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Small Block vs. Big Block

twiget

twiget

1/2 ton status
Joined
Jul 8, 2008
Posts
325
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Location
Down South
I've been wondering, does a big block have any inherent advantages over a small block? These days it is very doable to build a 350 with 400hp & 400lb/ft, what used to be big block territory. Heck, if you want to spend enough $$$, a supercharged V-6 can do 300hp plus.

So, given a small block 350 and a big block 454, both putting out around 400hp & 400lb/ft, what are the pro's and con's of one engine over the other?
 
BBC's bring the cool factor up a few notches....:D:D:D

and are more expensive to build:doah:
 
The only thing that comes to my mind is maybe the Small block having more high performance/race parts to get to that level, were as the big block may be close to stock with just some minor tweaks.

so reliability i guess ?

But i really have no clue and just shooting the dark
 
low end torque of the big block cant be beat and for the same power levels the big block is less stressed.
 
I would base my choice on the suspension load capacity of the truck you want to put an engine into. A 1/2 ton truck would be better with a large displacment small block, and a 1-ton truck would be better with a tourqe monster big block to get that heavy beast moving down the road.
 
twiget said:
I've been wondering, does a big block have any inherent advantages over a small block? These days it is very doable to build a 350 with 400hp & 400lb/ft, what used to be big block territory. Heck, if you want to spend enough $$$, a supercharged V-6 can do 300hp plus.

So, given a small block 350 and a big block 454, both putting out around 400hp & 400lb/ft, what are the pro's and con's of one engine over the other?
Click to expand...
What is it going in?
 
twiget said:
So, given a small block 350 and a big block 454, both putting out around 400hp & 400lb/ft, what are the pro's and con's of one engine over the other?
Click to expand...


400Lb/Ft at 1500RPM is a much different animal than 400Lb/Ft at 4500RPM....


I rarely hear BBC guys looking to trade for a SBC. :thinking:



:usaflag:
 
BBC is the way to go. Less build to get the same level of performance than a SBC. BBC is too freaking cool. What you lose in weight you can in low end grunt.
 
SBC:

HPIM1273.jpg




vs


BBC:

HPIM1785.jpg
 
Chaddy said:
What is it going in?
Click to expand...

Not going in anything. It's just a question that has been floating around in my head for awhile. You guys pretty much confirmed what I had reasoned out for myself. Just curious to see what the experts thought. :bow:
 
i love my big block...almost as much as it loves gas. :haha:

i have both a 454 rig and a 350 rig. both pretty close to stock. the 454 does the grades on the pass better pulling my job trailer then the 350 does empty. torque is where its at.
 
COCHEV said:
i love my big block...almost as much as it loves gas. :haha:
quote]

that's funny! at this point the only thing i'd trade my big block :bow: for is a ls3 5.3 or 6.0 and i have a 5.3 sitting in the garage incase my 454 takes a poop.
Click to expand...
 
Big Block 9 MPG around town, on the freeway , loaded or empty. SBC good mileage empty less power and mileage loaded.
 
Is it the standard 31" wide core?

Those fans flow a lot....very cool....uh no pun.
 
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