Need help: Bigblock or Small block, opinions?

[sir_talk_alot]

here's the story. ive still yet to go pickup my '70 shortbed from my friend that im buying. it has just a plain jane 350 in it that runs just fine. i did some work for another friend this week and in exchange, he will let me have the '99 vortec 454 out of a 1 ton that blew a head gasket. im trying to figure out whether or not to build the bigblock or small block. my budget isnt exactly the largest because im in college. i have roughly 300 a month extra to blow. ive got access to another 350,slightly cammed 4 bolt main through some trading with a guy my dad knows. i just cant make up my mind which one to build. a cheap aluminum intake for that 454 is 220, and the cheapest kinda mild cam is 245. so with shipping somewhere around 500. thats it. with maybe 375hp. possibly a little more with porting and polishing the heads. but i can buy a 383 stroker kit for not much more and have 500hp easy. what should i do?
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[doubleb's69]

It doesn't have to be expensive. I'm on an even tighter budget ( wife and two preschool kids) but I search craigslist on a daily basis. Check out Northern Auto Parts online. Its a small auto parts warehouse type place in Suiox City Iowa. They carry alot of performance type grind cams for a pretty resonable price. also you should be able to find a good used intake on craigslist for a good deal just make sure it is straight without stripped threads or cracks. You should post pics of the truck.

Also that big block will require different frame mounts.

[sir_talk_alot]

yea, im a craigslist-oholic. i buy sell and trade all the time. prob is, its a vortec bigblock, so it requires a different intake then just a normal bbc intake. and its a roller block. im still getting the engine, with all the access. and computer, and i guess ill end up selling it to pay for the 383 kit. i priced headers for it, and they were 399. so 400 for headers, 220 for an intake, 245 for a mild cam, my self doing the port and polish job and with the stock hp of 290/300, i may be able to get it to 400ish hp. basically for 900, not to mention a bigger carb. or i could order a 383 kit for 6-800 and have somewhere around 500hp....? correct me anybody if my calculations are wrong. the big block is a 7400 vortec from a '99 1 ton.

[doubleb's69]

Didn't even think of the vortec bolt pattern, or being roller. Not used to that newer stuff. Depending upon if you want all forged or whatever check out Race Parts Direct. Just Google the name. They have a eagle 383 rotating assembly for $799, They usually do free shipping as well.

[MARKDTN]

Besides the cost of the engine itself, a BB swap will require BB accessories and brackets; probably a radiator, modifying the engine stands, manifolds/headers and exhaust work, etc. IMHO you are much better off with a SB when you are on a budget-especially if the SB is already there and runs fine. If you want to throw some money at it, consider a Tuned-Port fuel injection conversion. Lots of bottom end oomph, better fuel economy, and more.

[stich626]

go small block.. less to buy, as it's already a sbc truck.. better gas milage, you ARE in college.. and the 454 is a torque motor.. that will eat the trannie and other parts for lunch..
300.00 a month will not feed a bigblocks fuel bill..
good luck on whatever you choose..

[big_al_71]

Build a big small block......

[sir_talk_alot]

thanks guys. my dad grew up in the 70s/80s with his chevelle, impala both being bigblocks, and he built them alot. he was suprised at the pricing of this new stuff, he said it used to be just a couple bucks more then sbc parts. as much as id like to do one, prices are way to high for vortec stuff. i will most likely buy the other slightly cammed 350 from a friend and have it built and just drive on the old 350, and i also have a chance to pick up a hp 283 out of a 67 c-10 that the guy had custom ordered from the factory with a 4spd behind it. i might get it just as another engine for another build later.
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[pumpkin]

What ever you decide on, go roller cam. If not the engine will most likely be toast in a very short time. If you stick with the old stock engine without putting a new cam in it you should be fine, but as soon as you put a bigger cam in it you are doomed.

[specialtyretail]

Originally Posted by pumpkin

What ever you decide on, go roller cam. If not the engine will most likely be toast in a very short time. If you stick with the old stock engine without putting a new cam in it you should be fine, but as soon as you put a bigger cam in it you are doomed.

First time I have ever heard that.. As far as budget, a mild 350 can't be beat. New parts are inexpensive and used parts are plentiful. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[stich626]

if you are dead set on big block power, I'd drive it, as is.. while looking for a catty 6.2 lsIII or chevy/gmc 6.0 take out with computer and harness ..
you'll make more power than that 454 vortec and have better mpg, and a world of aftermarket parts... the take out's are 1500-2k depending on miles..
these engines go 200k without try'n.. 400k with the right up keep.
even the 5.3 makes silly power with a procharger

[sir_talk_alot]

yea i actually just left the chevy dealership, i was talking to them about ideas, they told me to look into an ls1, and swap it in. they have a dyno and would be able to tune it for me. and the performance options are endless. they think id be happier with what in want to do with an ls1 and like the 4l60e. so i might look into that route. problem is, it get expensive quick. i might just cam up my 350. and im with specialtyretail, never heard of a big cam toasting a stock 350. it may not run the best because of not building up compression or heavy duty valve springs, but im not so sure about toasting a motor. maybe thats just my opinion.
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[a_barth]

Just some things to think about, if you go 383 the stroker kit will only run you 8-900 but without a decent intake and a good set of heads with the right cam you will not make near 400 horsepower let alone 500 and once you factor these in along with headers and a decent carb your $8-900 just tripled. Almost forgot a new balancer and flexplate/flywheel.

With the ls1 and 4l60e swap the aftermarket options are endless but, as you stated they can get expensive quick especially when you start putting power to that 4l60e and have to have it built too. In stock form they barely handle stock power.

Not trying to blow holes in your plans just trying to help you get the most out of your budget, trust me I'm in the same boat as doubleb's69.

If it was me I would sell the big-block and use the money to build the 4-bolt 350. A well-built 355 will make plenty of power and you could do it in stages. Get the engine built now with some flat-tops and a mild cam and intake if funds allow, then next month add a set of headers, then next month maybe a better carb (the q-jets really aren't bad if tuned properly), then a converter, then maybe save for 2-3 months and add a set of aluminum heads. Before you know it you will be well into the 400-450hp range.

[specialtyretail]

Excellent advice for a mild, economical, driveable performance small block build.

[stich626]

Originally Posted by a_barth

Just some things to think about, if you go 383 the stroker kit will only run you 8-900 but without a decent intake and a good set of heads with the right cam you will not make near 400 horsepower let alone 500 and once you factor these in along with headers and a decent carb your $8-900 just tripled. Almost forgot a new balancer and flexplate/flywheel.

With the ls1 and 4l60e swap the aftermarket options are endless but, as you stated they can get expensive quick especially when you start putting power to that 4l60e and have to have it built too. In stock form they barely handle stock power.

Not trying to blow holes in your plans just trying to help you get the most out of your budget, trust me I'm in the same boat as doubleb's69.

If it was me I would sell the big-block and use the money to build the 4-bolt 350. A well-built 355 will make plenty of power and you could do it in stages. Get the engine built now with some flat-tops and a mild cam and intake if funds allow, then next month add a set of headers, then next month maybe a better carb (the q-jets really aren't bad if tuned properly), then a converter, then maybe save for 2-3 months and add a set of aluminum heads. Before you know it you will be well into the 400-450hp range.

4l60e is just a 700r4.. so you rebuild it.. just like you'd do with a th400 or th350.. the rebuild will be 500.oo more but the fuel you save...

[chevytruckluver]

All it takes is money...
If I were you and I were going to do anything at all I would make it go with what you have right now.
Then start saving that extra 300 per month. when you have 3000-3500 saved go get a low mileage LS/Vortec motor with a 4l60 and computer and harness, then start buying headers, motor mounts, radiator, and any other parts needed for the swap.
if you run out of money at that point start saving until you have enough for everything you need before you start. While you are saving read the forums here and talk to some guys that have done this swap, they will help with things that you may never think of.
when you think you have everything you need for the swap save 500 more. Dont start the swap without money in the bank. you will need it for misc stuff along the way.
If I ever do another build it will be an LS/Vortec you cant beat the power and gas mileage from these engines
good luck

[superchevy]

Everything bigblock is more expensive...I know, check my sig.
If you're on a budget stay with a smallblock.
SC

[a_barth]

Originally Posted by stich626

4l60e is just a 700r4.. so you rebuild it.. just like you'd do with a th400 or th350.. the rebuild will be 500.oo more but the fuel you save...

I realize that a 4l60e is basically just an electronically controlled 700r4, I was just warning that the 3-4 clutch assembly in these transmission hardly holds up under stock conditions. So if performance upgrades are in the works for the motor then the tranny will need help as well which will cost $500 just in parts let alone if he has to have a shop rebuild it.
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[sir_talk_alot]

just curious, what about a 377 stroker? how much does that cost to build? and what does it take to build a 355?

[darkhorse970]

The 377s are "de-stroked" 400 small blocks (350 crank in a 400 block). One friend built several of them back when the 383 craze was getting started. They run great, but finding a rebuildable 400 block isn't easy anymore. The 355 is just a 350 bored .030 over stock.