Hey Steve,

Good to see you back on the forum. Did you see my new toys? :)

I bet it's something someone like you could appreciate.

 

That's true. Some of us run BSB to keep the wt. off the front for handling. Blowing away a BB w/ a SB is fun.

A friend was in England & hearing about a "new monster Corvette engine" when the LT5 ZR1 was being developed. He was surprised to hear it was a 350. Only in the US is a 350 5.7 L a SB.

 

Quote:

Not one single person compared a modded small block to a stock big block.

Chuck,

Thanks. The way this thread turned out is the main reason I hardly ever participate in an engine related thread on the C3 forum.


[Modified by Monty, 9:01 AM 12/11/2001]

Monty, I don't blame you for staying out of the BB vs. SB debates around here. I'm with you.

Oh, and thanks for all the valuable input you've given me in the Engine Mods forum. Your experience is GREATLY appreciated!



[Modified by Flareside, 12:19 PM 12/16/2001]

 

I think Merlin pinned the tail on the donkey here. We shouldn't be comparing small block and big blocks. We should be comparing cubic inches. Simply put, a big block has better potential for mega cubic inches. That's the only real advantage. Apples to apples a race engine is a race engine, no questions asked. That's where I don't get it, people compare stock to modified and modified to stock.

 

Who compared stock vs. modified?

 

Nobody here, I think. All i'm saying is that things should be compared apples to apples. I don't think it's fair to compare a modified small cubic inch engine to a stock big cubic inch engine, which I hear alot within my small Corvetting world. I'm a 350 guy but I don't like it when my 350 brothers talk up a moded 350 against whatever, a 275 horse LS4.

 

Monty - I like, I like!!!!

As for the big block vs. small block, stock vs. modified arguments, these are all wastes of time! Come on, go spend some time with your families or go snowboarding - do something more usefull. We could compare a 1969 Boss 302 vs. a 1974 454 Vette. Is that a usefull comparison? We could compare Monty's modified twin turbo small block at 1,000+ HP vs. my engine at 1,000+ HP. Does that do anything for us? There are too many variations of engines out there to even waste time with this. It all comes down to how much are you willing/able to spend & how much of that power can you get to the ground? I don't think how that power is derived matters much. There are 4 cylinder ricers out there that will toast everyone on this forum. The only meaningful tennant that I can come up with is that for all out warfare, the bigger the block, the more air one can flow & the more power one can deliver from an engine. I don't think the difference in a maxed out, blown small block vs. the same treatment to a big block would even be meaningful until you got into the 2,000+ HP range so again - it's a meaningless conversation for most people. For me, the bigger the block the cooler the sound. That's probably the main reason I love monster blocks. And of course the look on people's faces when they say "what is that, a 350"? and I say - no, it's a 522...


[Modified by Merlin522, 1:58 PM 12/16/2001]

 

I prefer computerized megablocks
Like the stroked ZZ502 (532) in my sig - has Holley MPI 950 Commander EFI
I'll never go back to carbs and points!




[Modified by shawn_cake, 3:02 PM 12/16/2001]

 

There is a difference besides Cubes between the 2 engines. They aren't the same at all. Now if your going to modify The SB you will also close the gap in the difference at the same time. If the heads don't flow as well as a BBs your not going to modify and let this stay the same. If the oiling system is not as good you will also modify this.
The original question was what is the difference besides the size.
A 427 SB is not a 427 BB if you only increased the Cubes. I don't mean the weight, but the meat of the engineering of the 2 engines is different. For example the rocker ratio is different. Just the one change of cubes will not equal the BB hp

How you get the hp does make a difference.
How long does the engine last?
Where in the rpm do you get it and how flat is the curve?
Is it streetble power or lousy on the road?
How expensive was it to achieve the $/HP is a factor too.
Also a a turbo-charging system is different than a mechanical charging system. Both super charge the intake but they do it different ways and have thier own compromises. Which I suppose it all comes down to, which compromise do you take.
But now were are talking about modifications.

I'm curious as to the 4 cyl. rice burner that will blow a 'Vette away. I'm not being argumentive here, just curious.

 

Techno – I think you may have missed the point. Yes, just changing the cubes doesn’t make the blocks equivalent, but we’re not talking about just changing the cubes. Would you say that is all Monty did to try & get his SB over 1,000HP? The point was that it is a somewhat useless argument. With enough cash/effort you can make a SB every bit as powerful & dependable as a big block – up to a certain point & that point is well north of 1,000 HP which makes it a moot issue for most people. You can make the rpm & torque curves anything you want. Monty’s TT SB will certainly be producing at least 800-900 pounds of torque. Those are stout numbers – even for a BB. I will agree that cost can be an issue. Dollar for dollar you can build a lighter engine starting with a SB, but it kind of evens out since the BB typically starts with more power. The only time this would matter is in road racing. One can certainly by an aluminum big block & take care of those differences, but your point is valid. SB in general is less expensive to build. As for the 4 Cylinder, go check your local drag strips or any of the hot rod shows on TV. There are many Honda’s out there running in the 9’s. Granted it’s probably not the most streetable car in the world but then neither is a Vette running in the 9’s. Do you see my point?

 

P.S. Please shrink that photo. I hate having to scroll to read the text...

 

What is the major technical differences between the small blocks vs. the big block engines?


I was referring to the original question.
Once you change the stock componants now you can start using whatever modern engineering has been able to dream up. This will overcome the differences in the 2 engine types.

If one of these engines in the question happened to have 32 valve heads and the other did not, by adding a 32 valve set of heads to the 2nd in question would eliminate this difference. I'm not dealing with the fact that you can add more power to either but the differences in them from the starting line so to speak.
One already has these building blocks while the other will obtain them on a moderate build up. But it wouldn't get them on a re-build. This would of course mean the 1st can get something besides the heads since it already had them, unless like the BB there is a better aftermarket one and makes this the same as not having it for a particular re-build.
The SB might have cheaper parts but you have to change more of them, do more to the block to arrive at the same point as the BB.
I don't think this is a useless point since most people are constrained by money, I am. If I blow so much on one item that means I can't get something else.
I am running into this problem with my boat. On this its much more clear cut. I can re-build my present engine (its worn out)and have the same performance or build a different engine for more money but a large increase in performance. I'm going with building the 260 since it offers so much more that the other doesn't. And I'm sure I'm going to want to go faster, faster, faster!
In comparision if money weren't a problem I could buy a factory drag powerhead for $18,000 This is totaly out of my reach so its not something that would be an option for me.

I have to agree with you on shawn cakes picture, he has too many cubes in it.

 

Techno - :)

 

Does it matter? I mean REALLLY, You got a nice car you like drivin and when you get down to it what are you gonna do with the extra horses? beat me to the next Red light we'll both be waiting at? Haul can a whole 30 yards till the traffic ties up again? Just what do you gain by putting down another persons car? Are you any smarter, prettier, stronger, better with that extra horse than you were without it? God, I hope not. Big Block, Small Block, high horse low horse, auto, 4 speed...it just isn't worth pickin on each other.