What are big blocks like to drive compared to a 350?
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
What are big blocks like to drive compared to a 350?
Looking for a chrome car and am wondering what a 427/454 feels like compared to a 350?
I'm assuming they feel heavier up front, but from a power/torque delivery perspective on the road, specifically with a 4 speed, how do they compare?
I'm assuming they feel heavier up front, but from a power/torque delivery perspective on the road, specifically with a 4 speed, how do they compare?
#2
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.
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.
#3
Drifting
Thread Starter
Ah, gotcha. It was a generalisation - I didn't realise there was such a difference in feel.
#4
Kinda like this...
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#6
Melting Slicks
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!
Do you like chocolate or CHOCOLATE??????
unkahal
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!
Do you like chocolate or CHOCOLATE??????
unkahal
Last edited by L-46man; 09-25-2020 at 06:37 PM.
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HVILA (09-12-2023)
#7
Melting Slicks
rock and string
BBs handle like a rock tied to the end of a string..... lolz
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#9
Race Director
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I think it's a lot like how Ford Prefect described one of Lazlar Lyricon custom spaceships...
“Looks like a fish, moves like a fish, steers like a cow.”
M
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txfatboy1 (09-26-2020)
#10
Le Mans Master
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.
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.
Last edited by SteveG75; 09-25-2020 at 08:47 PM.
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#12
Melting Slicks
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.
#13
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.
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.
#14
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
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
The only Corvette Zora owned... He said it was the greatest Vette ever made- a '74 454. He owned it for 15 years!
Last edited by KingRat; 09-26-2020 at 12:26 AM.
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#15
Le Mans Master
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2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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The last time I drove a BB C3 was in the '90s, and I remember one main difference...
Seemingly effortless acceleration at almost any speed....
Seemingly effortless acceleration at almost any speed....
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LS4 PILOT (10-16-2020)
#16
Instructor
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.
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marshal135 (10-15-2020)
#17
Race Director
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.
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.
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#18
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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.
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.
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Alex66 (10-02-2020)
#19
Drifting
Thread Starter
Wow - thanks guys, I didn't realise it was such a frequent flyer and didn't mean to start a "jeez, not this sh*t again" session. LOL
Thanks for all your responses - I get it.
My budget almost certainly rules out a BB, but good to know.
At least cooling won't be an issue for my here in the UK, with average high temps of 50-60F
Thanks for all your responses - I get it.
My budget almost certainly rules out a BB, but good to know.
At least cooling won't be an issue for my here in the UK, with average high temps of 50-60F
#20
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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"
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
I want a bigger "X"
- pizza
- sandwiches
- *****
- boat
- gun
- *****
- hp
- fish you just caught
- *****
- beer
- margurita
- *****
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.