Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

I'm looking for a Chevrolet nova stocker and was wondering if anyone on here could tell me if owning a big block Chevrolet is a lot more costly than running a small block. I have seen a few guys that had B and C/SA nova's that swapped out their big blocks and now run F/SA. I was just curious if this was for costs reasons or something else.

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Simple answer YES for many reasons

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Talk to my friend Joe Demarzo. He frequents this site and has a Nova that was a BB and he changed it to a SB He’s a very successful racer that has won many races. His car is a very fast H/SA ....He also raced a SB Camaro in the past. He knows the pluses and minuses of racing both engine combinations.,

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Rich is right Joe knows.

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Thanks for the advice. I sent him a private message.

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Love Stock Elim., but it costs $ to run either combo. and try to run at the top of each class. BB stick will put a smile on your face, big dent in your pocket!

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Mr Tosto is correct. The decision about how fast you want to be determines more about what you spend than the choice between big block and small block. Ask the Sorenson brothers, they went from nasty fast with a 427 to just as fast with a 396, and now very quick with a 350.


Yes, a block for the big block is $1200 higher, and the rotating assembly is maybe 25% higher. But you can buy new head and intakes for the big block, as well as the carburetor. Honestly, the rest isn't that much difference in price, if you're buying top shelf parts and paying for really good work.


And yeah, the nine second big block is a bigger thrill, if speed does it for you.

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

I guess the Next question is which BB combinations in NHRA stock specs produce the most HP per Cu in.?? Mopar, Chevy, Ford, Pontiac, Olds. Say from 1969 back? Exclude the multiple carb combo's...

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Adger, this is an excellent subject for it's own thread!
The biggest "issue" in a proper comparison is going to be the aftermarket/replacement/superseded parts situation.
But, it would still be a great subject for it's own thread!

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Ya know, if you don't want or can't spend a ton of money on a combo, you could always put a 307 in it! There's at least one nut case out there running one.

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Billy,
This tread got me to thinking about the Engine Masters Challenge.
Since 2010 I have had a hand in the rules and been doing Tech on the engines. I'm pretty sure the Hot Rod/ EMC/ JE Pistons brass and AMSOil could be sold on the idea.
I've been talking to my partner in crime at EMC, R.J. Sledge, about
a one day class that stood on it's own. It could be based based on 1969 and older NHRA legal stocker engines.
We were thinking it would be possible to have NHRA racers pull their engines and do some dyno competition. Wouldn't it be neat to have a few NHRA stocker Engine builders go head to head. I'm pretty sure the ink would be good in Hot Rod and the payout better than Most NHRA races. I've ask RJ to talk it around and start a thread on it to get some good feedback. If we put it together early enough we could possibly have some good contingency sponsors on board, too. Since EMC is held at JE Pistons now I bet they would support a payout for pistons. I know PRI is close, but it could be sold there, too. What do you say?

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

I say go for it! It sounds very interesting to me. (even though I don't have anything that would qualify!)

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Not sure if it would work, but I think I'll wait for the new thread to comment further. ;-)

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

The engine will be slightly more for the big block
but the other thing is all driveline components
will last longer with a small block, ring and pinion,
u-joints, trans all take more abuse from the big blocks
torque.

Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block
 

Just don't go with a LT1 combo, because you'll be running head's up against all the big blocks!