Crank is the same as a 396 and 427. It is forged not cast. Budget constraints play a big roll in all of our projects. I have built some some motors using this crank with 4.375 and 4.450 and 4.50 bores for some serious winding PRM's. Anything can be done. Question is, where do you wanna go with it? As far as the pistons go, as long as they have the pin heighth where you wish, put them in the works. Rod length is the varying factor and if the pistons fit you 454 design, go for it. Like I said, "Where do you wanna go?'' (P.S., if you run that crank in a 454 block, you have a base 427 to start with).