Big block verses small block?

[the_goat]

What's the good and bad about both for a streetable truck?

[71chevylowrider]

I'd be interested to know this also, I keep thinking that when I wear out my SBC, I'm serioulsy considering a 402BB as an upgrade.

[eedgell]

The small block is inexpensive to work on, and can build a whole lot of power, with a quick power band. Kind of the bang for the buck. The big boy is a lot more torque for stock, and I feel lasts longer for the power produced. The wrap is slower and top end rpms is not as high, But oh what a sound from the pipes!!!! The BB is alot heavier as well, and not always as easy to install. I like them both, but I think in the end the BB is my favorite.

[sodak69c10]

i like both but as said by eedgell, the small blocks= rev quiker, parts are cheaper and easy to find and can be built strong for less than a big block

big blocks, produce alot more torque than sbc in stock form , long stroke, plus the wow factor when you have a big block breathing through open headers

[67_C-30]

I replaced the 396 in my '69 C30 car hauler with a 383 small block a few years ago, and there is no comparison. The 383 does everything better and gets around 13 MPG loaded compared to 8 (on a good day for the 396!) With gas being $2.99 a gallon, there is no question IMO that the SBC is the only way to go if you plan on using the truck with any regularity. If its a show truck or a weekend toy, the BBC is great, but I use all my trucks way too much to run one.

[eedgell]

67 c-30; if your using to pull, that is where I will argue the BB is better for shelf life. Sure your stoker will pull, but not for as long as the BB. Dollars and cents ways, probably about the same, but less times to rebuild with the BB. For a toy, or DD, the SBC is great, but for getting the work done.....BBC!

[sick69]

This is a debate that has raged on for eons. At this point everyone has made some very valid points for both sides,,,,, what its gonna boil down to is personal preference.

My personal choice is big block but thats just because I like all the torque. On the down side of a big block fuel milage isn't great,,, I get 10mpg no matter what,, head wind, tail wind, loaded, empty, pulling an all steel 16ft trailer with a skid loader(8-9 thousand pounds combined) on it, uphill, downhill, rain, snow, shine nothing matters 10 mpg. I need to do a rebuild so it might increase after that but probably won't be much.

and btw this is in a 79 blazer, 454/th350/np203, dana 44/corp 14, 4.10s and a 33"x 9" tire and 150,000 miles on the motor


Frank

[corn]

Its just like the year thing. Which ever you have is better!...

[Longhorn Man]

I say SBC... if you take the $$ it takes to screw together a stout BBC, and put it to a SBC... you could make it live longer.

[stsalvage]

I have to add my 2 cents the only reason why to install a big block is when you pop the hood at a car show all is quite

I just bought a 1969 nova. It had a 350 with th 350 trans with buckets. well i'm puitting in a 1992 454 truck smog engine. it will probley have 200 hp I will be putting in a 700R4 trans with a 10 bolt with a 305 0r 307 rear gear. I want to cruze at 70 mph and get 14-15 mpg and should get it. off the line i feel i will be able to say with a small block. Nothing heavy remmber there is no more of this 1.00 a gallon Gas any more. No more lead fuel and the good times of trying to race your buddy to light to light is surly going to the wast side. with a 500--1000 doller fine plus they might crush your ride In to days market. todays market you build your toy to sell if the big block will bring more money grate but its not always about engines. I have guys now going to Inline 6 250 and can stay up or Blow a stoker 383 off the starting line. remmber you can stoke a Inline 6 to 302 and put tri power on it and mave a 400 hp inline 6 and it weighs a lot less but major torq But on with the 1969 nova 454 700R4 i put the 1969 camro console in with all gauge package and tack i'm building it to sell i will enjoy it but some one comes up with 27-35,000 its gone i build another one and the Japs are at it agine buying are old cars

[streetstar]

Depends on what you want to do with your truck---- you can build a 450 horsepower big block for less money than it takes to build a 450 horse small block. a 450 horse BB can be in a relatively docile state of tune, while 450 out of most small blocks is "on kill".

If you want a weekend toy and don't mind putting up with 9-10 mpg, then a bb beats a sb hands down for a full size truck. But not a 402 or a 396. Its just as cheap to get a 454 and a stroker crank from Scat is about $300 (give or take) and will take it out to 496. In fact, in today's world , the only reason to use a 396 or 402 is if its free and its all that you have - or if you are restoring a numbers matching vehicle.

But if its a grocery getter - the small block has a few cost advantages - but don't expect gas mileage to be a helluva lot better unless you are a tuning whiz.
I am trying to swap a 305/overdrive combo into a truck for better mileage(working on it now- waiting on parts, got some really good info in another thread i started called "mileage motors"from a few members) , the 350/th 350 combo in it was only good for 10-12 mpg itself

[jamesi20]

A wise old man said..."There's no replacement for displacement" I believe this still holds true.

[snj8198]

13mpg with a 575tq 550hp 496 on 87 octane makes for a pretty good daily driver.

[jhow66]

Originally Posted by jamesi20

A wise old man said..."There's no replacement for displacement" I believe this still holds true.

Amen--502 CID--550 foot lbs torque @ 3500 RPM. (450 HP @ 5200 RPM)

[GREASEMONKEY72]

asking which is better? SB or BB, is like asking which is better? black or white

its all on what you like and what you want

and youre always going to have the arguement between the SB guys and the BB guys

[jhow66]

Originally Posted by GREASEMONKEY72

asking which is better? SB or BB, is like asking which is better? black or white

its all on what you like and what you want

and youre always going to have the arguement between the SB guys and the BB guys

Right you are. I have a "small" block also

[Tom Vogel]

I think the new LS motors from GM are the best thats ever been. That being said, Ive got a blown BB.

[3/4tonterror]

no replacement for displacement, but i just removed my 9 mile per gallon 402 bb, for a 25, mile per gallon, 350 crate motor.

[kwmech]

So, what is your secret to 25 mpg with a 350. I'd like to know how you did that

[71chevylowrider]

350ci with 25mpg, yes, please tell us what crate motor that is. Hey? Also tell us who signed your Truck?

[NONHOG]

3/4 ton terror is that mpg in a truck ? that picture looks like a Camaro ?
or ?

[Frizzle Fry]

I'd like to know why people say mice rev quicker than rats? Horsepower and torque ratings at the crank are AFTER all parasitic and intertial losses. Any two engines with the same dyno'ed torque and HP curves will wind up at the same rate. I'm not talking about redline here either.

That said, I have owned several SBC BBC and Gen III and I drive a 476 everyday. I prefer 6.0 or larger Gen III and 454 or larger BBC.

[71chevylowrider]

Hey Mike, I need to hang out with you sometime & buy you a beer, I'm riding the fence on whether to upgrade to a BB when I finally wear out my 350 I have access ot a pretty much stock 402BB that's been bored .30 when it was re-built
HHmmm.....does that make it a 427? One of my favorite BB number's.

[jhow66]

408

[71chevylowrider]

402BB I know the 402 is actually a 400BB which is based on the ol 396, but.....even a 400BB bored .30 over is only a 408? That's all? Huh?