I am redoing my camaro but am unsure of what engine to run....I have a 500hp 396 sitting...it's been rebiult and not even broken in yet....Or I can get a 400 plus small block built.....

What's your choice???

 

Is it going to be a daily driver or a weekend cruiser?

There's no replacement for displacement.

 

weekend cruiser....

 

BBC baby

 

this is the same question I am going through right now, but Im not in a rush so I can take years to decide.

I have considered several options. the small block is a great motor to go with, and they can be had up to 454 CI with stock dimentions, and 472 if you get a tall deck. the cost and availability of parts for the SBC is simply phenomenal. it seems that if they make a part, they make it for the SBC, and it will be the cheapest for the SBC in most cases. I have been thinking of a 427 SBC, which will definetly make some power, be less expensive than a BBC, and probalby be easier to work on in the car. There are also no clearance issues with headers, valve covers or intake manifolds like there can be with big blocks. the exception would be for the 472 which has a slightly higher deck and couls cause some interference problems with the other parts on the car.

the other choice is a big block. I was originaly (and still am) looking into a 572, but that is a tall deck and could cause even more problems with installation. I havent done enough research into it to determine if I am willing to deal with the problems it might present to do this yet.

the other BB I have considered is a 540. you can use a standard deck, and the installation will be pretty easy. but it will still cost more than a small block. and you will probalby have to have much beefier drivetrain components to stand up to the BB, so that will cost more. (unless you tone the BBC down and go with a fairly radical SBC to even things up a bit)

as for my choice, I still dont know, and there are a few other things I am considering (especialy in the short term since I would like to freshen up my current motor) but these are just some things to think about to help you make your choice....

 

I'd do the 396 just cause you have it and it will make your Camaro different than all the small blocks running around. Like mine.

 

Big Block, even if just for the sound alone

 

thanks guys....still leaves me undecided...

Anyone else....tell me the pro's and con's of each motor....

What type of clearence issues will I have to deal with if I run the BBC?

 

I had a 70 Nova with a 396 and I thought maintenance was easier than on sbc Camaros, especially 1st gens. Changing the plugs on a sbc isn't horrible, but it's a breeze on a BB. Much easier to get at.

Only negative on BB's is the weight w/all iron motors. That Nova was really nose heavy. Made it harder to launch, handling suxx, and it was really unbalanced. I sold it after a John Force type burnout went horribly out of control. Aluminum heads will help out.

 

I'd have to agree about using what he already has. However, have you looked into buying a first gen Camaro lately? It seems like just about every Camaro that has been modified has been transformed into a big block car. The only exceptions seem to be those that are original, survivors, or "restified" into a SS-350.

Although I've always wanted a big block, I'm probably going to stick with a small block just to be different. If I ever do replace my original #'s matching 327, I might go with an iron-head Motown small-block 427 and dress it up to look like a stock 327-275HP.

 

FWIW, I have never installed a BBC in a Camaro so I dont know if these all apply to this specific application. As I said, Im just starting to research it.

taller than stock valve covers and brake boosters can somtimes hit, and sometimes wont fit at all.

Edelbrock specificaly states that the RPM and RPM air gap manifolds will NOT clear the stock hood on a Camaro. I dont know if they mean the flat hood, SS hood, or cowl induction though. they might mean all of them. and im sure there are other manifolds out there that are the same height or higher.

tall deck blocks and large tube headers can cause header interference problems. I havent been able to find a set of ready to order tall deck headers, and I dont know if they are even necessary. might just be able to use the standard deck ones with a bit of tweaking. large tubes I have heard can cause problems with hitting the power steering gearbox...