SMALL BLOCK vs BIG BLOCK
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
You need a bunch of not so common parts for raised camshaft, spread pan rails etc. by the time your finished a 454ci it is getting pretty expensive 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,739
Likes: 0
From: A Pretty Part of MO
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
Motorhead, give me comparable heads and I'll make more power with the big block than the small block. Problem is, the 454 big block can't take advantage of significantly altered valve angles, they don't make heads of that configuration in a port size that a 454 could even begin to use.
You take your aftermarket block, bore it, stroke it and you're at 454.
I take my aftermarket block, bore and stroke it (with .025 left for another overbore, which you won't have with the SBC 454) and I'm at 565. Wanna bet which one tops the dyno in both hp and tq? This isn't even tall deck, which I think it takes to make the 454 small block. If that's the case, you can get 632 cubes in a tall deck, standard cam location big block.
Now when we start talking about the LSX stuff, I understand 522 cubes is possible. Significantly altered valve angles give this engine family a big edge over the old conventional stuff I like.
Bottom line is that you need to decide what you want to do with the car and engine and go from there. Not everyone wants or needs 750hp under the hood.
I do, but I understand there are folks that don't.
You take your aftermarket block, bore it, stroke it and you're at 454.
I take my aftermarket block, bore and stroke it (with .025 left for another overbore, which you won't have with the SBC 454) and I'm at 565. Wanna bet which one tops the dyno in both hp and tq? This isn't even tall deck, which I think it takes to make the 454 small block. If that's the case, you can get 632 cubes in a tall deck, standard cam location big block.
Now when we start talking about the LSX stuff, I understand 522 cubes is possible. Significantly altered valve angles give this engine family a big edge over the old conventional stuff I like.
Bottom line is that you need to decide what you want to do with the car and engine and go from there. Not everyone wants or needs 750hp under the hood.
I do, but I understand there are folks that don't.
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 209
Likes: 6
From: Glendale AZ
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackson View Post
Yea sure (pics?) ... you must not be referring to chevy V8 ... aside from custom made blocks AND cranks; SBC bore spacing limits max bore to about 4.2" ... BBC bore spacing limits max bore to about 4.6".
sounds like a 2 cyl John Deere engine to me...
Yup, three unstyled A's, one styled A, two styled G's and a 28 D
Originally Posted by jackson View Post
Yea sure (pics?) ... you must not be referring to chevy V8 ... aside from custom made blocks AND cranks; SBC bore spacing limits max bore to about 4.2" ... BBC bore spacing limits max bore to about 4.6".
sounds like a 2 cyl John Deere engine to me...
Yup, three unstyled A's, one styled A, two styled G's and a 28 D
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Finland
Are they building low quality? I do not mean component selection - they do use flat tappet cams etc cheap solutions - but the workmanship quality, is that poor reputation as well?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
That, and they don't have the most stellar customer service rep. Do searches here and at www.chevelles.com and www.camaros.net. Should be enough info to help you make an educated choice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Finland
That, and they don't have the most stellar customer service rep. Do searches here and at www.chevelles.com and www.camaros.net. Should be enough info to help you make an educated choice.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Big block or small block, what's the difference if you have all that horse power (500+) from either one and can't get any traction.....there's plenty of Forum members that have engines in the 400rwhp and are having problems with traction now, which isn't a bad problem...
I say build smart and within your budget limits, hey I'd love to have 500hp under the hood but if I can't hook up it spells one word...loser..... jmo
I say build smart and within your budget limits, hey I'd love to have 500hp under the hood but if I can't hook up it spells one word...loser..... jmo
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
That block I posted is capable of withstanding 2000hp. If you put a big enough supercharger, turbo or nitrous, you can go well into the 1000hp range run on pump gas and be streetable. Whats the purpose of a big block anymore????? Power adder is where its at. If you want 2000hp or more go with a big block. But I highly doubt he plans on that. This isn't about what makes more power its that the small block can cover a lot of ground before you would have to go to a Big block. Get it.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Motorhead, give me comparable heads and I'll make more power with the big block than the small block. Problem is, the 454 big block can't take advantage of significantly altered valve angles, they don't make heads of that configuration in a port size that a 454 could even begin to use.
You take your aftermarket block, bore it, stroke it and you're at 454.
I take my aftermarket block, bore and stroke it (with .025 left for another overbore, which you won't have with the SBC 454) and I'm at 565. Wanna bet which one tops the dyno in both hp and tq? This isn't even tall deck, which I think it takes to make the 454 small block. If that's the case, you can get 632 cubes in a tall deck, standard cam location big block.
Now when we start talking about the LSX stuff, I understand 522 cubes is possible. Significantly altered valve angles give this engine family a big edge over the old conventional stuff I like.
Bottom line is that you need to decide what you want to do with the car and engine and go from there. Not everyone wants or needs 750hp under the hood.
I do, but I understand there are folks that don't.
You take your aftermarket block, bore it, stroke it and you're at 454.
I take my aftermarket block, bore and stroke it (with .025 left for another overbore, which you won't have with the SBC 454) and I'm at 565. Wanna bet which one tops the dyno in both hp and tq? This isn't even tall deck, which I think it takes to make the 454 small block. If that's the case, you can get 632 cubes in a tall deck, standard cam location big block.
Now when we start talking about the LSX stuff, I understand 522 cubes is possible. Significantly altered valve angles give this engine family a big edge over the old conventional stuff I like.
Bottom line is that you need to decide what you want to do with the car and engine and go from there. Not everyone wants or needs 750hp under the hood.
I do, but I understand there are folks that don't.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Joplin Missouri
Parts are cheaper for the SB and easier to find. But there is no replacement for deplacement Go BB! Becareful if you are starting from scratch with a bare block as I did and plan ahead. Those nice shinny parts will add up in no time, but they are pretty to look at. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 502
Likes: 6
From: Chesterfield Virginia
Thanks guys,
I really enjoyed all the response to my original question. Yes, the car was an original big block, but when I purchased it, nothing was original. You have given me a lot to ponder over in the next couple of weeks. This is part of a complete frame off resto but looks like it may end up as a bad *** street rod since so much of this car was screwed up. Still like the idea of wicked power from a small block but I understand where all the big block guys are coming from. Will keep you posted on the results.
Thanks,
FEVER96
I really enjoyed all the response to my original question. Yes, the car was an original big block, but when I purchased it, nothing was original. You have given me a lot to ponder over in the next couple of weeks. This is part of a complete frame off resto but looks like it may end up as a bad *** street rod since so much of this car was screwed up. Still like the idea of wicked power from a small block but I understand where all the big block guys are coming from. Will keep you posted on the results.
Thanks,
FEVER96
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
Thanks guys,
I really enjoyed all the response to my original question. Yes, the car was an original big block, but when I purchased it, nothing was original. You have given me a lot to ponder over in the next couple of weeks. This is part of a complete frame off resto but looks like it may end up as a bad *** street rod since so much of this car was screwed up. Still like the idea of wicked power from a small block but I understand where all the big block guys are coming from. Will keep you posted on the results.
Thanks,
FEVER96
I really enjoyed all the response to my original question. Yes, the car was an original big block, but when I purchased it, nothing was original. You have given me a lot to ponder over in the next couple of weeks. This is part of a complete frame off resto but looks like it may end up as a bad *** street rod since so much of this car was screwed up. Still like the idea of wicked power from a small block but I understand where all the big block guys are coming from. Will keep you posted on the results.
Thanks,
FEVER96
