355 sb or 396 bb?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
I am not a 383 fan , 90 plus percent of them make 20 or maybe 30 more hp and torque over a similarly built 350. I guess its cool to say 383 stroker .. But in practical street applications where you want driveability one or the other will work just fine over any stock vette from 73 and up..
That was the main factor that drove me to a 427 SBC .
That was the main factor that drove me to a 427 SBC .
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 31
From: Rapid City South Dakota
I switched from small block to big block, did not change the springs. If you think about it, if you go with aluminum heads, intake manifold, water pump and radiator and dump the cast iron manifolds in lieu of headers, you must be close to stock small block weight.
The brackets for the conversion add up pretty quickly.
If my memory serves me correctly, big block heads just flow better than small block heads. That being said, it just makes sense to go with a bigger big block if you are going to take the plunge.
The brackets for the conversion add up pretty quickly.
If my memory serves me correctly, big block heads just flow better than small block heads. That being said, it just makes sense to go with a bigger big block if you are going to take the plunge.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
I did the swap in my 77. No spring change, no problem.
I was surprised to find out the replacement springs for 65-74
big blocks are the same as 73-82 small blocks.
I was surprised to find out the replacement springs for 65-74
big blocks are the same as 73-82 small blocks.
Last edited by John 65; Jan 12, 2016 at 02:59 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
I would do the big block swap IF you can build anything other then a 396... Reason is that 396s are odd *****.. Depending on the heads, you'll have to have pistons made for it...that's $700+ alone.. Yes the big block heads "flow well", However depending on what heads you are using, you have to really dial in the combo to make decent power... And for the most part, you can build a 383 SB with good parts and make the same or more power, in a 200lb lighter package.
For what you will spend on brackets/pullies/headers etc etc to convert to a BB, I may not be cost effective.
I guess it all depends on what you want and how much you want to spend.
I say all of this because I just finished a 396 last year for my dad's 65'. We spent a lot of money on the motor, it made average power on the dyno and I kept thinking, the bang for the buck was definitely not there.. But it was a restoration type build, numbers matching thing...
I could have built a 383 for half of what the BB resto cost, and made 50hp more..
Now if you have an oval port 454 laying around, that's a whole new ball game and I'd be all over that..
For what you will spend on brackets/pullies/headers etc etc to convert to a BB, I may not be cost effective.
I guess it all depends on what you want and how much you want to spend.
I say all of this because I just finished a 396 last year for my dad's 65'. We spent a lot of money on the motor, it made average power on the dyno and I kept thinking, the bang for the buck was definitely not there.. But it was a restoration type build, numbers matching thing...
I could have built a 383 for half of what the BB resto cost, and made 50hp more..
Now if you have an oval port 454 laying around, that's a whole new ball game and I'd be all over that..
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 14
From: LaMoille Illinois
yu can build a great 355 sbc that will perfom well!!
i built a 355 with an eagle rotateing assembly .030 over forged flat top pistons,world sportsman II 64 cc 2.05 heads (iron) comp cam 280h magnum cam kit lifter push rods etc.
10.5:1 cr edelbrock airgap and a new holley 750 dp
put it in my 71 chevelle (full interior street car) and ran high 11`s all day on 10 inch street tires. made well over 400 hp
i would go sb plus you can take a sb into rpm ranges bb cant go with a four speed and sidepipes nothing sounds or feels better!!! jmho
i built a 355 with an eagle rotateing assembly .030 over forged flat top pistons,world sportsman II 64 cc 2.05 heads (iron) comp cam 280h magnum cam kit lifter push rods etc.
10.5:1 cr edelbrock airgap and a new holley 750 dp
put it in my 71 chevelle (full interior street car) and ran high 11`s all day on 10 inch street tires. made well over 400 hp
i would go sb plus you can take a sb into rpm ranges bb cant go with a four speed and sidepipes nothing sounds or feels better!!! jmho
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 246
Likes: 2
From: colonia New jeresy
i think the bb is out it runs it is complete but lite some said brackets /pulleys are about 1000 i can put that in my small block thanks for the info i will try to sell the bb any offers ? its a 68 block with 1965 o port heads and i have a m-20 4 spd i think its a 1963 maybe a split window vette trans?
Last edited by 377; Jan 13, 2016 at 07:11 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
engine
377- I did not hear anyone mention that your SB is a numbers matching engine. If you are ever going to sell the car or just care about its value, the matching engine is a big plus. I have a 454 in my 68 convert, but it is (obviously) not a matching number engine. A lot of people looking for a big block car will lose interest if the engine has been swapped out. You have so many performance upgrades available for the SB that power should not be a problem. RA
