Does my CUCV need a BBC?

[HuntinNut]

Just purchased a membership here and will be hanging around here alot. Anyway I purchased a 85 CUCV awhile back thats been converted over to a SBC. When I got it the SBC and TH400 had been yanked so, I can pretty much go any direction with this project. For the last month Ive been looking for the motor/trans combo Ive wanted and today I found a 88 1 Ton with a 454 and a TH400. Im really thinking this is the way I wanna go, but Im just not sure. Ive ran SBC'S for years and know what Ill be getting into if I go the SB route, but Ive always wanted a BBC. This rig will pretty much be a weekend driver, huntin rig and for towing my boat. So what do you guys think? Stay with a small block or buy the BBC truck and swap it in?

 

[Rhino6678]

word of advice big block can = big bucks .... trust me , me and my dad have spent close to 10,000 on his big block..... but a small block is cheap and very easy to work on

 

[sweetk30]

never owned a bbc but most i have seen and read bbc for god flat solid tourqe curve.

i have a few now in storage ready to be swaped in to somthing soon. i cant wait.

and welcom to the nice friendly site for gm solid axle trucks.

 

[HuntinNut]

word of advice big block can = big bucks .... trust me , me and my dad have spent close to 10,000 on his big block..... but a small block is cheap and very easy to work on

I really think dollar for dollar I wouldnt be spending any more to go the BB route. I know parts are alittle more money, but Im thinking about buying a truck that has a BBC in it allready so, besides for the new gaskets I wouldnt be spending any money on the conversion. Ive pretty much have myself talked into it. I guess Im just worried about problems down the line..

 

[80' 427]

I just put a stock 80k low compression 454 with just a cam intake and headers into my k30 and with 4.11s and 37s it is head and shoulders above the roller 350 that is in my dd (that make 300hp and 380lbs). You have the drivetrain go bbc. It doesn't have to be expensive.

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

It sounds like you plan on keeping the motor fairly stock, I say go for the BB, no replacement for displacement!!!

 

[HuntinNut]

I just put a stock 80k low compression 454 with just a cam intake and headers into my k30 and with 4.11s and 37s it is head and shoulders above the roller 350 that is in my dd (that make 300hp and 380lbs). You have the drivetrain go bbc. It doesn't have to be expensive.

It sounds like you did what Im wanting to do. Ill do headers when I put it in and maybe a cam later on, but Im wanting to leave it pretty much stock. The CUCV is pretty much a rolling chasis right now so Ill be money ahead buying a running truck for a donar. I found several SB trucks and a few BB trucks for the same money. Hows gas milage on the BB compared to your SB?

 

[80' 427]

Mpg is bad in both of mine but I built them for traction and power. I just bought a 77 c30 454 for $600 with a cali body. That 454 will smolder the tire for a block. It is going in my buddies 85 k-10 with 3/4ton axles. The BBC in the k30 came from a 79 c10 for $600. These trucks are getting cheaper and cheaper. Some how I have collected 4 in the last few months.

With 4.56s and any gas engine I would think 10-12 mpg would be great. Its bad but remember you insurance is cheap and you don't have a payment.

 

[Ned Kelly]

Go BB. I have a K30 with a basically stock 454 that runs on regular gas, and the only mod was a high torque cam. It was cheap to rebuild, reliable, and gobs more torque than the 350. You don't have to put alot of money into a BB unless you go with trick parts. I'd never go back to 350. Gas mileage is nearly the same, but alot more grunt. I run th400/np205/4.11/39.5" TSL. Love it.

 

[jt512]

With your plan and what you want to do with the truck I would go the BB route. Yes parts are more expensive then a SB but if your looking to stay mostly stock I vote BB.

 

[80' 427]

even when built hot you can build them reasonably. I have a 660hp 427 in my camaro. I have plenty of money in it is all reworked stock except for the intake pistons, cam and headers.