What Motor would you run??

[long69]

big block all the way. run stronger last longer. mpg only slightly lower.
only problem is finding MOTOR mounts.lol.

[70rs/ss]

Hands down, find a 96 and up Vortec core, throw everything away except the block and heads, purchase anyone of the "budget cast 383 stroker kits" install said kit into block, rework the Vortec heads to handle a .500 lift cam and run a performer rpm air gap or the knock off of that and you should be near 400 hp, and closer to 500lb/ft of torq for roughly $1500-1800 (OBTW the other reason for the Vortec block, ROLLER CAM!!!) get a Thumpr roller cam, and a $200 set of factory GM roller lifters w/spider and you'll have a killer motor that'll outlast the ratrod craze and well into the next 2-3 fads!

[kcjones]

383 would give you more flexibility and be a better all around "engine" than the 400 because of the 400's potential issues with cooling and the like. Of course, if you have a 400 available to you, it's definitely not a slouch.

The SBC vs. BBC issue has lots of arguments, but the easiest, simplest one is this: BBC gives you better torque with less radical parts. They can be more expensive, but so can small blocks - you can spend 7K on a hot 383 and 1k on a 454 from a junkyard truck.

Obviously, you can spend as much as you'd like, but a big displacement engine is going to give you more street friendly characteristics in the 400-500 hp range. You can get good idle, less tuning, fewer rpm's with greater torque from a 454/502. I run a small block, as most people do, because parts are cheaper, more available, and most people start with a small block.

However, if you're starting from scratch, and you want to cruise without overheating, constantly tweaking timing/carb, get good low end torque without sacrificing horsepower, BBC all the way.

If you're all about saving money, get a 350, spend your money on the heads to get yourself the 400 hp/400 ft/lb setup. Just make sure you don't have to spin a 2 bolt with cast bottom end 6500 to get your power, especially in a heavy truck. Then you'd have to get your 3000 stall, 4.11 gears, and forget about any real power below 3000 rpm.

[chevy29267truck]

a chevy 383 is a chevy 350 engine block with a chevy 400 engine crank and a chevy 502 is a chevy 454 engine and the old chevy 302 DZ engine is chevy engine parts from chevy 283 and chevy 327 engines

[franks72]

BIG BLOCK BIG BLOCK BIG BLOCK BIG BLOCK BIG BLOCK BIG BLOCK ,ok I'll stop....

[Ackattack]

5.3L with a cam.....call it a day