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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: South of the Mason Dixon Line
Posts: 61
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To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
Hey Guys, what engine choice would you make if you could have either, bbc or sbc. I recently acquired a 71 green and white stripe C 10 longhorn with a 350 trans and non matching 350 sbc clunker. Plans are for a total restoration into my first "girly " truck. I have a complete 67 396 coupled to a turbo 400 to rebuild as well as a 350 , four bolt main, from a 72 Chevy truck. Also have a rebuild able 400 small block. I have several bb cars , but never had a bbc truck. What would you build.......if you had these choices.......thanks..
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Sedalia Mo.
Posts: 1,131
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
If your not worried about "gallons per mile" or the cost of the rebuild and you can get some wide tires under the back with posi-track (say 3.50 or there-a-abouts)...go with the 396! Turbo 400 trannies are very good transmissions. I would build the 396 to push the 450 FW horsepower which should make it streetable, but really wake the truck up.
"There is no replacement for displacement!" AND "Torque is the King!" OR if your "girly" truck just needs to be pretty and relaxed... the 350 or 400 economically built has always made for a nice ride. The 400 ci carries a certain aire of class, but can be more costly to build.
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He who is without oil shall throw the first rod. Compressions 8.7:1 1972 C10 1976 C10 (parts truck) 1985 K20 |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Valley, NE.
Posts: 1,008
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
I put a 400 SBC into a 1970 K-10 I had years ago.
It made great power, a friend built it with my truck in mind, had a lot of low end grunt. But, I like the sound of a big block. So really I'm no help!! Greg
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________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande, 2500 133" wb, 402, 4spd. 2007 GMC 3500 SRW 4x4, Crew cab, Duramax/Allison. (Sold} 1987 Chevy Suburban 2500, Silverado, 2wd, 454, t-400 2023 Chevy Silverado LT 3500, crew cab, longbox, 4x4 Z-71 Duramax. |
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,528
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
First off--no such thing as a C10 Longhorn. They were all 20s or 30s. Second what are you going to do with the truck? Work it, cruise it, show it off, garage queen? Working it you'll need torque and power which is where the big block comes in. Cruising it around with an occasional romp on the skinny pedal requires a big block also to bring a smile to your face. Showing it off also needs a big block with the wow factor when the hood is lifted. Garage queen--no engine required, put it in the corner and pile boxes on top. Any of the other above, just get a 454 and build that. May actually cost less to build to get the same result as a hopped up 396
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 2,151
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
400 small block
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'83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Lincoln City DE
Posts: 1,292
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
My smallblock can make me smile[383]
![]() If you have all BB , might be the way to go,,,,, ![]()
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Stan 67 swb BLU MULE posted via flip-fone |
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
Big block
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#8 |
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Location: Victoria, B.C
Posts: 3,794
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The longhorn is a heavy truck...you are easily 4500 lbs, which is a 1/2 ton more than some muscle cars.
So the power element that will get that weight moving quickly will be torque...not horsepower, at least up until 30-40 mph, which is, lets face it... where most (90%) of your driving will be. So if it was me, the bare minimum would be a 383 stroker or a 400 sbc....but if you are starting from scratch a big block 454 would be the way to go. Is your original glovebox intact?....if so, on the inside surface you will find your 'SPID' sheet attached to it and it should list what the original engine was for the truck. If it was a 400....you can always 'badge' your 454 to look like the 400....if a push for 'original appearance' counts and no one will know the difference...until you leave, lol. Regardless...for a truck that heavy, you are going to want torque....horsepower should not be the target. My two bits Coley ![]()
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....for some men, there is experience, skill and effort....for the others...there is visa and UPS LOL 1966 Chevy 1/2 ton (Florida- Red/white) 1972 Chevy 1/2 ton (California- Blue/white) 2005 Chevy Silverado HD2500/Duramax 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,240
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() BBC all the way OP. BBC just feels right, and IMO they're more eye appealing.....................If I recall, a 350 only gets maybe 1-2% more gas mileage. Even the straight six was a gas hog. And I agree, build that bad boy up to a 454. I didn't because at the time I couldn't afford it. Course then you're looking at even less MPG, closer to 7 MPG. I figure mine gets 8, and I couldn't care any less to check. Old high performance heads, punched out, mild RV cam. Real smooth runner. Other than MPG, which the old blocks weren't much, seems the larger the block the sooner the rebuild. If you want something with endurance that you can take across country, great gas mileage and punch, word is an LS7ish is a great way to go. Since everyone is showing their AWESOME BBC, this is what mine looks like today. It's the only item left on the frame. Someday she'll be real pretty.
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Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 Last edited by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402; 01-18-2018 at 10:35 PM. |
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#10 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,940
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
"Restoration" or just making the truck clean and fun to drive. "Restoration" limits you in your engine choices.
If you're not truly "restoring" it, and could have any engine you wanted... I would personally choose a 454. Gary
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'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
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#11 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 2,147
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
Sell all those motors and get out of the stone age......LS all the way....efi=horsepower, torque, PLUS better economy/reliability...
you want low end grunt?....put in a 4.56 gear and use an OD transmission...4L60E or 4L80E....just my 2’...
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1967 C10 Step side 1968 C10 Step side 1970 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer 1972 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer ............. ![]() |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Townsend MT
Posts: 1,725
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
Big block all the way. I don't think anyone has ever said "dang, I sure wish I would have built a small block" in reference to their well built big block.
Yes you can sap more horsepower out of less cubes with newer engines - that being said, they will never be able to build the low end torque that a large big block will. |
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 2,147
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
Or drink the same insane amount of fuel..
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1967 C10 Step side 1968 C10 Step side 1970 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer 1972 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer ............. ![]() |
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#14 |
Registered User
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Location: Chattanooga TN
Posts: 6,208
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
In no way challenging you, I'm just curious how someone can take an LS motor, bone stock that's rated for maybe what 16-17 mpg in the city in lets say a Crew Cab Silverado, then put it in a C10 and all of a sudden it gets 25+mpg ? I get it, LS motors are efficient but I have never seen one that's pound for pound and dollar for dollar similar in power. You can buy a 150k mile LS motor all day for $800 and it still needs going through. Then you'll need the ECM, pedal, etc. I can build a $800 350, Vortec heads, etc and piece one together cheaper. It takes a lot of weekend driving to justify a $4000 build on an LS motor to make 600+ horsepower. Yes, they're more efficient but they're far more expensive to build. For an every day driver, LS. For a weekend fun toy and/or workhorse I'd go with the GenIV 396. The right build and carb setup makes all the difference in the world. Why not EFI the BBC? Just a thought.
Here's a clip of my BBC. It's no land rocket.. but it's pretty nasty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9k_...ature=youtu.be
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Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 *Currently underway* 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet *Sold* 1985 Silverado Short Fleet *Sold* 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride) |
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#15 |
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lincoln City Oregon
Posts: 173
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Blown 454 only way to go in 2wd...LOL
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1970 K20 1967 Blown Stepside 2016 Chevy 2500 Duramax 1989 Jeep Cherokee 1995 S-10 2014 Infinity Q-50 AWD 1970 Chevy K20 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=634164 1967 stepside rebuild http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=684913 Shop build http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=225559 |
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#16 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 2,147
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
Quote:
Now fast forward to 2006 with the advent of the Z06 Vette and LS7 engine...I bought one brand new....505 HP and honest to Pete...26MPG at cruising speed...that's what sold me on the LS base....yes they are more expensive to build...and I agree 100% with you as far as the intended use for the truck...it's all good....carry on... BTW...beautiful Truck...'67 & '68 are my favorites
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1967 C10 Step side 1968 C10 Step side 1970 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer 1972 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer ............. ![]() |
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#17 |
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Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,912
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
Hot Rod magazine did a comparison years ago where they built a SBC 400 and BBC 402 to be as nearly identical as possible - similar compression ratios, cam profiles, etc. Then they tested the two motors side by side. Their conclusion was that you're going to get more torque from the big block and better mileage from the small block. The numbers were close, but that was the result.
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I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Canton, Tx
Posts: 175
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
my 68 had a 396 in it and when I got ready to rebuild the machine shop guy told me I could build a 454 cheaper. I proved him wrong but its not a 454 anymore. 489 C.I.
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#19 | |
BlahBlahBlah
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wa.
Posts: 19,866
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
Quote:
That is a good looking set up. I really like the serpentine, much nicer (IMO) than the billety stuff.
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#20 |
motor exploder
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,346
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
Wow, looking good ZEKE68 - I totally dig the dual quads and the exh manifolds too! Very cool
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Adam 1969 Chevy CST/10 stepside, DART Big M/TREMEC Magnum Extreme/3.73's w/Detroit Truetrac 1965 Chevy Bel Air Wagon (daily driver), 327/TH350,10 bolt w/3.08's 1961 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, ZZ454/M21/9" rear w/3.50's & Detroit Truetrac 2005 GMC 1500 ccsb 2wd, 6.0L/4L65e/3.73 G80 2006 GMC 2500HD ccsb 4x4, DMax LBZ/Allison 6spd/4.56's w/Detroit TrueTrac ![]() ![]() Use the SEARCH function on this forum - it is your friend!! |
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#21 |
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Moore, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,396
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
BBC all the way
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Are you retired too? Nonsense! I'm in my prime |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ark City, Kansas
Posts: 3,333
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
400 small block is an awesome engine!!! I have one already built to put in my 67 C10.
My 68 Golden came with a 396, and will get the re-vamped 396 back in it, when that day comes!!! Small block pickups are everywhere, seldom EVER see a big block version.......... |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,108
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
My vote... BIG BLOCK.
POP
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2016 RAM Laramie HEMI 1966 Fairlane GT/A, 390/335 HP If it costs you a dollar to make a friend, KEEP THE DOLLAR. If it costs you a friend to make a dollar, KEEP THE FRIEND. |
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#24 |
Senior Member
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Location: Centennial, CO
Posts: 2,949
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
Out of the 3 choices you listed, I would go for the 400 SBC. Most cubes per weight, and cheaper to build than a BBC. Put on some Vortec heads and enjoy.
If you are seriously considering the 396, and are ok with spending some extra, do as others have advised and build a 454. Beyond buying a good core block and crank you will be in for the same $$.
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ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3 lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total free car 13 Tahoe LTZ |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Logan, Alabama
Posts: 5
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Re: To Big Block...Or Not to BBC.....
I vote Big Block, I had a 427 in a 68 Corvette and I loved it. I am getting ready to start the rebuild on my C10 and I have a 78 L82 SBC that I am going to build for it. I really wish I had gotten BBC block for the build. Oh well at this point I cant wait to get started. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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