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All 69 and 70 original engines are high compression, 71 to 73 are low compression.
So it's going to depend on which year big block and horsepower you are comparing to which year small block and horsepower and what rear gears both cars are using.
All 69 and 70 original engines are high compression, 71 to 73 are low compression.
So it's going to depend on which year big block and horsepower you are comparing to which year small block and horsepower and what rear gears both cars are using.
Ah, gotcha. It was a generalisation - I didn't realise there was such a difference in feel.
And the re-opening of the Rat Motor vs Mouse motor WAR enters its 65th year!
Lol.
Over-square engines bore is larger than stroke. Undersquare engines exhibit peak torque at lower rpm than an oversquare engine due to their longer crank throw and high piston speed. ... Undersquare engines have a higher volume/surface area ratio, leading to reduced heat loss and higher BSFC.
Okay trying to be 'right up the middle'.
Famous saying; You Speed horsepower, you Drive torque. Meaning 'decent' torque is what you use EVERYDAY.
My L-46 makes Balanced HP and Torque. Dynoed 2002 383HP 385Lbs. ft. torque...super balanced.
Small blocks= weight distribution 50% 50%
Big blocks= 60/40 (Handles???...what's Handling? it's designed to go STRAIGHT. )
Small block, Horsepower, less torque (admittedly the BB is a legendary torque MONSTER)
BB massive torque...lower 'rev-ability'
SBC better gas mileage
BB able to leap small buildings in a single bound....sucks gas like a Saudi Sheik owns it. (mine got 9 mpg at 104 premium)
BB's run hotter by FAR and are tougher to fix...IE no room in the engine compartment.
BB's are still made as in the 7.0 litre units now.
Zora was NOT a fan of BB's, he told me to my Face!
My 496 cubic inch big block with aluminum heads, aluminum water pump, aluminum intake probably weighs no more than the original L-48 small block with cast iron heads, cast iron intake, cast iron water pump. I have also lost weight with aluminum radiator and electric fans, but added some back with the T-56 Magnum versus the old T-10.
Handling is just fine with 550# front, 400# composite rear springs and Bilstein shocks. The limit is probably the fact that I am still running 15" tires. No C3 will handle as well as a C4, C5, C6, C7 or C8.
I will say that the big block torque is fun. Got a hole in traffic, hit the gas and you are there right now.
Here is the rear wheel dyno from when I had my EFI tuned. Love the torque curve.
Oh, and mileage? Averaging about 12 around town because I am enjoying it. Can push 25+ mpg at 70 mph with the EFI and .63 OD in 6th gear.
And overheating? Using the L-82/AC extended spoiler, DeWitts radiator and Lincoln MkVIII fan, no issues in 95+ FL heat even in traffic. 180 stat. Fans come on at 195, off at 185.
Someone once said “there’s no substitute for cubic inches”. There is a lot of truth to that. Having said that, a factory 350 HP small block, or any LT-1, is a different animal than the lesser rated small blocks and some folks prefer them over big blocks.
An all aluminum BB weighs 50lb LESS than an iron headed Aluminum intake SB.
Which is why the Two ZL1's were so SAAAAWEEEEET. Wish they wouldn't have killed the All ALUMINUM LS7. God that would have been nice.
IIRC the 69 Camaro L89 converible ran the same weight as a L78 Coupe, with better weight distribution ... top and bracing all behind the engine... whereas reduction was at the engine. I think in the assembly manual it is a -30 or -50 for figuring the correct springs off of the L78 add of ? I don't remember.
And the re-opening of the Rat Motor vs Mouse motor WAR enters its 65th year!
Lol.
Okay trying to be 'right up the middle'.
Big blocks= 60/40 (Handles???...what's Handling? it's designed to go STRAIGHT. )
BB's run hotter by FAR and are tougher to fix...IE no room in the engine compartment.
Zora was NOT a fan of BB's, he told me to my Face!
l
Originally Posted by L-46man
BBs handle like a rock tied to the end of a string..... lolz
Yep. Big Blocks suck. No one was ever successful racing them... SAID NO ONE EVER. The only people who say Big Blocks don't handle either never really owned one or does not know how to drive with their right foot. Bought my first 427 Vette 31 years ago and have owned 11 427 cars. I currently own a '66, 2 '67s, and 2 '69 427 cars. They are no more difficult to work on than a small block and way more fun to drive... even on winding roads! AND I own 2 L79 67s and a '72 LT-1! The only Corvette Zora owned... He said it was the greatest Vette ever made- a '74 454. He owned it for 15 years!
My 71 with full Ridetech suspension, Borgenson steering box, and modern 18 inch rubber handles amazingly well. I have a BB with aluminum heads and intake, water pump, and radiator. It is a freakin blast to drive. The reality is, unless you are racing or running timed events on a regular basis, you really won't notice the extra weight, and, the difference in weight is usually less than having a passenger sitting next to you or not. All of the common issues with having a BB can be addressed using modern "improved" parts. Except maybe the gas mileage issue.... I haven't cracked that code, yet.
The engineers at GM added rear sway bars and higher rated spring rates to compensate for the difference in curb weight and balance between sb and bb Corvettes.
I love my big block for the torque cruising down the highway and running around twisting mountain roads.
For normal or spirited driving, you will never really notice any difference in handling.
Pop open the hood and it is a little more crowed but that hasn’t stopped me from doing any type of maintenance I’ve needed to do.
I don’t understand why small block guys have such a problem with big blocks.
The engineers at GM added rear sway bars and higher rated spring rates to compensate for the difference in curb weight and balance between sb and bb Corvettes.
I love my big block for the torque cruising down the highway and running around twisting mountain roads.
For normal or spirited driving, you will never really notice any difference in handling.
Pop open the hood and it is a little more crowed but that hasn’t stopped me from doing any type of maintenance I’ve needed to do. I don’t understand why small block guys have such a problem with big blocks.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
think like you do in life using math and substiute the below for "x"
I want a bigger "X"
pizza
sandwiches
*****
boat
gun
*****
hp
fish you just caught
*****
beer
margurita
*****
its a pretty easy calculation
If you wan tot get into HP and torque VS weight than youneed less weight to increase the HP. Look at the AC Cobra. Little tiny 2000 lb car with a little straight 6...shove a 427 in it....instant happiness
To get the same joy out of a square 327 you need some decent horsepower. A lower geared rearend (3.70 vs 3.36 or 3.55) and a 5 speed. MMine puts out the same 1/4 mile numbers as a HO 427 from the late 60's but at a much higher rpm. I can keep up with the big boys. Does it look as cool...no. Does it sound as low and cool at idle...no. Shes close and does sound good but it not the same. If I had the cash I would make an all aluminum big block that weighed the same as a small block. That would be happiness
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; 09-26-2020 at 08:44 AM.
09-25-2020, 04:52 PM
What are big blocks like to drive compared to a 350?
