I am trying to gather info and parts to start my build. I am wanting to create a streak freak or somewhat period correct g***er style car. I have a 62 Chevy II Nova. I am starting from just a shell. I have seen pics on here with some early Novas with big blocks. It seems that small blocks are most common. The look I am after is nose high, and not so jacked up in the rear. I think thats a bit of the early style. I have a few good small blocks already, as well as a 427 tall deck thats fresh,and a good running 454 engine. I plan to drive this car a good bit. Any advise or suggestions on which way to go? I plan to use a four speed behind either one of them. If it breaks, I will have to move into an automatic.
The 396 engine was first produced in Feb. 1965. Before that it was the 348 and 409. So if you want a mid 60's look it would be the 396 style big block.
Small blocks look great in "g***ers" plus parts are cheap and big blocks bring the WOW factor, but in reality you have to ask yourself what you can afford to - build, maintain, fix and FEED later on when it's on the road.
as a street freak you can build it anyway you want the g***ers were sitting level with the rocker panels about center of the axles and by the end of the 60's they were low
You could go with either one........money wise...the small block the cheaper....guess a 396 motor or 409 would run you a lot of bucks...
Use the 427 or 454 IMO. Visually there are few differences and with 60's dress up items they will be identical, so neither will look out of place. G***ers need HP to complete the look and a big block does that in spades. Don
If the tall deck is fresh and stock it has peanut port heads, forged lower end including pistons. It is a big truck engine, but it is the perfect base for a blower motor. Change the heads for some better big block heads bolt a 671 on it with a pair of Carter AFB or Holleys and you are almost ready ( you really need a blower profile cam). The car you describe didn't start gaining popularity until the mid to late '60s. It would have most likely ben running a high revving small block if the guy was serious or just a stock small block well dressed if it was a sheep in wolf's clothing.
I haven't had any trouble running a moderate street cam with a blower in a big block...look at the specs on blower cams, you'll find they're pretty much the same. Roughly 550 lift, around 230 degrees @.050, 112-114 lobe separation, ground about 4 degrees advanced. But I'd run either an unblown 396 or 427, or a blown 327, in such a car
Squirrel, You have done well with the blown five five for a long time. Your formula works. We have different build styles, or ideas. Probably the reason that I don't build blower motors for me is that my idea of a streetable blower motor is right on the edge of not being streetable at all. Not optimum for a moments notice coast to coast jaunt but right at home cruising the hot dawg stand.
I guess I just always thought that a blower motor should be fun to drive....so I set mine up that way. If you're gonna spend all that money, why not have as much fun as you can with it?
Dadstoy-2, 348, 409, 427(mystery motor), 396, 427, 402, 454, 502, 572 and of course the 366. Put a 366 crank in a 454 and you have one hell of a high revving big block.
I'd vote for a high winding sb in a stick car, 301ish. BB has the wow factor I agree though. SB injected would be my ultimate, though not easily street friendly as tunneled or blown. But those stacks, now that's wow factor in spades! With the options you have readily at hand, don't think you can go wrong anyway you slice it.
You want the wow factor,pop the hood with the SB and its just dang another smallblock. Throw the 427 in there,you'll get what you are aiming at. Just make sure your front suspension setup can handle the weight.
You and I as a rule own cars that can make it coast to coast on a moments notice. Last blower motor I build was for a fella with an OT muscle car. Pretty extreme but I would never have to travel more than 30 miles max and he wanted to impress. He was running 8psi on the street, and he loved it. Perfect for what he wanted it to do. Hey I know this is off topic but didn't I see a pic of your car in the drag week coverage? If so congrats. Put one of my small blocks in it and the wow factor doen't come with a hood opening, unless the latch didn't hold it shut on launch. I'd either go high winding small block or blown tall deck 427. That 427 if it is solid is the perfect candidate for a blown streeter or track car with a pulley swap.
THere was a picture of the engine in the "how to build a street/strip car" article last month....thanks!
That's where I saw it. We'll have to find time to converse. I got to head out the door now, PM me later of you want.
Make it look like a 396, but have about 572 cubes, a set of Jackson tall stack injectors, B & J two speed, hang on! Need I say FULL ROLL CAGE?
My little Chevy II has a very mild 454 that looks like an early BBC, runs on 87 octane fuel and pushes my car to 1.64 short times and 12.46 at a slow 105 mph. If your looking for a fun car without a high stung motor BBC otherwise put in a SBC.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I am considering using my 65' 327 to get it on the road. Maybe once it shook down, I can gather up a cool cam,intake,and headers for one of my big blocks.I have a running 1979 454, a fairly fresh 427 tall deck, and a 454 with a broken crank. I see the pros and cons of big and small block now. I do like to drive mine as much as possible.
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