Curiousity regarding big block f-bodies
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 87
From: Irvington
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 333
From: Palm Bay, Florida
My BBC Camaro
Hi Guys,
First off I skipped most of this thread so alot of this may have been stated many times....
I'm the guy with the purple Z28 with the 454 in it. The only reason I put the thing in there is because I always wanted a big block Camaro. It was just a 'cool factor' thing really to take to the car shows.
For the power level that mine produces (somewhere between 450 and 500hp) you can get a smallblock to do the same thing fairly easily. My LT-1 that I replaced had AFR heads, the GM Hot cam, and a 6psi supercharger and produced similar power, although the smallblock produced it up in the 6000RPM range and the BBC does it in the 5000RPM range. The big block puts out ALOT more torque in the lower RPMS, however, which makes it really fun to drive. The way my big block is set up (ZZ502 cam (224'/236'@.050, .540/.540 lift, 110lsa), dual plane intake, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 6045 aluminum heads) it is on the mild side so certainly it would have been alot less headache and cost to just rebuild the LT-1 when it croaked.
One of the main advantages of the big block that I can see after building both types of motors is that the big block is alot beefier than a small block in almost every way. The block is beefier, the bearing caps are huge, the crank is bigger, the rods are bigger, the cylinder bores are thicker. So while making the same amount of power, the big block parts are stressed less per mass than the small block parts. This means you can build a fairly powerful engine with stock grade parts and still be okay, which means motor-wise it will cost alot less for the same power/reliability.
Also the ports on a big block head are not only bigger, but the valves are tilted slightly toward the port runner to promote better flow (hence the old name 'porcupine heads')
So, I think that you can certainly make the same horsepower with a small block, but it will cost alot more (to do it reliably). The big block wasn't called a big block because it had more displacement (You can get a 366cid big block in a large truck). It was called that because it was bigger, so more durable.
The difference between a 427 small block and a 427 big block is the big block is more durable (assuming the same quality parts), and the small block weighs less. But with aluminum heads, intake, and waterpump I believe the difference in weight is on the order of 100lbs or so.
anyways, blah blah blah.... everyone have a nice day!
-Dave C. '97 Z28
PS: It would be cool if someone would design a big block head with the same port shape as the new LS-6 head!
PPS: If it really matters, all horsepower estimates are flywheel.
First off I skipped most of this thread so alot of this may have been stated many times....
I'm the guy with the purple Z28 with the 454 in it. The only reason I put the thing in there is because I always wanted a big block Camaro. It was just a 'cool factor' thing really to take to the car shows.
For the power level that mine produces (somewhere between 450 and 500hp) you can get a smallblock to do the same thing fairly easily. My LT-1 that I replaced had AFR heads, the GM Hot cam, and a 6psi supercharger and produced similar power, although the smallblock produced it up in the 6000RPM range and the BBC does it in the 5000RPM range. The big block puts out ALOT more torque in the lower RPMS, however, which makes it really fun to drive. The way my big block is set up (ZZ502 cam (224'/236'@.050, .540/.540 lift, 110lsa), dual plane intake, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 6045 aluminum heads) it is on the mild side so certainly it would have been alot less headache and cost to just rebuild the LT-1 when it croaked.
One of the main advantages of the big block that I can see after building both types of motors is that the big block is alot beefier than a small block in almost every way. The block is beefier, the bearing caps are huge, the crank is bigger, the rods are bigger, the cylinder bores are thicker. So while making the same amount of power, the big block parts are stressed less per mass than the small block parts. This means you can build a fairly powerful engine with stock grade parts and still be okay, which means motor-wise it will cost alot less for the same power/reliability.
Also the ports on a big block head are not only bigger, but the valves are tilted slightly toward the port runner to promote better flow (hence the old name 'porcupine heads')
So, I think that you can certainly make the same horsepower with a small block, but it will cost alot more (to do it reliably). The big block wasn't called a big block because it had more displacement (You can get a 366cid big block in a large truck). It was called that because it was bigger, so more durable.
The difference between a 427 small block and a 427 big block is the big block is more durable (assuming the same quality parts), and the small block weighs less. But with aluminum heads, intake, and waterpump I believe the difference in weight is on the order of 100lbs or so.
anyways, blah blah blah.... everyone have a nice day!
-Dave C. '97 Z28
PS: It would be cool if someone would design a big block head with the same port shape as the new LS-6 head!
PPS: If it really matters, all horsepower estimates are flywheel.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 333
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Pics
My Website is "home.bellsouth.net/p/pwp-DaveHome"
Go to the photo albums, then to "Zena". I named the car Zena (Like Xena the warrior princess, except "Z-na") hehehe..I know it's corny but whatever.
-Dave C. '97 Z28
PS: the 'donor' engine was out of a '98 motor home, so it has a hydraulic roller cam. That worked out well.
Go to the photo albums, then to "Zena". I named the car Zena (Like Xena the warrior princess, except "Z-na") hehehe..I know it's corny but whatever.
-Dave C. '97 Z28
PS: the 'donor' engine was out of a '98 motor home, so it has a hydraulic roller cam. That worked out well.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 87
From: Irvington
Originally posted by JWINN
As for Brady96Z,
That other guy's motor statement you made doesn't fly with me. That's your car that 540 is in. One bit of advice from someone that has had BB before and that is start saving your money because your never going to get that power to hook! 540 cubes! That will do! The saved money is for the backhalf your going to need for all that power. If your not careful you will get waxed by a strong running SB and thats only because he will be able to get the power to the ground and that 540ci well you will find out.
.
See Ya,
Jim
As for Brady96Z,
That other guy's motor statement you made doesn't fly with me. That's your car that 540 is in. One bit of advice from someone that has had BB before and that is start saving your money because your never going to get that power to hook! 540 cubes! That will do! The saved money is for the backhalf your going to need for all that power. If your not careful you will get waxed by a strong running SB and thats only because he will be able to get the power to the ground and that 540ci well you will find out.
.
See Ya,
Jim
http://www.modernmusclecartech.net/H...wheelstand.WMV
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 345
From: That Southern Fried Space City
Originally posted by MEATHEAD
What do you say now Jimmy???????
http://www.modernmusclecartech.net/H...wheelstand.WMV
What do you say now Jimmy???????
http://www.modernmusclecartech.net/H...wheelstand.WMV
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,309
From: sebewaing, mi
big block more power but heavier??? all depends what motor. there are big blocks made from aluminum blocks, with aluminum heads, and aluminum intakes that weigh less or damn close to the LT1....i know i have one....
give 4 years and alot of cash and you may just see it on a track near you!....lol..
just think a 500+ cubic inch motor, close to the same wieght, putting out 700-800hp NA, then add a shot of nitrous.....
the only problem i see is getting the rest of the vehicle to stand up to it...
for now i'll build the LT1, but just wait... you're gonna cream your jeans...
hmmm, or maybe some turbo power....... decisions, decisions
give 4 years and alot of cash and you may just see it on a track near you!....lol..
just think a 500+ cubic inch motor, close to the same wieght, putting out 700-800hp NA, then add a shot of nitrous.....
the only problem i see is getting the rest of the vehicle to stand up to it...
for now i'll build the LT1, but just wait... you're gonna cream your jeans...
hmmm, or maybe some turbo power....... decisions, decisions
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,985
From: In a house by the bay
Of course you can always build a gen 1 sbc around the Motown, Rocket, Dart, etc and shove it in the 4th gen. Even easier with BMR's k-member.
Done right, you could build one heck of a streetable 430+ ci street engine that makes better than 650hp na. How big is your wallet?
-Mindgame
Done right, you could build one heck of a streetable 430+ ci street engine that makes better than 650hp na. How big is your wallet?
-Mindgame