What Is the Chevy 454?

The Chevrolet 454 -- a 454-cubic-inch big-block V8 engine -- was introduced in 1970 and was used in high-performance cars. It was produced for cars until 1974 and for heavy-duty trucks until 1996. A series of trucks that went by the name "454 SS" were produced from 1990 to 1993.

Specifications

The Chevrolet 454 V8 engine provides 230 horsepower and 360 foot-pounds of torque. It has a 4.250-inch bore size and a 4-inch stroke size.

1970s Variations

Three variations of this engine -- LS5, LS6 and LS7 -- were produced or designed in the 1970s. The LS5 provided 360 horsepower, and the LS6 provided 450 horsepower. The LS7, which was claimed to provide 500 horsepower, was never produced for the general public.

Factors Affecting Change

Restrictions were placed on emission controls in 1971, and there was a gas crisis in 1973. This led to changes required for the 454 engine and ultimately led to its decrease in power. By 1973, the 454 engine had been changed to provide a power output of only 245 horsepower.

454 SS Truck

The 454 SS, named after the engine mounted inside it -- the Chevrolet 454 V8 -- was a high-performance, full-size pickup truck produced in the early 1990s. On top of the powerful engine, this truck made use of a three-speed automatic transmission and a 3.73 rear axle ratio.

References

• Enginefacts.com: Chevrolet 454 V8 Engine
• Chuck's Chevy Truck Pages: Engine Specs, RPO Codes, HP, Torque, Bored Over Displacements Too
• North American Truck Club: 454 SS General Information

Resources

• Boxwrench: Big Block Chevy V8