Small Block vs. Big Block - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chipotledude05 · 11-12-2004, 03:33 PM

Ok, pros, cons, gas mileage, and will a big block fit a '61?

Mudder · 11-12-2004, 04:58 PM

I would pick Big Block but beings they are more expensive and take more to run, I still have a Small Block. A 502 under the petal would feel rather nice.......

vtblazer · 11-12-2004, 07:08 PM

First response would be big block.
I've got 350's in all my 4x4's and a 402 in my swb 2wd.
What's more fun to drive? Yep, the big block.
What's the worst on gas? Hard to say. All works off your right foot.

To be honest, I don't ever check my mileage, I've never figured out if I just don't care or if I'm scared to know.

All depends on your priority's/needs and wants I'd guess.
I gotta say though...for just plain driving entertainment, give me a big block.

**jamie72** · 11-12-2004, 07:32 PM

big block...yep more exspensive,but not everyone has one.
i got 2 in the garage getting ready to rebuild for a couple of my trucks.

jamie

bigger=better · 11-13-2004, 12:11 AM

Umm...Read my handle

BIGCHEVYMAN · 11-13-2004, 10:56 PM

don't get me wrong i do like the big block, but i personally like the small block better. brackets are easier to find and when i want torque i use a small block 400. i never understood why chevy quit making that motor.

SanitysBane · 11-13-2004, 11:20 PM

big block all the way, easiest way to make power, more displacment, 454. yet they are very very hard to find, but very well worth it.

orangeuavol · 11-14-2004, 02:03 AM

as the saying goes...there's no replacement for displacement.

ac102nv · 11-18-2004, 05:04 PM

Personally I love my BBC and it's only a little 461 incher. But many factors can sway you. I've had a small SB (302) and larger SB (383) and the BB in these old trucks. And all have there place depending on what you're after. I didn't catch if your truck is a 2x or 4x. If you want to go real fast in a straight line or turn corners at speed. My 302 Short stepside would corner better than my bb truck all day long, and even suprised a few camaro and mustang owners. But can't touch the bb under hard launches.

Just my .02

ac102nv · 11-18-2004, 05:15 PM

I hate it when I don't pay attention to which forum I'm in...sorry. Anyway, I'm sticking to the rest of my story.

*gn4u2c* · 11-18-2004, 05:31 PM

get a big block and all those expensive parts if you want your truck to sink in the mud. you will have to run 1 more spring ply to get an even ride then you lose arch for heavy 4x4 action. however if it's a street machine big block is great.

you can build a ballz 355 for almost no cash these days just to hard to pass up for me

DirtyLarry · 11-18-2004, 09:05 PM

To be quite honest, I did not notice any difference in fuel economy after my big block swap. Of course, what do you expect out of a carbureted truck rolling on 36” tires.

The pros of a big block is obviously more power and having something that not everybody else has. The cons are acquisition cost and speed parts.

I am in the process of adding fuel injection. That is certainly more expensive for a BB.

Yes, a BB will fit into a 61’

See my signature for pictures of my BB swap.

Ratpowerd67 · 11-21-2004, 10:14 PM

Wow, Thats I Nice Truck Larry. I Run 38 Tsl On Mine And Also Have To Remove The Front Wheels To Get The Motor In....rat

**special-K** · 11-28-2004, 11:18 AM

Yes,a BB will fit a`61.Is it 4wd or 2wd?BB vs SB,depands on use & needs,modified or stock.As far as drag racing goes,I have a 406 SB that kicks 454 butt.On the initial build,I didn`t save much over BB build.It does give a different kind of braggin`rights.I like both.

MAC67 · 11-28-2004, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gn4u2c

get a big block and all those expensive parts if you want your truck to sink in the mud. you will have to run 1 more spring ply to get an even ride then you lose arch for heavy 4x4 action. however if it's a street machine big block is great.

you can build a ballz 355 for almost no cash these days just to hard to pass up for me

yes ,, i have a bad problem with sinking in the mud

aint been a mouse in these parts undo this rat yet ..and no there are no added leafs ,

back on the subject , ive seen a couple bbc in the early 60's trucks , i believe my uncle from up north just put one in his 65 ill get pics if i can heres some pics of mine

*1FaastC10* · 11-29-2004, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAC67

aint been a mouse in these parts undo this rat yet

that sounds like a challenge if i've ever heard one...

11-12-2004, 03:33 PM	#1
chipotledude05 Strategery Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Rowlett, TX Posts: 63	Small Block vs. Big Block Ok, pros, cons, gas mileage, and will a big block fit a '61?

11-12-2004, 07:08 PM	#3
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	BB-vs SB First response would be big block. I've got 350's in all my 4x4's and a 402 in my swb 2wd. What's more fun to drive? Yep, the big block. What's the worst on gas? Hard to say. All works off your right foot. To be honest, I don't ever check my mileage, I've never figured out if I just don't care or if I'm scared to know. All depends on your priority's/needs and wants I'd guess. I gotta say though...for just plain driving entertainment, give me a big block.

11-12-2004, 07:32 PM	#4
jamie72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: madison indiana Posts: 3,836	big block...yep more exspensive,but not everyone has one. i got 2 in the garage getting ready to rebuild for a couple of my trucks. jamie __________________ jamie72 72 BB cheyenne -- Restoration getting started.. member #807 http://www.myspace.com/whitetailobsession www.antlertalk.com

11-13-2004, 12:11 AM	#5
bigger=better Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: WV Posts: 92	Umm...Read my handle __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ '68 GMC Sub 4X4 new project '69 Pontiac GTO 20 year project Never hold your farts in. They travel up your spine, into your brain, and that's where you get sh*tty ideas from.

11-13-2004, 10:56 PM	#6
BIGCHEVYMAN Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Portland , Tennessee , United States Posts: 1,024	small don't get me wrong i do like the big block, but i personally like the small block better. brackets are easier to find and when i want torque i use a small block 400. i never understood why chevy quit making that motor.

11-12-2004, 04:58 PM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I would pick Big Block but beings they are more expensive and take more to run, I still have a Small Block. A 502 under the petal would feel rather nice.......

11-13-2004, 11:20 PM	#7
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	big block all the way, easiest way to make power, more displacment, 454. yet they are very very hard to find, but very well worth it. __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

11-14-2004, 02:03 AM	#8
orangeuavol GO VOLS! Join Date: May 2001 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 724	as the saying goes...there's no replacement for displacement. __________________ http://1972blazer.shutterfly.com/<= blazer build pics It's called golf because all the other four letter words were taken. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

11-18-2004, 05:04 PM	#9
ac102nv Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 156	It all depends... Personally I love my BBC and it's only a little 461 incher. But many factors can sway you. I've had a small SB (302) and larger SB (383) and the BB in these old trucks. And all have there place depending on what you're after. I didn't catch if your truck is a 2x or 4x. If you want to go real fast in a straight line or turn corners at speed. My 302 Short stepside would corner better than my bb truck all day long, and even suprised a few camaro and mustang owners. But can't touch the bb under hard launches. Just my .02 __________________ '72 C10 lwb 454/TH400

11-18-2004, 05:15 PM	#10
ac102nv Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 156	opps... I hate it when I don't pay attention to which forum I'm in...sorry. Anyway, I'm sticking to the rest of my story. __________________ '72 C10 lwb 454/TH400

11-18-2004, 05:31 PM	#11
gn4u2c Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: southern pa Posts: 698	get a big block and all those expensive parts if you want your truck to sink in the mud. you will have to run 1 more spring ply to get an even ride then you lose arch for heavy 4x4 action. however if it's a street machine big block is great. you can build a ballz 355 for almost no cash these days just to hard to pass up for me

11-18-2004, 09:05 PM	#12
DirtyLarry Windy Corner of a Dirty Street Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pueblo West, Colorado Posts: 2,926	To be quite honest, I did not notice any difference in fuel economy after my big block swap. Of course, what do you expect out of a carbureted truck rolling on 36” tires. The pros of a big block is obviously more power and having something that not everybody else has. The cons are acquisition cost and speed parts. I am in the process of adding fuel injection. That is certainly more expensive for a BB. Yes, a BB will fit into a 61’ See my signature for pictures of my BB swap. Attached Images __________________ Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles Instagram

11-21-2004, 10:14 PM	#13
Ratpowerd67 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Trenton ,Texas Posts: 328	Wow, Thats I Nice Truck Larry. I Run 38 Tsl On Mine And Also Have To Remove The Front Wheels To Get The Motor In....rat

11-28-2004, 11:18 AM	#14
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Yes,a BB will fit a`61.Is it 4wd or 2wd?BB vs SB,depands on use & needs,modified or stock.As far as drag racing goes,I have a 406 SB that kicks 454 butt.On the initial build,I didn`t save much over BB build.It does give a different kind of braggin`rights.I like both. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

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