58 apache engine choice - 454 or 383 ???

[bluelightning]

Howzit guys

im at a point at my build where im deciding on which engine to power my beast...
(Jag suspension with Air ride, Xjs V12 diff, not sure the ratio)

i want to stay with a Carb setup tho..

so choices :

A 454 from rocket88, port matched std rebuilt heads, edelbrock intake , 750 dbl pumper...
(maybe i can splurge & buy Alu heads bt im not sure if itl be worth it)

or

A 383 stroker, Alu AFR heads 195cc , edelbrock intake, 650 dbl pumper....

the truck will be for normal street driving, bt i also want some Vooma when i press the acclerator...
so im worried about the power-weight issue...

im gonna be spending lots of money, so i wanna try n get it right the 1st time...

need some expert advise..
thanx guys.

Blue Lightning

[ZA Perana]

In my opinion you want torque and the 454 will give lots of that. Don't forget an auto transmission with a decent stall can also waken up performance. I believe the XJS has a 2.88 final drive so you will have a great cruiser, again my vote goes to 454.

[bluelightning]

Thanx Perana,

any idea on which heads?
rebuilt cast iron or new Alu heads?

[ZA Perana]

Thanx Perana,

any idea on which heads?
rebuilt cast iron or new Alu heads?

In my opinion let Mike at Rocket 88 guide you, he is a V8 guru of many years standing. If its in the budget I would go ally heads with an appropriate cam for low end torque, you wont be revving the 454 high so you want huge low down torque. There was an Apache down here in CT running a 454 and it was no slouch!

[bluelightning]

also got this option from McNab's
140k with T400 box

[ZA Perana]

Looks like a great motor!

[bmwmaniac]

whats up with the headgasket?

[ZA Perana]

whats up with the headgasket?

Well spotted, didn't notice that. I wouldn't be particularly happy with that for a R140k motor.

[Chev58]

whats up with the headgasket?

Well spotted, didn't notice that. I wouldn't be particularly happy with that for a R140k motor.

I have a Gen 6 454 Vortec fitted to my 58 and the head gasket is shaped like that( no jokes ).
How ever I would be weary of the jag diff assembly with the amount of torque the 454 can put down, as I am seeing over 700Nm from my motor in mild trim.

[WCC]

Difficult to see from the pics but if that chassis is not boxed it may be worth considering it - even the 383 could twist it.

With the motor size it all depends on what you want to do. As important as the size is that you get the diff ratios right - no use you have the power but can’t put it down on the road properly.

A friend has a lovely tuned Chevy 350 motor (hyd roller cam and great heads) in his ‘56 and it will push you back in your seat no problem. He uses it for daily street driving and it is a great option for his use with good power to weight ratio. He spins the tyres on it no problem but it gets old fast when having to constantly replace rubber. At 120km/h he has the pedal about 1/3 down with plenty of reserve if needed - but keep in mind that you do not want to go much over 120 as you are still driving a ‘brick’ iro aerodynamics and just wasting a lot of horses to go over that.

The old timers say a well tuned small block with good ratios for less weight, less heat, better fuel milleage and generally more power than you can use on the street, and a big block for the strip, where you can hook the tires and really take advantage of the extra power.