Re: 1998 Chevy BBC 454 Vortec motor and 4L80E trans question
WELL... here's the route I've taken on mine, and where I will probably go.. at least with the top end.
The longblock is actually an '88 TBI flavor, 100% stock. I had it balanced, and did rings, bearings, etc., and dropped it in with a set of Vortec heads - they bolt up to most any SBC back to the '60s, I'm not sure when you get into the very early blocks though, and 400 blocks need steam holes drilled in the heads. The heads are stock, new seals... I didn't even lap the valves (was in a big rush to build it originally, rebuilt it right next winter). Not counting the first rebuild, I think I spent a total of around $1,200, that was supplying the block/rotating assembly, new rings/bearings/seals, new cam/lifter set, 'new' used intake, and used carb... reused the fuel pump/distributor. It's based on Project Humble Pie in Car Craft, made 377hp/415lb.ft. I'm probably 10-15hp below that, running a 600cfm instead of a 750 like in the article, but I'll take the hp hit for better around town driveability.
EFI: All GM electronics, save for the EBL (
DynamicEFI . You can run a system that will do just fine with what you have, and look 100% stock. On the 383 in my truck, I'm running the original engine harness, with the IAC and TPS plugs adapted for the 454 throttle body, and the EBL replaces part of the original ECM, so just looking it over, you'd never knew it was upgraded. The EBL adds more processing power, flash capability, and several features not in the original ECM... the only downside is the EBL doesn't control an e-trans, so you'd need something to run the trans, another GM ECM would be fine. I will probably do something similar on the Malibu... use the harness from a 4.3 TBI Monte or El Camino, an EFI tank, replacement sender, high pressure pump, and adjustable regulator.
The EBL does support port injection, so you could order it to run your 454, you just have to run a TBI style distributor instead of the Vortec, because the modules are different or something like that.