454 BB vs. SB
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Minnesota
454 BB vs. SB
What are the inherent differences between a BB and SB of the same displacement, such as 454ci? I'm assuming the BB will breathe better and make more power with less effort. A large displacement SB I think of as a more radical engine, but what are the practical differences? Same torque, etc?
Thanks for sharing!
-=Boston!=-
Thanks for sharing!
-=Boston!=-
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
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pick up the Nov. Car Craft, it has a great 454 BBC vs 454 SBC dyno compro!
i started out running sbc's and love them, now i'm a bbc guy because it's what i have laying around, but i if i had the dough i would be putting and 18 deg. Brodix headed 454 sbc in my car instead of the bbc.
i started out running sbc's and love them, now i'm a bbc guy because it's what i have laying around, but i if i had the dough i would be putting and 18 deg. Brodix headed 454 sbc in my car instead of the bbc.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Vail AZ
One of the rags did a compro a few months ago on a 427 Ford FE vs/ a stroked 351W. If I remember correctly, the biggest factor seperating the two was longevity. The SB just had too much rod angularity so it wouldn't rev like the BB. The SB had more low end torque due to the longer stroke, but the BB smoked it due to it's ability to rev higher. Regardless of where your heart lies, the same physics that apply to Fords apply to Chevys.
Burning Brakes
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From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
a 454 sbc is rather impractical admittedly, but you look at more reasonable sbc such as the 427 to 434, you start getting into an area where you can get near bbc performance and as far as rev higher eh, you can take a 427 and 434 to 7 grand, not a measure Id take a lot of big blocks up to. I cant sit here and say youll EVER get the same HP and torque out of a sbc of ANY displacement that you will out of bbc, cuase you wont, but if you want a practical and easy installation, lightweight, durability, daily drivability and still stupid amounts of power, you can NEVER EVER go wrong with a hardcore sbc. 
Last edited by 81 Vette; Oct 5, 2004 at 10:14 PM.
Burning Brakes
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From: Austin Tx
Originally Posted by Boston!
What are the inherent differences between a BB and SB of the same displacement, such as 454ci? I'm assuming the BB will breathe better and make more power with less effort. A large displacement SB I think of as a more radical engine, but what are the practical differences? Same torque, etc?
Thanks for sharing!
-=Boston!=-
Thanks for sharing!
-=Boston!=-
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
Originally Posted by Gage
The SB may have an advantage with less understeer, but if you really want a car that handles in the twisties, buy a porshe or C4-C6, not a 35 yr old vette.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Ontario
Originally Posted by Boston!
...but what are the practical differences?
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Pro
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From: Pipe Creek TX
Originally Posted by Boston!
What are the inherent differences between a BB and SB of the same displacement, such as 454ci? I'm assuming the BB will breathe better and make more power with less effort. A large displacement SB I think of as a more radical engine, but what are the practical differences? Same torque, etc?
Thanks for sharing!
-=Boston!=-
Thanks for sharing!
-=Boston!=-
I believe I would have to go the sb route if I didn't have any parts to start with. The sb will also have less rotating weight , which increases bearing life and of course lets the engine rev quicker.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Republic of Texas
Originally Posted by Boofers
One practical consideration is cost. SB parts are less expensive than BB parts. One reason is SB is more common. Another reason is BB is more desireable. Personally I would spend the extra $$$
You are right up to a point. But once you get into exotic SB's like 454's and 472 the price is the same if not HIGHER than than BB of the same displcement because you must purchase aftermarket blocks, massive heads, etc.
Team Owner
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From: eville in
Originally Posted by nxfirebird
pick up the Nov. Car Craft, it has a great 454 BBC vs 454 SBC dyno compro!
i started out running sbc's and love them, now i'm a bbc guy because it's what i have laying around, but i if i had the dough i would be putting and 18 deg. Brodix headed 454 sbc in my car instead of the bbc.
i started out running sbc's and love them, now i'm a bbc guy because it's what i have laying around, but i if i had the dough i would be putting and 18 deg. Brodix headed 454 sbc in my car instead of the bbc.
But i lean to the small blockon a quick read
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St. Jude Donor '09
You're comparing apples to oranges. To be fair, if you stoke & bore a SB then you have to do the same to the BB. Otherwise you're just playing catch-up with the SB.
Size matters.
Size matters.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
Originally Posted by Jughead
You're comparing apples to oranges. To be fair, if you stoke & bore a SB then you have to do the same to the BB. Otherwise you're just playing catch-up with the SB.
Size matters.
Size matters.
As does weight and rotating mass
Advanced
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Originally Posted by SG4206
Motorhead is right , the with equal inches of 454 ; the sb will have more torque at a lower rpm, because of the longer stroke .
I believe I would have to go the sb route if I didn't have any parts to start with. The sb will also have less rotating weight , which increases bearing life and of course lets the engine rev quicker.
I believe I would have to go the sb route if I didn't have any parts to start with. The sb will also have less rotating weight , which increases bearing life and of course lets the engine rev quicker.
to me the heads that the "Hard Core" sbc 454 are small (220cc), but the motors are built more for driving, thats why i said i would use a set of ported 18 deg Brodix heads if i built one.
Burning Brakes
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From: Austin Tx
I have both a 454 and a 406 sitting in my garage, but am going to go the 454 route because to get the 406 to the torque of the 454 I have to spend $1000 on heads. And it is also the mystique factor of having the BB in there that I like, not just the performance. It is cool to have the best engine that was available from the factory in there...just my opinion.
Race Director
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From: Taylor Michigan
Bigger is Always Better
Originally Posted by Boston!
What are the inherent differences between a BB and SB of the same displacement, such as 454ci? I'm assuming the BB will breathe better and make more power with less effort. A large displacement SB I think of as a more radical engine, but what are the practical differences? Same torque, etc?
Thanks for sharing!
-=Boston!=-
Thanks for sharing!
-=Boston!=-
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Pipe Creek TX
Originally Posted by nxfirebird
the bore and stroke of the new SBC 454s are the same as the stoke BBC 454, both are 4.25 bore x 4.0 stroke. the horse and torque curve on both motors would be made with the heads and cam. but you are right in the fact that the SBC would benifit from it's much light rotating weight.
to me the heads that the "Hard Core" sbc 454 are small (220cc), but the motors are built more for driving, thats why i said i would use a set of ported 18 deg Brodix heads if i built one.
to me the heads that the "Hard Core" sbc 454 are small (220cc), but the motors are built more for driving, thats why i said i would use a set of ported 18 deg Brodix heads if i built one.
I thought the Dart & World blocks only went 2.200" . Guess I better check the new catalogs.
Burning Brakes
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From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
Originally Posted by nxfirebird
to me the heads that the "Hard Core" sbc 454 are small (220cc), but the motors are built more for driving, thats why i said i would use a set of ported 18 deg Brodix heads if i built one.
