If you where Building a hiperformance Engine , would you choose a big block or a small block and why ?

Question

a pump gas streetable version street /strip or pro street

Answer 1

there's no replacement for displacement

Answer 2

If the main purpose of the Engine is performance, then big block is the only way to go. Lots of people say small block parts are cheaper , well some are, but dollar for dollar if you put lets say
3000. into a small block and you put the same dollar amount into
a BB the BB comes out ahead everytime. I build 472 & 500 Cadillac engines that were made from 1968-1976.Very powerful
engines that are lighter than a BB chevy. They produce mind boggling amounts of torque in stock form

Answer 3

A small block, with at least four valves per cylinder. Small blocks are popular with Ferrari and I can understand why--they're lighter, more compact, more fuel efficient, and rev higher than big blocks (though nothing will ever replace the noise of a big block v8 in my heart).

The more even weight distribution would mean that the car would be a nice autocrosser (Jaguar XKE or Subaru WRX, anyone?) and a BLAST for drifting.

They're a little easier to build and wrench on for someone of my stature, too. ;)

Answer 4

A small block would give you more rpms and better handling because of the weight difference. I agree, there is no replacement for displacement .. for power, but for a daily driver, a small block is better. Have you ever tried to start a big block in the middle of winter...ugh.
Go for the small block.. easier to get parts and won't empty your pockets at the pumps or parts store.

Answer 5

I hope you understand things like "balancing" and "traction". A smaller lighter car with a light motor (say a chevette or a maverick/mustang with a 327/350, 351-W respectively) will accellerate faster and therefore do 1/4 mile quicker than a larger car with a big heavy motor. When the larger car crosses the 1/4 mile it may be going faster but the smaller car will be quicker and finish before the larger car. Nye

Answer 6

Big block is something like a 455, small block is like a 302
the main factor is room in engine compartment.
Long block and short block is different, I has to do with if you want
heads or not. Long block is a short block with heads

Answer 7

V blocks can pump out more power in a small space.. which is not true for inline engines..
choose a Small V... that'll extract more power than the similar inline

Answer 8

Small block, no doubt. Doesn't break the bank on gas, the torque won't send an overdrive tranny straight to hell, there's typically more aftermarket parts, easier to keep cool, more room under the hood to work on them, and they're cheaper (sometimes) to build, to boot. What's not to love?

Answer 9

If you want all out the best of the best, then get a 572 tall block chevy. Nothing better than this. Best bang for the bucks. Check out the link below for information on where to buy one.

Answer 10

Horespower comes from the heads, not cubic inches. Look into the SB2 Small Block Chevy's. 9K+RPM, 700hp....

They are used in Winston Cup races.

Answer 11

For the money you spend i have learned that BB instead of SB,it wont cost to much more to build a BB and its alot eseier to get alot more power out of.If you decide to go with a SB be sure it atleast has a 4 bolt main.Don't get me wrong though because SBs are alot of fun to have and build.