Adding A Chevy 454 To A '85 Monte Carlo - Horsepower S13, E14

On this episode of HorsePower, the team is making a modern-day muscle car with 454-powered 1985 Monte Carlo.
PARTS USED IN THIS EPISODE:
Comp Cams: Valve spring set, Titanium retainers, Spring seats.
More Info: pntv.us/pb_pt_6275
Lunati: 3/8" Pushrods 7.90 (8), 9.0 (8)
More Info: pntv.us/pb_pt_6272
Gearstar Performance Transmissions: 2004R HD level four transmission with upgrades all throughout and custom lockup stall convertor.
Lunati: Voodoo Retro Fit Hyd Roller Cam Chevrolet Big Block, Advertised Duration (Int/Exh): 292/300 Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 241/249 Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .625/.625 LSA/ICL: 110/106 Valve Lash (Int/Exh): Hyd/Hyd RPM Range: 2600-6200. , Hyd Roller Lifters - BBC (retro-fit) Qty 16.
O'Reilly Auto Parts: Fan temperature control, Oil cooler mount
O'Reilly Auto Parts: Male-Clamp
O'Reilly Auto Parts: Intake Gaskets (3)
O'Reilly Auto Parts: 1/2" Open Steel Lug nuts (20)
O'Reilly Auto Parts: Thermostat, Brake Lines (2)
O'Reilly Auto Parts: Fiberglass Resin and Hardener
O'Reilly Auto Parts: MSD Ignition coil, Hose mender (2)
O'Reilly Auto Parts: Fuel Filter, Fuel Hose 4Ft, Hose Clamp (2)
O'Reilly Auto Parts: Coil Mounting Bracket
O'Reilly Auto Parts: O'Reilly Auto Parts
O'Reilly Auto Parts: Oxygen Sensor
O'Reilly Auto Parts: Thread Repair Kit
O'Reilly Auto Parts: Vacuum Tubing, Misc. Connectors
O'Reilly Auto Parts: Water Neck

[@PowerNationTV]

We'll continue to post these episodes here on KZbin. If you can't wait for the rest of the build, visit our site to binge-watch: www.powernationtv.com/shows/horsepower

[@TheUsmc0802]

Is Joe still with Power block?

[@jonathan-emilypowell1962]

Yay we love you @powernation

[@sarge-lc1jn]

I cAll bull on the build the ford had a hydraulic roller, then you say you are gonna keep it the same just stop lying, let the result be what they are who cares if one brand makes more

[@allanb3222]

@@TheUsmc0802 These are old uploads, he's not working on the show anymore.

[@TheUsmc0802]

I know, and thank you, he was on the muscle car one for a while. Apparently he's gone for good now.

[@Motor-City-Mike]

Years back I built an early '80s Monte SS for a customer, a 454 with an inexpensive Eagle stroker kit (496") with mildly ported oval port heads, a solid lifter Comp cam, and an open plenum intake covered by an 850 Holley, a modified TH400 and a 9" Ford rear axle. With good traction on a set of Quick Times it'd carry the front wheels roughly 4 inches off the pavement about 30ft out! Good times!

[@joedelgiorno6110]

more HP I would say. had one with a Merkel 454 2 bottles and was fun. owned more than 8 G bodies. love them

[@125southernnh2]

That's that engine that belongs in that car. The SS 454 Monte was a classic.

[@Meat.loaf.696]

Yeah what you said

[@marshallmcdowell3369]

That’s a perfect remake of the 454 Monte Carlo SS

[@nickmotsarsky4382]

Not really. This car would have been 10 times better and just as fast with a lightly modded all-aluminum small block, like the 6.0, instead of that heavy boat anchor 454 in the nose.

[@nickmotsarsky4382]

@Charged So, you're happy to sacrifice handling for the sake of being able to brag that your car has a 454 in it, even if it's not any faster than a modern V8 ?

[@lambchopLSX87]

@@nickmotsarsky4382 I have one with a modded 6.0 and one with a similar 454 and let me tell you, my favorite of the two is the big block car, and yes it’s not as fast but a hell of a lot more fun

[@timfarmer648]

One of my friends from Western Hills High School in Fort Worth Texas him and his grandpa that was a Master Mechanic did this to his grandmother's car without her knowing what's that lived on a farm so they had about five different Vehicles so it took her a little while to find out but man what a beast

[@joebirdable]

Building a 79 malibu with a big block 496 & tall valve covers. This video just saved the hell out my AC box. Great idea. Thanks. 💯

[@hmackprotection1]

alex collins Outstanding

[@musclebone7875]

You're gonna love that 496!

[@youcanbesmartaskhow3857]

Gotta love learning a cool trick! Useful!

[@joepellish5380]

Hell yeah man glad to hear someone is running an 8.1L

[@nataliakruschev5078]

This feels so mid 2000s and I love it.

[@jrjr3082]

Joe Elmore is a true living legend.....put him on mount Rushmore or give him a JD Powers and Associates award.....something🏆

[@PK-ne8hk]

Agree 👍 miss him

[@johnsalisbury3768]

Excellent show, you guys really keep the viewer in mind!

[@robertpickett6741]

The 454 and a 455 nice motors👍🏻😎

[@bayrock_9948]

THIS VIDEO BLEW MY MIND, i myself have an 85 monte carlo, and everything you guys did to this beauty, and i mean everything, is the exact plan i have for my baby girl. Thank you guys you absolutely made my day, i thank you!

[@robertsmith470]

Definitely a bucket list build, but I want a procharger on mine😏

[@matthewthompson9753]

I bet these guys were pissed when they were told to convert the car back over after cutting in a manual shift.

[@jacobmayoral7614]

Matthew Thompson thought the same exact thing😂 "You gotta be blowing me" -the mechanic probably

[@brentiaconelli6484]

That's a dream job... I'd gladly play with the latest and greatest high performance parts building hotrods and getting paid 6 figures to boot... Hell I'd do it for free... Hint hint power nation! HMU! Seriously

[@mastertek383]

@@brentiaconelli6484 I've been a tech for 23 years and as hard as it is to believe it's not quite as glamorous as these hot rod tv shows when you're fixing every day beaters.

[@brentiaconelli6484]

@@mastertek383 i wasn't talking about wrenching on commuter cars was a dream job... I was talking about building hotrods in a new shop with a/c and a endless budget and no pressure

[@mastertek383]

@@brentiaconelli6484 Yeah I knew what you were saying. It was supposed to be a funny but it was only a dummy. Catastrophic failure to the core.

[@J_Braz_]

man I remember watching this show when I was a kid.

[@DS-TRUCKS]

i use to love this when i was a kid... on spike.

[@bmstylee]

I completely forgot about that project. That would be one sweet weekend cruiser.

With the brake upgrade, sweet exhaust and cold air conditioning I'd use it as a daily driver to and from work. Toss a bad ass sound system in and never lose the excitement.

[@hmackprotection1]

Mike Mason 🎯Exactly

[@johnnykruger5212]

Love the jock jams in the background

[@JoeyBNY731]

I had an 85 Monte Carlo ss and it was my baby... she was lost in the flooding from huricane Sandy 😭... I love this build!!!!

[@JohnDoe-ml8ru]

A 454 and a 2004R, excellent! This is something more for the average budget joe. More stuff like this, less of the newer crap.

[@bilbobaggins4710]

Old show brother

[@JohnDoe-ml8ru]

@@mewrongway Sure it does buddy, sure it does. :rollseyes:

[@jordanwiley4582]

@@mewrongway 502 was rated at 502 flywheel hp by Chevrolet. 82hp drivetrain loss is par for the course. 420rwhp.

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

@@mewrongway with a fucking turbo. do it n/a, no power adders, and make it streetable. not happening. oh and btw, that 4.8 ls and turbo would cost insane amounts of money to put into a monte. bbc still wins, especially in the tq and streetability area.

[@JohnDoe-ml8ru]

@@mewrongway lol. That LS is turbocharged, that 454 and 502 are NA engines. Little lesson for you bud. When an engine is setup correctly, You'll get around 1HP per 1CI. It's not exact, but your never really gonna exceed that by 10 or 20%, especially while keeping the powerband in a usable range. If you want more power, then either more cubes, or boost. The 4.8L will make around 300HP, NA. For a 4.8L engine to reach 460HP, you'll need about 8 pounds of boost. It's as simple as that. However, with traditional ford and GM engines, you can make power without spending stupid money on an engine. I could build a 305 that would make about 300FT Lbs for about a grand. An LS conversion? Try about $10,000.

[@onemoremisfit]

I was doing the compressed air in the cylinder trick to hold the valves up 30 years ago. If the engine is in a manual trans car, make sure it's in neutral when you hook up the air or the car will move.

[@wilhobbs207]

I vote for Watts link for the rear.... I know this build is finished but I haven't seen it so I can have some fun with it. 😃

[@brunotulliani]

Great build!

[@brucefrye8799]

My first car was a handed down 1984 ss still have the car i just transplanted a LS 6.0

[@tylercouture216]

fucking lucky

[@jamalcole1985]

Thats wassup. Did you run it on dyno yet?

[@seththomas9105]

My first car that I bought was a 73 Z/28. And yes, like a dumbass I sold it in 94. Don't sell your Monte.

[@chrisj197438]

Bruce Frye Video or your lying

[@jamalcole1985]

@@seththomas9105 yea bro. a lot of people ask me am i selling my caprice & i say "no im keeping it"

[@speedymechanic1379]

The sound that 454 makes🤤soo good

[@JohnH20111]

even better through Flowmaster ‘Super50’ mufflers

[@mycatz2fatgaming]

The best part of this video (12:51) was the shot of his son cranking on the turbo nut with a wrench. Another future racer in the making lmao.

[@tourstagez101]

Those girls make travelin in that rig fun for sure! 😉

[@williswhatchutalkinbout4367]

They are like 14 you sick asshole.

I really enjoy watching them do builds that are in my reach financially. Makes my wife nervous though. 😀

[@escapedcops08]

Good thing only you have to experience that shit show that is your wife.

[@jerryking6273]

Dm So bro that’s great😂😂😂

[@craigpennington1251]

Hey, some guys that know how to shift gears. Glad you did it and all the suspension mods. That car in stock form was a slush bucket. Hopefully you reinforced that terrible weak body too.

[@djhaloeight]

That 454 sounds badass in that Monte.

[@jaysofresh3482]

Love this build

[@adrianbenn9424]

This one and the street truck best videos far yet keep doin old schools 😎

[@NiteHawk861]

Finally!! I’ve been waiting for this lol

[@fuadhirmas]

What a great idea 12:51 A kid wrenching those turbo impellers

[@bobhilly546312156332]

I don’t think he’s hurting anything

[@fuadhirmas]

@@bobhilly546312156332 That's not the point.

[@raiden6130]

That little man makes sure the impellers are torqued to spec before every race.

[@bobhilly546312156332]

Fuad Hirmas I know but maybe the kid will go to actual wrenching on something

[@random1110111]

12:55 - The kid putting the spanner into the turbo. Bad kid!

[@TomFed]

The color suits that car, so does the 454...But really, the color on that monte is amazing 👍

[@TaylorMadejdm1975]

It's crazy look how far we've come now you can make that same power with a 6.0 LS with some minor mods..🍺

[@andrewpaul7441]

And in the 70's they came with them already installed!

[@MrFlavorites]

One of the better videos u guys have done so far :)

[@bilbobaggins4710]

It's an old show from cable TV bro

[@MrFlavorites]

@@bilbobaggins4710 come at me bro ik, but its a comment for if they actually read these. Its not a comment for future ep ideas... Im just trying to be nice.

[@PnwOnTour]

GSI Interiors makes the best mcss upholstery, that is also a 1986, camaro style mirrors, 86-88 dash trim with pinstripe and ‘Chevrolet’ and as someone pointed out first year for third brake light 💡85’ was the only year to use dark grey woodgrain with silver trim on cluster, bread box and AC vent panel with orange and red Monte Carlo badge.

[@chuckymoorer8513]

Man you people good ya'll build my motor anyday good work

[@sp4604]

That car is EPIC

[@montesbye9264]

nice set up, wanna see her run. props

[@rayfoxworth2360]

Awesome MONTE CARLO

[@21banana13]

i would love another episode about the "mighty carlo" (like if u agree)

[@gaskinsgarage4192]

That's a bad ass machine right there

[@nicholasvonrhine541]

Outstanding.

[@richki.24]

Always loved those G-body cars ...

[@iNeverHadMercy]

The 450 engine is a BEAST 💪💰

[@richki.24]

awesome guys ....

[@nickma71]

I like the 502 crate motor. 130 hp at the wheel? No wonder the 5.0 from the same time laid the smack down so hard. The Camaro was the same until it got its TPI.

[@lovett1200]

Love joe Elmore ...good to see him again.

[@ToxicMisfitsYt]

Those 200r4s are great trans lightweight parts and lower gears

[@noecervantespablos3304]

Great good dude

[@shaneheath581]

Now that's a super sport Monte

[@renagarcia3360]

Wow. She's a gorgeous one!!

[@HammerHeadGarage]

It's always nice seeing what the rich folks are doing :)

[@bri-manhunter2654]

Yep

[@mattmcdaniel6219]

Got my own 84 SS And you guys get me rev'ed up to do stuff!! 😅 Nice Work! ✌

[@michaelyates5213]

Yeah well I mangled one of those valve spring compressors with a set of triple valve springs for a big fat solid roller.

[@bansheemania1692]

Nothing Beats a N/A Big Block(Except a Blower) .. no turbo.

[@jacknasty6940]

I remember watching this old guy back in the day

[@calvincrews3885]

I've missed Horsepower TV it's been years since I watched it when I was a teenager to adult and now you have to get the HD expanded package from Comcast Xfinity

[@hawkdsl]

Or you can bypass your cable stealer and get it right from their own web site.

[@joemasters2270]

Insane but awesome!!

[@thestuffz]

buddy put a 454 in a cutlass back in highschool. had to shoehorn it in there. no power steering for him anymore lol

[@LV-dm6vn]

This monte is beautiful

[@rmartin5285]

Love it! Welding inside the car with all that molten welding flash landing on the plastic and fabric interior. WTF.

[@johnclary729]

Between the accessories and the driveline that adds up to a 38.4% loss. That's why my T-Bucket has an electric water pump and power steering and no AC (besides the fact that without a roof AC is useless) and the only thing belt driven is the 100 amp alternator. I can't help how much I'm losing through the transmission and U-joints because that's pretty much outside my control, but I do have converter lockup on gears 2-4 to eliminate converter losses.

[@jesusyeshuaelelyonelshadai6295]

Glad they pray before race GOD BLESS HIS PEOPLE.. ALWAYS..

[@22ron81]

The amount of money that dude has in his rig and car Damn

[@tjlovesrachel]

Astronomical amount of money

[@JsGarage]

It's crazy how a 6.2L (376) LS could put that kind of power to the wheels with relative ease.

[@bluecollardaily2676]

Not crazy at all with its 12 and 15 degree valve angles....drop an 18 degree head on there and watch out...I build them both the key to LS WAS the heads....and for damn sure the key to a good BBC is the heads and a spot on cam choice for the stroke and head...they easily left 200 streetable horsepower on the table....pull them junker heads that dont match up with their HYD roller and drop a set of 300cc oval port AFR heads on it with a custom hyd roller using hybrid solid lifters then it would brutalize the tires at 60mph...... The LS is such a steal because the valve angle on that 6.2l you refer is what nascar used to run LOL ( where their build was 50 year old 24 degree crapola) with literally larger ports....most people dont understand just how trick the air entry angle along with insano cfm they are getting from the factory with LS.....love em both I like the LS at moderate or NA power....i like my BBC at over 1000 stock block power....my block is 52 years old and been holding over 1000 for 6 years... I'd love to see chevy reintroduce say a 496 with a 15 to 18 degree valve angle...hell you can buy 18 degree heads that use common 24 degree parts now....... That for 454 needs some boost

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

with twice the money cost.

[@joshkrause2977]

Yes but at an entirely different way. The bb puts down massive torque quick. A 600 hp 6.0 n/a is more of a race high rpm engine the bb is a street low rpm engine.

[@JsGarage]

@@joshkrause2977 Im not saying there isn’t a case for a BB. I’m just saying the 420 WHP here isn’t exactly impressive. It’s also making 420 lb-ft so it’s not really making heaps of torque either. The big block advantages likely aren’t felt in this build. I’m sure it’s still fun…

[@ethanburnett4164]

That guys getting sick.

[@waveman2952]

Man I had two friends in high school that got these brand new when they were 17. Loved the car, hated them. But that heavy, low powered V8 couldn't beat my 5 speed 1979 Toyota Supra Celica. Got em at the line all the time and prayed they didn't catch up. Never lost but never told them about my 100 shot of nitrous! Wish I had the "Go Baby Go" button like Gone is 60 seconds! Fun times racing on back country roads.

[@ranchurdhimster4955]

Excellent I've been waiting for this

[@itsjustnopinionok]

In 1992 i bought a 1984 malibu station wagon. Then took a 402 big block highrise intake 750 double pumper. i had and went to work on it. It made 550+hp. Put it in the wagon with a 400 trans with 3000 stall converter and added a 12 bolt pos with i think it was 3.90 gear. (I cant remember. The front coil springs were changed. Car was lowered. It rumbled like the engine in the video. I wanted to change the engine out for a 400 SB with a 8/71 injected blower. Had the engine. Just not the blower and hardware. I rode the car for a year then sold it and moved on. I was just 23.

[@SuperCookieGaming_]

That tow rig is amazing.

[@markmorris1055]

You guy rock! Great detailed information. I have a request, a lot of us are still driving around in our old Chevy trucks. Do you guys have a power adder solution for a 99 c3500 7.4 liter? I do a lot of towing and can use a few horses without getting way below the already 10 mpg. Any suggestions?

[@albertgaspar627]

Actually, the concern over solid rollers is not blowing the needle bearings after 7,000 miles. But solid rollers and a MANual are a great combo. Automatics have come a long way, and I have a manual valve body/switch pitch torque converter THM400...but a clutch means i'm not stuck with only two stall speeds. For the sake of argument, yes, David Vizard's book to make cheap hp can teach you how to make this HP level with a Chevy 383 for affordable prices, and not have to deal with a steaming hot big block taking up airflow space in an engine compartment in July.

[@barryhebert5839]

I’ve always wanted one them with a big block

[@kamranetemad4968]

Monte carlo did come from factory with manual trans. 1979,1980.4spd. Under v8 305 and v6.very hard to find them today.

[@AmericaLIED]

Thank you, thank you. Great stuff.

[@marccaruso1351]

oh, i bet the stock internals of that car (even the minor parts) will hold up real well with a 454 in it. 2 weeks at most before an explosion of nuts and bolts everywhere!

[@JohnH20111]

that’s why you have the motor stripped down, and rebuilt with A-R-P Bolts to make sure that the motor doesn’t “grenade” itself

[@DC-si8xw]

Are you using assembly lube on the cam lobes or lifters and just not showing it on video? Looks like they are going in dry

[@williamheinsinger7390]

G bodies ROCK 🇺🇸💪

[@burrvisiontv]

I shoved a 396 inside my 83 Monte carlo. Barley had enough room to reach my spark plugs. Plus had custom headers to fit

[@kfanman2037]

Awesome.

[@nbowling10trio]

Good luck getting the monte to hook up. I've seen them struggle with a well built 350sbc. On the street anyway. Two coworkers raced outside our shop and the built monte lost to a bolt on camaro with a five liter that hooked up well. The monte spun tires the whole race and lost over and over.

[@TheSteve1175]

Driver error 😁

[@jingles9657]

That's why they call it the G-Body shuffle lol

[@JohnH20111]

car is too light overall

[@crashcourseinbruhsurgery]

This Monte Carlo is the official car of calling everyone that drives a Japanese car a ricer.

[@alexcorona]

Based and Janinepilled and now every GM car has parts made in China 😂😂😂

[@bearfoot25]

@Ale Jr. Superior in some ways, yes. Superior in every way? nope!!!

[@sparkplug1018]

@Ale Jr. Every platform has a strength and weakness.

[@michaelsclark]

@Ale Jr. that's funny being that Toyota and G.M had/has a joint venture 🤔 if G.M is less Superior in every way why would Toyota give them time of day🤔

[@jedimasterjoe5386]

Ale Jr. Biggest crock of shit comment i seen in a while American cars whip nip cars and import cars

[@Packinheat1175]

It would be nice if PowerNation said when these episodes originally aired. Ive watched some on KZbin recently that I saw back in 2007 and few of the parts are even still relevant.

[@pontiacgrandprix733]

Being 58 yrs old, 502 does nothing to give me a rise, I mean I’m a Pontiac guy, but 454 earns my respect and admiration, and I recall the awesome 71 454 Monte Carlo in my neighborhood, you know that’s what killed GM for me, who wants a 403 Trans Am, or a Chevy Firebird,

[@morgansword]

Hydraulics over solid was a surprise to me. Never once entered my mind. But the mind is a terrible thing to waste and lucky for me I come without one. Wives and race tracks don't mix too good. I liked pedal to the metal feelings

[@gothicpagan.666]

The Guy with the race outfit is one lucky SOB. Great car, great rig, and a marvellous family. Thanks for this vid, it gives us foreigners an insight into how you guys do stuff. But reverting back to a spaz box? that just goes against the grain old chap

[@dllms]

r and d is so awesome

[@marcaliventialiventi765]

Makes me want to finish my 85 ss

[@Lorenzo-vb1so]

Did you finish it??

[@marcaliventialiventi765]

@@Lorenzo-vb1so unfortunately no. Thanks to my daughter and wife the car completely rusted underneath

[@maxwellmarsden7273]

...love this SS but want a LS 427sbc in mine!!! =)

[@alancameron2433]

17:59 Alleluia!

[@konbromotors1006]

Just put a a 454 in a 82 Chevy Caprice 4dr. It’s bad ass & I haven’t done anything to it yet

[@jessphuqette1716]

Makes me wonder if they just bolted those heads on or if they checked the spring height and seats first

[@eriklarson9137]

I can't wait to see you when your contract with O'Reily's runs out, and you have to edit the descriptions on all of these videos. Lol!

[@MikeMikeSmith]

I never noticed how fast these guys talked and how quick the cuts are... Pre KZbin, commercial sensitive T.V.

[@davids7349]

Would have liked to seen the Monte go for a rip!

[@takeemtotrial8760]

This is so amazing

[@car-man]

I run the car maintenance KZbin channel in Korea. I'm always learning such a great ideas on your channel. I hope we have a chance to be together. Thank you.

[@kingjeremysircornwell7847]

Tbi 454 a tbi 2.8 truck/car. use the 2.8 parts, exhaust, tbi, fuel pump, radiator, transmission, air cleaner housing on 454. The 2.8 parts are tuff.