Just scored a 454

[JBerryhill]

Hey guys, I just bought a totaled 87 3500 cab and chassis with a TBI 454 in it. The engine was rebuilt a few years ago and has around 25,000 on it. I know the engine will physically fit in my 87 1500 but will my existing wiring change over to this engine, TBI, TPS connectors ect. and do I just change out the computer?
also will my 700R4 bolt to this engine or do I use the tranny behind it now? I was told it was slipping at the time of the wreck.

[78 Chevyrado]

Probably only need to get a 454 computer/chip.  I'm pretty sure the rest swaps over.  small blocks and big blocks both have the same bellhousing pattern so any tranny will swap from one to the other.

[oldwhity]

Score score score. Awesome find!

[VileZambonie]

What tranny is in it? Is your truck 4wd? Is the smashed up truck 2WD?

[JBerryhill]

Vile, my truck is a 2WD and the donor is also a 2WD 1 ton, it had a flat bed on it and was used for landscaping. The donor tranny looks like a turbo 400 but is slipping. The truck rolled down an embankment and crushed the top in about 8 inches. I was able to get it started and drove it about 3 miles. The tranny is slipping from first to second gear. I may rebuild the 400, I was told the 700R4 wouldn't last behind the 454. The motor runs great very quiet and the air even still works.

[choptop]

The slippage may be due to low fluid level in the tranny, but the 700 can be built to handle the 454 just fine. If the motor is left stock, it really doesnt have alot of power to worry about. I think they were only 255hp

[VileZambonie]

If you're gonna build a trans build the 700R4 or get a 4L80E. The way fuel prices are going unless you have this as a weekend warrior only forget the TH400