Big Block Nick Name
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 361
From: Southington CT
That is mostly the car show types that think they have a fast car but really don't. I find it entertaining when those same car show types bring their cars to the track to really find out how slow their cars really are, which is mostly due to very bad tuning and even worse driving skill or lack there of.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
Likes: 3,093
From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I had always wonder about the infamous hot rod issue back in 1966 where they turned in the 12s with a new "stock" 427 Corvette on the factory skinny bias tires and how that was possible. I knew it had to be a ringer as was somewhat common back in those days if the factory could sneak one in. I read recently a discussion about the secret 1966 L88s that were built for some top racers and they said that car was one of those L88s, so 50 years later it all makes sense and comes to light
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,483
Likes: 1,824
From: McCloud CA
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I don't know about cow but W motor was a term that was used in northern cal
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,687
Likes: 3,139
From: Shamong, NJ
While I agree the common nickname for the 396, was originally the "porcupine", the big block's first nickname was the "Mystery Motor".
When the Mark II 427's debuted at Daytona in February 63, in Junior Johnson's 63 Impala and Mickey Thompson's 63 Z06, they were initially known as the "Mystery Motor". Later, after people saw what the engine and heads looked like, they became known as the "porcupine".
As far as big blocks being boat anchors, the three fastest cars around here when I was a teenager, were a pair of 396/375 Nova SS's and a 70 LS-6 Chevelle. Those three cars were in a class by themselves, and not much could touch them on the street, including most Street Hemi's.
Big blocks like 427/425 Vettes, 396/375 Chevelle's, Nova's and Camaro's, and LS-6 70 Chevelle's, were very fast, but were pretty rare, even in 68-72. The much more common, low horse 396/325's were dog's, especially when installed in a Chevelle with an automatic. A 350/300 Nova or Camaro beat them easily, and a 350/300 Chevelle, could give them a good run.
When the Mark II 427's debuted at Daytona in February 63, in Junior Johnson's 63 Impala and Mickey Thompson's 63 Z06, they were initially known as the "Mystery Motor". Later, after people saw what the engine and heads looked like, they became known as the "porcupine".
As far as big blocks being boat anchors, the three fastest cars around here when I was a teenager, were a pair of 396/375 Nova SS's and a 70 LS-6 Chevelle. Those three cars were in a class by themselves, and not much could touch them on the street, including most Street Hemi's.
Big blocks like 427/425 Vettes, 396/375 Chevelle's, Nova's and Camaro's, and LS-6 70 Chevelle's, were very fast, but were pretty rare, even in 68-72. The much more common, low horse 396/325's were dog's, especially when installed in a Chevelle with an automatic. A 350/300 Nova or Camaro beat them easily, and a 350/300 Chevelle, could give them a good run.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
While I agree the common nickname for the 396, was originally the "porcupine", the big block's first nickname was the "Mystery Motor".
When the Mark II 427's debuted at Daytona in February 63, in Junior Johnson's 63 Impala and Mickey Thompson's 63 Z06, they were initially known as the "Mystery Motor". Later, after people saw what the engine and heads looked like, they became known as the "porcupine".
When the Mark II 427's debuted at Daytona in February 63, in Junior Johnson's 63 Impala and Mickey Thompson's 63 Z06, they were initially known as the "Mystery Motor". Later, after people saw what the engine and heads looked like, they became known as the "porcupine".
As far as big blocks being boat anchors, the three fastest cars around here when I was a teenager, were a pair of 396/375 Nova SS's and a 70 LS-6 Chevelle. Those three cars were in a class by themselves, and not much could touch them on the street, including most Street Hemis.
[/QUOTE]
I have a stock 396/375 Nova and it will not beat my first generation Chevy II with stock L 84 engine due to factors I've mentioned above. But neither would the one Street Hemi we had here.
Last edited by MikeM; Aug 14, 2017 at 05:45 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 89
From: arvada co
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 89
From: arvada co
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
I started to help you out with this yesterday and then I canceled my post.
I figured you were big enough to row your own boat.
Some read the thread title, none of the subsequent posts except the last one and then wind up coming off with...................., well, you know!
Last edited by MikeM; Aug 14, 2017 at 05:49 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 89
From: arvada co
I started to help you out with this yesterday and then I canceled my post.
I figured you were big enough to row your own boat.
Some read the thread title, none of the subsequent posts except the last one and then wind up coming off with...................., well, you know!
I figured you were big enough to row your own boat.
Some read the thread title, none of the subsequent posts except the last one and then wind up coming off with...................., well, you know!
Goes back to that recent rant on here about people not reading all the posts in a thread.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
[/QUOTE]I disagree. Every 325HP 396 I drove, worked on, or raced against ran like it was tied to a tree when compared to 275-350HP rated small blocks of the same era. Absolute dogs. Not the 375HP version, but the 325-350 396 engines haven't impressed me.....ever.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,721
Likes: 3,706
From: Central Arkansas
Big blocks like 427/425 Vettes, 396/375 Chevelle's, Nova's and Camaro's, and LS-6 70 Chevelle's, were very fast, but were pretty rare, even in 68-72. The much more common, low horse 396/325's were dog's, especially when installed in a Chevelle with an automatic. A 350/300 Nova or Camaro beat them easily, and a 350/300 Chevelle, could give them a good run.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
One major reason the SS 396 (with any engine) was kind of a turd and the GTO was lack of traction.
The 325/396 would respond very well with 9.50 X 14 M/H and a 396/375 cam and headers would run very well in a street drag race.
But, that is getting off topic.
The 325/396 would respond very well with 9.50 X 14 M/H and a 396/375 cam and headers would run very well in a street drag race.
But, that is getting off topic.
Last edited by MikeM; Aug 14, 2017 at 07:47 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,767
Likes: 78
From: montague michigan
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
my bbc drag motor is setting in the corner of the shop waiting for the new car! my best time with it was 8.18 at 178 mph. it made 1698 hp with a lean carb the last time on the dyno at 7800 rpm a 1000 rpm under my shift point. with proper jetting it will go past 1800hp I am guessing! its a de-stroked 4.500 bore prostock block with a 3.00 stroke crank in it. it sounds like a girl screamin bloody murder when it winds up
yes I love my bbc's but probably my fav was my rally green whit int, 69 z/28 berger chevy 302 radio/heater delete crossram car. I sold too buy the family farm. it loved the high side of 8000rpm. I wish I still had it. it pops up for sale once in while in hemmings and ebay but way out of my life price range now..RPM RULES! troy
Last edited by 20round; Aug 15, 2017 at 06:28 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,135
Likes: 9,447
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
I find with my car running 15x6 wheels and 205/75 tires will just spin and wheel hop. I am almost afraid to try any thing more sticky with fear of breaking something
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,483
Likes: 1,824
From: McCloud CA
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
63 impala
You all forgot about the 63 aluminum front end z11 impala. watched two of them a Fremont drags in stock trim with skinny slicks run high 10s low 11s. Now that was a bad bbc
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,797
Likes: 239
From: Ocean Township NJ
love it!!!
my bbc drag motor is setting in the corner of the shop waiting for the new car! my best time with it was 8.18 at 178 mph. it made 1698 hp with a lean carb the last time on the dyno at 7800 rpm a 1000 rpm under my shift point. with proper jetting it will go past 1800hp I am guessing! its a de-stroked 4.500 bore prostock block with a 3.00 stroke crank in it. it sounds like a girl screamin bloody murder when it winds up
yes I love my bbc's but probably my fav was my rally green whit int, 69 z/28 berger chevy 302 radio/heater delete crossram car. I sold too buy the family farm. it loved the high side of 8000rpm. I wish I still had it. it pops up for sale once in while in hemmings and ebay but way out of my life price range now..RPM RULES! troy
my bbc drag motor is setting in the corner of the shop waiting for the new car! my best time with it was 8.18 at 178 mph. it made 1698 hp with a lean carb the last time on the dyno at 7800 rpm a 1000 rpm under my shift point. with proper jetting it will go past 1800hp I am guessing! its a de-stroked 4.500 bore prostock block with a 3.00 stroke crank in it. it sounds like a girl screamin bloody murder when it winds up
yes I love my bbc's but probably my fav was my rally green whit int, 69 z/28 berger chevy 302 radio/heater delete crossram car. I sold too buy the family farm. it loved the high side of 8000rpm. I wish I still had it. it pops up for sale once in while in hemmings and ebay but way out of my life price range now..RPM RULES! troy
Any reason you destroked it so severely? Why not something between 3.5 and 3.75? Extra $$$ would buy the parts to handle the higher piston speed. Not a criticism.you develop immense power from only 382 cubes. Is it "all engine" and normally aspirated?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,797
Likes: 239
From: Ocean Township NJ
With my 327 it just spins wheels. It will spin forever unless I get out of the gas once it breaks traction.
...............and THAT'S why I'm not a big torque fan. Horsepower rules!
Last edited by 65tripleblack; Aug 15, 2017 at 01:10 PM.
