Hi i have a brand new 454 big block with a solid steel crank, 3 inch dome pistons, comp racing cam, lifters, rocker arms, and push rods, edlebrock intake and a holly 4 barrel carb, my problem is that i just bought the block as a short block and have now installed all these parts, the compression ratio is to high for me to run even premium. this car is a daily driver, and i do not want to run higher than premium. the hp output is around 500. i dont need all that power, so is it posible to shave the pistons and lower the compresion ratio so that i can run on premium?
Sorry, I agree with above answers. You did not say just how high the compression ratio is, so try this first as a bandaid for now.
I am assuming a HEI distributor, under the rotor are advance springs, increase the spring tension to slow DOWN a LOT the spark advance. Slowly retard the initial ignition advance in one or two degrees at a time.
Does your distributor have a Vacuum advance system? Some racing set ups..and yours sounds like one, eliminate the vacuum advance. One of the properties of this system is RETARDING the spark advance during acceleration, to prevent detonation. If you have it, is it working?
Now, a warning, but in winter should be ok, too much retard and the engine will actually run warmer, so watch for that also.
Good Luck
PS Love Big Blocks!! Nothing like Cubic inches!!
Isky Solid Lifters Flat Tappet Chevy SBC Set of 16 202-H, Isky Red-Zone Max Endurance Roller Lifters Solid Chevy BBC Set of 16 37296RHEZX, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Chevy BBC Set of 16 98819-16, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Chevy LS Set of 16 98956-16, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Mopar 392 Hemi Set of 16 98829-16, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Mopar 392 Hemi Pair 98829C-2, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Mopar 392 Hemi Pair 98829CL-2, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Mopar 392 Hemi Pair 98829CR-2, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Mopar 392 Hemi Set of 16 98827-16, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Chevy SBC Pair 98842C-2, Isky Red-Zone Max Endurance Roller Lifters Solid Chevy BBC Set of 16, Chevy 350 sbc 16 used .842 crower solid roller lifters chevy size centered race , CROWER SOLID ROLLER LIFTERS SMALL BLOCK CHEVY RACE IMCA WISSOTA, Chevy SBC Solid Lift Camshaft & Lifters .531/.542 Race/ 108K, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Chevy LS Set of 16 98952-16, #4 Solid Cam & Lifters sb Chevy 251/264 536/527 Lift sbc IMCA Modifieds, Isky Red-Zone Max Endurance Roller Lifters Solid Chevy SBC Set of 16 372-RH, VW 8v 16v RACING SOLID MECHANIC FOLLOWER LIFTER LIFTERS, Comp BBC BB CHEVY 396 402 427 454 ENDURE-X LINK BAR SOLID ROLLER LIFTERS RACE, Comp Cams Solid Roller Lifters #838 Ford 289 302 351W Drag Race ONE Pair , Isky Red-Zone Max Endurance Roller Lifters Solid Chevy BBC Set of 16 37296RHEZ, Isky Red-Zone Max Endurance Roller Lifters Solid Mopar RB 413 440 Set of 16, Isky Solid Lifters Flat Tappet Mopar 383 400 Set of 16 3102-H, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Chevy BBC Pair 98852CL-2, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Chevy BBC Pair 98852C-2, Isky Red-Zone Max Endurance Roller Lifters Solid Chevy BBC Set of 16 272-96-RH, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Ford SB 289 302 351W Pair 98838CL-2, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Ford SB 289 302 351W Set of 16, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Ford SB 289 302 351W Pair 98838C-2, COMP Cams Elite Race Solid Roller Lifters Ford SB 289 302 351W Pair 98838CR-2,
