I have an 84 with the 305. I am kicking around the idea of getting a big block and dropping in it.

Any recommendations???

Thanks

 

Depends what you're looking for. A typical 70's - 80's 454 BBC pickup truck engine won't produce much more power than a good 350 however the BBC has a lot more potential.

What do you want to do with it? How much can you afford to spend?

 

just looking to produce some more horsepower than the 305. So I didn't know if it would be better to go witha big block or build up the 305. I was thinking that the BBC had more potential to do stuff with and would look more imposing.

later

 

The 496ci 8.1 liter sefi engine used in the newer chevy / gmc hd pickups

 

All depends on what you're budget is really. I was thinking of doing a BBC but I would have started with one of the many ready-to-go crate engines out there priced between 10 and 15 grand. Somewhere in the 800-950hp range and very streetable. Then I realized that it would be useless since my drivetrain won't handle that much power. I'd also need a really stout trans since my current one is rated at only 600hp and I'd need a new TQ converter, a new rear axle and driveshaft, new headers and exhaust....

I stayed with an SBC, something really stout at the edge of my drivetrains abilities...

We won't get into power adders here hopefully, that's a whole new post.. hahaha

Goodluck!

 

400 small block is a good size.

 

Yes as Stephen said "How much can you afford to spend?" is the question. Your probably looking at twice as much as a 350.....Budget and Big block are two words that are polar opposites. I know I had 5,000 in my first big block that went into my camaro and it only ran slightly (.5 sec) better than my 408 Small block which had roughly the same amount of money and mods into it. Go for it if you can do it! There are many around here and other sites including myself that`ll be happy to guide you along

 

Yea, a 377 or 400 small black would be good. BBC cubic inches, SBC weight

- Justin

 

BBC = CID and torque!

Torque gets you off the line quicker even if the HP is the same. These new small cars all claim high HP numbers when you compare them against an older V8 but they don't have the same torque as the V8.

 

i was playing around with the idea of taking my modified big block out of my burb next fall and putting it in my camaro just for fun.
then i saw underneth the camaro when i did the tranny and realized my big block would twist that fram to ****.

 

I personally prefer the BBC over the SBC. That being said im running a SBC because of room. If you have the room under the hood go with the BBC. You are not as limited in the future. For now you could do the BBC Head work, cam intake headers, decent compresion for decent money if you do the reserch. I would recomend a 454 if your going to go big go big. CI are your freind. If you decide you want more after that I suggest spend money on your drive train before more HP. BBC torque = breaks drive train if its not built. But there is no end to your potential on a BBC. A SBC is wonderfull but after 550, 600 HP it starts getting really really expensive unless you use power adders. Hope this helps, its just my opinion.