396 vs 327 - Thoughts?
01-20-2019, 11:27 AM
#41
Race Director
01-20-2019, 11:32 AM
#42
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01-20-2019, 07:37 PM
#43
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01-20-2019, 10:53 PM
#44
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When I started shopping for a C2, I had small block, high HP in mind when I came across this 65 that had been converted to a BB. My search ended there after driving it.
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L76_Cpar (01-22-2019)
01-21-2019, 09:00 AM
#45
BBC's are not attractive to me at all. I restored one about 1-12 years ago and after I got done, drove it to a cruise night. Returned home and parked it. Been there ever since. Yeah, it's one of the good ones. 396/375(425).
About all they're good for is doing easy burnouts if you have a good clutch and skinny tires.
Your opinion may vary.
About all they're good for is doing easy burnouts if you have a good clutch and skinny tires.
Your opinion may vary.
01-21-2019, 09:33 AM
#46
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427 SBC: Bore: 4.125” Stroke: 4.00”
427 BBC: Bore: 4.250” Stroke: 3.760”
Bore produces more torque at lower rpms. That is the simple answer, but there is a more complex one that gets into bore/stroke ratios, rpm, and compression ratio. Suffice it to say that a larger bore generally requires a lower rpm to make the same torque as a smaller bore engine of the same displacement. You feel this as low rpm “grunt” that is difficult to match in a small block. Oh, and in case you were wondering.
454 SBC: Bore: 4.250” Stoke: 4.00”
454 BBC: Bore: 4.250” Stroke: 4.00”
But I worry about the long term reliability of this SBC given the thin cylinder walls. Your mileage may vary.
01-21-2019, 10:06 AM
#47
Race Director
FWIW, I used a 4.190" bore, 3.86" stroke on my SBC.
Doug
Ok.
427 SBC: Bore: 4.125” Stroke: 4.00”
427 BBC: Bore: 4.250” Stroke: 3.760”
Bore produces more torque at lower rpms. That is the simple answer, but there is a more complex one that gets into bore/stroke ratios, rpm, and compression ratio. Suffice it to say that a larger bore generally requires a lower rpm to make the same torque as a smaller bore engine of the same displacement. You feel this as low rpm “grunt” that is difficult to match in a small block. Oh, and in case you were wondering.
454 SBC: Bore: 4.250” Stoke: 4.00”
454 BBC: Bore: 4.250” Stroke: 4.00”
But I worry about the long term reliability of this SBC given the thin cylinder walls. Your mileage may vary.
Doug
Ok.
427 SBC: Bore: 4.125” Stroke: 4.00”
427 BBC: Bore: 4.250” Stroke: 3.760”
Bore produces more torque at lower rpms. That is the simple answer, but there is a more complex one that gets into bore/stroke ratios, rpm, and compression ratio. Suffice it to say that a larger bore generally requires a lower rpm to make the same torque as a smaller bore engine of the same displacement. You feel this as low rpm “grunt” that is difficult to match in a small block. Oh, and in case you were wondering.
454 SBC: Bore: 4.250” Stoke: 4.00”
454 BBC: Bore: 4.250” Stroke: 4.00”
But I worry about the long term reliability of this SBC given the thin cylinder walls. Your mileage may vary.
01-21-2019, 10:48 AM
#48
Doug, I agree that a torque number is a torque number, and I don't have a dyno on the BBC (I do on the SBC), but I'm guessing the BBC makes torque at a much lower RPM, so coming off the bottom, it feels and responds quicker.... Maybe just a seat of the pants thing but in street driving , the BBC feels much more violent down low.
I'm gonna dyno the BBC here once I get all this other stuff done (PS, PB etc) and it will be interesting to look at where the power is made.
That all said, when the SBC comes on cam at higher RPM, boy it runs too.. I just have to wind it to get it to go
I'm gonna dyno the BBC here once I get all this other stuff done (PS, PB etc) and it will be interesting to look at where the power is made.
That all said, when the SBC comes on cam at higher RPM, boy it runs too.. I just have to wind it to get it to go
01-21-2019, 06:10 PM
#49
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In 1969, I had a BB Nova SS. 396, 4 speed, 4.88 posi gear. GMAC repo with about 1100 miles on it.
I worked with a guy that had just bought a new 390 Ford Fairlane, 4 speed. He talked my ear off about how fast that damn thing was. So, I took him out in the parking lot one day at work and started my Nova up. I had him put the shift lever in 4th gear just to make sure and then proceeded to break the back tires loose in a smokey burnout that that went for at least 150 feet across the parking lot. His jaw hit the floor!
But you know what? In a drag race, that car wouldn't beat much of anything. I drove it to Florida to the '70 Daytona 500. It made it back as far as Atlanta and I had to drop the wife off at a bud's house and get a flight home to Indiana. Get my SBC truck and a tow bar and retrieve is. Seems like all the lifters collapsed in the engine and probably rounded off the cam. Chevy put a new short block in under warranty. Never had much use for the Piles of Junk since then.
I worked with a guy that had just bought a new 390 Ford Fairlane, 4 speed. He talked my ear off about how fast that damn thing was. So, I took him out in the parking lot one day at work and started my Nova up. I had him put the shift lever in 4th gear just to make sure and then proceeded to break the back tires loose in a smokey burnout that that went for at least 150 feet across the parking lot. His jaw hit the floor!
But you know what? In a drag race, that car wouldn't beat much of anything. I drove it to Florida to the '70 Daytona 500. It made it back as far as Atlanta and I had to drop the wife off at a bud's house and get a flight home to Indiana. Get my SBC truck and a tow bar and retrieve is. Seems like all the lifters collapsed in the engine and probably rounded off the cam. Chevy put a new short block in under warranty. Never had much use for the Piles of Junk since then.
Last edited by MikeM; 01-21-2019 at 06:11 PM.
01-21-2019, 06:24 PM
#50
Melting Slicks
In 1969, I had a BB Nova SS. 396, 4 speed, 4.88 posi gear. GMAC repo with about 1100 miles on it.
I worked with a guy that had just bought a new 390 Ford Fairlane, 4 speed. He talked my ear off about how fast that damn thing was. So, I took him out in the parking lot one day at work and started my Nova up. I had him put the shift lever in 4th gear just to make sure and then proceeded to break the back tires loose in a smokey burnout that that went for at least 150 feet across the parking lot. His jaw hit the floor!
But you know what? In a drag race, that car wouldn't beat much of anything. I drove it to Florida to the '70 Daytona 500. It made it back as far as Atlanta and I had to drop the wife off at a bud's house and get a flight home to Indiana. Get my SBC truck and a tow bar and retrieve is. Seems like all the lifters collapsed in the engine and probably rounded off the cam. Chevy put a new short block in under warranty. Never had much use for the Piles of Junk since then.
I worked with a guy that had just bought a new 390 Ford Fairlane, 4 speed. He talked my ear off about how fast that damn thing was. So, I took him out in the parking lot one day at work and started my Nova up. I had him put the shift lever in 4th gear just to make sure and then proceeded to break the back tires loose in a smokey burnout that that went for at least 150 feet across the parking lot. His jaw hit the floor!
But you know what? In a drag race, that car wouldn't beat much of anything. I drove it to Florida to the '70 Daytona 500. It made it back as far as Atlanta and I had to drop the wife off at a bud's house and get a flight home to Indiana. Get my SBC truck and a tow bar and retrieve is. Seems like all the lifters collapsed in the engine and probably rounded off the cam. Chevy put a new short block in under warranty. Never had much use for the Piles of Junk since then.
Ed
01-21-2019, 06:52 PM
#51
65 BB vs SB Car
I tend to agree. I have an original 65 BB car that was converted to a small block in the mid 70's. When I bought it, it had a 350 in it. But, all the evidence is it was a BB car and every clue checks out. That being said, I recently restored it and put a 65 Corvette 327/350 in it and took it on a long cruise this summer. I love the small block. Now, that being said, I have never had a BB car. I am sure I would love it if I had one. Just not worth trying to come up with a correct 396. This car is a total un optioned car. Even radio delete. Sounds like someone wanted to go drag racing. I know very little history of the car except it was unloved. I have loads of pictures. Here is the finished product.
01-21-2019, 07:23 PM
#52
Safety Car
The big blocks sure look good (and run good). Read somewhere that the styling department used to have input on the engines. I've always thought they looked like a small Allison. 
Last edited by 426 Hemi; 01-21-2019 at 09:29 PM.
01-21-2019, 08:11 PM
#53
I have a 64 with a 396. I can't compare a vette with a 327, but I drove a nova with one. The BB is much more fun. Don't have to rev the heck out of it to spin the tires.
I can' sidestep the clutch in 4th and it will take off from a standing start. And I love the way the nose is a little lower. I'm rebuilding the car and going bigger with the BB.
Dom
I can' sidestep the clutch in 4th and it will take off from a standing start. And I love the way the nose is a little lower. I'm rebuilding the car and going bigger with the BB.
Dom
01-21-2019, 10:26 PM
#55
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St. Jude Donor '12
In 1969, I had a BB Nova SS. 396, 4 speed, 4.88 posi gear. GMAC repo with about 1100 miles on it.
I worked with a guy that had just bought a new 390 Ford Fairlane, 4 speed. He talked my ear off about how fast that damn thing was. So, I took him out in the parking lot one day at work and started my Nova up. I had him put the shift lever in 4th gear just to make sure and then proceeded to break the back tires loose in a smokey burnout that that went for at least 150 feet across the parking lot. His jaw hit the floor!
But you know what? In a drag race, that car wouldn't beat much of anything. I drove it to Florida to the '70 Daytona 500. It made it back as far as Atlanta and I had to drop the wife off at a bud's house and get a flight home to Indiana. Get my SBC truck and a tow bar and retrieve is. Seems like all the lifters collapsed in the engine and probably rounded off the cam. Chevy put a new short block in under warranty. Never had much use for the Piles of Junk since then.
I worked with a guy that had just bought a new 390 Ford Fairlane, 4 speed. He talked my ear off about how fast that damn thing was. So, I took him out in the parking lot one day at work and started my Nova up. I had him put the shift lever in 4th gear just to make sure and then proceeded to break the back tires loose in a smokey burnout that that went for at least 150 feet across the parking lot. His jaw hit the floor!
But you know what? In a drag race, that car wouldn't beat much of anything. I drove it to Florida to the '70 Daytona 500. It made it back as far as Atlanta and I had to drop the wife off at a bud's house and get a flight home to Indiana. Get my SBC truck and a tow bar and retrieve is. Seems like all the lifters collapsed in the engine and probably rounded off the cam. Chevy put a new short block in under warranty. Never had much use for the Piles of Junk since then.
Last edited by vettsplit 63; 01-22-2019 at 09:59 AM.
01-21-2019, 11:31 PM
#56
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I don’t know, had a friend that bought a new 396/325 Chevelle and it would outrun everything around town including the 375’s. Always thought it was mis-badged.
01-22-2019, 12:59 AM
#57
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St. Jude Donor '12
I would spot 325 horse cars 5 car lengths and go by them just as I hit third gear. Could outrun them by a half a train length in a heads up raceLast edited by vettsplit 63; 01-22-2019 at 10:01 AM.
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DansYellow66 (01-22-2019)
01-22-2019, 01:43 AM
#58
I am with you Dan. I have a 65 convertible that is a factory original 396 car that I got back in 1976. The 396 was gone and it had a 350 out of a truck in it. Still had the 4.11 and the all the BB stuff like rear sway bar and drivers side battery and such. I installed a 65 Corvette 327/350 and a wide ratio transmission and 3.08. Nice package. Recently, I restored the car and kept the same drive train. This last summer I took it on a long cruise from Michigan to Virginia and all the surrounding states. Ran great and got near 20 MPG. I have toyed with taking it back to a BB, but the factory engine is long gone and when I am finished, I will still have a car with the wrong engine, so I will keep the SB. I am well past the drag racing age. I am almost past the driving age, so I will enjoy my little car in its present form.
01-22-2019, 06:40 AM
#59
Drifting
I am going to need you big block guys to post a few time slips...……..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBok-yQ9SoI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBok-yQ9SoI
01-22-2019, 12:11 PM
#60
Burning Brakes
I guess we all dream of the BB. My first Vette was a 65 with a wore out 327 way back in the 70's. I re-ringed it and ran it for years making about 300 hp. Then I rebuilt it up to 365 hp and turning 6500 rpm was pure music. After the car was stolen I ended up with various sports cars. Now I have a 72 Porsche with an 81 3.0L twin plug engine turning 7200 rpm. Again music to the ears of an old car buff. Well you know I picked up the Hemi/Vette a couple years ago and for sure it is totally different. Now the engine is a stock 392 making only 325 hp but just the looks and sound thu the side pipes is again music to my ears. Where the Porsche turns over 7000 rpm and the Vette only about 5500 the torque (430 ft/lbs) is awesome!!!!