big block vs small block
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 100
From: Nova Scotia
big block vs small block
Im not talking about performance advantages, I know them. What I want to know is how many people didnt do the big block swap and regretted it, or how many people did do it and regretted it. Kind of like a "if you had it over again" type of thing. thanks
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I'd do a big cube SB myself. I like the SB motor. Nothing wrong with the big block either. I don't know of anyone who regretted going to the BB. My car is just setup for a SB so I'll keep it that way. In the future I'll probably go to a 396 SB.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 2
From: Round Rock, Texas, USA Texas
Great topic -- I have a balanced .030 over 454 shortblock sitting on a motor stand, along with all the alt./power steering brackets, headers ---- and have been thinking lately of giving it a good selling and getting a crate small block.........
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
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From: Shore NJ
Originally Posted by Gordonm
I'd do a big cube SB myself. I like the SB motor. Nothing wrong with the big block either. I don't know of anyone who regretted going to the BB. My car is just setup for a SB so I'll keep it that way. In the future I'll probably go to a 396 SB.
I know you can do alot with a SB, and the weight to HP ratio is what makes me want to go with a stroker eventually...jmo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
My plan all along has been a hardcore small block.
My 2 current favourite options are a 434 and a 436...different companies, both over 600hp a piece...also both over 10k turnkey. Money that I know a lot of people on this forum would say isnt well spent, but it is for me.
My 2 current favourite options are a 434 and a 436...different companies, both over 600hp a piece...also both over 10k turnkey. Money that I know a lot of people on this forum would say isnt well spent, but it is for me.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Going to a 454 was in my plans from the day I bought my Vette. Hard to regret all that torque just waiting to be unleashed. 
And I did it for way under 10K.
And I did it for way under 10K.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 168
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From: Houston Texas
If I had it to do over again I would look at a Billy Mitchel 632 ci big block instead of the 406 smal block I now have. I was concerned about a 1979 vette passing visual and dyno tail pipe inspection with a big block. My car is over now 25 years old and doesn't need to do the dyno tail pipe inspection. There are many inspectors out there that don't have a clue about what the old corvettes were supposed to have so the big block would not be a problem. Of course the 632 ci is a tall deck big block and there may have been some fitment issues like the headers, hood and steering. I think all of these could have been worked out.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
l am a big block fan. No small block regardless of cubic inch for me. The small block is just trying to imitate the bigblock when you stroke it out. The heads on a small block are just not big enough to breath like a big block. The bottom end is not designed for it either.
As for weight the difference can be as little as 100 pounds. Working on my bigblock is alot easier then some of the small blocks. I can get at all the plugs easy, changing headers? They just fall out or in.
As you guessed I am not a fan of small blocks and wouldn't have one. I drive a 355 in my mustang and it seems like it has no torque compared to my bigblock.
I don't want a imitation anything. I want the real thing.
As for weight the difference can be as little as 100 pounds. Working on my bigblock is alot easier then some of the small blocks. I can get at all the plugs easy, changing headers? They just fall out or in.
As you guessed I am not a fan of small blocks and wouldn't have one. I drive a 355 in my mustang and it seems like it has no torque compared to my bigblock.
I don't want a imitation anything. I want the real thing.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 917
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From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
Originally Posted by Jughead
Going to a 454 was in my plans from the day I bought my Vette. Hard to regret all that torque just waiting to be unleashed. And I did it for way under 10K.
And I did it for way under 10K.I suppose, but still, I like the fact they both come with 2 year waranties, fully broken in, dynoed, jetted, tuned, and professionally manufactured using the best parts money can buy...theyll have an over 7 grand red line...like I said, I find it money well spent.
As for big blocks, the savings are AT LEAST 110 pounds, plus components. Im the exact opposite of my WONDERFUL Canadian brethren here, I cant stand big blocks and would never put one in any car I own...totally personal, and has nthing to do with performance.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Originally Posted by 81 Vette
As for big blocks, the savings are AT LEAST 110 pounds, plus components. Im the exact opposite of my WONDERFUL Canadian brethren here, I cant stand big blocks and would never put one in any car I own...totally personal, and has nthing to do with performance.
A iron headed 350 is only 100lbs lighter than a aluminum headed BB. If you "can't stand" big blocks and it has nothing to do with performance what does it have to do with?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
The first time I did the swap I used the small block alternater, power steering pump, motor mounts, ignition, transmission and even the stock rad.
To me the extra 100 pounds is worth the extra beef in the block, the extra cubic inch and the better/bigger breathing heads.
Would I do it again? NO To me 454 is too small. I would do a 502 at the smallest and probably a 540.
To me the extra 100 pounds is worth the extra beef in the block, the extra cubic inch and the better/bigger breathing heads.
Would I do it again? NO To me 454 is too small. I would do a 502 at the smallest and probably a 540.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 958
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From: shawnee ks
81 Vette, Why dont you like bb? Just curious . As far as weight my 632 actually weighs the same as a sb with steel heads.The bigger bore blocks 4.560 or bigger weight app 40 lbs lighter than a 454bb and are way stronger.There is no comparison to bb cubes and sb cubes .100lbs weight diff is nothing to the power gained.As far as the question asked I will say bigger is better having had a 383, 434, 502 540 ,572 and now 632.For what I use it for drag racing.Even for spirited street cruising I think 540 would be as small as I would go.Great power at a good price.I know nobody who went to a bb that now wants a sb .
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Years ago the big block was king because you compared that to a 350ci motor. Now you can get a streetable 575HP / 550ft/lbs from a big small block easy so this really changes the argument
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 7
From: Orlando Florida
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
l am a big block fan. No small block regardless of cubic inch for me. The small block is just trying to imitate the bigblock when you stroke it out. The heads on a small block are just not big enough to breath like a big block. The bottom end is not designed for it either.
As for weight the difference can be as little as 100 pounds. Working on my bigblock is alot easier then some of the small blocks. I can get at all the plugs easy, changing headers? They just fall out or in.
As you guessed I am not a fan of small blocks and wouldn't have one. I drive a 355 in my mustang and it seems like it has no torque compared to my bigblock.
I don't want a imitation anything. I want the real thing.
As for weight the difference can be as little as 100 pounds. Working on my bigblock is alot easier then some of the small blocks. I can get at all the plugs easy, changing headers? They just fall out or in.
As you guessed I am not a fan of small blocks and wouldn't have one. I drive a 355 in my mustang and it seems like it has no torque compared to my bigblock.
I don't want a imitation anything. I want the real thing.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
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From: FL
If my oil control problem means pulling the engine, the roller cammed small block may find itself being sold in favor of a 502. OF course, then there is the hood clearance issue (and I just got it painted).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 6
From: NC USA
Originally Posted by MotorHead
Years ago the big block was king because you compared that to a 350ci motor. Now you can get a streetable 575HP / 550ft/lbs from a big small block easy so this really changes the argument
It depends on what you mean by 'easy'. Are you talking ability or your pocketbook. If the latter, you'll get more bang for the buck with a BB than a SB for the same $$$s invested. As SB engines have progressed, so have BBs. Those numbers quoted above; are they at the crank or at the wheels? If at the crank, that is considered mild by today's standards for today's BBs just as the old 350 you mentioned is as compared to today's SBs. This is an age-old topic on this forum and there is no question that cubic inches and the ability to move more air always favor BBs unless you have turbos. Well, take those same turbos and add to the BB and you'll realize the same benefit and the SB is still in the hole. For the money spent to get huge amounts of power out of a light weight small block to go autocrossing, than the ZL-1 AL block w/ AL heads would be the choice for ungodly power with lower weight. Drag racing would find me with a BB every time. After all, our Prostock buddies can't be wrong since there are no serious contenders that I know of using SBs. Just my 2c!
Last edited by Marks69BB; Oct 17, 2004 at 04:10 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 923
Likes: 4
From: Austin Tx
I was going to keep my 72 a SB and just toss a 406 in there, but a 454 fell into my lap cheap, so I'm glad I'll be a BB car next yr. If I had a late 70s car, I would be satisfied with the SB because that is the best engine you could get from the factory and no one would be asking me "does that car have a BB" because it wasn't an option, but I always have to have the biggest engine option for whatever year car I own...ie didn't want an IROC-Z in college with the 305 because I knew it would bother me if a guy pulled up next to me with an IROC-Z with a 350. If they only offered 305s then I would be happy with the 305...I'm just picky that way.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 917
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From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
Originally Posted by Gage
I was going to keep my 72 a SB and just toss a 406 in there, but a 454 fell into my lap cheap, so I'm glad I'll be a BB car next yr. If I had a late 70s car, I would be satisfied with the SB because that is the best engine you could get from the factory and no one would be asking me "does that car have a BB" because it wasn't an option, but I always have to have the biggest engine option for whatever year car I own...ie didn't want an IROC-Z in college with the 305 because I knew it would bother me if a guy pulled up next to me with an IROC-Z with a 350. If they only offered 305s then I would be happy with the 305...I'm just picky that way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
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From: Wisconsin
You couldn't pay me to run a big block. If I can run fast enough (10s-11s) on the street with either motor, why not just go with the lighter motor and have a little better handling and easier weight transfer as additional benefit?
Last edited by Schmucker; Oct 17, 2004 at 09:34 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
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When the Big Block comes to life
You'll feel tingles down your spine
When the Big Block snarls
You forget about all not in your current space
When the Big Block snaps
She'll drive you back in the seat like no other
When the Big Block purrs at 50
You'll feel as if on cloud 9
When the Big Block goes to war
LOOK OUT, dear lad
The Big Block may not win outright
But be DAMN sure, you'll have a mighty monster at your beck and call if you happen to beat her
For that I feel no shame and my heart smiles from ear to ear
Go C3 ...even better with the Big Block heart
You'll feel tingles down your spine
When the Big Block snarls
You forget about all not in your current space
When the Big Block snaps
She'll drive you back in the seat like no other
When the Big Block purrs at 50
You'll feel as if on cloud 9
When the Big Block goes to war
LOOK OUT, dear lad
The Big Block may not win outright
But be DAMN sure, you'll have a mighty monster at your beck and call if you happen to beat her
For that I feel no shame and my heart smiles from ear to ear
Go C3 ...even better with the Big Block heart