The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - thinking about maybe dropping a big block in my truck

*C-10 simplex* · 08-14-2011, 12:34 PM

Would like to discuss more, in depth regarding bbc vs. other engines later , but for now:

What i meant was all other things being equal. Yes, weekly/monthly mileage is a large factor, but anything the big block can do, the small block can do just as good or better for all practical purposes. Yes, i know the BBC can make much more power and at lower rpms etc. and do it cheaper in the long run, but this is a daily driver.

You can get running big blocks cheap, but you can also do that with small blocks, so no advantage there.

If a big block can get 12-13mpg, then a small block can(and do) get 16-17. If a big block can get 15, then a small block can get 19-20. This 4-5 mpg will add up fast. UNLESS this was the sort of thing where you only drove it on weekends or something, but it's not the case here.

This might only be $80 a week more in gas if you use the big block, but my point is since the small block can be amazingly fast w/out spending too much and really, i don't know where everyone lives, but here 300hp is more than the road can handle here----you run out of road before you run out of engine. Then this is why i feel running a big block is not a good financial move.

There is a reason why big blocks are not available in trucks anymore. There is also a reason why big blocks haven't been available in cars since 76.

More later and i don't hate big blocks i love them. But i love money more.

08-14-2011, 12:34 PM	#15
C-10 simplex Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: indisclosed Posts: 1,515	Re: thinking about maybe dropping a big block in my truck Would like to discuss more, in depth regarding bbc vs. other engines later , but for now: What i meant was all other things being equal. Yes, weekly/monthly mileage is a large factor, but anything the big block can do, the small block can do just as good or better for all practical purposes. Yes, i know the BBC can make much more power and at lower rpms etc. and do it cheaper in the long run, but this is a daily driver. You can get running big blocks cheap, but you can also do that with small blocks, so no advantage there. If a big block can get 12-13mpg, then a small block can(and do) get 16-17. If a big block can get 15, then a small block can get 19-20. This 4-5 mpg will add up fast. UNLESS this was the sort of thing where you only drove it on weekends or something, but it's not the case here. This might only be $80 a week more in gas if you use the big block, but my point is since the small block can be amazingly fast w/out spending too much and really, i don't know where everyone lives, but here 300hp is more than the road can handle here----you run out of road before you run out of engine. Then this is why i feel running a big block is not a good financial move. There is a reason why big blocks are not available in trucks anymore. There is also a reason why big blocks haven't been available in cars since 76. More later and i don't hate big blocks i love them. But i love money more.