big block or small block? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

75Chevy90Kawi · 04-15-2005, 09:37 PM

whats your preference? a big horsepower high revving small block or a gnarly torque, off-the-line big block?

screwballl · 04-15-2005, 09:41 PM

depends on how much gas you want to spend

i really dont have a preference since each motor should match the truck/vehicle. It all depends on what you want out of it.
I like the 350 in my 76 with the lighter rear end but with my burb the 454 is kick ass.

*ZmOz* · 04-15-2005, 10:17 PM

There's no replacement for displacement.

u2slow · 04-15-2005, 10:38 PM

I can't vote. Diesel wasn't one of your choices.

stepside454 · 04-15-2005, 11:27 PM

depends, for toys I do like my big blocks, although small blocks are fun to...just somethin about big blocks. but than theres the MPG thing to consider

Ogier · 06-03-2005, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u2slow

I can't vote. Diesel wasn't one of your choices.

Diesels always sound like 4 skeletons fighting in a garbage can...

u2slow · 06-04-2005, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ogier

Diesels always sound like 4 skeletons fighting in a garbage can...

Interesting how the sound of an engine is suddenly negative when we're not talking about gas engines

Big-block stuff seems to cost an absolute mint - even for used/abused hard parts. I think I'd build a big-inch smallblock. 400's had good torque, but its hard to find a buildable core. 383 seems like a large investment only to get a slightly better 350. 415-454ci Motown-based SBC is attractive when you look at the price & variety of aftermarket parts for SBC vs. BBC.

I like the i6 idea also. Somewhere along the lines of a 4V or EFI 292 - just to be different.

Tom · 04-16-2005, 12:06 AM

I prefer a high revving big block myself. Can anyone say 4.5" bore and 3.75" stroke?

**Bowtie468** · 04-25-2005, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom

I prefer a high revving big block myself. Can anyone say 4.5" bore and 3.75" stroke?

That's what I'm talking about !!

Make mine a BIG Block !

Chris

Hoods69BadBowTie · 04-16-2005, 12:14 AM

I like SBs and BBs, but I too would have to say that it all depends on the vehicle and what it is used for. Plus how much $$$ you wanna spend on gas.
-Later

plumbcut · 04-16-2005, 05:49 PM

i like both! can I vote twice?

1974ChevyC10 · 04-16-2005, 06:47 PM

i like them both and there both good in there own respects.i do currently have a small block in my truck which does run good but i still would love to have a big block too.

SanitysBane · 04-17-2005, 05:24 PM

Big Block all the way for me, mine only gets 12 in town and 20 on the highway, and if i could get it to hook up would probally run a high to mid 13 in my long box. I have always driven big blocks and no small blocks. So I can't really say anything about them.

beaterC10 · 04-17-2005, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SanitysBane

Big Block all the way for me, mine only gets 12 in town and 20 on the highway, and if i could get it to hook up would probally run a high to mid 13 in my long box. I have always driven big blocks and no small blocks. So I can't really say anything about them.

What are doing to get that kind of mileage? Is your engine carbed or injected? My carbed small block in a shortbed won't get any better than that.

screwballl · 04-17-2005, 07:55 PM

my feul injected 454 with high torque/low gearing still only gets around 10... hell i get about the same with my carb 350 on ym 76 so i dont knwo whats hes done to get that mileage except only drive it up to 35mph...

SanitysBane · 04-17-2005, 08:40 PM

I've got a worked over Q-jet, on a Wieand stealth intake manifold, with a Mr. Gasket carb spacer. The block is bored .030 over to a 460 with 9:1 compression. The heads are the 718 castings with 2.220 intake and 1.88 exhaust with very mild port and bowl work. The camshaft is This one from Crane The heads have full roller 1.8 harland sharp rocker arms, (i didn't notice any change between these and the stamp steel 1.7 rockers) It still have the stock 305 weights and springs in a normal HEI dizzy, and the stock air cleaner with snorkle. I got the cheap summit headers for the truck, and it goes out to a full 3inch doul exhaust with old flowmasters on the end. THe transmission is a heavly reworked 700R4 by me and dad, it has a 2000rpm stall TQ and all the good stuff inside with no external cooler besides the one in the radiator. I've got a ford 9 with a 3.88 gear and detroit with a 26inch tall tire for a cruise speed of 3000 RPM at 85 mph. THe important thing is to keep your foot out of when you drive it, if I hammer on it all the time I can get as low as 8. And I drive my truck EVERYWERE. Its my only vehicle so if I need to go to the store, school, friends house, its always in my truck, and the last time I drove 35mph was when their was a cop behind me, the slowest I drive is 40 with the truck in 3rd at 2000 rpm.

cochran63 · 04-18-2005, 04:25 AM

BIG BLOCK!!!

Here is a pic of my 427 from when i first set it in the truck. It is almost finished now.

Tom · 04-18-2005, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SanitysBane

THe important thing is to keep your foot out of when you drive it, if I hammer on it all the time I can get as low as 8.

Sure dosen't help me. Vortec 350 with 2004R and 3.07 rear with 2300rpm stall convertor- I can accelerate at 2000rpm [not even fully stalling] and I still suck at milage. Some combo's just seem to come together right like yours....

Dano69c10 · 04-18-2005, 02:09 PM

Would you move from a big house into smaller house to save cash on energy bills?
I think not.

Would you eat a small hamburger instead of a big burger to save some cash?
I think not.

Would you install a small block instead of a big block in order to save cash?
I think not!

Big Blocks if you can get 'em!

pedrofixlater · 04-19-2005, 09:24 PM

I like them both 350 with 200-4r 2800 stall 3.73 in my 75 stepper
455 200-4r 3.42 in my 70 skylark, skylark eats the 5.0's for lunch. 75 stepper hasn't hit the street yet but close

**Palf70Step** · 04-26-2005, 01:25 PM

Thirst as a none issue...Go BB!!!!!!

crm318 · 04-27-2005, 09:24 PM

i think that there is a replacement for displacement and thats the ls1 and lll gen derivatives. you can have an f body with a BB runs high 12s and get 10mpg or you can have a f body with an ls1 run high 11s and still get 18+ mpg. but i guess it will be diffrent in a truck. i like big blocks but in todays economy i prefer a high reving small block IMO.

CHEVYE · 04-27-2005, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crm318

i think that there is a replacement for displacement and thats the ls1 and lll gen derivatives. you can have an f body with a BB runs high 12s and get 10mpg or you can have a f body with an ls1 run high 11s and still get 18+ mpg. but i guess it will be diffrent in a truck. i like big blocks but in todays economy i prefer a high reving small block IMO.

very true, depends a lot on application, newer cars/trucks are definetally a whole different animal.

68Stepbed · 04-28-2005, 11:50 AM

I'm running a 350 Small block in mine and I barely get 8 mpg. I had a friend that had a 402/TH400 in a street rod with a 3.08 gear and got almost 25 mpg!!. Big blocks make more torque at bottom end so they don't strain like a small block. Not to mention, everybody has small blocks. Give me the grunt baby.

Tom · 04-28-2005, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crm318

i think that there is a replacement for displacement and thats the ls1 and lll gen derivatives.

Ahhh but is not the 5.7L Ls1 better for power potential then the 5.3 or 4.8l motors? Or better yet the 6.0L version? And the 7.0L version coming in the new Z06..[insert tim allen grunt here] No young grass hopper, there is no replacment for displacment

View Poll Results: big block vs small block
small block	71	47.33%
big block	79	52.67%
Voters: 150. You may not vote on this poll

04-15-2005, 09:37 PM	#1
75Chevy90Kawi the green machine Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: marysville washington Posts: 333	big block or small block? whats your preference? a big horsepower high revving small block or a gnarly torque, off-the-line big block? __________________ 1975 Silverado - 450 horse crate 383 stroker, 20" Centerlines, Flowmaster exhaust, Hooker headers, full MSD ignition & more... 2003 Suzuki TL1000R 1985 Kawasaki JS550 hull - project ski - WILL have - 650, footholds, custom paint, 4* bars, bilge setup, and more... My pictures

04-15-2005, 09:41 PM	#2
screwballl Tonawanda 454 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Liquid Sunshine State Posts: 2,754	depends on how much gas you want to spend i really dont have a preference since each motor should match the truck/vehicle. It all depends on what you want out of it. I like the 350 in my 76 with the lighter rear end but with my burb the 454 is kick ass. __________________ 91 Chevy Suburban Tonawanda 454 R2500 - SOLD!!! 04 Dodge Durango 5.7L Hemi 2WD, 24K miles (as of July 2011) In the past 30 years about 90% of Fords are still on the road, the other 10% made it home. -------------------

04-15-2005, 10:38 PM	#4
u2slow Web Wheeler Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: BC, Canada, eh? Posts: 388	I can't vote. Diesel wasn't one of your choices. __________________ '66 C10 longstep - Clifford equiped '84 C20 Suburban 6.2L - awaiting 4x4 conversion '91 V3500 Crewcab - awaiting diesel swap

04-15-2005, 11:27 PM	#5
stepside454 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: st. louis area Posts: 1,551	depends, for toys I do like my big blocks, although small blocks are fun to...just somethin about big blocks. but than theres the MPG thing to consider Attached Images __________________ 75 GMC C-15 short/step factory 454, lowered

04-15-2005, 10:17 PM	#3
ZmOz Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: OR Posts: 235	There's no replacement for displacement.

04-16-2005, 12:06 AM	#8
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,748	I prefer a high revving big block myself. Can anyone say 4.5" bore and 3.75" stroke? __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

04-16-2005, 12:14 AM	#10
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	I like SBs and BBs, but I too would have to say that it all depends on the vehicle and what it is used for. Plus how much $$$ you wanna spend on gas. -Later __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

04-16-2005, 05:49 PM	#11
plumbcut california fill Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sunny So-Cal Posts: 694	i like both! can I vote twice?

04-16-2005, 06:47 PM	#12
1974ChevyC10 Overworked and Underlaid Join Date: May 2002 Location: Flagstaff,Arizona Posts: 1,279	i like them both and there both good in there own respects.i do currently have a small block in my truck which does run good but i still would love to have a big block too. __________________ I'd rather push a Chevy than drive a Ford The Beast-1978 C10 LWB Red-1978 C10 LWB (Uncle Mike)Michael Henry Millett 11/5/1957 to 03/08/2012 Gone but will never be forgotten-RIP (Uncle Chuck)Charles Manning Gulbronsen Sr 1956-2012 Taken from us to soon but you will live on in our hearts-RIP

04-17-2005, 05:24 PM	#13
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	Big Block all the way for me, mine only gets 12 in town and 20 on the highway, and if i could get it to hook up would probally run a high to mid 13 in my long box. I have always driven big blocks and no small blocks. So I can't really say anything about them. __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

04-17-2005, 07:55 PM	#15
screwballl Tonawanda 454 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Liquid Sunshine State Posts: 2,754	my feul injected 454 with high torque/low gearing still only gets around 10... hell i get about the same with my carb 350 on ym 76 so i dont knwo whats hes done to get that mileage except only drive it up to 35mph... __________________ 91 Chevy Suburban Tonawanda 454 R2500 - SOLD!!! 04 Dodge Durango 5.7L Hemi 2WD, 24K miles (as of July 2011) In the past 30 years about 90% of Fords are still on the road, the other 10% made it home. -------------------

04-17-2005, 08:40 PM	#16
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	I've got a worked over Q-jet, on a Wieand stealth intake manifold, with a Mr. Gasket carb spacer. The block is bored .030 over to a 460 with 9:1 compression. The heads are the 718 castings with 2.220 intake and 1.88 exhaust with very mild port and bowl work. The camshaft is This one from Crane The heads have full roller 1.8 harland sharp rocker arms, (i didn't notice any change between these and the stamp steel 1.7 rockers) It still have the stock 305 weights and springs in a normal HEI dizzy, and the stock air cleaner with snorkle. I got the cheap summit headers for the truck, and it goes out to a full 3inch doul exhaust with old flowmasters on the end. THe transmission is a heavly reworked 700R4 by me and dad, it has a 2000rpm stall TQ and all the good stuff inside with no external cooler besides the one in the radiator. I've got a ford 9 with a 3.88 gear and detroit with a 26inch tall tire for a cruise speed of 3000 RPM at 85 mph. THe important thing is to keep your foot out of when you drive it, if I hammer on it all the time I can get as low as 8. And I drive my truck EVERYWERE. Its my only vehicle so if I need to go to the store, school, friends house, its always in my truck, and the last time I drove 35mph was when their was a cop behind me, the slowest I drive is 40 with the truck in 3rd at 2000 rpm. __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer Last edited by SanitysBane; 04-17-2005 at 08:43 PM.

04-18-2005, 04:25 AM	#17
cochran63 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,057	BIG BLOCK!!! Here is a pic of my 427 from when i first set it in the truck. It is almost finished now. Attached Images __________________ Youth soon passes away, but immaturity can last a life time.

04-18-2005, 02:09 PM	#19
Dano69c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Kali Posts: 2,427	Would you move from a big house into smaller house to save cash on energy bills? I think not. Would you eat a small hamburger instead of a big burger to save some cash? I think not. Would you install a small block instead of a big block in order to save cash? I think not! Big Blocks if you can get 'em! __________________ '69 Fleet It ain't yours, if you didn't build it!



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04-19-2005, 09:24 PM	#20
pedrofixlater 75 STEPSIDE Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Suffolk, VA Posts: 92	I like them both 350 with 200-4r 2800 stall 3.73 in my 75 stepper 455 200-4r 3.42 in my 70 skylark, skylark eats the 5.0's for lunch. 75 stepper hasn't hit the street yet but close __________________ Pete 75 Chevy Stepside 70 Buick Skylark/GS

04-26-2005, 01:25 PM	#21
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,223	Thirst as a none issue...Go BB!!!!!! __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

04-27-2005, 09:24 PM	#22
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	i think that there is a replacement for displacement and thats the ls1 and lll gen derivatives. you can have an f body with a BB runs high 12s and get 10mpg or you can have a f body with an ls1 run high 11s and still get 18+ mpg. but i guess it will be diffrent in a truck. i like big blocks but in todays economy i prefer a high reving small block IMO. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

04-28-2005, 11:50 AM	#24
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	I'm running a 350 Small block in mine and I barely get 8 mpg. I had a friend that had a 402/TH400 in a street rod with a 3.08 gear and got almost 25 mpg!!. Big blocks make more torque at bottom end so they don't strain like a small block. Not to mention, everybody has small blocks. Give me the grunt baby. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system

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