The 454 Big-Block Chevy was born way back in 1970 and is arguably most popular big-block of its time. This engine has been installed in just about everything, from Corvettes to Duallies, and had long a production run from ’70 all the way through 2001. It did go through a few changes, like the addition of EFI and and picking up the Vortec 7400 name in 1996. Once retired, it was replaced with the 8100 series Vortec platform.

In 2011 Chevrolet released the 454 again, but this time instead of a big-block, it was in the form of an LSX small-block. The Chevrolet Performance LSX454R was born and it is a beast of an engine. According to the Chevrolet Performance website, “quite simply, the LSX454R drag racing engine is the most powerful LS crate engine ever from Chevrolet Performance – and it’s designed to do one thing: help you win races with great durability.”

The 13.1:1 naturally-aspirated LS engine sports a single Dominator perched on top of a massive cast aluminum intake manifold. Chevrolet Performance officially rated the engine at 776 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 649 lb-ft of torque at 5,100 rpm.

The guys over at Scoggin Dickey Performance Center (SDPC) were kind enough to share their dyno numbers and video with us this week. After they locked down the engine on their SuperFlow Dyno and topped of the tank with VP113, they were ready to make a pull. As you can see from the dyno sheet, it looks like Chevrolet may have been pretty conservative on the power numbers. The LSX454R pumped out a monstrous 823.3 horsepower at 7,200 rpm and 659.8 lb-ft of torque, peaking at 6,100 rpm. The engine produced over 600 lb-ft of torque from the beginning of the pull at 4500 rpm and it never dropped below that, even at 7,200 rpm!

LSX454R Tech Specs

• Part Number: 19260835
• Engine Type: LS-Series Small-Block V-8
• Displacement (cu. in.): 454 (7.4L)
• Bore x Stroke (in.): 4.185 x 4.125 (106.3 x 104.8 mm)
• Block (P/N 19260099): LSX cast iron with six-bolt cylinder head attachment
• Crankshaft (P/N 19244018): 4340 forged steel
• Connecting Rods (P/N 19166964): 4340 forged steel
• Pistons: (P/N 19166958): 4032 forged aluminum
• Camshaft Type (P/N 19166975): Mechanical roller
• Camshaft Lift (in.): .738 intake / .738 exhaust
• Camshaft Duration (@.050 in.): 250° intake / 270° exhaust
• Cylinder Heads (P/N 19166979): Drag race cylinder heads six-bolt LSX aluminum
• Valve size (in.): 2.250 x 6.370 intake / 1.625 x 6.400 exhaust
• Compression Ratio: 13.1:1
• Rocker Arms (P/N 19201808): Shaft-mounted with needle bearing fulcrum and tip
• Rocker Arm Ratio: 1.9:1
• Recommended Fuel: Race fuel (110 octane minimum)
• Maximum rpm: 7100
• Reluctor Wheel: 58X
• Balanced: Internal

Unfortunately, like its predecessor, the LSX454R assembly line has stopped production on this awesome engine as of July 2018. There are a few units that are still available from various dealers, but supplies are limited and Chevrolet has depleted their stock. LSX Magazine did confirm with Scoggin Dickey Performance Center, that they still had a couple in stock that are ready to go. If you’re in the market for this powerplant, give them a call but do it quickly.

If you can’t find a dealer with a LSX454R in stock and can’t live without four hundred and fifty four cubic-inches tucked in under that hood, you’re in luck! Chevrolet Performance still offers a slightly toned down version, the LSX454. This engine is available for purchase and unlike its drag race-only counterpart, it’s offered in several different configurations — one of which includes a carbureted options as well as fuel injection.

Aaron Shoaf of Scoggin Dicky noted, “We usually go over these options with the customer since things like an oil pan, accessory drive, and induction will be determined by the customer or vehicle platform.” Another added bonus is that the engine receives the standard Chevrolet Performance 24-month/50,000-mile warranty. The LSX454 still makes a ton of power with 627 horses and 586 lb-ft on tap.

It’s the end of the line for the legendary LSX454R as it goes down in history as the most powerful LS crate engine ever for Chevrolet performance. As technology continues to evolve in the automotive industry, we’re willing to bet Chevrolet will have something else in the works soon. We will just have to wait and see what the future holds for ridiculously powerful crate engines.