View Poll Results: What kept you from going with a BB?
I like to see the most HP, I can get out of a SB
10
38.46%
I wanted something different from everybody else.
5
19.23%
Small Blocks are a much easier swap requiring less work (SB cars)
7
26.92%
Big Blocks are out of my price range!
8
30.77%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll
Big inch SB vs. BB
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
Big inch SB vs. BB
Lately, I have been looking at the big inch small blocks (not that I plan on building one in the near future or anything), and I've been wondering why people go this route instead of the big blocks. I understand you can get BB horsepower by going with the more cubes with the weight of a small block, but you can get even more cubes if you went with an aluminum block.
So, what kept you from going with a big block?
So, what kept you from going with a big block?
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
I always built small blocks, so that's what I'm most familiar with. I'm sure I could, I just haven't. I've never owned a BB Chevy, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,676
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Mine came down to accessoriies.
I already had all the brackets and heads for the small block so went with a 400 when I needed to switch.
The big block would have been cool, but I didn't think it was worth the cost and effort. I may change my mind once I hit the limits of the engine that I chose though.
I already had all the brackets and heads for the small block so went with a 400 when I needed to switch.
The big block would have been cool, but I didn't think it was worth the cost and effort. I may change my mind once I hit the limits of the engine that I chose though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
In retrospect I could have built more power out of a BB than the 406 I have now,but having to toss all the smallblock brackets,intakes,headers,etc. that I already had baught and paid for,I felt I could (and did) build enough horsepower with the small block.
I also tend to like the rumpity idle I have with my 540 horse 406,and in comparison to a 454 pushing only 540 horse,the 454 would idle like a Caddy.The other concideration I had was cost.In all the catologs I've seen when the "big block" is mentioned,the price of the part is "BIG BUCK".
I also tend to like the rumpity idle I have with my 540 horse 406,and in comparison to a 454 pushing only 540 horse,the 454 would idle like a Caddy.The other concideration I had was cost.In all the catologs I've seen when the "big block" is mentioned,the price of the part is "BIG BUCK".
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California
The vote really didn't give me the option that I needed which would be the weight and handling issue. I don't have the dollars to go out and buy an aluminum big block and I don't want to have the extra pork upfront screwing up my handling.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
I hope you didn't get the feeling that I tried to put the SBC's down. I was just curious as to why people went this route.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Because the car was a SB to start with and had all the acc. for a SB. A 500 HP SB is about all you can use on the street anyway. I can hardly get any traction with what I have. If I built a BB pretty much the same way it would be around 700HP. That is quite a bit of HP for a street car, although there never seems to be HP.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 1
From: Mounds View Minnesota
The down side is it LOOKS like a small block.
The upside is it sounds like a big block when it starts up ( a healthy big block at that...
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Keizer OR
I still have the stock engine, but I voted anyway because I've already decided to go small block after I finish some other projects and I'm ready for an engine swap.
For what I want, I'm looking at EFI, 300-350HP, and 5-spd/6-spd, improved handling through suspension upgrades. Cheaper and easier to stay with a SB. I know not all of that is related to SB vs BB, but I like to consider all upgrades as a package not just look at all the parts individualy.
For what I want, I'm looking at EFI, 300-350HP, and 5-spd/6-spd, improved handling through suspension upgrades. Cheaper and easier to stay with a SB. I know not all of that is related to SB vs BB, but I like to consider all upgrades as a package not just look at all the parts individualy.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
I still have the stock engine, but I voted anyway because I've already decided to go small block after I finish some other projects and I'm ready for an engine swap.
For what I want, I'm looking at EFI, 300-350HP, and 5-spd/6-spd, improved handling through suspension upgrades. Cheaper and easier to stay with a SB. I know not all of that is related to SB vs BB, but I like to consider all upgrades as a package not just look at all the parts individualy.
For what I want, I'm looking at EFI, 300-350HP, and 5-spd/6-spd, improved handling through suspension upgrades. Cheaper and easier to stay with a SB. I know not all of that is related to SB vs BB, but I like to consider all upgrades as a package not just look at all the parts individualy.
Sounds like you package will result in a good cruiser with good gas mileage. Good Luck on your build!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,700
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
I like both engines, each one has its pro and cons but prefer a high perf SB for its weight and for its 'urgency' in revving high, i've been thinking to pass to the wild side though but only when i'll be able to effort a full alu high compression BB engine, which means plenty of $$$$$$
