Small Block vs. Big Block

[4X4HIGH]

Look at that, a poor mans SBC with "aluminum" heads.

 

[76zimmer]

Yeah I know, I got more into the headers, than I do the heads....and that little focker runs good for a flattop 331.

 

[wasted wages]

Is it the standard 31" wide core?

yes sir...

 

[76zimmer]

thanks Frank, I am going to try to run a diesel core for now, with a diesel shroud, and 7 blade fan....I will probably go to electric in the future though.

 

[ryoken]

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?

here's a little tidbit i learned about 25 yrs ago concerning hp and engine builds... putting torque and truck specific aside...

a general rule of thumb is this when hotrodding a mill.... having a motor make 1 hp per cubic inch is a pretty mild build... 1.5 per cube, relatively hot... 2 per cube, getting pretty rad and lumpy...

so, with the same "style" of build on a mill, displacement will ALWAYS win out in the end... there's a reason why mountain motors exist....

 

[76zimmer]

so true....David Reher (Reher Morrison pro stock fame) once said to build the biggest cube platform you can afford. Not necessarily the highest output, but just the biggest c.i. platform.

 

[Ned Kelly]

You are what you drive.
Any big block will do.

 

[454 blazer]

I went from a 305sb to a 454bb it really is chalk and cheese .In stock form a bb has bags of torque add a few bits, cam intake holley and hang on for dear life !
I have nothing bad to say about small blocks but ive always thought that a big block is a real mans motor!LOL

 

[82355]

Look at that, a poor mans SBC with "aluminum" heads.

I thought the same thing when I was those casting marks.

Martin

 

[sandypants]

any body run a caddy motor? i hear awesome things about them! come to think of it where can i get one?

 

[Chaddy]

any body run a caddy motor? i hear awesome things about them! come to think of it where can i get one?

Yep.... BranndonC does.

 

[80' 427]

I have a 383 and 454 in my trucks. They make about the same hp but the 454 is nearly stock and lugs like no other. I would rather have another peanut port 454 over this dart headed 383. I can smoke the crap out of the 37s.