why do people lake Chevy motors big@ small block?

Answer 1

the reason they are so poppular is they are cheap and a dime a dozen. there is a great abundence of resources to build one for cheap from mild to wild . i got one in my 57 chevy (327) that im thinking about yanking out and dropping in a 455 Pontiac. i will tell ten reasons why i dont like to work on them.
1. low nickel content (weak block)
2. no valley pan (hot oil hits intake)
3 you have to remove the disributor to remove the intake (unlike a pontiac)
4. what is up with having the head bolts thread into the water jackets?? brilliant idea guys!!
5. you can change a timing chain cover on a Pontiac with out having to loosen the oil pan.
6. what is up with the harmonic balance? on a pontiac you dont need a puller.
7. cast combustion cambers. (Pontiacs where machined thus smoother.)
8. you dont need a gear puller to remove the crank gear on a pontiac. unlike a chevy.
9. chevy did have a cam retention plate (pontiac did)
10. spark plugs difficult to remove with headers on. (unlike a Pontiac)
11. A Caddy 500 actually weighs less than a bbc.
. im not saying they are junk or not good engines that is just a few of the reasons i dont care for them that and i'm a Pontiac fan.

Answer 2

The first Chevy 265 cu. in. small block became an instant favorite for motorists and racers in 1955. The cylinder block and heads were small and light weight. The revolationary simple design of light geometrically correct rocker arm assembly allowed the motor to reach high RPM's quickly. In 1957 new solid lifter camshaft and fuel injection were designed to allow this little motor to produce 1 horsepower per cubic of displacement, 283 ci. - 283 hp.. This motor was used in the 57 Corvette and the famous 57 Chevy sedan.

Over the years the 283 small block became more refined. In 1962 the little wonder grew to a displacement of 327 cubic inches. It was first installed in the full sized Chevy Impalla @ 250 hp. That same year the lightweight Corvette had four versions of the 327. These small lightweight motors had horsepower ratings of 250, 300, 340 and the fuel injected 360 hp. 327. The public was enamored with all these powerful light weight V8 motors because of dependability and racers dove in for higher horsepower modifications like kids in a candy store.

At that time you could pick up a 327 short block from the local Chevrolet dealer for $250.00. In 1965 we could walk to any Checy dealer parts counter and buy a complete 350 hp. 327 motor for $525.00. The 1965 360 hp. Corvette version was $24. dollers more.

In the late 1960's Chevrolet pulled the 3.250 stroke 327 crankshaft out and replaced it with a 3.480 stroke crank bringing the displacement to 350 cu. in. This was done for emission reasons.

*In 1963 two new larger engines were being devloped for the full sized Impalla. A 427 motor was a redesigned version of the Beach Boys song written "409." It was used in the limited addition light weight aluminum fender and hood Impalla. Strictly for drag racing. The second all new 427 was dubbed as the "Mystery Motor." It was built for NASCAR oval track use. Ultimately that motor was the forerunner of first big block or "Rat Motor" released in 1965. It had semi- hemispherical combustion chambers. The intake valves were canted toward the intake manifold. The exhaust valves exit runners were straighter to expell the burnt gasses efficiently. The head runners were straighter than anything Chevrolet had ever built. The big nasty 427 ci. 425hp. motor was avalible in the Corvette. A smaller bore model 396 was popular in the 66 Chevelle. These three 396 horse power ratings were 325, 350, and a solid lifter dome piston model 375 horsepower.

It was a widely known unpublicized fact that the 375hp. 396 actual dyno. proven horsepower was closer to 425 hp. The 427ci in. 425 hp. motors honest dyno rated well in excess of 475 hp.

Chevrolet and all other companies did this to "sand bag" insurance companies into thinking: Gosh, I guess these hp. ratings fall into our company profile as far as the size and weight allowances tied to HP. ratings. If they ever Knew!

*People have always liked these motors because of dependability and far reaching inexpensive parts. The ease of dissembly for modification and repair are other reasons.

*If you open any car magazine or car part catalog more Chevrolet combinations of non - stock parts are listed. Not because they break down all the time but Chevys respond well to well thought out modifications and the mass numbers of Chevy's on the road support the manufacture of high numbers of modified parts for these motors sold to the public.

Answer 3

Turkey is right on the money, and thats why I own 3 GTO's. Plus, chevy engines are a kindergarten engine. Any moron can talk about a chevy an sound like they know what they're talking about. Any moron can rebuild or modify one. A real engine is an old pontiac or mopar. Thats what separates the experienced an knowlegable bloody knuckle brigade from the tech geeks that dont have a clue what the rear gearing is, and are always talking about chips and rice!

Answer 4

They are cheap, easy to work on, and are very durable.
Its not rare to find a 750hp Chevy engine. You can even find some 1000hp engines out there, especially the newer 6 liter motor. I even saw a article in a magazine where they got 500hp out of a 454 for $1500.
I have yet to see a production import block reach those levels, and definitely not at those prices.

Answer 5

low price 4 parts.low weight,over 25 million of the SM blk made.Easy to get 1.5 HP/cubic in. Turkey lives up to his name...for the same money as a 400 pontiac you could build a 500 HP SB or a 600HP BB. go figger.

Answer 6

More bank for the buck. Great parts availability. There better built. Great selection of sizes to pick from interchangeability of parts. They make lots of horsepower. I could go on.

Answer 7

I'm a Chevy Girl. My answer would be because they are fast with less weight.

Answer 8

Chevy engines are cheaper than most other..If you compare prices online for intakes, headers, cams pretty much everything. and used part are easily found...and most parts are interchangable..That makes for a really cheap way to make power..and makes them really popular for people who spend their lives blowing them up..

Answer 9

Easy to work on and they will last a long time!

Answer 10

I have never been able to figure this one out either. I know there cheaper but still