I was working at a Chevrolet dealer in 1991 when they had one in stock....ss 454 what a joke, think was factory 210 hp and could not get out of its own way.
To even get that thing to function you would have to scrap the cylinder heads for 72 and down pre smog so it can breathe, take factory cam and timing chain and toss in nearest garbage can .
Somebody in mid 70's magazine decided to take a 1972 caprice or monte carlo and try to get mileage out of it. They tried absolutely everything you can think ( cams, chains, intakes, headers , heads , exhaust ) and ended up with 12 city and 17-18 hwy
I had a 1975 SS454 el camino with 2.80 gears factory 10 bolt, that would not even turn and burn rubber.........what a dog and biggest piece of S... I ever owned.
I see the ss454 show up for sale in auto trader and ebay every once in a while.
mike