sbc vs bbc build price
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 836
Likes: 26
From: Harrisburg Pa
Everyone has SBC parts and kits for a rebuild, cheap or should I say inexpensive, Then the BB, well it will take a little more $ but not much as its still plentifull and still not a ford
O yea I do own a 550hp classic stang,,, did I just say that
O yea I do own a 550hp classic stang,,, did I just say that
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
To make "big" power, the SBC needs aftermarket heads. Not so with a big block, there are plenty of factory castings that'll make 600hp without too much trouble. Differences in prices for parts is negligible. Buying all the stuff it takes to hang accessories is a good bit more expensive for the big block, though.
You gotta figure the big block "grins" into the equation - those that can't be wiped off your face when you either 1)open the hood to show your power plant, or 2) mash the loud pedal.
You gotta figure the big block "grins" into the equation - those that can't be wiped off your face when you either 1)open the hood to show your power plant, or 2) mash the loud pedal.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
The power small blocks are throwing down for a cheap price is hard to beat and the weight savings is huge!
But if a cheap 454 lands in your lap, there's no replacement for displacement!
The machine shop doesn't car if its big or small block, it all about the same for machine work. Stock replacement parts, pistons, cam, bearings, gaskets, ect.... Are about 30% more and that's on the high side of pricing.
But if a cheap 454 lands in your lap, there's no replacement for displacement!
The machine shop doesn't car if its big or small block, it all about the same for machine work. Stock replacement parts, pistons, cam, bearings, gaskets, ect.... Are about 30% more and that's on the high side of pricing.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
The BBC wil cost more but look what you get.
A sbc with the good stuff can make good hp but youll never get the brute torque you will with the cubes of the BBC and thats what makes a street car fun. hp/rpm motor get expensive real quick!!
A sbc with the good stuff can make good hp but youll never get the brute torque you will with the cubes of the BBC and thats what makes a street car fun. hp/rpm motor get expensive real quick!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
If you were just shooting for 500 crank HP or less, costs will be similar, although maybe a bit less for the BBC since you can use stock heads, crank, rods... But you take the 150lb weight penalty...
If you are looking for more HP then that, the SBC build costs will shoot up high real quick...and a BBC becomes more cost effective.. This depending on the quality of parts you use, the rate the machine shop charges for machining and assembly and how much of it you do yourself.
A 600hp SBC will cost more then a 600hp BBC..
Remember you also have to factor in the conversion costs of the BBC stuff.. (Brackets, pullies, headers etc etc).
If you are looking for more HP then that, the SBC build costs will shoot up high real quick...and a BBC becomes more cost effective.. This depending on the quality of parts you use, the rate the machine shop charges for machining and assembly and how much of it you do yourself.
A 600hp SBC will cost more then a 600hp BBC..
Remember you also have to factor in the conversion costs of the BBC stuff.. (Brackets, pullies, headers etc etc).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Conversion cost is what gets you with a big block, especially if you do not have a complete big block to rebuild. I am working on doing a conversion on my 71, and only had a BBC block and crank to start with. I am looking at around 8-10K to build up a decent BBC engine that I want vs rebuilding a SBC for 2-5k. All the little stuff is adding up like radiator, pulleys, brackets, flywheel, balancer, etc. that are not usable from a 350 to a 454.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Conversion cost is what gets you with a big block, especially if you do not have a complete big block to rebuild. I am working on doing a conversion on my 71, and only had a BBC block and crank to start with. I am looking at around 8-10K to build up a decent BBC engine that I want vs rebuilding a SBC for 2-5k. All the little stuff is adding up like radiator, pulleys, brackets, flywheel, balancer, etc. that are not usable from a 350 to a 454.
Stick it in your car and run 10s on pump gas.... DONE.
But yes, the BB brackets, pullies ext ext will eat your budget alive.. Not to mention the good water pump, better radiator...ext..
I did the conversion and its quite expensive.. But then again, a well built SBC that makes 600+ HP will cost you $10-12k so.... It's almost a toss up sometimes...
The big block is very streetable and can still run good ETs with highway gears and a tight converter.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 201
From: Willoughby Ohio
If you were just shooting for 500 crank HP or less, costs will be similar, although maybe a bit less for the BBC since you can use stock heads, crank, rods... But you take the 150lb weight penalty...
If you are looking for more HP then that, the SBC build costs will shoot up high real quick...and a BBC becomes more cost effective.. This depending on the quality of parts you use, the rate the machine shop charges for machining and assembly and how much of it you do yourself.
A 600hp SBC will cost more then a 600hp BBC..
Remember you also have to factor in the conversion costs of the BBC stuff.. (Brackets, pullies, headers etc etc).
If you are looking for more HP then that, the SBC build costs will shoot up high real quick...and a BBC becomes more cost effective.. This depending on the quality of parts you use, the rate the machine shop charges for machining and assembly and how much of it you do yourself.
A 600hp SBC will cost more then a 600hp BBC..
Remember you also have to factor in the conversion costs of the BBC stuff.. (Brackets, pullies, headers etc etc).
much easier than a small block.
Last edited by 76strokervette; Feb 20, 2013 at 03:40 PM. Reason: in post 2 times
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Reason I asked this is b/c I noticed you can get a rebuilt 454 from summit done by atk for $3300 with a claimed 415hp and 497ft-lbs tq. One of the more popular crate engines is the year one 400+hp/tq vortec based 350. It seems doing a bbc conversion would net better gains. I would rather rebuild a used 454 to a 496 and reuse everything else. It can be done for similar price compared to the crate engine but with better internals.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
You should have just picked up a Vortecpro 496" for $7800 shipped... They make between 650-680 HP and are very low maintenance..
Stick it in your car and run 10s on pump gas.... DONE.
But yes, the BB brackets, pullies ext ext will eat your budget alive.. Not to mention the good water pump, better radiator...ext..
I did the conversion and its quite expensive.. But then again, a well built SBC that makes 600+ HP will cost you $10-12k so.... It's almost a toss up sometimes...
The big block is very streetable and can still run good ETs with highway gears and a tight converter.
Stick it in your car and run 10s on pump gas.... DONE.
But yes, the BB brackets, pullies ext ext will eat your budget alive.. Not to mention the good water pump, better radiator...ext..
I did the conversion and its quite expensive.. But then again, a well built SBC that makes 600+ HP will cost you $10-12k so.... It's almost a toss up sometimes...
The big block is very streetable and can still run good ETs with highway gears and a tight converter.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
A basic build using an engine kit with press fit forged pistons and recon on the rods and crank on each engine coupled with a good aftermarket carb, intake, and headers will yield you about 1HP per cube. So you are comparing 350HP to 460HP. Add heads and a hyd roller stick you can obtain 1.2HP per cube.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
rebuilding a 350 makes no sense if you can make it a 383 for not a whole lot more, nearly everything from the original engine would be tossed out so its not a very cheap option. Ajrothm mentioned a 496 for $7800 shipped - sounds like a steal to me... as long as you keep stock tires all should be OK, when you start transferring power to pavement everything will give up and it doesn't matter if its a build SBC or BBC
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
Conversion cost is what gets you with a big block, especially if you do not have a complete big block to rebuild. I am working on doing a conversion on my 71, and only had a BBC block and crank to start with. I am looking at around 8-10K to build up a decent BBC engine that I want vs rebuilding a SBC for 2-5k. All the little stuff is adding up like radiator, pulleys, brackets, flywheel, balancer, etc. that are not usable from a 350 to a 454.
I had the same experience..
I ended paying an easy $10,000 not including the EFI I added. As Alan said, it may be best to buy one already built from a pro engine builder who has his own shop. Shops can usually get all the parts much cheaper than what you or me can get them. On top of that we have to pay for all the machine work labor and what not...
I strongly disagree with the comment that there is hardly a difference in cost between building a BBC or a SBC. Things like the damper, rotating assemblies, lifters, rocker arms, valves, studs, valve covers, intake manifolds, headers, etc, etc, etc... They are cost more.. I would be willing to bet with just the parts mentioned there would be close to if not more than a $1,000. If SBC costs $10,000 to build, thats a difference of 10%.
If my goal was 500 HP with either a traditional SBC (gen1) or BBC, I would turn that 350 into a SBC 396 (4.03 w/ 3.875 stroke). You would have the ups of BBC such a HP, TQ, size, and you wont be burdened with the extra weight. Not only that, you can save money reusing some of the parts you already have.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
Allow me to share a slightly different opinion. Be careful WHICH year Big Block you invest in. I just sold my 82 Camaro. I had a moderately worked 350 in it which was pushing about 350hp. (about 150 more HP than a stock setup) I had about 3 grand invested in the engine. (including initial purchase price of a stock, .030 long block) Nothing extreme, but it was a STRONG motor. Small blocks can make HUGE gains fairly cheaply. Heads, cam, exhaust and a carb can done for under 2 grand.
Now lets look at my 454....
270 HP from the factory. Are you kidding me?? (Its a 72 motor) OK, I get it, smog control choked the hell out of them, but 270??? Now what will it take me to get this engine to produce another 150 HP like I did with my small block? Carb, exhaust, cam,...AND....A set of heads...AND pistons.....heads ALONE will run me at least 2 grand.
So, my meager point is that while a 454 is a great starting point to compare to what a mild 350 will perform like...getting a stock 454 to 'perform' costs far more than a small block. Dollar for dollar, HP is cheaper with a small block.
Now lets look at my 454....
270 HP from the factory. Are you kidding me?? (Its a 72 motor) OK, I get it, smog control choked the hell out of them, but 270??? Now what will it take me to get this engine to produce another 150 HP like I did with my small block? Carb, exhaust, cam,...AND....A set of heads...AND pistons.....heads ALONE will run me at least 2 grand.
So, my meager point is that while a 454 is a great starting point to compare to what a mild 350 will perform like...getting a stock 454 to 'perform' costs far more than a small block. Dollar for dollar, HP is cheaper with a small block.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
we went from bubba braggin hp to "as installed" hp in 71....