Not serious about it yet, but what's the cost difference from stepping up from a SBC to a BBC? Mild cams, aluminum intakes, and headers as far as bolt-ons go for both motors). Would the extra cost be worth it? (Max rpm on either one would be 5,700).
It depends. Do you already have the BBC? Is it machined, assembled and ready to drop in? Would you sell the SBC to offset the cost? Do you have a good radiator, suspension and brakes... or will they need to be upgraded too? What are you gonna do with the car? Depending on what aluminum parts each has, a BBC weighs ~100 lb more than a SBC and it's all on the front end- not a good "upgrade" if twisty roads are ahead. By better defining your requirements, the right solution will become more obvious.
Like previously said, a lot depends on your application. But a long time ago we pulled a good running 360 hp 396 from a Chevelle and replaced the good running 300 hp 327 in my buddies '62 Belaire. Did not gain a thing, he said it was just as fast, won about the same amount of races. Also the torque kept taking out the hanger bearing on the drive shaft. He wished he had not done the switch.
It would probably be worth it to me, might not be worth it to you. Apparently it's not worth it for the thousands (millions?) of guys who are still running SBCs.
The low-end torque of a big block is a lot of fun on the street.... But it all depends on what your goals are.
If you've got the space, and the suspension will handle the little extra weight of the BBC, then I would say it's well worth it. I've done numerous swaps to BBC for people, and most the time they are not just going from SBC to BBC, they're also going from somewhat stock to a built BBC, so there's a huge difference. The torque gains, and potential for useable HP that doesn't require as radical a build to get it, is a big plus to me. 425 HP is a pretty mild BBC, while the same in a SBC is fairly radical. I went this route over 35 yrs. ago on my car and have never regretted it yet.
OH, and for costs, yes, back when I was running a BBC is sure seemed like things such as intakes, heads, etc. were more money. You'd have to sit down with a parts catalog and do a cost comparison.
Bigger, heavier uses more gas, more expensive to build - been there done that - not for me. I'd take a well built SBC over a BBC any day - or a hemi....
Lots of factors. what car? I have a 87 suburban TBI 454 I got on trade. Motor runs good. I can't see putting it in anything right off. I've heard people complain about smaller cars being nose heavy after wards. And with gas being as high as it is getting 12mpg just to say "yeah its got a big block" doesn't do it for me. I think a good home for it will be beater 55-57 to gasser it with. Or throw it in a tow pig to haul other cars. don't know.
i built my 545 BBf for $about $3,000.00 .More power than any chebby!! Seruiously, how fast do you want to go?? A mild cammed, 327 is a nice running, smooth engine. Hard to beat even though I have had both, still grin when I mash the pedal on my 545Ford!!(in a '88 GT Mustang)
I believe that he is saying that a bib block GM is overrated. He likes hemis but anything would be better than a BBC. A lot of times you have to weigh performance against bragging rights. To many to say you have a big block is more important than saying that you are the quickest. In this post it would be irrelevant but sometimes it is a matter of being totally traditional or just looking traditional at a glance. Here is an example: You are building an Indy roadster. You have to decide between a traditional engine like a Miller or a modern Indy class Toyota. The obvious choice of the masses would be the Miller of the two the miller would be the correct engine. But to other the better choice would be the Toyota. it is head and shoulders above the old mill in the screamin fast dept. All enclosed it would be very trad looking. Braggin rights V Performance.
Who cares what the other guy has when you can say yours "has a hemi in it" I was looking at a 32 roadster (with a hemi in it) one time and Kent Fuller was standing next to me and He said to me "why would you ever put one of those f#$kin boat anchors in a 32, those place for those f#$kin things is in a race car" back to the topic, Dude just put a BBC in your ride, you will get more torque per $.
Got more MPG when I went from SBC to BBC + nicer to drive and faster over the quarter. Says it all really.... P.
"Your car feels . . . . HEAVY" that's what my wife told me. Sold the BB, redid the bathroom, & bought a new crank for the 327 with the money & put it back it. Man, that was like over a 100,000 miles ago. NO Balance & USED Head gaskets. Runs like a champ. SMALL BLOCK CHEVY However, it was pretty cool driving around with no hood saying, "Check out my cars new BOOB JOB"
When dressed right big blocks just say power when you look at them. Now that being said I just did a sbc for the J because I had more after market parts laying in the garage than for the extra 454 I have...lol
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