Chevrolet big block vs small block

Tadshy · 11-25-2018, 08:53 PM

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

t.tosto · 11-26-2018, 10:01 AM

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!

Alan Roehrich · 11-26-2018, 10:55 PM

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.

Adger Smith · 11-27-2018, 09:21 AM

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...

Billy Nees · 11-27-2018, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

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...

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The biggest "issue" in a proper comparison is going to be the aftermarket/replacement/superseded parts situation.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!

Adger Smith · 11-27-2018, 10:13 AM

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?

Billy Nees · 11-27-2018, 10:25 AM

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

Mark Yacavone · 11-27-2018, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

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!

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

ron mattson · 11-29-2018, 01:40 PM

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.

11-25-2018, 08:53 PM	#1
Tadshy Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 19 Likes: 12 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Chevrolet big block vs small block Thanks for the advice. I sent him a private message.

11-26-2018, 10:01 AM	#2
t.tosto Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 154 Likes: 116 Liked 62 Times in 23 Posts	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!

11-26-2018, 10:55 PM	#3
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,116 Likes: 1,573 Liked 1,831 Times in 415 Posts	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. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

11-27-2018, 09:21 AM	#4
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	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... __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

11-27-2018, 10:13 AM	#6
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	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? __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

11-27-2018, 10:25 AM	#7
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,496 Likes: 3,600 Liked 7,751 Times in 1,741 Posts	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!) __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS I'm not spending 100K to win 2K

11-29-2018, 01:40 PM	#9
ron mattson Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: cloquet mn Posts: 466 Likes: 17 Liked 67 Times in 30 Posts	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. __________________ Ron Mattson 5015 STK

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