Is it worth it ($ wise) for ME to go big block?

[t76turbo]

My 70 short bed is a rust free California truck with an older repaint. Nice buckets out of something. Nice interior. And a newer centerbolt valve cover small block with a 700r4. The motor feels a little tired and burns just a little oil. I want to either rebuild it (it's not my daily driver) or put in a crate motor.

I just want a really strong motor. No racing. Very little towing if at all. A little wow factor would be nice to. Which big blocks bring in spades......


I tried getting a quote for a LSx pull out from someone on this board but I stopped getting replies for some reason. So I moved on to crate 350/383 or big block to have less downtime than rebuilding what I have. A friend found a running truck with a mid 80's 454 but the guy wants too much for the engine with unknown mileage, parts, etc and it doesn't even run that well. So I would have to rebuild it just to be safe.


I started looking at big block crates and read a lot about vortecpro from one of the Chevelle forums. Lots of good reviews. Awesome power and build quality. About $5k for a low 500hp mid 500tq engine. oil pan to intake, balancer to flywheel as he says on his site.


My question is, do you recoup more money going with an engine like that over something like a simple rebuilt 350? (or in other words, would the truck be worth more with a big block like that)

Or is it just money spent to increase enjoyment if that's what floats your boat? Which it does mine. But I could probably do with a nice running sbc.

[no moa]

I bought one, just because i wanted a BB. Its a slug 402, but its still a BB. lol

[MARKDTN]

IMHO you should continue to look at LSx option. You get the power of a BB with the fuel economy of a 6 cyl. All the same things you would have to buy for an LS swap, you need for a BB swap (pulleys, brackets, exhaust, radiator, etc.) With the cost of fuel, that is the direction I would go.

[big_al_71]

I could had installed anything in my truck as money was no object at that time I decided to go with a small block 400 it has plenty of power sounds awesome and it looks well I let you make your own opinion...

[no moa]

My 72 Shortbed Stepside is going to get a 96 LT1 out of a 9c1 police car. I have a complete car, and most of what i need to use that motor. Just have to figure out the motor mounts, and the 4l60e crossmember.

[truckster]

If you're looking for how much you can get out of it, I'd say go as inexpensive as you can on the motor. You'll only get top dollar out of it if you make it a show-quality truck.

Having said that, if what you want is a fun truck and you don't care about fuel mileage, there's no replacement for displacement. The LSx motors come pretty close, though.

[1970 CST Short Wide]

I put a 454 in my truck just because I wanted a BB. It’s a HELL of a lot of FUN and I don’t care about the gas mileage. I'll never go back to a traditional SB but would very much conceder the LSx