Thread:

454 vortec...good or bad

I dunno ..I'm looking at a 1996 4x4 dually with a 454 vortec . It's getting up there mileage wise. Whats your thoughts on a vortec 454 ? Good, bad? Is that considered a gen 5 bbc? or??

Thanks for the info, he claims about 10-11mpg does that sound about right.. anyone?

Originally Posted by H20MOFO

I dunno ..I'm looking at a 1996 4x4 dually with a 454 vortec . It's getting up there mileage wise. Whats your thoughts on a vortec 454 ? Good, bad? Is that considered a gen 5 bbc? or??

It's a Gen 6. Probably one of the best. All the Gen 4 stuff bolts on and it has the better oiling that the Gen 5 offered. The Gen 6 doesn't have the one piece rear main seal that the gen 5 had which is good. The Gen 5's were known to leak in that area.
The Gen 6 is basically a well oiled Gen 4 without a fuel pump provision. '96 was the first year of the Gen 6 Vortec and they are great motors. The trannys on the other hand were the weak link..........
Check to see if the trans has been replaced (should be a rebuild tag on it if it was). Those tranny's will go out. I had bought a dually with 96,000 miles on it and it already the tranny replaced. I had to change it again @ 130,000 miles. My friends who have duallys have had similar experiences.
And don't forget the fuel pump. If it's high mileage find out when the pump was changed. Those older trucks kill pumps. They are a lousy design.

put a dizzy gear in it the day you buy it, just trust me on this or you'll be breaking the starter ear off the block

Thanks guys, I'm a vortec virgin I'm pretty sure I must have a screw loose too. The guy with the 96 is asking 5k, for some reason I keep going back to this 1980 beast, I'm having a hard time getting this guy under 4k. I just hit another guy with a lowball offer on a dropped 98 crew cab dually, he says it has a 4l80 tranny? Does that tranny have an overdrive???

Originally Posted by H20MOFO

Thanks guys, I'm a vortec virgin I'm pretty sure I must have a screw loose too. The guy with the 96 is asking 5k, for some reason I keep going back to this 1980 beast, I'm having a hard time getting this guy under 4k. I just hit another guy with a lowball offer on a dropped 98 crew cab dually, he says it has a 4l80 tranny? Does that tranny have an overdrive???

4l80e , and yep its a 4speed

I got a 96 1 ton 2 wheel drive. Its got a 5-7 kit with 18's. I tow with it only. Yes the fuel pump has been repalced twice and it did get a new trans at about 45k. Is there any performance mods that actually work to gain power and keep the shitty 9-11 mpg? Exhaust is the only thing I have on it.

Originally Posted by Hullshot

I got a 96 1 ton 2 wheel drive. Its got a 5-7 kit with 18's. I tow with it only. Yes the fuel pump has been repalced twice and it did get a new trans at about 45k. Is there any performance mods that actually work to gain power and keep the shitty 9-11 mpg? Exhaust is the only thing I have on it.

cold air intake kit and a airraid spacer under the tb is bout it to increase power and mileage, programmer is a waste of money, everyone i've ever installed hurt mileage, no matter what the manufacture says. summit racing makes a good set of shorty headers for those trucks, they sure help out alot for 159bucks.

been thinking about the headers too. I heard programmers were a big waste. Also my trans when on the frewway very, very seldomly locks up the converter completely? I have driven 2 wheel drives and four wheel drives and the converter locks up on them at freeway speeds? Anyone know what gives on mine, there is no engine light and Gm bought it back in 98 because of a trans sliping or shifting issue?