I would prefer a 427 Convertible , but my Budget was to low so its a 350/300 Base T-Top
Cheers
Frank

PS: And Im happy with it

 

I've had 2 BB cars: a 70 Coupe with a 70 CRR Chevelle 454. It was a monster. The engine was probably worth more than the car. I didn't know what I had until later. My current car is a pretty much original Plain Jane 68 L36 Roadster. BB's are cool and are torque monsters. On the other hand, I have driven a few small blocks. Once I drove a 69 350 Roadster. What a nicely balanced car! Much more of a sports car, from a handling and driveability standpoint. Certainly tamer than a BB. So, what do you want?

 

To me there is nothing like a BB over a SB for colectability, coolness and sound.

Yes a SB will be cheaper to build, you can get a ton of power out of a SB, and the car will handle better on a road coarse.

But this picture tells me a story:


350 SB vs 427 BB

 

basically comes down to preferences and money.

1. BB cars are going to generally be more expensive.

2. BB cars are generally going to have more HP and more important for street use more torque.

3. BB cars will generally be more desireable from a collector point of view although there are exceptions such as the SB LT1's

4. SB cars are more plentiful and easier to find and generally less expensive (LT1 cars being the exception)

5. SB cars have less weight in the front and handle better because they are more evenly weight distributed

6. Parts availability on both is excellent but you can find pretty much ANY part for a Chevy SB ANYWHERE.

7. you mention cars newer than '75's are not as good because of lower power. This is true about the power levels.... but 74 thru '82 cars are also generally less expensive than the earlier chrome bumper cars of '68-72 and the savings could go towards some basic engine modifications to gain more power so a '74-'76 could probably be bought for a very reasonably price and than the engine can be made more powerful and still keep the price the same or less than you would pay for an earlier model year car.

8. your milage estimates on both the BB at 15mpg and the SB at 17mpg are "generous and hopeful" in my opinion.
My '65 327 (even smaller than the 350's in a C3) averages apprx 12mpg and thats only if I don't get too happy with the throttle pedal. I can easily make that milage get cut in half if i'm "having fun" and if you see 12mpg on a BB you are really going easy with it

 

I love this pic

 

It's amazing how much fuel a BB will use up when having a little fun.
I find myself rationing my driving a bit given the high gas prices and rather limited range per gallon.

 

With my 5 speed, on the highway I get about 14MPG with the 427/390 and with some tuning and a little more conservation, I would think 17MPG would be possible.

Around town, well lets just say I don't pass to many gas stations while having "fun".

 

I have reported problems with the earch function on this forum.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/help...available.html

Other than that I have mostly tried google, but what I found was just what I previously wrote, that people claim the BB being the one to go for, but thats only based on it being superior in power.

Personally I don't think an engine i better, just because its more powerful.

But if this is a common question, I sudgest that this shall be made a "Sticky" or atleast put under one of the Stickies?

 

By the way, thank you for your replies everyone.

 

I would go with the 350 and spend the extra $$ in headers, exhaust, and suspension. HP is fine BUT the minute you throw the older suspension into a corner, you will wish you had that extra stiff spring set, the tubular a-arms, and the new trailing arms with the adjustable strut rods. Trust me on this! I had a 67 LT1 Camaro back in the day. Spent lots of $$ on HP, but the minute it went into a corner, I was fighting for my life not to have the back end come around and the front end diving into the turn. Balance .... It's all about balance!

... and enjoyment of the car!

 

My '69 350/350 is very willing and able to generate power and fun.....4 speed a must!

 

They say if you lock a BBC and a SBC in the garage during a full moon, they will occasionally create offspring with the best genes from both, lol!!









This SBC 427 Dybo'd at 565hp. It is set up for daily use. A wilder set up would probably get you 600hp. It is being installed in my C2 Coupe along with a Tremec 6sp. The 6sp has a final drive of .50.

 

Thats a beauty right there !

 

I wouldn't put that in a car, I would put it in my living room! It's a beautiful thing!

 

Economy, best handling, best overall manners w/ the least headaches...a 350/350 with headers is a very nice package.
For more of everything (except handling); more brute force, expense of parts, fuel consumption, tire wear, AND appeal at car shows...nuttin like the BBC.

I like cruising on a winding road over drag racing, tho I do both. I like power too (someone here doesn't??) So, I'm always torn when having to choose. In the end, I try to have both, to some extent. And, for that I've had and seem to lean toward the SBC, either a slightly cammed 350/350, or a 383 stroker to really nip at the heals of the BBC w/o the BBC expense or handling sacrifice.

My wife's love is her 69 L46/M4 vert and I love that car too. But, on the other hand, speaking of having it both ways, my "little" 32 valve, DOHC 350 in my 90 ZR-1 is the most ferocious car/engine I ever owned or drove - BBCs included! But, that's a different topic completely.

Your mileage may vary.

P.

 

I have a small block and wish to have a big block like a 427...

 

I'd like a big inch small block like uxojerry's up there.

 

I assume, you are aware about this forum in Denmark?

http://www.club-corvette.dk/

Register yourself, meet the people, see their rides, compare them, set your priorities, establish a budget, start shopping

 

In today's world the 427 inch engines look like cast iron pigs. The stock 454 engine in my 1970 is horrible: cast iron block, cast iron heads, and cast iron intake manifold. If you're going for a 427/454, at least try to get aluminum heads and an aluminum intake manifold.

The 427/454 engines take up a lot of space in the engine compartment. If you've got air conditioning, it's really TIGHT in there.

For my 70, I've got an all aluminum big block. A little overkill, a iron block will be OK. To get more space in the engine compartment, I removed the stock AC. Bought a Vintage Air AC. The evaporator is behind the passenger's front interior panel. Makes a lot more room in the engine compartment. To make more room, I also bought a hydroboost power brake assist. The hydroboost allows higher intake valve covers that won't interfere with the stock vacuum power brake booster.

 

I'm guessing that you haven't worked on a late model car recently. If you had, a big block C3 would seem, generous.