SMALL BLOCK vs BIG BLOCK
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 502
Likes: 6
From: Chesterfield Virginia
SMALL BLOCK vs BIG BLOCK
OK Gearheads,
Need some serious feedback on how to spend my money. Ready to put power back in my totally non original 71 VET that had a 454 in it at one time. Starting with the 383, all the way up to a 502, GM crate engines of course, where do you get the loudest bang for your buck. I am also looking at power to weight ratios so anyone with previous experience, please feel free to express opinions. Plans are for a nice streetable ride that can run on pump gas and have enough vacuum to operate all the options. I love horsepower and wonder if the 383 will live up to expectations. It sure makes it nice to have a small block when bolting on headers and accessories. Suggestions and hard core facts appreciated.
FEVER96
Need some serious feedback on how to spend my money. Ready to put power back in my totally non original 71 VET that had a 454 in it at one time. Starting with the 383, all the way up to a 502, GM crate engines of course, where do you get the loudest bang for your buck. I am also looking at power to weight ratios so anyone with previous experience, please feel free to express opinions. Plans are for a nice streetable ride that can run on pump gas and have enough vacuum to operate all the options. I love horsepower and wonder if the 383 will live up to expectations. It sure makes it nice to have a small block when bolting on headers and accessories. Suggestions and hard core facts appreciated.
FEVER96
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
OK Gearheads,
Need some serious feedback on how to spend my money. Ready to put power back in my totally non original 71 VET that had a 454 in it at one time. Starting with the 383, all the way up to a 502, GM crate engines of course, where do you get the loudest bang for your buck. I am also looking at power to weight ratios so anyone with previous experience, please feel free to express opinions. Plans are for a nice streetable ride that can run on pump gas and have enough vacuum to operate all the options. I love horsepower and wonder if the 383 will live up to expectations. It sure makes it nice to have a small block when bolting on headers and accessories. Suggestions and hard core facts appreciated.
FEVER96
Need some serious feedback on how to spend my money. Ready to put power back in my totally non original 71 VET that had a 454 in it at one time. Starting with the 383, all the way up to a 502, GM crate engines of course, where do you get the loudest bang for your buck. I am also looking at power to weight ratios so anyone with previous experience, please feel free to express opinions. Plans are for a nice streetable ride that can run on pump gas and have enough vacuum to operate all the options. I love horsepower and wonder if the 383 will live up to expectations. It sure makes it nice to have a small block when bolting on headers and accessories. Suggestions and hard core facts appreciated.
FEVER96
to just go big block, with aluminum heads, water pump, light starter
the weight becomes less of an issue.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Feb 4, 2007 at 05:03 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,935
Likes: 3,310
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
No replacement for displacement........
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
This forum is great in helping you spend your money. What is in the car right now? If there is a big block in the car right now, I say go with the big block. If there is a small block in the car right now, you will spend additional money on accessories, such as pulleys, brackets, etc., unless you still have those. In that case, a 383 can approach big block power.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Small block vs. Big block, why haven't we had this debate before, I think I'll stay on the sideline this time 
Seriously though, the advice above is quite good, that being, rebuild whatever you have in it right now, you can get good power out of a small block easy these days or if it's a big block already then your set
Seriously though, the advice above is quite good, that being, rebuild whatever you have in it right now, you can get good power out of a small block easy these days or if it's a big block already then your set
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
OK Gearheads,
Need some serious feedback on how to spend my money. Ready to put power back in my totally non original 71 VET that had a 454 in it at one time. Starting with the 383, all the way up to a 502, GM crate engines.....
Suggestions and hard core facts appreciated.
Need some serious feedback on how to spend my money. Ready to put power back in my totally non original 71 VET that had a 454 in it at one time. Starting with the 383, all the way up to a 502, GM crate engines.....
Suggestions and hard core facts appreciated.
idled at 700 RPM on straight pump-gas, shift at 5400 RPM, ran 12.03 @ 112+ MPH.
TRY to find a pump-gas, crate-motor that will run those numbers, at that low of an RPM (which means it'll probably last a good, long time ).
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
BB 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
I have a factory bigblock, but if I was interested in bang for the buck and also wanted the car to handle, I would go with a 383. If I wanted bang and had beaucoup bucks, I'd probably build a ZL1 aluminum bigblock, something like ZL1powr has 
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
You know what I would do is get a new DART Little M block that is a small block with the cam raised up two inches so you can fool everyone into thinking its a small block but really has the displacement of a big block. THEN put a little nitrous to it for best bang for buck
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 209
Likes: 6
From: Glendale AZ
I have three small blocks two with a 5.50" bore and 6.50" stroke, another with a 6.75" stroke. Two bigger blocks with a 6.125" bore and 7.0" stroke. And the big block with a 6.750" bore and 7.0" stroke, yup that's 501" They are all two cylinders, do the math. I know it doesn't belong here, but small block versus big block had been around for years. The big block is the slowest one of the bunch. 
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
408 in a standard 350block makes 500+HP with no problems and all under 6000RPM.
¨much cheaper than going BB and less weight, and less weight is unbeatable for better handling being it steering, braking or acceleration.
if money wasn't a problem i would go for a blown 427 full alu SB
"There is no replacement for displacement" is a truth with modifications, yes more CUI will give more power, but options like turbos and blowers can be your "replacement for displacement"
in the end its all about how much power you want and what you are willing to pay for it.
Personally im am a fan of the SB engines.
¨much cheaper than going BB and less weight, and less weight is unbeatable for better handling being it steering, braking or acceleration.
if money wasn't a problem i would go for a blown 427 full alu SB
"There is no replacement for displacement" is a truth with modifications, yes more CUI will give more power, but options like turbos and blowers can be your "replacement for displacement"
in the end its all about how much power you want and what you are willing to pay for it.
Personally im am a fan of the SB engines.
