Big block verses small block?

[jhow66]

396 bored .030 over = 402

[70rs/ss]

well a 402 is a 396 bored 30, so yeah, a 402 30 over'd be 408-9 ish. A 427 is a 454 block with a shorter throw 396 crank. I like BBC, but I own both. The wow factor isn't there with a SBC, cause they all look alike, a stocl 283 looks like a wickedly built 454 SBC, but the wide covers is something different. All that being said, I also have a 6.0 for my new 2wd Blazer project, maybe that'll get me some more wows and smiles?

[71chevylowrider]

Okay, I get it now, thanks guys, I'm no Motor guru.......yet
I guess if & when my 350 starts gettting tired, it might be a good choice to upgrade it to a 383 stroker since I've got so much money & shiny stuff on/in it. I'd hate to have to buy those Ceramic headers all over again for the BB.

[mnunn454]

I had SBCs as a kid because they and their parts were plentiful and relatively cheap compared to other alternatives. They performed "moderately well" for most applications but to get any real performance out of them you had to rev them nearly to redline. 30 years later I have a little more pocket change and now own a pair of 454s. Having now experienced both, slow and strong wins the day and is much more to my personal likings.

As long as neither are my "daily drivers" I'll keep the 454s. If I was forced to drive it to work, then I'd go with a finely tuned 350, 327 or 305 (in that order) and an AOD (TH200/700) tranny and just fantisize about all that torque I used to have.

As an aside, I once had a 61 Apache with a 283, a tiny Rochester 4-barrel carb, 3-speed manual, dual exhaust (or headers. I can't recall), 3.90 rear gears and 16" military tires. If I kept the speed below 55MPH and feathered it away from traffic lights, I could get 25 MPG.

[ghackett1]

Big Blocks Rule! Currently running a 402 original motor in my 71 c10 and one bad a$$ 427 in my 70 Nova. I have a little 327 in my 68 camaro but it's like a sewing machine compared to the other two.

[KFreddy]

Y'all see how JHows playing it coy here...

Originally Posted by jhow66

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

What he doesn't mention is that that same 502 makes over 600hp @ 5600rpms. In the mouse vs. rat debate that's the difference between a 154lb Floyd Mayweather vs. a 210lb Joe Lewis...

[eedgell]

396 bored over .30 is 402. The 427 is basically a 454 block and a 396/402 crank. Having said that, The big 454 or bigger get milage enough because of the extra torque it doesnt struggle with the add ons like auto trans, power steering, a/c, ect.... Stroked small blocks dont get the mpg because there more than likely built up more than a more stock BB. Think of it this way, ponnies pulling your truck, or draft horses.

[KFreddy]

Are those draft horses pulling cases or kegs???

[truckster]

Hot Rod magazine did a comparison several years ago. They built two Chevys as close to identical as possible, a SBC and BBC both at 402 CID. They determined that, all other things being as equal as possible, the BB just made more power. If power is the ultimate goal, it's hard to beat a big block.

On the other hand, having had a 455 Olds that got 11 MPG when I was really nice to it, I chose a 350 for my current project, a 72 Blazer, because I plan to use it as a daily driver. I loved the 455- sometimes I would start it up and stand behind it just to listen to the exhaust. But you really just need to decide what you want out of it, and I want reasonable power with the best mileage I can get for this build.

[bb1979]

I'm a big block man though and though, you just can't beat the torque that even a stock big block will make. Both mine and my dads trucks have exactly the same drive train except the motor. I've got a mild 350 hes got a mild 454, both turbo 400 , both 4.56 diff gears, both 33" tall rear tyres, his truck will not only out accelerate mine but he gets better fuel ecomony because the 350 has to work harder to maintain speed and the 454 with its torque doesn't.

I've just brought a cheap rebuilt 454 that i'll be putting in in the next month or so, and soon enough they will both be getting gear vendors o/d. These are both daily drivers

Big Blocks rule and theres definitely no replacement for displacement

[jhow66]

Originally Posted by KFreddy

Are those draft horses pulling cases or kegs???

They can't tell the differance.

[71chevylowrider]

HHmmm...........I think this truck deserves a big block someday soon.
I'm thinking when Jhow get's tired of his little 502 & wants the 572, I'll try & work a deal with him

[streetstar]

its begging for a big block --- whispering in your ear at night "502, ............ 502........... 572................ 496 ..............."



My 496 cost me 4 grand, thanks to a well equipped core. Pistons and cylinder head work were the most, but someone who's not going racin' might spend a little less with careful parts selection and knowing how to build one themselves

[jhow66]

Originally Posted by 71chevylowrider

HHmmm...........I think this truck deserves a big block someday soon.
I'm thinking when Jhow get's tired of his little 502 & wants the 572, I'll try & work a deal with him

Nice truck there 'lowrider. ( if I had the "green" to spare we would deal)