355 sb or 396 bb?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 246
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From: colonia New jeresy
355 sb or 396 bb?
i have a sb in my car now it needs rebuilding. i have a 396 needs rebuilding what do u think i should do ? is it worth the weight and changes to put the bb in the car or keep the #matching L-82 ? i would build either one with hi perf parts what do u think? thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Sadieville Kentucky
BB requires radiator and font spring change ,bigger exhaust possibly trans up grade or change and yokes changed in differential and hood to mention a few things Do the math The engine is the cheap part .
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
A 396 BB is a tiny motor cubic inch wise for all the extra weight. A SB can easily go 383 and if you have a 400 bore block 421 is pretty easy. So you have more cubic inches in a SB than a 396 BB. I would not build anything smaller than a 496 BB. Cubic inch and power wise it is the way to go. If your buying crank rods and Pistons go as big as you can cubic inch wise.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: oak harbor wa
BB weight and power
Well I've seen this time and time again, whether or not you build a high TQ/HP small block or big block, something is gonna break down the line. But if you go big block go aluminum heads and intake and you will about the same weight as a small block with iron heads and save on springs for something else or go small block with aluminum heads and put the extra money in trans rear end and good brakes to stop. So if you have a 396 block and want more cubic inches just make it the cubic inches you desire, the same goes with the big cube small block.
Burning Brakes
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From: Brisbane Queensland
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Drifting
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From: new iberia la
Safety Car
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From: Aarhus, Denmark
A 396 BB is a tiny motor cubic inch wise for all the extra weight. A SB can easily go 383 and if you have a 400 bore block 421 is pretty easy. So you have more cubic inches in a SB than a 396 BB. I would not build anything smaller than a 496 BB. Cubic inch and power wise it is the way to go. If your buying crank rods and Pistons go as big as you can cubic inch wise.
BB is nice in may ways, BUT a well build SBC is a very good solution for most.
Low weight, MANY parts for good prices, easy to service, and today you cant get BB grunt in a SBC.
That is why I bought a SBC 427
Safety Car
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From: Aarhus, Denmark
Safety Car
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From: Saskatchewan, Canada
But for me, it SBC the right solution, with low weight, prices and easy service.[/QUOTE]
Good point, c3 dk - how about one of each???
Good point, c3 dk - how about one of each???
Last edited by bkvette3; Jan 9, 2016 at 09:57 AM.
Safety Car
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From: Aarhus, Denmark
Good point, c3 dk - how about one of each???
[/QUOTE]Well it was close, one from my Corvette Club said he had a BB 1967 427 engine for sale, I called him ASAP, well it was a Camaro 396, with Corvette BB heads, and Edelbrock intake.
And that was fine, I have no use for it anyway.
But if it was a 67 427 BB then I would have bought it.........
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St. Jude Donor '05
Love the exh note of a 396 BUT as others have said they are such a small BB almost not worth it. I sold mine yrs ago...
Keep your # matching block if its important to you and stroke it to 396 ci only upgrade might be a better radiator. Less to build and everything bolts right up to it. Noone can tell whats inside the block. Just remember they can use some air no need to be shy on heads or intkae to "build low end"
Just dont cork it up with a stock intake or manifolds for looks ugh
Keep your # matching block if its important to you and stroke it to 396 ci only upgrade might be a better radiator. Less to build and everything bolts right up to it. Noone can tell whats inside the block. Just remember they can use some air no need to be shy on heads or intkae to "build low end"
Just dont cork it up with a stock intake or manifolds for looks ugh
Last edited by cv67; Jan 9, 2016 at 11:42 AM.
Safety Car
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From: Aarhus, Denmark
