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How about it? I`m building a new engine from scratch and come to think about supercharging :thumbs: .A healthy Mouse with a nice Procharger and a nice cam or a mildly tweaked Rat.
The power output should be around 550 Hp and as much torque i can get.I dont not race my car at the strip,i just like to cruise around those twisties outside town and just "drive" the car.
Any ideas on this? :cheers:
My choice would be the super chargerd SB. I don't know alot about them, or big blocks, but I would assume the BB is going to have more torque and less gas efficency. And S/C's are just so cool.
A supercharged sb 383 or 396 would be sweet, I am in process of buying parts for a supercharged EFI 383. I am hoping for about the same numbers as you ( maybe just a little more ;)) plus knock down 20+ mph on the e-way.
What i`m looking for is driveability,much bottom end.500-550 Hp and 550Ft/lbs should not be a problem to muscle out of a s/c mouse.Mpg is not much of a issue. :cheers:
All my friends think i`m crazy going from a Rat to a Mouse.
If you compare the costs for the two,who will come out on top? :cheers:
What i`m looking for is driveability,much bottom end.500-550 Hp and 550Ft/lbs should not be a problem to muscle out of a s/c mouse.Mpg is not much of a issue. :cheers:
All my friends think i`m crazy going from a Rat to a Mouse.
If you compare the costs for the two,who will come out on top? :cheers:
Plus parts are cheap, well relatively cheap :D , and plentiful. if I ever build a drag only car, or buy a chevelle, I'll probably go with bb.
I 100% concur with the above, go s/c sb route to meet your req'ts on those twisties. I love bb but would not put one in my vette. I am very happy with my 383 it performs great and returns @ 19 mpg at cruise.
A mild big block should be able to satisfy the 500-550 horsepower goal....and you'll have change left over! Price around for a supercharger plus whatever motor parts you want to use for the small block. Dollar for Dollar the naturally aspirated big block will be cheaper. Not to mention you already have the radiator, brackets etc... for it.
OR
Why not go with a supercharged big block :D....that's what I'm doing.
As many have said, either combo can be setup to easily produce your goal of 500-550hp.
Actually a blown SB that only produces that is weak in my book. I had a SBF (331cubes) that put out 675+hp (chassis dyno'd at 615 at the wheels). Got 22mpg on the highway with a 5-speed OD trans. I used a Vortech blower, but the ATI Prochargers have come a long way and are very good. This car was not a daily driver by the time I had reached this power level, but was very, very streetable. I even had catalytic converters on it since it was a late model, smog car.
But I would definitely price it out first. A blown SB is not going to be that cheap. If its going to handle the real power potential of the Procharger, then you will want a forged bottom-end and a 4-bolt block. Run the CR ~8.75:1-9.0:1 with aluminum heads and you could run 12-14psi on pump gas all day long. Do NOT spend all this $$ to run a 5-6psi blower. That is a waste, IMHO.
Vettes are top end cars. Go with a high winding SB. In street trim and tires, its hard to put all that BB tq to the ground. Thats why the hopped up SB's usually run right with the BB's
I remember reading an article about a comparison between a 400 small block and a 400 big block. In the end the big block made more power, but it cost more. The small block made less power, but with the cost savings a supercharger could have been bought and more power could be made then the big block. I think small blocks are better for pretty much any situation. I really can't think of one where a big block would be better. Small blocks can make just as much power. A supercharged small block is the absolute best way to go. Don't forgot to look into a screw supercharger too, they are more efficient and provide better power throughout the curve over a centrifugal, but centrifugals can feed more air in at the higher RPMs, but it really depends on how large of a screw blower you get.
I think small blocks are better for pretty much any situation. I really can't think of one where a big block would be better. Small blocks can make just as much power. A supercharged small block is the absolute best way to go.
So you're saying Top Fuel Dragsters should scrap the Big Blocks and switch to small blocks? :skep:
I will say that each has their place, but to say a Big Block is absolete is just well.......wrong.
are you talking the HP at the wheels or at the crank?
if it is at the motor then would a small block with supercharger be more cash then a mildly built BB?
if you want to spend the cash on a small block and have a s/c for the sake of saying it is s/c'd..then sure...but if you just want those numbers i would go BB..a mild one will give you those numbers no problem....throw a s/c on a BB if you want.. :thumbs:
i have plenty of torque i think, and have no problems putting it to the pavement...just ask anyone that's been in my car...