SB vs BB question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 219
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From: Wilmington NC
SB vs BB question
I was talking to a mechanic about wanting a BB vette the other day. He shot the BB down and said I should go with a SB for the following reasons:
1. It weighs less = quicker takeoff
2. Less expensive to build and still get high HP #'s
3. Handling would be better with a SB
4. SB is the more ideal street motor
My response to this was:
1. More weight, but more HP to make up for it
2. Cubic Inches = HP BOTTOM LINE
3. Isn't that what stiffer/adjustable suspension and sway bars are for?
4. Then why would they even put them in cars?
I really want a BB when I start looking for a C3, but is any of what he said true? Opinions appreciated
-Shark Mann
1. It weighs less = quicker takeoff
2. Less expensive to build and still get high HP #'s
3. Handling would be better with a SB
4. SB is the more ideal street motor
My response to this was:
1. More weight, but more HP to make up for it
2. Cubic Inches = HP BOTTOM LINE
3. Isn't that what stiffer/adjustable suspension and sway bars are for?
4. Then why would they even put them in cars?
I really want a BB when I start looking for a C3, but is any of what he said true? Opinions appreciated
-Shark Mann
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
If you want a BB, get a BB. Thats what I did. The weight thing is a ludicrous arguement. With an aluminum intake, radiator, WP and heads, you're approaching the weight of a sb.
Prices may be a little more, but hey, its a BB.
Remember, they didn't race the SB, jut the L-88's
Prices may be a little more, but hey, its a BB.
Remember, they didn't race the SB, jut the L-88's
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,798
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From: Pine Bluff Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21
The mouse might do pretty good for few blocks.......but don't look back beause that rats torque is coming up fast.
I've had both.....and what ever I have at the time is fine with me.
Larry
I've had both.....and what ever I have at the time is fine with me.
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: State of Confusion!!!
2018 C2 of Year Winner
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
There's a reason BB cars sell for 15-25% more than their smaller brothers. There's a reason BB cars get more attention at the car shows. There's a reason that for every BB to SB conversion there are 20 SB to BB conversions.
Horsepower!
For a SB to make the same HP as a BB, 500 HP for instance, the SB has to rpm, which means giving up idle quality, driveability, vacuum, duarability, etc. BB's make can make 500 without all those problems,..hell 500 HP is barely breaking a sweat in a 468 or 496.
My opinion,..worth what you paid.
Horsepower!
For a SB to make the same HP as a BB, 500 HP for instance, the SB has to rpm, which means giving up idle quality, driveability, vacuum, duarability, etc. BB's make can make 500 without all those problems,..hell 500 HP is barely breaking a sweat in a 468 or 496.
My opinion,..worth what you paid.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
I'd get exactly what I wanted if I were you. I pulled a 396 out of my old Camaro to install a 350 I'd built up. I used to 'hop' a front tire over a coke can for gas money with the mouse.
The other guys are right, if you are going for ultimate horse and money's no object, get a rat and build it to the hilt. But I can tell you from old school experience with the rat you'll spend $1.25 for every extra horse you'd spend a $1.00 for with the mouse.
A close friend and I had a friendly rivalry at the 1/4 mile strip fairly close to here. He had a fairly hot rat. (heck, I helped him build it) I'll stand up and admit, all things being exactly equal, he'd pull me by a half car at the end. But I taught him quick that if he got cocky and wasn't paying close attention when we launched, he got to stare at my tail lights all the way to and across the timing lights.(my camaro, his nova)
You can wring a lot of HP out of a mouse, and if you're paying attention you can cause a few rat owners jaws to drop, but a rats torque will pull that stump out everytime.
Just my $.02 ,your mileage may vary.
John
The other guys are right, if you are going for ultimate horse and money's no object, get a rat and build it to the hilt. But I can tell you from old school experience with the rat you'll spend $1.25 for every extra horse you'd spend a $1.00 for with the mouse.
A close friend and I had a friendly rivalry at the 1/4 mile strip fairly close to here. He had a fairly hot rat. (heck, I helped him build it) I'll stand up and admit, all things being exactly equal, he'd pull me by a half car at the end. But I taught him quick that if he got cocky and wasn't paying close attention when we launched, he got to stare at my tail lights all the way to and across the timing lights.(my camaro, his nova)
You can wring a lot of HP out of a mouse, and if you're paying attention you can cause a few rat owners jaws to drop, but a rats torque will pull that stump out everytime.
Just my $.02 ,your mileage may vary.
John
Last edited by seventysixvette; Feb 9, 2007 at 03:14 PM. Reason: I'm still learnin to spell....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
THey haven't in over 30 years 
This debate has been going on for some time now. Big block against small block 350ci no comparison.
But with big inch small blocks readily available these days the difference in HP is mute point for similar sized motors. I get 550HP + out of my 406ci small block with 460ft/'bs @ 2000RPM. Idles fine and is a pleasure to cruise around town.
I am building a 427ci small block right now that will have the same street manners and be in the 600HP/600TQ neighbourhood, I see no need to go with a big block these days
This debate has been going on for some time now. Big block against small block 350ci no comparison.
But with big inch small blocks readily available these days the difference in HP is mute point for similar sized motors. I get 550HP + out of my 406ci small block with 460ft/'bs @ 2000RPM. Idles fine and is a pleasure to cruise around town.
I am building a 427ci small block right now that will have the same street manners and be in the 600HP/600TQ neighbourhood, I see no need to go with a big block these days
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
When I had my SB rebuilt, I used your mechanics reasons, and a few more I invented 
, to talk myself out of a BB conversion.....
Now, 3 years later, I've pulled the trigger on the BB....I have no regrets, my SB is a fine motor, and I've had a lot of fun with it.....
......but for me, the BB was inevitable because there's a huge amount of prestige with the big block that outweighs any minor performance differences....
Just make sure you get what you want, because if you buy an SB and decide to put a BB in it, you'll get a big $$$$ spanking (from the wife and your wallet) doing the conversion.....
Good luck with your decision
I know you'll make the right choice
....
, to talk myself out of a BB conversion.....Now, 3 years later, I've pulled the trigger on the BB....I have no regrets, my SB is a fine motor, and I've had a lot of fun with it.....
......but for me, the BB was inevitable because there's a huge amount of prestige with the big block that outweighs any minor performance differences....
Just make sure you get what you want, because if you buy an SB and decide to put a BB in it, you'll get a big $$$$ spanking (from the wife and your wallet
) doing the conversion..... Good luck with your decision
I know you'll make the right choice ....
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
I find it is based on what rpms you like to drive.
There is nothing better to me than feel a bb
just off idle "walking" away, car rocks to each stroke
feel each cyl fire........................
can't type any more drewl is in the keys.
There is nothing better to me than feel a bb
just off idle "walking" away, car rocks to each stroke
feel each cyl fire........................
can't type any more drewl is in the keys.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 219
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From: Wilmington NC
I will be cruisin' around town and maybe the occasional street race with a riced out car. Hope that helps. The post with the 427 makes me think about doing one of those.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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There is NOTHING like the sound,torque, power & awe of a big block PERIOD !!!
"POINT & SHOOT"
"POINT & SHOOT"
Le Mans Master
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From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Years ago a buddy of mine had a '68 427 that I loved to drive because you could just "lug it" around with all that torque. Love BBs
