Size matters when it comes to car engines. Most car enthusiasts think that bigger is better. No wonder, Chevy 454, a big block engine, is among the best ones ever. Perhaps you’re wondering how much the 454 weighs and how it compares to other V8 motors.
A Chevy 454 motor weighs about 800 pounds. However, the weight difference may depend on whether you’ve considered brackets and accessories on the motor. Various other V8 motors weigh more or less than the 454 engine.
Big block engines are physically larger and weigh more. They have larger, bores, bigger valves, longer strokes, and ports to produce outstanding power. Chevrolet first introduced the big block engine in 1958 to fit post-World War II passenger cars.
What Is The History Of Big Block Engines?
Chevy’s big block engine evolved over the years leading to models including the 454. This won the hearts of performance enthusiasts for its brute force. Big block engines offer extra muscle to lightweight trucks and passenger vehicles.
It gave heavier models the necessary torque capturing the hearts of muscle car enthusiasts and hot rodders.
How Did The Chevy 454 Come About?
General Motors introduced the 45 in 1970 a year before the tightening of emission standards. It was also three years before the gas crisis hit. The time wasn’t right for a large engine for performance vehicles but the 454 made a huge impression.
This engine was first available in three variants including the LS5, LS6, and LS7. The company didn’t offer the LS7 as a factory option. It was built for only the brand’s high-performance models such as the Corvette and Covelle only.
Rumors had it that Chevrolet underreported the engine’s horsepower during the muscle car wars. The 1970 versions of the engine were more powerful with LS5 outputting 360 hp and the LS6 450 hp. Chevrolet phased out the LS6 in 1971.
Stricter gas emission standards led to the dwindling of the LS5’s power to 245 hp in 1973. By 1975, the engine was eliminated from passenger cars. However, it remained available for heavy-duty trucks through 1996.
How Much Does A Chevy 454 Motor Weigh?
A fully dressed 454 with cast iron heads weighs about 580 lbs. With a standard 4,25 inch bare bore, a regular 454 big block weighs 218 lb. The 1990 SS 454 was 1941 inches in length 76.8 inches in width and a height of 70.4 inches in.
Its curb and wheelbase weight when empty was 4,500 lbs. Overall, the average dry weight of a 454 engine is from 665 to 685 lb or 302 to 311 kg. The Chevy 454 has a long stroke making it require a big block. There’s a possibility to build a smaller 454 using aftermarket parts.
The first 454 engine weighed about 665 pounds or 302 kg. However, the dry weight depended on the type of intake manifold or carburetor. The first model of the W-series engine was the Turbo Thrust which was introduced in 1958 for trucks and heavier passenger vehicles.
How Does The Weight Of A Chevy 454 Compare To Other V8 Motors?
Here is an overview of how the 454 compares to other V8 engines.
454 Vs 427
The Chezy 427 performs better in weight and size than the 454. It produces 425 horsepower while the 454 outputs 450. This motor weighs about 400 pounds less than the 454. It was produced in 1955 for small cars such as the Chevelle, Impala, and Bel Air.
454 VS 350
There’s probably a difference of 250 to 300 lbs between the 454 and the 350 in favor of the 454. However, the weight difference depends on the accessories and brackets with the motor.
Weighing the engine with everything including the A/C compressor adds extra weight. Averagely, the weight difference between these two motors is about 125 lbs.
454 Vs 502
The 502 was first produced in 1962 to replace the 426 Hemi engine. It has an aluminum block with two-bolt connecting rods, a four-bolt main bearing cap, and large rod bolts. This engine was designed to be lighter than its predecessor but produce more torque.
A 502 engine weighs 7000 pounds while the 454 weighs 8200 pounds. The big block 502 is powered by a six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 4.5 liters to output 70hp.
454 Vs 460
A 460 engine weighs about 1000 pounds but the 454 weighs about 800 pounds. The 460 displaces 460 cubic inches while the 454 displaces 454 cubic inches. This difference results from variations in bore and stroke dimensions.
The bore of the 460 is 4.36 inches with a 4 inches stroke. A 454 has a 4 inches bore and a 4 inches stroke.
As You’ve Noticed
The 454 is a big block engine from Chevrolet that weighs about 800 pounds. It is suitable for heavy trucks for producing the necessary torque. Chevrolet produced various motors such as the 450, 460, 350, and 427. These weigh more or less than the 454.
