DD Speed Shop explains why the big block Chevy engine is one of the best motors to drop in your car especially when you’re on a budget.
For decades, people have turned to the legendary LS small block engine as the source of their power. However, with the recent explosion in LS-based social media content compounded by a limited supply chain, LS engines have begun creeping up in price and are no longer at a sub-$1000 pricepoint for solid examples.
So, what is the solution to our cheap power problem? Well, as Dan of DD Speed Shop puts it, the only answer is a Chevy big block engine.
Great Engine For Under $1,000
While Dan remains aware that “cheap” is a relative term, he explains that when he reached an impasse while working on his ’66 Biscayne that he had two options. The first was to rebuild the Biscanye’s straight-six engine or source a late ’70s era Chevy 454 that will bolt right in. For the sake of brevity, he went with the latter option.
While his viewers elected to see the straight-six get an overhaul, Dan reminds everyone that rebuilding the 250ci engine would cost tenfold compared to the orange-block era 454. With that in mind, he managed to acquire it for $775 and also it included a turbo 400 transmission.
Hotrodding The Chevy Big Block
While Dan’s fully aware that compared to modern-day LS engines, the 454 is low on power. However, the engine is huge on torque, has a much lower price point, and makes a classic sound that is worth its weight in gold. Because while he managed to save a few shekels on the power mill, Dan was able to spurge on some performance parts that will increase power while adding a lovely period-correct feel.
Those parts include adding a performance cam, spring valves, an Edelbrock carb he had lying around, and a set of $100 headers. Even with those additions, Dan managed to build a reliable and powerful engine for less than $2,000. All that’s needed now is a good tear down, rinse, and rebuild for the Biscayne to be up and running with a 454 engine.