I have a 94 gen V 454 with maybe 2k original miles on it in my 81 Malibu. I know that year is one of the red headed step child years for the BBC family of engines. I have put a 700 dbl pumper on it with a Edelbrock intake serp belts and MSD ignition, it runs nice and smooth but just doesn't have the power you would expect from a 454. I really don't want to pull the bottom end apart ( other than changing the cam and lifters). does any one have any experience using one of these engines? I would like to change the heads and cam and bump the compression up for some real power numbers. at least in the 400s ...The rest of the car is set up to handle it. If i have to get into the bottom end or have to go with some off the wall heads it may be cheaper (and lighter) to build a wicked little small block. One more question can a set of older 119cc heads be milled down enough to get the compression up ? Is there a gasket that allows for the head swap ? I think it would have to be taken down to under 100cc. What about the vortec L-29 heads? has any one used them? I have seen them for $500 or less for remanufactured ones, can they be ported polished and milled for some power. Any help is appreciated. Thank you Andrew