 in my area, never been in a car, never started, what would this be worth??? Its at an estate , and family wants $5500 for it.

[@SS454LS6]

Hard to pay that kind of money for an engine that might run. I would want to at least see if the engine turns over by hand. I think in most cases that engine would go for at least $4000.

[@vinceyoung5912]

The L78 is a baby LS6. Same everything except the block and crank

[@BuzzLOLOL]

L78's had several different cams depending on the year...

[@vinceyoung5912]

@@BuzzLOLOL then they are not L78s.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@vinceyoung5912 - That comment makes you sound stupid... or... at least argumentative... Chevy changed the cam spec's slightly on L78s, L98s, L88s, ZL1s, and LT1s as it wished... Chevy also changed bore size on L78... L78s have different pistons than LS6 396's are poorly supported parts wise as most people just go bigger Big Block...

[@vinceyoung5912]

@@BuzzLOLOL L78 is a 396 but it is not all 396.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@vinceyoung5912 - Yeah, I think the L78 was also built as a 402"... but still under 396 name...

[@sqr2024]

Have you attempted using a carb?

[@SS454LS6]

The engine used to run a carb.

[@sqr2024]

@@SS454LS6 so how did they compare as I will guess the carb was better at WOT while the EFI better at cold starts and low end drivability.

[@SS454LS6]

@@sqr2024 the EFI has performed better all around in this case

[@blackericdenice]

I'm sure the engine builder did a great job but the hp came from the hotter cam. If you want a smoother idle. They are going to have to install another cam with the stock 114 degrees LSA. You may lose some hp.

[@68chevelle17]

You are correct the cam doesn't idle as smooth, also it doesn't produce as much vacuum which gives me intermittent hard braking. But all things considered the extra HP makes idle and vacuum less of a problem.

[@tahcogunworks]

110 lobe center killed your idle. And makes more hp.

[@johnsheetz6639]

Absolutely!

[@ChicagoRob2]

And also builds more cylinder pressure and mid-range torque.

[@joshtaylor3818]

“Pro-cess” must be Canadian eh?

[@opossozoku8005]

L❤❤❤❤❤

[@chadhaire1711]

460 horsepower GROSS on a bench is only 365 NET once you add air filter, muffler, and belts. Any 2023 Dodge 5.7 V-8 puts out more at 375 net.

[@SS454LS6]

Okay bud.

[@chadhaire1711]

@@SS454LS6 Those are factory numbers out of the 1972 parts catalog Gomer.......so yeah I would say OKAY. Learn the difference between GROSS horsepower and SAE NET. All cars made before 1972 were over rated by horsepower 18-20% using the fake Gross system that was banned after 1971. A 2024 Camaro with 335 V-6 puts out more horsepower than the old 1969 396 that was rated at 375--FACT.

[@andrewchemello5011]

I agree with you close to the same horsepower as a 2023 vehicle. But if you were around 53 years ago it was bad ass

[@chadhaire1711]

@@andrewchemello5011 Driven a new Dodge Hellcat lately?

[@SS454LS6]

@@chadhaire1711 I know the difference, doesn't seem like you do. SAE NET is with full accessories (fan, ps pump, alternator, etc). Some claim it's with exhaust, some say it's not. Some claim it's RWHP, which is not true at all. There was no specific % loss as it varied a lot. Also advertised horsepower and marketing was a very big thing back in the 70s and remains part of the game today. So rated hp and actual hp (net or gross) could be very very different. There have been plenty of dyno tests showing accessory power draw. Alternators have shown to rob just 1 hp, and the worst of fans are upwards of 40 hp. I can tell you first hand that a 7 blade clutch fan will not rob 40 hp on a 450ish hp 454. We know from the video this LS6 crate engine (1990) made 462 hp with the air cleaner. In the worst case, it would make 420ish horsepower with full accessories. That's more than 375 or even 395 advertised bhp from a 5.7 Hemi isn't it? Not to mention the torque. I also know this LS6 that dynoed at 462 made more horsepower than my LS5. Mine dynoed at 370 rwhp with full accessories and full exhaust. So no I would not say a stock 395 hp 5.7L Hemi makes more power than this engine. I don't know why you are arguing it either. Are you getting off on making the obvious point that in 53 years and hundreds of millions of dollars in development that engines have become far more efficient? BTW, the owner has a 5.7L Hemi too.

[@keithwittman4741]

See the arc at 12:20 ?

[@SS454LS6]

It's a water leak as wasn't the right sensor to fit in the head.

[@ariyax-zajato4438]

396 or 454 ?

[@68chevelle17]

The engine is a 454 but the car that it goes into originally would have come with a 396. This is why the air cleaner has 396 in it. The two engines are virtually the same with minor external differences

[@allankwiatkowski9086]

why you putting a throttle body on that?

[@68chevelle17]

It increased the fuel mileage, looks same as a carb, starts better cold, and most importantly so my melenial aged (16 year old) daughter can drive it one day

[@dougewing1571]

I'll take the 427 425 hp any day over the ls 6

[@damionnichols3769]

At around 12:10 did anybody else notice the spark arc to the head just above the header right in the middle

[@SS454LS6]

It isn't an arc. The fitting for the water temp sensor was leaking.

[@TheRoguelement]

Two of the most UNcar guy car guys I've ever seen ..we call them Techno wannabees

[@BigUnk85]

imagine hitting this thing with a 250 shot.

[@68chevelle17]

Not in the cards anymore. Tight ring gaps now

[@BigUnk85]

Are you the owner? If so how are you liking the new build?​@68chevelle17

[@dennistucker9258]

LS is fuel injection engines carb engines were L88

[@SS454LS6]

prior to modern LS's, the LS engines were big blocks. My car came with the LS5 454, and the 450 hp version was the LS6 in 1970. The L88 was a 427

[@infamousnova]

New ls is a copy of the original ls big block

[@SS454LS6]

@@infamousnova There is no correlation between the modern LS small blocks and the old LS Big blocks aside from both being overhead valve V8s.

[@infamousnova]

@@SS454LS6 yes I know that, just because I said it's a copy doesn't mean it's the same.

[@SS454LS6]

@@infamousnova Ok. It sounded like you meant the modern LS small block was the same as an old big block.

[@sideswiped6874]

so it's not a LS6 any more. but it works LOL

[@cali2468]

Extremely stupid comment. It's an LS6 block and even retains LS6 heads...

[@sideswiped6874]

@@cali2468 how wrong can you be? it has be all reworked, the Pistons and Rods and Cam are all upgraded non-Chevy parts!, the "tight Lash" Cam is hotter than stock. the pistons are higher compression non-Chevy parts! and the heads have been upgraded! only the block, crank and head castings are LS. oops, it even has a 100 more HP than a "stock" LS

[@cali2468]

@@sideswiped6874 😂😂 Are you on meth? So, because my LT4 in my C7 has an upgraded blower, stock ported heads and cam, it's no longer an LT4? You sound crazy. The engine block is what MAKES the engine. If it had an aftermarket block, I could see what you're saying, but it still retains the stock block. It even has the stock heads. Just because you port stock heads, upgrade the cam and do bolt-ons does NOT mean I have a different engine in my car. It's still an LS6; albeit upgraded. Go argue with somebody else. Not even worth my time. 🙄

[@sideswiped6874]

@@cali2468 baiting are we. wrong! as for your case, you put an upgraded blower on a stock T4, it's a stock T4 with an upgraded blower on it. BTW, I wouldn't be caught dead in a Vett made after 71!

[@cali2468]

@@sideswiped6874 I agree with you about the '71 Vette. I've been trying to locate a '65 Couple L78 396/425hp. It was the only year the 396 was available in a Corvette. If I had too I'd sell my C7 in a heartbeat for that car.

[@poortouringhotwiregarage5617]

So what you're saying is.... you're not running the right heads, so you don't really have an LS6, right?

[@andrewchemello5011]

Actually I do have the correct T-3 headlights so it may be an LS-6 lol

[@andrewchemello5011]

The heads came with the LS-6 crate motor and so did the intake manifold

[@bishopwitdajuice4203]

Do you like big blocks over ls engines?

[@SS454LS6]

I do, but that isn't to say the LS isn't better in some applications.

[@bishopwitdajuice4203]

@@SS454LS6 thx. I was trying to decide whether to go with a 396 big block or ls3 in my 69 camaro. I think I'm going ls3 with a t56 protour setup

[@SS454LS6]

@@bishopwitdajuice4203 I wouldn't do a 396. Smallest big block I'd run is a 454.

[@68chevelle17]

In my case I want to retain the original look because it is uncommon to see an original appearing car these days. It is more than 50 years old and alot of people have updated their look to new car standards. It will be soon when we see electric powered muscle cars. Myself I don't mind what an owner does as long as they drive and enjoy it.

[@bishopwitdajuice4203]

@@68chevelle17 all original matching numbers is rare. I love classic cars whether modernized or not. It's just nice seeing them on the road

[@jasonbuck7122]

Sounds like it has to high 2nd gear to me

[@andrewchemello5011]

Not sure what you mean by that. The dyno has no transmission. You set it for the RPM that you want