When it first came out in the 1973 Chevrolet truck, the 454 engine functioned far worse in performance versus its earlier cousins. The 1970s saw a number of emission controls on truck engines and vehicles that basically weakened the engine performance of the 454 engine model versus its earlier predecessors. The engine was installed in both the C20 two-wheel-drive and K20 four-wheel-drive trucks, but the performance specifications were similar.
The 454 eight-cylinder engine was manufactured and installed into the three-quarter ton truck models for 1973, also known as the midsize and heavy-duty truck models available to consumers.
The engine specs that produced the power included a cylinder bore and stroke of 4.25 and 4 inches, respectively. The carburetor used a four-barrel design and hydraulic lifters to deliver the air flow to the engine.
The horsepower produced by the 1973 version of the 454 eight-cylinder engine ranged between approximately 230 and 240 horsepower at 4,000 rpm.
Pulling power and torque ranged at about 355 to 360 lbs pulled per foot at and engine demand of 2,800 rpm.
The 454 engine was designed to consume less gas in response to emission controls. This, in turn, reduced the horsepower and torque output compared to earlier years.
Leaf-springs were put into the suspension versus the old design of coil springs to dampen the vibration effects of the engine performance. Alternatively, the four-wheel-drive truck version had a stabilizer bar installed in the front to add to the dampening effect.
