Casting numbers 049 and 781 are considered to be among the best flowing oval port BBC heads. With port work and big valves (2.19/1.88), these heads can easily make over 600 hp on a 454 with low compression. Of course, that's dependant on getting the right roller cam and induction set up.
Just bought a 1976 chevy motorhome with a 454 and got it running. Looking to make it my rat rod engine. How much horsepower should that sucker have? It's stock
@@gearheadsautomotiveinmidlandtx 1976 factory rating was 240 & 370 🤦♂️ Heads & cam are the only way up from there. I imagine you've got pistons with a big enough dish to eat a bowl of cheerios out of.
As a Big Block Chevy fan, this is a treasure video. Much knowledge to take in about the bad talked peanut port heads. Over 500hp without porting confirmed 👍🏻
I got a 90 454 bored . 030 over , peanut port with port job and milled, flat top pistons, Comp 280h cam, long tube headers, torker2 intake( I think.) Sadly it's never been fired up yet. Started raising a grandbaby , niece and helping the in-laws out. Got several projects that stopped or slowed down. Can't wait to get the Ole Rat in Something. Great Video.
This was an eye opening video. I've read that peanut heads are no good for "decent" power (whatever that might be), but I don't recall seeing any definitive testing done to determine how much CAN be made. If you can get 550# ft with a set of peanut ports, why do you need to buy new heads? Depends on the desired application, and that one would be great in a truck that needs midrange power. Thanks for testing.
To answer your question on why buy new heads: Because heads being the biggest factor in power, you may actually spend more in other parts trying to prop up the poorly flowing heads than you would just picking up a decent set of used heads and going lighter on other parts like cams, fueling, rockers, intake manifolds, etc.
@@xmo552 its a rebuilt stock gen 4 454. Has a Weiand peanut port intake, Edelbrock 650 AVS2 carb, Chevelle 454 SS factory exhaust manifolds, HEI distributor, 4L80E trans and the 4.10 gears. I have pulled my small Kubota tractor around with it but nothing heavy. Its the most fun to drive 4WD classic truck I've ever owned. Power drops off around 4500 RPM, but it makes great torque off idle and has no problem smoking the tires.
It would be interesting to see the AFR’s with the 268H. To see if the peanut ports (or how much) are holding even the milder cam back. I agree with you that it would also be interesting to see a peanut port head with some work and the 268 ... maybe even an “amateur” porting job vs “pro” ... but really it would probably be more interesting to just see the “what you might do in your garage” porting (some bowl work, maybe some short turn and radius work* at the gasket. *Vizard did some work on this, just radiusing the port inlet vs. port matching.
Great timing Richard, this is exactly the setup I'm currently building right down to the cam grind (Comp 268), I've hand ported the peanut heads and I'm having a bottom end build with .030 over pistons to raise the compression to 9.3:1 (since I want boost later on without running exotic fuels).
I found the BBC Stealth intake to actually have runners too large to flow well and the BBC Performer RPM does much better, but on a Ford 5.0 / 302, the Stealth flows better and the RPM runners are larger than ideal.
I am running a slightly different combo. mine is a 396 with the large factory oval port heads. 9.4 : compression. 2.19 intake 1.88 exhaust. Mild bowl and chamber clean up, to match the bigger valves, but no real port work. 2inch headers, performer rpm intake, I a, running the old comp cams extremely marine 276HR cam. Runs 11.8 on drag radials in my 71 camaro 4 speed. So i figure is pushing 520ish HP. But It’s a hell on street tires. It will melt my 265/50r15 bfg’s all day long if you are not light on the throttle in first gear.
NICE!!! Bitd my step-dad had some great cars, and I was fortunate enough to drive them. One was a 66 Vette vert with AC and full options. Factory side pipes 427/390 & 4 speed. At the same time he also had a 13k mile 66 Hemi Satellite 4 speed. The lowly oval port hydraulic cam Rat SMOKED that Mopar like it was parked. The Vette would spin the redlines in first through 3rd like it was nothing. I've always been more of a torque guy since then. Yesterday I scored a pair of 90 454 peanut ports at my local u pull junkyard. Last month my friend Joe gave me a 73 454 4 bolt std bore block and 427/396 steel crank. I'm most likely gonna look for a 4" crank but if not I'll do 390 horse pistons and that 268 grind. Then, I need an 65/68/69/70 Impala or maybe a Nova for it. Rat power Forever!!!
Nice, I remember a build that Bryce Mulvey did for Someone at Westech with a C2 Corvette. 480ish inches, his fully ported 049 big valve heads, a fully ported old school (stealthy) C396 spread bore intake and a built Q Jet from some former Super Stock racer he worked with at Carrillo(?) Made around 640ish hp and 589ish tq. Very Impressive for such an outwardly Stealthy street combo!
Hogging out the peanut ports to match a large oval gasket might be the answer. A fair amount of material would need to be removed but, might allow the high torque numbers to be retained. Would also allow a slightly bigger duration cam to be used. Maybe 230 @ .050 or slightly higher. Keeping a tighter LSA would help maintain higher torque too.
that 450hp combo looks killer for a truck. you get great torque for towing and such and some more power for highway passing. the 500hp would be good for the drag strip if you were forced to use peanut port heads
Pretty much said what I was thinking at the conclusion. The last combination with a slightly smaller hydraulic roller, and put the dual plane back on... should still make 500 HP, and get back a bunch of low speed TQ. I hit a few road blocks with my Gen 5/6 hybrid, cracked cylinder head, but I have a replacement on the way. Hopefully get this thing together over the next few months. I need to find valve springs to work with my mild hydraulic roller cam swap. That's the next problem I have to solve.
Arias has built a few 502 Chevy big blocks with DOHC 4 valve per cylinder heads from the Porsche 928. The Porsche M28 engine has bore spacing nearly exactly the same as the Chevy, so with some welding and drilling, the belt driven DOHC heads fit nearly perfectly. The overhead cams are driven by a short Gilmer timing belt from some sort of Renault car. The belt itself is driven off of a new gear installed where the water pump would normally be, and this gear is driven off of the original OHV cam gear/timing chain. These engines made 550 hp all day long and were actually capable of passing California emissions inspection-
Thanks for a great video. I used to watch your videos but quit because they all used aluminum heads. I asked for combos that we're budget friendly and you came thru. Keep them coming!
Thanks for this, those of us who grew up with CCR (no, not Clearance Clearwater Revival, I mean hot rodding with Cam, Compression, and RPM) have needlessly tossed some peanut ports for some piece of iron we had to rebuild so it wasn't pretending to be an oil burner diesel.
Absolutely, please build the engine you last mentioned before closing off. I'm building the same engine for my 1 ton square body dually. At the moment the PP heads are at SPR getting 2.190" / 1.88" valves, bowl and port work. It's probably better to bore the block .060" over for valve clearance in un-shrouding thought.
I appreciate this info so much being that im building both a Gen5 and Gen6 454 . The Gen6 im stroking out to a 496 and shooting for 700-800hp for my 94' C1500 build. For the Gen5 i wanted to build it up but on a smaller budget as I wanted a more streetable ride for my 01' Sierra single cab since im going to be using it daily. I think the 380hp/485htq combination matched with the heads of the Gen6 would be perfect for what im trying to achieve with it. Richard is definitely my "go to" when im trying to figure out what the hell im doing lol. Thanks for the time and effort you go through to give us these great ideas/combinations .
My nova has a bbc in it, swapped from a truck and it has the peanut ports. I put a jegs dual plane on it and im thinking of having the heads ported to match the intake for better flow and a good valve job put on it. Not sure what cam id like to run yet, id love to have a chop monster cause that sound is the best thing in the world! The car isn't used for much, occasional car cruise, burnout contests, but id like to be able to take it down the strip as a "Street car" as well. Not to concerned about drivability, enough I can get it to town (8 miles, further than that it'll get trailered) but with burnouts and some strip use the motor is gonna live most its life in the upper 5k rpms probably. Just trying to not spend a bunch of money, racing for me is the enjoyment, not trying to win.
@@richardholdener1727 You answered my question as I was typing it towards the end. The 450 hp seems the best of these options if I'm looking at a tow engine. My non-professional opinion is based on where/when the torque comes on. Am I wrong to assume that a similar flat top piston with 049 heads may produce similar results?
Great video Richard thank you I've always wanted to learn more about boosting horsepower properly and I learn something new every time I watch your videos thank you very much l!!!
Great video Richard. Perfect for a heavy cruiser jet boat like an open bow. I agree the 450hp version makes a lot more sense. I'm curious how it would work with a log style exhaust.
If engine builder A says...this is what I can do with the peanut ports parts you have NOW, with these PROS and CONS, and work up from there when you are $$ ABLE.... Verses builder B who says you should only consider a stroked out LS or a stroked out 640 big block. I am choosing builder A every time. I could have a lot of fun with an affordable unloved peanut pert BB in my drive to the track, 78 Malibu, S-10 Blazer or 68 Impala, but the most fun will be lying to EVERYBODY...when they ask what size engine is inside. If you are builder A, hit me up.
At one point I had a 10:1 468 with a comp "magnum" 280H (230/230 @.050 duration)flat tappet cam. Stock peanut port heads, duel plain intake, holley 850, headers, th400 with a "saturdaynight special" converter (2200 stall). In a 78 camaro with 4:11 gears (was also in a 78 T/A with 3.73 gears) but it ran 7.6 in the ⅛ and 11.9 in the ¼ on motor and was well into the 6's / 10's on nitrous. It was great because of its simplicity and it was pump gas friendly but was mild enough to comfortably drive daily.
@@donksdunks1745 I am sure there is a version of it for that particular engine. Really just look for a grind that is in the 230's @.050 and you should be in the ballpark.
I selected the XE268H for a 350 sbc that had stock cast heads ported out with a weiand intake manifold #8004 also ported out and using a slightly modified quadrajet still made 5000rpm in a motorhome! now I'm playing with a 1979 Mark IV 454 itasca motorhome.
Richard, im actually working on porting and using bigger valves on some peanut port heads with flow testing after each change. I did a small amount of porting on the intake and exhaust, I gained 3-7 cfm on each depending on the lift. Im waiting for the email to so I can compare the velocity also. Next we're going to see what bigger valves do. The guy doing the valves and flow testing says we could see up to 20 cfm on just the 5 angle valve job on these heads. I probably should have had heads ported before and tested before I put bigger valves in. I also wish I could dyno test after each mod, but that gets a little spendy. At the least it will be fun and interesting to see how it turns out. Learning is always funn too.
Great video 👍👍 I've been using a tbi 454 for plowing and hauling firewood in a 92 k2500. I ditched the tbi when it would no longer run ,the harness was brittle and falling apart.. It's closer to the first engine in this video using weiand peanut intake, 600cfm carb, 1 3/4 headers 4" single exhaust, small jegs or summit cam with stock valve springs. Stock compression ratio and heads. I'm guessing closer to 300 hp and gained alot of upper rpm range where the tbi just fell off and wouldn't pull anymore. It's for sure more powerful vs. when the engine was stock. It sounds rather hollow though and tired w/250k? miles and lousy 7.8:1 ? Compression ratio stock it was the lowest cr of any big block made. So I've got another tbi engine in the garage which will have more compression. Milled deck, heads should bump it closer to 8.8:1. I wish I had the cash to build it with larger valves, springs and roller cam upgrade, alas it is just a work truck and already has enough power as is 😆. I also swapped to a nv4500 when the 4l80 took multiple dumps and straight axle hp 60 front. W/4.10 gears because the ifs can't handle a snowplow.. I'm not sure what engine I would replace it with other than a 4bt for the fuel savings or a 6.0 ls to get some weight off the front end.. anything else I would probably hate the loss of torque maybe a 400ci sbc would be okay or a inline 6 with all the goodies thrown on it.
My random combo turned out awesome for street.. Gen V, pp heads ported by me, +30cc pistons, comp murha thumper cam (pretty week on vacuum at idle though), china intake, 800cfm worked over Q-jet... Hasn't been dynoed but lacks nothing for street ripper, but the sound gets no better.
It’s slow at work right now happy to have a good video to watch thanks Richard looking forward to the live stream tonight unfortunately I might not be there for it to air I will be watching it for sure can’t wait for all the good knowledge about engine stuff 👍
I am curious if a port matched (downsized to match the peanut ports) manifold with long tapered runners would improve low end power any further? Get that epoxy out!
First time I read about peanut port power it was written by David Vizard. Ever since then I kind of wanted to build one, just because. If you can build a combo of 450-500 hp with parts "nobody" wants...imaging what you can do when your circumstances permit you to build that ultimate stroker motor. If you don't know how to optimize with what you have NOW...you are looking at a big fail. I would like to see a 450-500 combo blend, that would be ideal on a 5500 rpm highway geared combo, cheap fun fun fun! More with less....IMAGINE THAT!
Richard, I do appreciate all your work, it is very valuable to me. Would it be possible to include the BSFC's on your dyno runs?? This info is helpful, especially for the street folks, since it gives a measure of an engine combination's efficiency in converting fuel to Hp/torque.
Basically, among the many things we've learned here is, it's really hard to screw up a big block Chevy engine. I'm sure there may be some extreme examples out there but, with all the knowledge available on this channel and others, there really isn't any excuse for putting together a bad BBC.
I'm really surprised you made that kind of power with pp heads. Maybe I should'nt have thrown mine away. I used a set of early semi- closed chamber large oval port heads.I put in 2.19-1.88 valves and some mild porting on a 454, in my daily driven street racer 68 Camaro back in the early 90s with much success. Damn, I miss those days.
I'd like to see what happens when you add a stroker kit to the 450 motor with basically stock peanut Port heads I would like to upgrade the bottom end with the cam at the same time then in the future I could upgrade the heads with oval ports
Awesome vid Richard! What I was confused about the whole time was, the intake manifolds? For peanut ports? Or to oval port intakes work on the peanut heads?
@@richardholdener1727 fun fact I’ve since learned! All gen five mercruiser big blocks came from factory with oval port manifolds on peanut heads, the carb models that I know of. The more you know ay 🤘
How about a peanut port, quadrajet, 454. How much torque can you get from 2000 to 5000 rpm test. With any header, cam, and any intake that's out there. I bet the q jet will be snappier at low rpms.
dang GOOD info for the low$$ crowd. i built a gen4 454 ,30 overbore. 781 heads, 20cc dome piston. & 218/228@.050 .500 lift summit cam k1301. ive always wondered what the dyno would say about that combo.??
I’ll do a head swap to get between 400-500whp. But what’s longevity of putting that much more HP into a 454 gen V? I would also like to avoid a cam that sounds to aggressive and still having the option to put 87 octane in it My truck only has 20k miles…(that’s correct) I’m hopping to tow with this truck But I’m not feeling the hype when it’s loaded down being stock
Great work Richard! Love your videos. Good motor for a truck. For a high performance car, if you are going to use GM iron stuff, stick with the closed chamber 290's, or open chamber 781's, or 049's they will blow the peanut ports away. I have the stock 290's on my Chevelle 454 SS, they scream.
Richard, I have a 1976 k30 with the factory mark 4 and 781 heads. It has a performer plus cam, intake and appropriate valve springs as well as a Holley sniper efi, headers and exhaust. I’m looking for cheap options to gain a few hp. I’ll be pulling the engine soon to reseal it. From what I’ve read anything over 8.5:1 CR on a mark 4 wont like 87 octane, which is concerning for me. I’ve also read the 781’s are good heads but more so for higher hp, as well as the large combustion chamber being prone to detonation. I was considering swapping pistons out while I reseal the engine to get me to 8.5:1, it’s cheap enough and about all I can see to do with the 781’s trying to run 87. But could a head swap to a set of stock vortec heads be a better solution? I can get a set cheap. If I’m correct I could throw them on and id be at about 9:1 CR and because of the better head design I’d still be able to run 87 octane now at that CR. Swapping heads over pistons would require a few other parts but cost to cost I think I’d get enough out of the vortec heads for it to be worth it as long as I can still run 87 octane and tow. Thoughts? Would higher CR be possible with vortec heads while staying with 87 and towing?
The peanut port 450hp version look like a low speed torque monster. If you are solely looking for ultra low speed torque would a Peanut beat an Oval port?
I’d like to see a vid where you take a gen iv peanut port engine and change nothing but heads, peanut, oval and rec port. All factory iron stuff. because I have one in my 83 c10 :p
I'm thinking the air gap intake probably contributed very little over the Weiand duo plane. Those Weiand's are about as good as it gets for a dual plane street intake. Much better than the Performer RPM in my opinion.
This is very helpful as I have a the edelbrock preformer rpm oval heads and port matched air gap with 750 with the xr300h cam on my 402bbc (300rwhp and 820rw torque. I’m planning on doing a 496 10.5:1 with this top end and the same cam maybe upgrade too a 950
I have a Gen IV 454 short deck with peanut port heads. This will be a daily driver and used in a 1979 C30. I'm interested in 350 hp/450 tq. range. Can I get there with air gap dual plain manifold, 750 carb, and long tube headers with a stock cam? I'm on a budget.
Richard, have you done a test putting Gen VI heads directly on the Gen V to see what kind of gains you get with the stock cams and then with better cams? I'd really like to see that.
@@richardholdener1727 it would be interesting. You've mentioned it in your videos. I have a Gen V with 147k miles on it, still runs great. Because of your advice, I found a set of the Gen VI heads that we're redone with little use. Going to collect a dual plane, distributor, though I think I'd like to go with TBI like FiTech or Holley Sniper. Eventually going into a 1950 Chevy C.O.E. car hauler I'm building behind a 4L80E. I need all low speed torque. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and they dyno pulls. Really enjoy learning and seeing what you test and how it works out.
I have a 427, bored .040 over with .19 domes. heads are match ported two 7561 air gap 750 holley. these are 063 heads that have been fully modified, semi open 2.19/1.88 valves fully ported, shaved .100" my cam is a comp 282s solid. 110 lobe sep 236 @ 50 282 duration/561" and wait for it, (STEEL rockers) running 450 RWHP dyno tested.
great test. if you have left the flat top pistons in there to have around an 8:1 CR and throw the roller cam in there with a right 106 - 107 LSA would you just be down around 8% in the HP & TQ ? i have a gen IV with peanuts ( 360 castings ) and just want to throw a mild roller in there. DP and headers already in there.
I put together nearly the same engine (but using stock 781 heads & an Eddy Air Gap), and made more overall torque and horsepower with an Isky 304 Mega cam than with this Comp HR cam!
I have a1997 454 engine out of a motor home. The engine is in excellent condition. What would be the best bolt on parts to use to raise my hp 150 to 250 hp without using nitrous?
@Richard Holdener, are there certain peanut port heads that flow more can than others? Seems I saw an article many years ago that stated as much. Can't recall where or what the info in the article detailed.
So should I use an oval port intake manifold on peanut heads? My motor is basically stock, I just want to get rid of all the TBI stuff to make it run better.I'm going to run a 650 CFM Holly double pumper classic on it.I was thinking of using a Edlbrock RPM Air-gap 2-0 with oval ports on it.
Hi there. I have a 454 m4 BBC with oval port head. To be installed into my old 62 series Landcruser. I'm seeking big torque & high horse power for 4wding. What's required?
I have a BBC 454 wreck yard special😂 recently ran into a lil problem! Block casting #:12561357 head#:12562932 pulled from a 93-95 box truck (U-Haul) doesn't have roller valve train etc.. I already ordered the wrong intake😂🤦🏾♂️ Any info will do thanks in advance!
Hello everybody. I have this gen4 with peanut port heads i cant afford to bore it out or put new pistons in it.. was wondering using that comp cam 268 would you have clearance issues using that cam and would it even be worth it to put it in without having the 10:1 compression ratio? Thanks
550 lift 320 duration crane valves and pc seals forged crank mellings high volume oil pump 850 double pumper in a 72 CALIFORNIA SKYLARK IN GREEN 454 CHEVY 12 BOLT AND A B&M TRANS ROCKET SHIP MORE MIKE
Casting numbers 049 and 781 are considered to be among the best flowing oval port BBC heads. With port work and big valves (2.19/1.88), these heads can easily make over 600 hp on a 454 with low compression. Of course, that's dependant on getting the right roller cam and induction set up.
That second combo is monstrous at 3500rpm. That would actually make a great truck motor.
The middle combination would make a cracking fun street motor. Torque for days right where you need it.
Damn right that’s the one I’d go with on the street. 👍🏻
And really hard on tires too!
@@msh6865
The least concerns. 😁👍🏻
Just bought a 1976 chevy motorhome with a 454 and got it running.
Looking to make it my rat rod engine.
How much horsepower should that sucker have?
It's stock
@@gearheadsautomotiveinmidlandtx 1976 factory rating was 240 & 370 🤦♂️ Heads & cam are the only way up from there. I imagine you've got pistons with a big enough dish to eat a bowl of cheerios out of.
As a Big Block Chevy fan, this is a treasure video. Much knowledge to take in about the bad talked peanut port heads. Over 500hp without porting confirmed 👍🏻
That torque at 3500 rpm makes a difference when towing up a hill. That combination is nice. Thank you Richard.
I got a 90 454 bored . 030 over , peanut port with port job and milled, flat top pistons, Comp 280h cam, long tube headers, torker2 intake( I think.) Sadly it's never been fired up yet. Started raising a grandbaby , niece and helping the in-laws out. Got several projects that stopped or slowed down. Can't wait to get the Ole Rat in Something. Great Video.
I'm literally building the same engine right now. It's going in a jet boat
got it running yet?
Now this is my kind of content! Glad to get a break from turbos even if they are cool.
This was an eye opening video. I've read that peanut heads are no good for "decent" power (whatever that might be), but I don't recall seeing any definitive testing done to determine how much CAN be made. If you can get 550# ft with a set of peanut ports, why do you need to buy new heads? Depends on the desired application, and that one would be great in a truck that needs midrange power. Thanks for testing.
Ive got one in a 78 4x4 square body and it keeps up with the new diesel trucks. I get 11-12 mpg with a 650 carb and 4l80e trans 4.10 gears 33 tire
To answer your question on why buy new heads:
Because heads being the biggest factor in power, you may actually spend more in other parts trying to prop up the poorly flowing heads than you would just picking up a decent set of used heads and going lighter on other parts like cams, fueling, rockers, intake manifolds, etc.
@@dtread9543
What's done to it and does it tow heavy? I've got a 7k c3500 that I tow with.
@@xmo552 its a rebuilt stock gen 4 454. Has a Weiand peanut port intake, Edelbrock 650 AVS2 carb, Chevelle 454 SS factory exhaust manifolds, HEI distributor, 4L80E trans and the 4.10 gears. I have pulled my small Kubota tractor around with it but nothing heavy. Its the most fun to drive 4WD classic truck I've ever owned. Power drops off around 4500 RPM, but it makes great torque off idle and has no problem smoking the tires.
@@dtread9543
Peanut ports on the heads too?
Which controlller did you pick for the 4L80e?
Would love to see a "ultimate tow pig engine combo". Something that makes gobs of torque from idle to a redline of like 4500rpm. 👍
An electric motor haha, max torque from 0 to 8000rpm, but won't sound as cool as a 454
Same, I am guessing a stoker with a small turbo.
@@gzkgzk or stroker with a roots blower.
a 530-540 ci cad 500 with mopar rods would make a killer tow engine, in theory. would love to see it done lol
Thanks! You just gave me the combo info I am looking for for my Gen IV 454 ! I'm going for the 450 HP combo!
It would be interesting to see the AFR’s with the 268H. To see if the peanut ports (or how much) are holding even the milder cam back. I agree with you that it would also be interesting to see a peanut port head with some work and the 268 ... maybe even an “amateur” porting job vs “pro” ... but really it would probably be more interesting to just see the “what you might do in your garage” porting (some bowl work, maybe some short turn and radius work* at the gasket.
*Vizard did some work on this, just radiusing the port inlet vs. port matching.
Great timing Richard, this is exactly the setup I'm currently building right down to the cam grind (Comp 268), I've hand ported the peanut heads and I'm having a bottom end build with .030 over pistons to raise the compression to 9.3:1 (since I want boost later on without running exotic fuels).
feel free to only run 3 psi of boost ... www.jegs.com/tech-articles/superchargers.html
Eat a peanut every time he says “Peanut”.
healthy fats and protein
I'm not allergic to peanuts but I'm sure eating that many peanuts in such a short time would put me into anaphylactic shock
I found the BBC Stealth intake to actually have runners too large to flow well and the BBC Performer RPM does much better, but on a Ford 5.0 / 302, the Stealth flows better and the RPM runners are larger than ideal.
I am running a slightly different combo. mine is a 396 with the large factory oval port heads. 9.4
: compression. 2.19 intake 1.88 exhaust. Mild bowl and chamber clean up, to match the bigger valves, but no real port work. 2inch headers, performer rpm intake, I a, running the old comp cams extremely marine 276HR cam. Runs 11.8 on drag radials in my 71 camaro 4 speed. So i figure is pushing 520ish HP. But It’s a hell on street tires. It will melt my 265/50r15 bfg’s all day long if you are not light on the throttle in first gear.
447 is a lot of torque at 3500 rpm for the streets. I like both mild builds for the budget guys.😎
NICE!!! Bitd my step-dad had some great cars, and I was fortunate enough to drive them. One was a 66 Vette vert with AC and full options. Factory side pipes 427/390 & 4 speed. At the same time he also had a 13k mile 66 Hemi Satellite 4 speed. The lowly oval port hydraulic cam Rat SMOKED that Mopar like it was parked. The Vette would spin the redlines in first through 3rd like it was nothing. I've always been more of a torque guy since then. Yesterday I scored a pair of 90 454 peanut ports at my local u pull junkyard. Last month my friend Joe gave me a 73 454 4 bolt std bore block and 427/396 steel crank. I'm most likely gonna look for a 4" crank but if not I'll do 390 horse pistons and that 268 grind. Then, I need an 65/68/69/70 Impala or maybe a Nova for it. Rat power Forever!!!
Nice, I remember a build that Bryce Mulvey did for Someone at Westech with a C2 Corvette. 480ish inches, his fully ported 049 big valve heads, a fully ported old school (stealthy) C396 spread bore intake and a built Q Jet from some former Super Stock racer he worked with at Carrillo(?) Made around 640ish hp and 589ish tq. Very Impressive for such an outwardly Stealthy street combo!
Hogging out the peanut ports to match a large oval gasket might be the answer. A fair amount of material would need to be removed but, might allow the high torque numbers to be retained. Would also allow a slightly bigger duration cam to be used. Maybe 230 @ .050 or slightly higher. Keeping a tighter LSA would help maintain higher torque too.
that 450hp combo looks killer for a truck. you get great torque for towing and such and some more power for highway passing. the 500hp would be good for the drag strip if you were forced to use peanut port heads
Pretty much said what I was thinking at the conclusion. The last combination with a slightly smaller hydraulic roller, and put the dual plane back on... should still make 500 HP, and get back a bunch of low speed TQ. I hit a few road blocks with my Gen 5/6 hybrid, cracked cylinder head, but I have a replacement on the way. Hopefully get this thing together over the next few months. I need to find valve springs to work with my mild hydraulic roller cam swap. That's the next problem I have to solve.
Arias has built a few 502 Chevy big blocks with DOHC 4 valve per cylinder heads from the Porsche 928.
The Porsche M28 engine has bore spacing nearly exactly the same as the Chevy, so with some welding and drilling, the belt driven DOHC heads fit nearly perfectly.
The overhead cams are driven by a short Gilmer timing belt from some sort of Renault car. The belt itself is driven off of a new gear installed where the water pump would normally be, and this gear is driven off of the original OHV cam gear/timing chain.
These engines made 550 hp all day long and were actually capable of passing California emissions inspection-
I've seen these
Thanks for a great video. I used to watch your videos but quit because they all used aluminum heads. I asked for combos that we're budget friendly and you came thru. Keep them coming!
Thanks for this, those of us who grew up with CCR (no, not Clearance Clearwater Revival, I mean hot rodding with Cam, Compression, and RPM) have needlessly tossed some peanut ports for some piece of iron we had to rebuild so it wasn't pretending to be an oil burner diesel.
Absolutely, please build the engine you last mentioned before closing off. I'm building the same engine for my 1 ton square body dually. At the moment the PP heads are at SPR getting 2.190" / 1.88" valves, bowl and port work. It's probably better to bore the block .060" over for valve clearance in un-shrouding thought.
That setup @ 5:35 is a towing dream machine! I want that in my Suburban!
I appreciate this info so much being that im building both a Gen5 and Gen6 454 . The Gen6 im stroking out to a 496 and shooting for 700-800hp for my 94' C1500 build. For the Gen5 i wanted to build it up but on a smaller budget as I wanted a more streetable ride for my 01' Sierra single cab since im going to be using it daily. I think the 380hp/485htq combination matched with the heads of the Gen6 would be perfect for what im trying to achieve with it. Richard is definitely my "go to" when im trying to figure out what the hell im doing lol. Thanks for the time and effort you go through to give us these great ideas/combinations .
Thank you Richard! I have just what I need to do the 400 hp version and it should sound great and have excellent drivability.
Thank again!
My nova has a bbc in it, swapped from a truck and it has the peanut ports. I put a jegs dual plane on it and im thinking of having the heads ported to match the intake for better flow and a good valve job put on it. Not sure what cam id like to run yet, id love to have a chop monster cause that sound is the best thing in the world! The car isn't used for much, occasional car cruise, burnout contests, but id like to be able to take it down the strip as a "Street car" as well. Not to concerned about drivability, enough I can get it to town (8 miles, further than that it'll get trailered) but with burnouts and some strip use the motor is gonna live most its life in the upper 5k rpms probably. Just trying to not spend a bunch of money, racing for me is the enjoyment, not trying to win.
I was going to say put the dual plane back on the 513hp combo and port the heads but then you said it at the conclusion. So I vote yes.
Richard I would like to see a test comparing peanut ports to oval ports to rec port heads. None of the heads would be ported, just a stock comparison.
I love the intro part that zooms in on the enormous intake ports on the gasket that are about half supported by the peanut ports lol
big difference
@@richardholdener1727
You answered my question as I was typing it towards the end. The 450 hp seems the best of these options if I'm looking at a tow engine. My non-professional opinion is based on where/when the torque comes on.
Am I wrong to assume that a similar flat top piston with 049 heads may produce similar results?
Great video Richard thank you I've always wanted to learn more about boosting horsepower properly and I learn something new every time I watch your videos thank you very much l!!!
Great video Richard. Perfect for a heavy cruiser jet boat like an open bow. I agree the 450hp version makes a lot more sense. I'm curious how it would work with a log style exhaust.
If engine builder A says...this is what I can do with the peanut ports parts you have NOW, with these PROS and CONS, and work up from there when you are $$ ABLE....
Verses builder B who says you should only consider a stroked out LS or a stroked out 640 big block. I am choosing builder A every time. I could have a lot of fun with an affordable unloved peanut pert BB in my drive to the track, 78 Malibu, S-10 Blazer or 68 Impala, but the most fun will be lying to EVERYBODY...when they ask what size engine is inside. If you are builder A, hit me up.
At one point I had a 10:1 468 with a comp "magnum" 280H (230/230 @.050 duration)flat tappet cam. Stock peanut port heads, duel plain intake, holley 850, headers, th400 with a "saturdaynight special" converter (2200 stall). In a 78 camaro with 4:11 gears (was also in a 78 T/A with 3.73 gears) but it ran 7.6 in the ⅛ and 11.9 in the ¼ on motor and was well into the 6's / 10's on nitrous. It was great because of its simplicity and it was pump gas friendly but was mild enough to comfortably drive daily.
Could I use this Cam on a stock Gen 5 454 along with spring and lifter kit??.. C-10 4:10, th400
@@donksdunks1745 I am sure there is a version of it for that particular engine. Really just look for a grind that is in the 230's @.050 and you should be in the ballpark.
These are the best choice economy heads for towing and off-roading with a 4x4. Torque to spare !
I had that XE256 in a C10 longbed with a 454 with small domed pistons, Edelbrock heads and intake. That truck screamed from idle to about 5200 RPM.
169 K congratulations mr Holdener
I selected the XE268H for a 350 sbc that had stock cast heads ported out with a weiand intake manifold #8004 also ported out and using a slightly modified quadrajet still made 5000rpm in a motorhome! now I'm playing with a 1979 Mark IV 454 itasca motorhome.
All goes back to WHAT ARE YOU USING IT FOR!!!! Great Video as always Richard
Richard, im actually working on porting and using bigger valves on some peanut port heads with flow testing after each change. I did a small amount of porting on the intake and exhaust, I gained 3-7 cfm on each depending on the lift. Im waiting for the email to so I can compare the velocity also.
Next we're going to see what bigger valves do. The guy doing the valves and flow testing says we could see up to 20 cfm on just the 5 angle valve job on these heads.
I probably should have had heads ported before and tested before I put bigger valves in. I also wish I could dyno test after each mod, but that gets a little spendy.
At the least it will be fun and interesting to see how it turns out. Learning is always funn too.
GOOD STUFF ANDY
Great video 👍👍 I've been using a tbi 454 for plowing and hauling firewood in a 92 k2500. I ditched the tbi when it would no longer run ,the harness was brittle and falling apart.. It's closer to the first engine in this video using weiand peanut intake, 600cfm carb, 1 3/4 headers 4" single exhaust, small jegs or summit cam with stock valve springs. Stock compression ratio and heads. I'm guessing closer to 300 hp and gained alot of upper rpm range where the tbi just fell off and wouldn't pull anymore. It's for sure more powerful vs. when the engine was stock. It sounds rather hollow though and tired w/250k? miles and lousy 7.8:1 ? Compression ratio stock it was the lowest cr of any big block made. So I've got another tbi engine in the garage which will have more compression. Milled deck, heads should bump it closer to 8.8:1. I wish I had the cash to build it with larger valves, springs and roller cam upgrade, alas it is just a work truck and already has enough power as is 😆. I also swapped to a nv4500 when the 4l80 took multiple dumps and straight axle hp 60 front. W/4.10 gears because the ifs can't handle a snowplow.. I'm not sure what engine I would replace it with other than a 4bt for the fuel savings or a 6.0 ls to get some weight off the front end.. anything else I would probably hate the loss of torque maybe a 400ci sbc would be okay or a inline 6 with all the goodies thrown on it.
My random combo turned out awesome for street.. Gen V, pp heads ported by me, +30cc pistons, comp murha thumper cam (pretty week on vacuum at idle though), china intake, 800cfm worked over Q-jet... Hasn't been dynoed but lacks nothing for street ripper, but the sound gets no better.
It’s slow at work right now happy to have a good video to watch thanks Richard looking forward to the live stream tonight unfortunately I might not be there for it to air I will be watching it for sure can’t wait for all the good knowledge about engine stuff 👍
Would love to see this test done with a gen 6 bbc, love the videos Richard!!!
This is what I needed to hear. Thanks for all the work.
I am curious if a port matched (downsized to match the peanut ports) manifold with long tapered runners would improve low end power any further? Get that epoxy out!
First time I read about peanut port power it was written by David Vizard. Ever since then I kind of wanted to build one, just because. If you can build a combo of 450-500 hp with parts "nobody" wants...imaging what you can do when your circumstances permit you to build that ultimate stroker motor. If you don't know how to optimize with what you have NOW...you are looking at a big fail. I would like to see a 450-500 combo blend, that would be ideal on a 5500 rpm highway geared combo, cheap fun fun fun! More with less....IMAGINE THAT!
Richard, I do appreciate all your work, it is very valuable to me. Would it be possible to include the BSFC's on your dyno runs?? This info is helpful, especially for the street folks, since it gives a measure of an engine combination's efficiency in converting fuel to Hp/torque.
G.M. .............I have ask that same Question before, he never answers !!! it tells you a lot on the combo ????
Basically, among the many things we've learned here is, it's really hard to screw up a big block Chevy engine. I'm sure there may be some extreme examples out there but, with all the knowledge available on this channel and others, there really isn't any excuse for putting together a bad BBC.
I'm really surprised you made that kind of power with pp heads. Maybe I should'nt have thrown mine away. I used a set of early semi- closed chamber large oval port heads.I put in 2.19-1.88 valves and some mild porting on a 454, in my daily driven street racer 68 Camaro back in the early 90s with much success. Damn, I miss those days.
Thank you so much.
This is information I can use on my 1980 c30 single cab dually.
Seems like CAM and INTAKE/Carb still made great improvement on stock engine, with reasonable RPM. Perfect for a stock truck!
Goes to show that you can start with peanut ports and modify from there as you want or need to.
I'd like to see what happens when you add a stroker kit to the 450 motor with basically stock peanut Port heads I would like to upgrade the bottom end with the cam at the same time then in the future I could upgrade the heads with oval ports
Awesome vid Richard! What I was confused about the whole time was, the intake manifolds? For peanut ports? Or to oval port intakes work on the peanut heads?
we have run big oval and rec port intakes on the peanut port heads, but there are specific peanut port intakes
@@richardholdener1727 fun fact I’ve since learned! All gen five mercruiser big blocks came from factory with oval port manifolds on peanut heads, the carb models that I know of. The more you know ay 🤘
Never even heard of these. Thanks for the video.
We made about 40 hp from a p port head to an oval port back in the day. The hot swap was the rec heads. But gear and cam accordingly.
Bv
How about a peanut port, quadrajet, 454. How much torque can you get from 2000 to 5000 rpm test. With any header, cam, and any intake that's out there. I bet the q jet will be snappier at low rpms.
dang GOOD info for the low$$ crowd. i built a gen4 454 ,30 overbore. 781 heads, 20cc dome piston. & 218/228@.050 .500 lift summit cam k1301. ive always wondered what the dyno would say about that combo.??
Cool great scientific work...I was wondering what these heads could do on a street truck...thanks
Love the content that you put out. Can't wait for the K24 big bang video
I’ll do a head swap to get between 400-500whp. But what’s longevity of putting that much more HP into a 454 gen V? I would also like to avoid a cam that sounds to aggressive and still having the option to put 87 octane in it
My truck only has 20k miles…(that’s correct)
I’m hopping to tow with this truck
But I’m not feeling the hype when it’s loaded down being stock
Great work Richard! Love your videos. Good motor for a truck. For a high performance car, if you are going to use GM iron stuff, stick with the closed chamber 290's, or open chamber 781's, or 049's they will blow the peanut ports away. I have the stock 290's on my Chevelle 454 SS, they scream.
THIS TEST WAS ABOUT PEANUT PORTS
Yes I know. Good thing is you can get them very cheap. Keep up the good work Richard.
It would be nice to do a test with GM oval port heads on a 454-468 type engine. I have a pair of 290's I would volunteer for the test.
I have heads casting #12561357 any suggestions?
Any insight on which peanut port heads flow the best?
The more efficient the air pump, the more power. 👍
Richard, I have a 1976 k30 with the factory mark 4 and 781 heads. It has a performer plus cam, intake and appropriate valve springs as well as a Holley sniper efi, headers and exhaust.
I’m looking for cheap options to gain a few hp. I’ll be pulling the engine soon to reseal it. From what I’ve read anything over 8.5:1 CR on a mark 4 wont like 87 octane, which is concerning for me. I’ve also read the 781’s are good heads but more so for higher hp, as well as the large combustion chamber being prone to detonation.
I was considering swapping pistons out while I reseal the engine to get me to 8.5:1, it’s cheap enough and about all I can see to do with the 781’s trying to run 87. But could a head swap to a set of stock vortec heads be a better solution? I can get a set cheap. If I’m correct I could throw them on and id be at about 9:1 CR and because of the better head design I’d still be able to run 87 octane now at that CR. Swapping heads over pistons would require a few other parts but cost to cost I think I’d get enough out of the vortec heads for it to be worth it as long as I can still run 87 octane and tow. Thoughts? Would higher CR be possible with vortec heads while staying with 87 and towing?
no idea on that
I've been waiting for this.. The only gm junk I have left is one of these..
I'd love to see some BBC combo vids! I'm on the fence for my grudge car power plant. Turbo/twins, for power adder either way, but LS vs BBC...
Your 450hp peanut port version with the up grade to the oval port heads would be nice too.
The peanut port 450hp version look like a low speed torque monster. If you are solely looking for ultra low speed torque would a Peanut beat an Oval port?
yup by about 50 ftlb
Yea I like the middle combo I need that for my duelly but I want the roller cam
Comp Magnum Series 286H 236@.50 .556 lift on 110 LSA. Hydraulic Flat. This would be a good swing at 500hp, good torque without spending on a roller.
I’d like to see a vid where you take a gen iv peanut port engine and change nothing but heads, peanut, oval and rec port. All factory iron stuff. because I have one in my 83 c10 :p
Intake velocity on peanut ports and 454ci sucking through it is a low end torque monster without extra money spent.
I don't know of a single Richard Holdner vid that was deserving of a down-vote. Who keeps doing this anyway? 🤣
Somebody Holdener knows being a wise - ass, maybe
MAYBE SOMEONE RICHARD BOOTED OFF THE CHANNEL FOR BEING LESS THAN PROFESSIONAL
@@richardholdener1727 STOP YELLING AND REFERRING TO YOURSELF IN 3RD PERSON
@@vr6swp NO U
Electric car fanatics🤣
I'm thinking the air gap intake probably contributed very little over the Weiand duo plane. Those Weiand's are about as good as it gets for a dual plane street intake. Much better than the Performer RPM in my opinion.
Hey man when are you going to do the big block big bang test I would really love to see a GEN five big bang test
The 450.hp will make a nice boat engine!
Totally agree, that mill will work all day and making great torque
I currently have a 454 with a comp cams xe268h and 781 heads in my 75 C10 and it's a spunky little street truck
This is very helpful as I have a the edelbrock preformer rpm oval heads and port matched air gap with 750 with the xr300h cam on my 402bbc (300rwhp and 820rw torque.
I’m planning on doing a 496 10.5:1 with this top end and the same cam maybe upgrade too a 950
Good video. Is there any chance you could do a “the other guys” big block video on a 396 or 402?
I am building an l78 396 right now
@@richardholdener1727 Awesome! I look forward to the video.
would love to know how to get more power out of these peanut ports in the marine environment. mine just blew up this weekend and is getting rebuilt
I have a Gen IV 454 short deck with peanut port heads. This will be a daily driver and used in a 1979 C30. I'm interested in 350 hp/450 tq. range. Can I get there with air gap dual plain manifold, 750 carb, and long tube headers with a stock cam? I'm on a budget.
YES
I'd really like to see a comparison between the peanut port heads and the large oval port heads. I've always wondered if they were worth any extra hp
He did it at the end, 600 HP
What carb is that exactly ? Do you have a link or part number ? Thanks!
Richard, have you done a test putting Gen VI heads directly on the Gen V to see what kind of gains you get with the stock cams and then with better cams? I'd really like to see that.
I NEED TO
@@richardholdener1727 it would be interesting. You've mentioned it in your videos. I have a Gen V with 147k miles on it, still runs great. Because of your advice, I found a set of the Gen VI heads that we're redone with little use. Going to collect a dual plane, distributor, though I think I'd like to go with TBI like FiTech or Holley Sniper. Eventually going into a 1950 Chevy C.O.E. car hauler I'm building behind a 4L80E. I need all low speed torque. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and they dyno pulls. Really enjoy learning and seeing what you test and how it works out.
@@MartyEscarcega iv same deal. A gen 5 I'm wanting to put gen 6 heads on!
I have a 427, bored .040 over with .19 domes. heads are match ported two 7561 air gap 750 holley. these are 063 heads that have been fully modified, semi open 2.19/1.88 valves fully ported, shaved .100" my cam is a comp 282s solid. 110 lobe sep 236 @ 50 282 duration/561" and wait for it, (STEEL rockers) running 450 RWHP dyno tested.
great test. if you have left the flat top pistons in there to have around an 8:1 CR and throw the roller cam in there with a right 106 - 107 LSA would you just be down around 8% in the HP & TQ ? i have a gen IV with peanuts ( 360 castings ) and just want to throw a mild roller in there. DP and headers already in there.
I put together nearly the same engine (but using stock 781 heads & an Eddy Air Gap), and made more overall torque and horsepower with an Isky 304 Mega cam than with this Comp HR cam!
Just the video I needed to see. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I have a1997 454 engine out of a motor home. The engine is in excellent condition. What would be the best bolt on parts to use to raise my hp 150 to 250 hp without using nitrous?
boost
@@richardholdener1727 Thanks. I was wanting to keep it na though.
@Richard Holdener, are there certain peanut port heads that flow more can than others? Seems I saw an article many years ago that stated as much. Can't recall where or what the info in the article detailed.
HAVE NOT MEASURED THEM ALL
@@richardholdener1727 I found the article. The 236 peanuts are the best.
So should I use an oval port intake manifold on peanut heads? My motor is basically stock, I just want to get rid of all the TBI stuff to make it run better.I'm going to run a 650 CFM Holly double pumper classic on it.I was thinking of using a Edlbrock RPM Air-gap 2-0 with oval ports on it.
OR YOU CAN RUN A PEANUT PORT INTAKE
@@richardholdener1727 thanks Richard
Hi there.
I have a 454 m4 BBC with oval port head. To be installed into my old 62 series Landcruser.
I'm seeking big torque & high horse power for 4wding. What's required?
STROKER WORKS
I have a BBC 454 wreck yard special😂 recently ran into a lil problem! Block casting #:12561357 head#:12562932 pulled from a 93-95 box truck (U-Haul) doesn't have roller valve train etc.. I already ordered the wrong intake😂🤦🏾♂️ Any info will do thanks in advance!
I wonder how it would have run with the airgap style dual plain intake on it
Hello everybody. I have this gen4 with peanut port heads i cant afford to bore it out or put new pistons in it.. was wondering using that comp cam 268 would you have clearance issues using that cam and would it even be worth it to put it in without having the 10:1 compression ratio? Thanks
it will fit
With the xe268 cam version could you spray it with 100-150 shot? Or with those heads would it be wasted since the heads don’t flow like a set of AFRs
550 lift 320 duration crane valves and pc seals forged crank mellings high volume oil pump 850 double pumper in a 72 CALIFORNIA SKYLARK IN GREEN 454 CHEVY 12 BOLT AND A B&M TRANS ROCKET SHIP MORE MIKE