big blocks...

[no1udknow]

Hey guys, I was reading a thread about big blocks and someone mentioned a full roller engine... what year did gm begin installing these in trucks? I have seen a few 454 complete vehicles on cl now for under $1k, trying to decide what direction I want to take my truck... also, how much weight will I gain with the 454 and what is the hardest part of the install?

[chevy2tom]

The hardest part is keeping your foot off the gas pedal, lol

[57taskforce]

To my knowledge the late model 454 is roller cam only no roller rockers...so not a full roller motor. my 98 factory big block k2500 with the original motor doesn't have roller rockers. I don't even think the 8.1 had them but I could be wrong. They can be added but you need tall valve covers. factory Roller cam 454s are hit and miss in the early tbi motors but I'd be willing to bet that by the the early 90s all the way up thru the vortec motors all have roller cams.

[CST10]

Originally Posted by chevy2tom

The hardest part is keeping your foot off the gas pedal, lol

That's is the truth!

[moggey01]

Actually an aluminum headed and manifold on a big block will be almost the same weight as an iron head stock small block. The Dart block with billet caps is about 20-25 lbs heavier than a stock block. And yes the later model engines where the roller design.

[MARKDTN]

Why in this day would you swap to a Big Block? For about the same money you can have an LS that is lighter and more fuel efficient while having the same power. I can understand keeping a big block if you already have one, but swapping from small block to big is hard to figure. You need mounts, manifolds, accessories and other parts that are BB specific and expensive. I am not against BB really, I just think there is a reason they don't make them anymore.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by MARKDTN

Why in this day would you swap to a Big Block? For about the same money you can have an LS that is lighter and more fuel efficient while having the same power. I can understand keeping a big block if you already have one, but swapping from small block to big is hard to figure. You need mounts, manifolds, accessories and other parts that are BB specific and expensive. I am not against BB really, I just think there is a reason they don't make them anymore.

You wouldn't want this big block? Foolish Child! GM STILL makes them and getting the kind of power that monster makes is beyond your reach with an LS motor.

[57taskforce]

Ask Stacy David. Copperhead is a wicked truck!

[Tzclark]

Big block is the only way to go.

[sboris]

Originally Posted by MARKDTN

Why in this day would you swap to a Big Block? For about the same money you can have an LS that is lighter and more fuel efficient while having the same power. I can understand keeping a big block if you already have one, but swapping from small block to big is hard to figure. You need mounts, manifolds, accessories and other parts that are BB specific and expensive. I am not against BB really, I just think there is a reason they don't make them anymore.

Simple. Different strokes for different folks..

[imjeff]

Originally Posted by MARKDTN

Why in this day would you swap to a Big Block? For about the same money you can have an LS that is lighter and more fuel efficient while having the same power. I can understand keeping a big block if you already have one, but swapping from small block to big is hard to figure. You need mounts, manifolds, accessories and other parts that are BB specific and expensive. I am not against BB really, I just think there is a reason they don't make them anymore.

I would dispute the "same power" comment. I have both and they are worlds apart. Kind of like the difference between a two stroke and a four stroke.

Jeff

[midniteblues]

for me it was sourceing all the right parts too make everything work right.
my choice of headers was the biggest deal too work around with the crossmember and clutch linkage.

dont get me wrong sbc's are awesome and i'm growing more fond of the ls engines but theres nothing like popping the hood and haveing a huge rat looking back at you.

[67swb72klb]

back to the OP's question I believe they started in 96 with the roller cams in the BBC

[Heavymetl]

Originally Posted by Fitz

You wouldn't want this big block? Foolish Child! GM STILL makes them and getting the kind of power that monster makes is beyond your reach with an LS motor.

Ten years ago, agreed.

But now, everyone and their brother has a turbo LS making 500+ hp. At the rear tires. The horsepower on the streets these days is INSANE.

[nlped]

But the sound of a Big block with a healthy camshaft can't really be beat... Just sayin'

[ho70]

depends on what you want
small block good driver
ls good driver good hp
big block old school torque, hp and looks, but gas suffers as does driveability

[Pondscum]

I'm with niped I just swapped in a big block into my 67 and wouldn't have it any other way. When I go through down and see people turn just from the sound of the truck it's worth it. Plus I've never had anyone frown after riding in that truck.

I'll keep my rat's

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by Heavymetl

Ten years ago, agreed.

But now, everyone and their brother has a turbo LS making 500+ hp. At the rear tires. The horsepower on the streets these days is INSANE.

That 572 comes from gm in 620 hp 650 tq and 720 hp 685 tq variants. I'm not against Ls by any means I plan to run one in my Cheyenne, but I'm also a fan of big displacement. I love the Vortec 454 in my k2500. With a little tuning and some bolt on go fast parts it runs pretty good...

[nlped]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

That 572 comes from gm in 620 hp 650 tq and 720 hp 685 tq variants. I'm not against Ls by any means I plan to run one in my Cheyenne, but I'm also a fan of big displacement. I love the Vortec 454 in my k2500. With a little tuning and some bolt on go fast parts it runs pretty good...

I'm going to put a 468 in my 70 GMC PB extreme md and body drop. But my driver 1968 will have 5.3 with an LS3 cam...

[texjake]

Mine came from the factory with 396 cu in big block & I wouldn't have it any other way! There's no replacement for displacement!

[CST10]

Big blocks just create such low end torque and the curve is dam near flat through the entire range. My 462 BB makes tree stump pulling torque in my 70 C10. Dyno'ed at 475 hp/500 tq all below 5000 RPM's. This engine was built to be mild by BB standards for drivability and be street friendly.

Now I'm saying one is better than the other as my Camaro has an LS making 630hp/599tq but is wound up tight at 7000 RPM's. Yes it is a go fast car that runs 10.9 1/4 mile times with ac and all.

I like the camaro but love driving that deep sounding BB truck.

[no1udknow]

Originally I wanted to build a daily driver, but after examining the fact that I couldn't drive it daily because I have to pick up 2 kids in car seats sooo...... I have decided I want a fun toy. And it seems to be easier to get a full bb vehicle than just an ls engine. Ls engines have become so popular that they are expensive. Whereas I can find a roller bb tahoe for about $1k.

[hamjet]

Big blocks are nice, small blocks are nice, Dressed in chrome, dressed in orange, stock, sooped up, open the hood and everyones got one. you know what to expect. I'm going the other way. (my wife wants to know why I always have to be different).. Just got the 3x2 bbl setup comming. can't wait!

[Bishops Trucks]

Originally Posted by nlped

But the sound of a Big block with a healthy camshaft can't really be beat... Just sayin'

Amen

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Heavymetl

Ten years ago, agreed.

But now, everyone and their brother has a turbo LS making 500+ hp. At the rear tires. The horsepower on the streets these days is INSANE.

At 500 you are STILL 150 HP away from that big block. And It does it reliably on pump gas. The main difference is the torque. Your turbo smallblock will peak at about 450 ft-lbs. That big block peaks at 650 ft-lbs and it is torque not horsepower that gets you off the line.