mustang1989 Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 (edited) I picked this one up a couple of months ago while I was working on the El Camino. This is not only a Holy Grail build for me but also would be a Holy Grail 1:1 vehicle for me. If I could ever get my hands on one for the right price...…. . To be very honest about it, these were not fast trucks from the factory. I think the horsepower rating was right about 225 hp and in 1990 it had a TH400 transmission behind it with 3:73 gears. The transmission being only 3 speed automatic made things difficult in an everyday driver due to the 3:73 gears. I guess GM wanted to captivate a middle age audience with the 454 and the nostalgia of the Turbo 400 automatic. In any case in 1991 they got smart and stuck a 4 speed overdrive transmission behind it to help the driveablity out some. In any case they produced on heckuva good looking vehicle and opened the gate for a slew of fast trucks to follow..... and they are HIGHLY sought after now. Anyways, Here's the kit: and for giggles.....an original advertisement photo: Edited March 21, 2019 by mustang1989 LSP_K2, Gazzas and ShelbyGT500 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn M Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 always loved the idea of these and the first Gen Lightnings no replacement for displacement LSP_K2 and mustang1989 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Again, great minds think alike, except that mine's a '99. mustang1989 and Jeff 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzas Posted November 24, 2018 Share Posted November 24, 2018 Just noticed this, Joe. Seems you're inspiring an automotive bug in me. But I have a question: Do you know how to do California Style Chop Tops? It's the only fear between me and a VW Karmann Ghia. LSP_K2 and mustang1989 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottsGT Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 My sons building a 1:1 scale for a guy right now. They yanked the original 454 and dropped in a built engine from Summit Racing. Someone already swapped the trans for an OD unit. He also rebuilt the axle already. Owner has an open budget. LSP_K2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottsGT Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted November 26, 2018 Author Share Posted November 26, 2018 (edited) Shawn: Right you are about the displacment!! Kevin: Very cool subject!!! Gaz: No but I'd be open to give it a shot. It would take a little planning. Scott: Dude! That is AWESOME!!! I'm at no shortage for a reference because I own a 1994 Silverado Extended Cab truck. Late last year I got the hankerin' to yank the 350 and replace it with a warmed over 383 (that still utilizes TBI injection but with Vortec heads) with a freshened up 4L60E, 2000 rpm stall converter and 3:90 gears. It's alot of fun. Edited November 27, 2018 by mustang1989 Gazzas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted December 7, 2018 Author Share Posted December 7, 2018 Ok folks....update time. This kit has a pretty decent engine with lots of parts. The chrome parts all got stripped to include the rocker covers but other than that it's a pretty complete and detailed engine. And here we are with the assembled base engine and transmission. Believe it or not....this IS some big time progress for me. LSP_K2, Out2gtcha, Shawn M and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn M Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 engine looks good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzas Posted December 7, 2018 Share Posted December 7, 2018 Looks nice Joe! Do you ever "rust up" the exhaust manifolds? Gaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrish Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 Looking great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted December 9, 2018 Author Share Posted December 9, 2018 On 12/7/2018 at 7:42 AM, Shawn M said: engine looks good! Thanks Shawn! On 12/7/2018 at 5:20 PM, Gazzas said: Looks nice Joe! Do you ever "rust up" the exhaust manifolds? Gaz 'Preciate the good word Gaz. It depends......being a Day 2 build I won't do it but I have been known to rust up exhaust's alright. On 12/7/2018 at 11:31 PM, chrish said: Looking great! Thanks Chrish! LSP_K2 and Gazzas 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted January 3, 2019 Author Share Posted January 3, 2019 Finished the engine up over the holidays. I did a couple of tweaks to it after I thought I was done initially. I put a little droop in the ignition wires just behind the cylinder heads as they just didn't look right and that air cleaner was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too high. I shaved some off of the bottom of the air cleaner and installed at the proper height. I also added an ignition coil and some fuel delivery lines. I was going to add some throttle linkage but everything I had was incorrect and it's much to intricate of detail to scratch build and get to look right so I left that part alone. There'll be an intake duct attaching at the air cleaner inlet and mounting on passengers side inner fenderwell later after the engine gets installed into the truck. Finished 454: Shawn M, Gazzas and LSP_K2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzas Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Looks great, Joe! mustang1989 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted January 3, 2019 Author Share Posted January 3, 2019 Thanks Gaz! Only 16 days left till I get my modeling life back. Busy helping our son raise a pig for FFA. I didn't have a clue just how busy our life would get when we took that chore on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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